Solana tank owner thread.

[MedRed]

another go at the dry dock:

Had two versions made, one with legs and one with a lip.

Sorry for the crappy pics. Should have turned the flash off

I'm using the one with the lip... It fits perfectly in the 3rd chamber. I already stress tested it on accident today. The lip ensures that the tank overflows instead of the dry dock overflowing. I found this out when i used too much filter floss in the over flow and the return was pumping water out faster than water was coming in. I'll take action shots tomorrow.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Tiny bubbles...

Tiny bubbles...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15224349#post15224349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggerHappyDude
My Solana is full of tiny microbubbles, not sure where they are coming from, been getting worse and worse over the past few days, where should I troubleshoot?

Agree with the above that the skimmer is most likely source.

If that doesn't work, check the water level in the return chamber - make sure the return pump isn't sucking air from somewhere due to low level in there, and finally clean your overflow pre-filter and other media to make sure it's not impeding flow to the return...

I am new to nanos, but these are the places I look in the "big" tanks...

LL

 

[LoneWolf88]

I am having troubles with microbubbles as well....

Should I scrap the stock filter pads (overflow and 2nd chamber) and use something else....

Currently Running: no media in second chamber currently

Stock skimmer with media balls inside of skimmer, started to get nice sludge in tube of skimmer and collection box...

How high should water be in second chamber while the tank is running???

Should I add bag of chemipure elite or other filtering agents to the second chamber during cycle stage???

 

[Nerdy Nudi]

water level should be the same in both the second and third chambers. right at ehere the media racks are. If you are not using an ato and let the level drop, this can add to noise and bubble issues.

the only reason I am using the stock pads are to reduce micro bubbles as much as possible. without the blue one, it gets loaded quickly.

 

[MedRed]

Anyone care to walk me through, or post a link showing how to install the tunze osmolator on the Solana? I'm lost as to where I should be mounting sensors. Thanks!

 

[cfmx]

MedRed - I mounted both sensors in the 3rd chamber hanging on the back (not on the plastic wall). The water pumped into the tank goes into the 2nd chamber.

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15229897#post15229897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cfmx
MedRed - I mounted both sensors in the 3rd chamber hanging on the back (not on the plastic wall). The water pumped into the tank goes into the 2nd chamber.

That's the way I'm going to do it...exactly like using it in a larger tank. The water level falls in chambers 2 and three, the bottom sensor recognizes the loss of water contact, and activates the small pump until the level is restored...

The top sensor sounds an alarm if water level gets too high, and shuts off the pump. Avoids overflowing the tank and deluting your SG with too much RO/DI.

LL

 

[MedRed]

so the bottom sensor is should be mounted just above the minimum water level for the sump? and the top sensor should be mounted at the high water level? anyone have a picture of what levels they've mounted theirs.

 

[wastememphis]

Anyone have pictures of how you mounted it? I don't have any hardware for my tunze other than the vertical plastic pieces... Nothing to attach it to the back glass.

 

[speedingredline]

I finally finished reading the entire thread. I am replacing our 24g jbj nano with a Solana. I am picking up a 2yr old system on craigslist for $750. Comes with tank, stand, pendant light, live rock, sand, water with jugs, and an assortment of chemicals.

My plan is to replace the following items asap.
Stock skimmer with Sapphire
MP10 with box preferably, but will go ghetto zip lock bag if I have to.
Stock return pump with MJ900
Stock bulb with Phoenix 14K

I have the Aquatronica Controller on our 240G reef. I am planning on just extending it to control the solana as well. I have to check on the expansion limitations. if any.

I am still deciding on the ATO/Dosing solutions.

I am hoping to avoid a chiller on this system.

Is there anything I am missing? My brain is fried been reading this thread for almost 7 hours.

Thanks

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15230057#post15230057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MedRed
so the bottom sensor is should be mounted just above the minimum water level for the sump? and the top sensor should be mounted at the high water level? anyone have a picture of what levels they've mounted theirs.

