Solana tank owner thread.

[Reefinabox]

That would have to be the Tunze Osmolator. Also the most expensive, but well worth it.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14567468#post14567468 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmu
What is the best and most user friendly automated top off system for dosing kalk or just water on the solana?

For ATO water I've heard the Tunze Osmolator is really the best out there...not sure about the kalk though. You are talking about getting into some expensive stuff with dosers and ATO's etc...but who am I to talk, I'm buying a ReefKeeper Elite to do some ATO and other controls.

 

[Reefinabox]

Kalk could be done with the osmolator. You usually use kalk for all make up water so it would be no different than using the ATO with fresh water.

 

[kmu]

I used to dose kalk with a little meter on my 125g reef tank about 6 years ago, I sold the little meter about 5 years ago, so getting the little meter III for my solana is too expensive.

Looks like the tunze osmolator is the best bet out there...

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Yeah thats what I almost went with, till I saw what a RKE could do...but that is a top notch device, from everything I've read.

 

[kmu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14567731#post14567731 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
Yeah thats what I almost went with, till I saw what a RKE could do...but that is a top notch device, from everything I've read.

which one is the RKE? where can I get info on it?

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

The ReefKeeper Elite is a controler, probably overkill for a Solana in most cases, but I plan to upgrade my tank to a bigger 100+ gallon tank down the road in a few years, and know this thing will come in handy...

http://www.digitalaquatics.com/m_product_info.php?part_number=30-0011-001

 

[Kevin McG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14566691#post14566691 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lastduke
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.

I pulled the bio-balls and the black sponge out and put a thin layer down inside that area. To much will make the level in the skimmer rise to much. Just a thin piece to catch the bubbles will work fine.

 

[Mook Man]

I think that he means the area where the black sponge sits between the display and where the water falls down into the overflow, not the output of the skimmer right before it hits where the blue sponge normally sits over the second chamber.

 

[Kevin McG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14569933#post14569933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mook Man
I think that he means the area where the black sponge sits between the display and where the water falls down into the overflow, not the output of the skimmer right before it hits where the blue sponge normally sits over the second chamber.

Oh yes, ok see that now after re-reading it. In there I place the same poli material but just a thin piece hanging over to collect the splashing noise from the water rushing out of the display. I use the skimmer collection cu to help hold it in place.

 

[lastduke]

thanks Kevin and Mook, I put a layer on top of the black foam to catch the water falling from the tank, but I left 1/4 black foam uncovered to allow the water goes though if the polyfiller clogged.

How often you changed your polyfiller? 3 days?

 

[Kevin McG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14571008#post14571008 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lastduke
thanks Kevin and Mook, I put a layer on top of the black foam to catch the water falling from the tank, but I left 1/4 black foam uncovered to allow the water goes though if the polyfiller clogged.

How often you changed your polyfiller? 3 days?

Not sure yet, my tank is still cycling so until it is running with a bio-load it's hard to tell. To be safe I would change or rinse every couple of days, after all it only takes a minute or two

 

[Mook Man]

Has anyone ever explored any sort of creative solution to incorporating moonlights into the disco ball? I was thinking something along the lines of a donut shaped circuit board with a couple of LEDs to fit inside the housing with wires routed up through the top of the ball and through/along the support pole. My main concern would be the material's tolerance to the heat from the halide.

 

[Kevin McG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14572571#post14572571 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mook Man
Has anyone ever explored any sort of creative solution to incorporating moonlights into the disco ball? I was thinking something along the lines of a donut shaped circuit board with a couple of LEDs to fit inside the housing with wires routed up through the top of the ball and through/along the support pole. My main concern would be the material's tolerance to the heat from the halide.

I was wondering the same thing. I came up with a temporary solution, I had a 1watt moonlight hanging around so I used a pice of Velcro and affixed it to the center compartment at the top(see picture)

Seems 1 watt is perfect for these tanks IMO.

 

[Kevin McG]

I do plan on making a custom acrylic cover to go over the entire rear compartment that will be raised a bit for the wires and such. If I decide to keep the moonlight there I will machine a hole or slot for it to protrude from for a nice clean look. I may even machine the word SOLANA in the top of the cover also

 

[kmu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14573246#post14573246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kevin McG
I was wondering the same thing. I came up with a temporary solution, I had a 1watt moonlight hanging around so I used a pice of Velcro and affixed it to the center compartment at the top(see picture)

Seems 1 watt is perfect for these tanks IMO.

Good idea

Got pics of the moonlight in action?

THX

 

[bruce922]

Nice Solana, I like that way you set the rocks up. Have you added fish yet?

Bruce

 

[Kevin McG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14575789#post14575789 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kmu
Good idea

Got pics of the moonlight in action?

THX

I'll snap some shots this evening.

 

[Kevin McG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14577034#post14577034 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bruce922
Nice Solana, I like that way you set the rocks up. Have you added fish yet?

Bruce

No fish, corals or inverts as of yet. It is into the 2nd week of the initial cycle so maybe next week I'll do some testing to see where my parameters are.

 

[kmu]

For those with the Tunze osmolator in the solana, where did you mount the eye sensor/float sensor?