Solana tank owner thread.

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Tiny bubbles...

Tiny bubbles...

Had some micro bubbles yesterday - discovered my water level had gotten below the baffle in the center chamber... slowly added RO/DI until it got back to the proper level, and no more tiny bubbles...

It's easy to forget the evaporation factor when the AC is running at home. I'll be glad when I can move one of my Tunze ATO's to the Solana...


LL
 
Re: Tiny bubbles...

Re: Tiny bubbles...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15279777#post15279777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
Had some micro bubbles yesterday - discovered my water level had gotten below the baffle in the center chamber... slowly added RO/DI until it got back to the proper level, and no more tiny bubbles...

It's easy to forget the evaporation factor when the AC is running at home. I'll be glad when I can move one of my Tunze ATO's to the Solana...


LL
Click to expand...

You just helped me out with my micro bubble issue as well.
 
Re: Re: Tiny bubbles...

Re: Re: Tiny bubbles...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15284823#post15284823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggerHappyDude
You just helped me out with my micro bubble issue as well.
Click to expand...

Glad to help...just a lesson I learned from my larger tanks...if the return chamber gets low, the return pump will start to suck air...
That's the first place I look when I see "tiny bubbles"...that, and filter pads or pump pre-filters that need cleaning...

LL
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15273434#post15273434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lastduke
I couldn't find the answer by google, anyone have tried 250W mh with dome stock reflector?
Click to expand...

The 150 and 250 bulbs are different size (DE). You would need to replace the fixture as well - might as well buy a kit I'd think.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15281689#post15281689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speedingredline
I got my Sapphire Skimmer today. It is installed and running, does the collection cup fill with water right away during the break in period?
Click to expand...

Only if you are flooding the skimmer with the water level too high in chamber one and two? I got from my initial start of the skimmer a bunch of gray past looking stuff, I think it was the powder from the substrate I added.
 
Flooding the cup

Flooding the cup

I haven't taken my Sapphire out of the box yet, but I recall from the one I had in my Biocube 29, it initially skimmed very wet. I just kept adjusting the cup until I got the skimmer the way I liked. It shouldn't flood, but during the break-in period, it's more liable to... did you clean it in a fresh water and vinegar solution?

JME.

LL
 
Is everyone happy with the Sapphire Skimmer? I've still been running the stock skimmer sense day 1 which was in October. I've been getting good skimmate and I've been very strict on weekly water changes / daily maintenance. So up to now with all the talk of them I'm thinking that I might have to grab one.
 
I'm still up in the air with the Sapphire...the Tunze 9002 is great once you configure/calibrate it correctly for your tank...I just didn't like the fact that you have to mod it to make it fit the Solana tank (i.e. get a new cup & cut off the magnet - which I left on)...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15289099#post15289099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by myreefcentral
Rinsed it in fresh RO/DI water...didn't use vinegar...should I?
Click to expand...

That's what many of skimmer manufacturers recommend- to remove material that accumulates during the manufacturing process...

Supposedly speeds up the curing process, but who knows...

LL
 
I have had my sapphire running for about a week now and about every 2 days my skimmer cup is 2/3 full of dark green skimmate. It's working really well. The first few days it filled up pretty quick with very light green water, almost just water but I just lowered the guard on the side all the way down and has done amazing since.
 
Heres some stock skimmer action:

Just under 3 days, feed once to twice daily, 5 fish and assorted herms/snails/pom pom crab, and about 20lbs lr.

<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/212893skim.jpg"/>

<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/212893fd1.jpg"/>

not too shabby. just need to lower the cup a bit to get more of that nasty goo in the cup rather than neck.
 
Yeah I forgot to mention, the Sapphire skimmer should have the door lowered all the way, at least thats what they told me when I spoke with them on the phone early on in my break in period.

This should help it not to flood. I get a lot of that gooey substance in the neck as well still, but get some good in the cup too.

I have 3 chemical filtration bags in my 2nd chamber; ChemiPure, Purigen and SeaGel, and I think the ChemiPure bag lets little particles of stuff loose into the water and into my display eventually.
Should I put some filter floss down on the bottom underneath these bags first, to stop any bits of stuff from getting into the display?
 
it looks like you have more then enough filtration
if you are picky about water clarity. the floss might help down at the bottom but i wouldn't worry much. it should clear up.
Post pics!
f.
 
External Refugium - Would like to get some advice on doing one on a Solana...

I have seen the in tank refugiums in this thread and I am thinking of doing one that is outside of the Solana. My idea is to plumb a 10 gallon tank and have it gravity feed back into the Solana. Behind the wall where the Solana sits is the garage and I can easily run two hoses (in/out) from the Solana’s sump (3rd chamber). I will either add a pump or T off of the stock pump.

I would like to know if anyone has done an external refugium, pictures would be nice. Suggestions, advice is appreciated as well as those who decided against it. My idea is to grow pods to feed the display tank and to help maintain water chemistry.

Thanks…
 
the whole idea about Refugium and skimmers on small tanks
comes with good/bad results (skimmers take out good and bad stuff out of water)
Including nutrients/elements
Normally a 5/10g water change does the job (by replenishing such)
it all depends on what you are wanting to keep (coral wise) sps/lps/softies)

I run chemipure elite and grow cheato
I also keep up with my water changes
live rocks/sand for back up
Everything is running smooth

The whole idea about all in one tanks
is the reason why you want to keep things simple/clean
with no extra additions.
hope this all helps for future decision making/New gadget addition to your tanks

this is just my experience (I'm sharing it with you guys)

f.
 
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