I think I saw one earlier in this thread... maybe someone can link or re-post it...

LL

 

[maxfischer]

Just set up my Solana and wanted to know if anyone was using a Calcium reactor, if so what pump are you using to feed with? The Solana is a 34g and on the stand, the reactor will be on the floor, so I need something the will feed the reactor and return the drip back up to the tank.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Overkill?

Overkill?

IMO, a calcium reactor for a 34G tank is more trouble than its worth. I can't imagine "tuning" a reactor for the minimal needs of a nano...
I'm sure there is somebody out there using one, but for the life of me, I can't imagine why... If you want to automate, why not consider metered dosing for two-part solutions...
I'd rather spend the money on a good controller and dosing system...

JMHO.

LL

 

[maxfischer]

I already have the set up, and i have lots of sps now

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15234186#post15234186 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by maxfischer
I already have the set up, and i have lots of sps now

I have to ask - what kind of calcium reactor for a 34G tank?

You just set up your Solana, and have lots of SPS? The challenge will be to have lots of SPS in a month or two...

I am mystified...

Good luck.

LL

 

[myreefcentral]

Isn't a calcium reactor on a 34G nano too much? Just wondering...

 

[MedRed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15231045#post15231045 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
I think I saw one earlier in this thread... maybe someone can link or re-post it...

LL

There was this picture...

Just for clarification... the black eye that looks like a spinning top is monitoring if the tank drops below a certain level. If it gets too low it tells the pump to go... once the water raises up high enough it tells it to stop. Does it need to be cleaned regularly? Does the eventual salt build up affect it?

The white piece operates independently of the black piece. It's there if by some freak accident the tank continues to fill. It will shut off the pump.

Please correct me if I'm misunderstanding things.

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15235663#post15235663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MedRed
There was this picture...

Just for clarification... the black eye that looks like a spinning top is monitoring if the tank drops below a certain level. If it gets too low it tells the pump to go... once the water raises up high enough it tells it to stop. Does it need to be cleaned regularly? Does the eventual salt build up affect it?

The white piece operates independently of the black piece. It's there if by some freak accident the tank continues to fill. It will shut off the pump.

Please correct me if I'm misunderstanding things.

You understand it correctly. The black sensor will sit in the water, and when the water level drops, it triggers the controller which turns on the (incldued) water pump until it senses water again. The white mechanical float valve is your last resort shut-off to prevent excessive RO/DI into your tank. It also sounds an annoying alarm to let you know there is a problem.

I have two osmolators. On the newer one, I have an occasional issue with a drop of water hanging on the tip of the black sensor, which causes a false signal. The sensor still thinks it's in water because of the drop of water...I just wipe the the sensor with a RO/DI soaked cloth once in a while, and it seems to solve the issue. I am assuming there is a little salt on there that hangs on to the water...

JME

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15235489#post15235489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by myreefcentral
Isn't a calcium reactor on a 34G nano too much? Just wondering...

Exactly what I was thinking...

I think it would be a modern miracle to set up a tank one day, add a calcium reactor the next and have lots of instant SPS - maybe moved over from another tank...

My observation is that with a calcium reactor, there is a lot of dialing in: It's tough enough if you have large volumes of water... make one slight mistake w/ 34G, and all those SPS will be smelly toast...

I am hoping maxfischer comes back to describe his Solana setup and show us pictures. Max has been on RC since 2006, but this was his 2nd and third posts...

LL

 

[maxfischer]

I have been at this for years, just wanted to know what people are using for a feed pump. I have 3 tanks up and running right now, and just started building a house so i moved into a Solana for now. Using a calcium reactor IMO is safer then 2 part, you just set it up, and thats it. I have been using one for years on a 60G cube with no problems.

Sometimes we should check the member since date and not the Post counts, trust me i know what i'm doing.