Solana tank owner thread.
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Kevin McG
Member
Had a few minutes to take a look at things and it seems the inlet on the return pump was facing where the water enters the third chamber. I turned it 180 degrees and that helped a little I think.
Also,(and I find this the main cause) it was drawing air from where the return line plugs into the back of the return loc-lines. I pushed that connection in tighter and the bubbles disappeared all together.
Now the bubbles have returned when the skimmer is turned back on, this is frustrating
I thought I had the skimmer thing worked out but it has only been a week so they may go away after working a bit longer.
Also,(and I find this the main cause) it was drawing air from where the return line plugs into the back of the return loc-lines. I pushed that connection in tighter and the bubbles disappeared all together.
Now the bubbles have returned when the skimmer is turned back on, this is frustrating
I thought I had the skimmer thing worked out but it has only been a week so they may go away after working a bit longer.
zooty
Fish Warden
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14555612#post14555612 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kevin McG
Had a few minutes to take a look at things and it seems the inlet on the return pump was facing where the water enters the third chamber. I turned it 180 degrees and that helped a little I think.
Also,(and I find this the main cause) it was drawing air from where the return line plugs into the back of the return loc-lines. I pushed that connection in tighter and the bubbles disappeared all together.
Now the bubbles have returned when the skimmer is turned back on, this is frustrating
May take a couple weeks to get the skimmer conditioned
Aqua putty causes micro bubbles too
TriggerHappyDude
New member
I don't know of any mods, but I bought the Sapphire Aquatics Solana Skimmer, made for the Solana tank, fits in chamber 1 perfectly, and is quiet as a mouse with the silencer they built with it. You should look into this skimmer.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Well, remember, I've never had either of them up and running.
My knowledge is all based on other users. What I did notice was how cheaply the stock one was made vs. the Sapphire one. Its like a real skimmer, nice design, ready to do its job. I think you should just either go with stock as long as you can stand it, as you've already paid for it, and when you get tired of the noise level and want more skimmate, look to the Sapphire.
My knowledge is all based on other users. What I did notice was how cheaply the stock one was made vs. the Sapphire one. Its like a real skimmer, nice design, ready to do its job. I think you should just either go with stock as long as you can stand it, as you've already paid for it, and when you get tired of the noise level and want more skimmate, look to the Sapphire.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Ok but I haven't heard much on the Euroreef Nano, nor do I think it was made to fit in the chambers in the back of the Solana, but that doesn't mean it can't be done nor that its not a good choice.
zooty
Fish Warden
You guys are killing me.
The stock skimmer isn't loud. Fish tanks in general can be loud. My solana replaced a 140 in my living room. It is much quieter and barely noticeable. The lights actually make more noise than the stock skimmer or stock pump.
I guess if you aren't used to having a fish tank it could seem loud or if its in your bedroom. I also noticed a lot of the people complaining about the stock skimmer being loud were also new to having tanks. I think a bit may be acclimation of the person. LOL
It may be possible that people who don't find it to be loud don't post (the silent majority?)
Chris- no offense meant because you have done of great job of tracking stuff in a 40+ page thread but its funny to me that you say the stock skimmer is loud and you don't even have you tank set up.
The stock skimmer isn't loud. Fish tanks in general can be loud. My solana replaced a 140 in my living room. It is much quieter and barely noticeable. The lights actually make more noise than the stock skimmer or stock pump.
I guess if you aren't used to having a fish tank it could seem loud or if its in your bedroom. I also noticed a lot of the people complaining about the stock skimmer being loud were also new to having tanks. I think a bit may be acclimation of the person. LOL
It may be possible that people who don't find it to be loud don't post (the silent majority?)
Chris- no offense meant because you have done of great job of tracking stuff in a 40+ page thread but its funny to me that you say the stock skimmer is loud and you don't even have you tank set up.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
You are right, its not setup and I'm basing it off people who have been using it. But there is a reason the Sapphire and other better quality skimmers create a silencer isn't there? I have had tanks in the past, 10 years ago, in my bedroom, so I'm used to noise levels myself. Again just basing the noise on what others have said, and too many have complained. But like I also suggested to kmu, go ahead and use the stock as long as you can stand it...if it gets too loud or not enough skimming, look at the alternatives.
Even this user is having issues...lets give him some advice...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1593351
I recently picked up a aqua c remora HOB skimmer and after comparing the relative noise level to the stock skimmer after I made I silencer out of miscellaneous sprinkler fittings and a cotton ball for the airline; my opinion is that the stock skimmer really isn't that loud, but skimmers do in general make some amount of noise. Now, the type of noise is different for me; the droning of the stock pump drawing in and mixing air from the airline has been replaced with a faint spraying noise as the water is introduced into the skimmer body. In a bedroom, it could perhaps be considered a bit loud for those who need absolute silence to sleep.
I would like to comment of the effectiveness of the two skimmers though. The aqua C produces darker, more foul smelling skimmate (that makes me want to gag) within a shorter amount of time than the stocker did, so as far as qualitative results go, nastier smell produced more frequently all else the same = more effective to me. Then again it is HOB and that's not some people's cup-o-tea.
I would like to comment of the effectiveness of the two skimmers though. The aqua C produces darker, more foul smelling skimmate (that makes me want to gag) within a shorter amount of time than the stocker did, so as far as qualitative results go, nastier smell produced more frequently all else the same = more effective to me. Then again it is HOB and that's not some people's cup-o-tea.
zooty
Fish Warden
I replied
Skimmer tuning seems almost an art sometimes too.
Even in my big tank it takes me a couple days to get the skimmer back to normal after I clean the chamber (That's an Octopus skimmer that works really well).
I think a lot of people are picking these up an expecting plug and play and don't realize about the "hum" or break-in period.
Patience is a key with reefing.
how thick do you guys use the polyfiller in overflow box?
put it on top of the original foam? or just the polyfiller.
I used two layers on top of the foam. It is clogged very quick, I mean less than 4 hours. Then the water level in the tank raised up until it is over the overflow level.
put it on top of the original foam? or just the polyfiller.
I used two layers on top of the foam. It is clogged very quick, I mean less than 4 hours. Then the water level in the tank raised up until it is over the overflow level.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14566690#post14566690 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zooty
I replied
Skimmer tuning seems almost an art sometimes too.
Even in my big tank it takes me a couple days to get the skimmer back to normal after I clean the chamber (That's an Octopus skimmer that works really well).
I think a lot of people are picking these up an expecting plug and play and don't realize about the "hum" or break-in period.
Patience is a key with reefing.
Thanks Zooty! Hope it helps that reefer. I went ahead and bought the upgrade skimmer so I hope I didn't waste my money, at least I have a back up one now.
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