Solana tank owner thread.

[TriggerHappyDude]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Sapphire Skimmers

Re: Re: Re: Re: Sapphire Skimmers

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197972#post15197972 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dustinc
I just saw it mentioned here so I called and asked and he said I was getting the new one, so he told me not to worry. He just said it was a full drop in model, there is no bracket, which sounds sweet to me.

This part sounds really cool to me...

The new skimmer will also come with a new mesh impeller for enhanced foam production...

 

[myreefcentral]

it's not on their website at all...i read it here first too and called to check what they shipped out for me (i ordered mine last week)...according to Kyle, he likes the old model better, but that's just what he told me, he might've mentioned a different opinion to someone else...he said the reason why they changed the skimmer is so they don't have to buy any more PVC pipes and what not so their production can be more streamlined...

 

[Joel A]

so does anyone know if they sell just the solana xl 67 tank by itself and not with all of the other stuff?

I really like the tanks, but i don't want all of the other stuff...

can't seem to find an answer?

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15198107#post15198107 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joander123
so does anyone know if they sell just the solana xl 67 tank by itself and not with all of the other stuff?

I really like the tanks, but i don't want all of the other stuff...

can't seem to find an answer?

Not right now they don't, not sure if/when it would be an option either. As far as I know the contact I have at Current-USA says they have no plans of just the tank...

 

[MedRed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197496#post15197496 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MedRed
My tank came in!

FYI the dry dock is 1/4" too long to fit in the 3rd chamber and flush with the front of the barrier.Otherwise it fits in the compartment just fine. That may be a good product change to enable it to work in either chamber.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197544#post15197544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by myreefcentral
heard it restricts flow in chamber 2...

I'm not using it in chamber 2, I'm using it in chamber 3 where the ATO bottles go.

I brought my tank, dry dock, and Vortech MP20 to the LFS today. They are going to make me a custom dry dock that will be a perfect fit for chamber 3. It will also have legs on that will sit on the shelf in chamber 3 and make the dry dock level flush with the top of the tank.

 

[Joel A]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15198182#post15198182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggerHappyDude
Not right now they don't, not sure if/when it would be an option either. As far as I know the contact I have at Current-USA says they have no plans of just the tank...

pretty lame if that's the case. What if your tank cracked in shipping.. or you broke it yourself, you have to order a whole new set-up?

The tank is beautiful.. but i don't want all the other "equipment" that goes with it...

I to use ATI lighting, already have a sump and beautiful custom made stand... so that makes solana not an option for me. Poor game plan by current if you ask me..

what they should do is make everything available separately, then offer the whole package together at a discount..

 

[myreefcentral]

totally agree...i know they do it with the regular 34g solana tanks...so don't understand why they won't do it with the new tanks...but with that being said, the tanks are new so maybe all of this "package" deal is part of the marketing strategy...i'm sure once it's been out on the market for a while, they'll consider selling it in parts rather than a whole package...it might just take longer than you're willing to wait...

 

[Lightsluvr]

Re: Re: Sapphire Skimmers

Re: Re: Sapphire Skimmers

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197912#post15197912 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dustinc
I saw this and was a little upset because I just ordered mine last night and saw a shipping label for today, so I thought I was getting the old one, but I called and mine will actually ship tomorrow and be the updated skimmer as well so I'm stoked!!! I like new toys!

Our skimmers will be litter mates!!

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

ATO

ATO

I have a couple of Tunze Osmolator top off systems including the Kalkwasser dispenser... I suppose I can put the sensors in Chamber 3?

For years, I have used Velcro to stick the sensors to the sump wall...who knew that Velcro sticks while submerged, as long as the glass is dry WHEN YOU FIRST APPLY IT! :eek1:

JME.

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Re: Re: Filtration ideas for the Solana

Re: Re: Filtration ideas for the Solana

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197916#post15197916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggerHappyDude
I've been guided not to use any live rock rubble back there, from others on the NR site, they said it just builds up with crap that can cause levels of nitriates/nitrates/ammonia to rise. So they were all suggesting against it. But I'm not saying not to, just telling you what they told me not to do.

Thanks Chris - can you point me toward a thread or two on the subject... I'd like to see their reasoning, and whether it's based on actual trial and error...

LL

 

[MedRed]

The stand for the Solana is CHEAP! It scratches way too easy. I wish I'd have known ahead of time.


I have some Oceanic 30 cubes that have the Oceanic stand. The stand is sleek, has a tinted all glass front door, and has an open back, and it would have cost less.

 

[macclellan]

Re: Re: Filtration ideas for the Solana

Re: Re: Filtration ideas for the Solana

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197916#post15197916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggerHappyDude
I've been guided not to use any live rock rubble back there, from others on the NR site, they said it just builds up with crap that can cause levels of nitriates/nitrates/ammonia to rise. So they were all suggesting against it. But I'm not saying not to, just telling you what they told me not to do.

Hmm, lots of people on NR put LR rubble in the chambers of AIOs. That's where I got the recommendation. Just be sure to keep detritious down with a turkey baster and siphon every now and again.

 

[myreefcentral]

i've heard people say yes & no to live rubble in chambers of AIO nanos...in my 1st solana i had live rubble in the 2nd chamber too and it collected a lot of junk that's really hard to clean out due to the tight space...

 

[lastduke]

What about putting the small pieces LR instead of rubbles? for example, three pieces LR in 2nd chamber? anyone tried it?

 

[Lightsluvr]

Idea.

Idea.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15200786#post15200786 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lastduke
What about putting the small pieces LR instead of rubbles? for example, three pieces LR in 2nd chamber? anyone tried it?

Now that's an idea that makes sense. I looked around for threads discussing LR in AIO filters, but haven't turned up any yet.

Reconsidering my own proposal, I can see where small pieces of "rubble" could trap detritus, expecially if the flow is less than 200gph through the chamber. Perhaps 4-5 pieces of LR might be the solution; whatever would fit between the lower and upper shelves...

I don't know if anyone uses the nylon ankle stockings to hold activated carbon in the center chamber, but that's where I am getting a lot of my filtration so far...You put a measured amount of carbon in the small stocking, tie a knot in the top, rinse it well and drop it in.
It fits in the chamber nicely, as the stocking conforms to the shape of the chamber, and is easily removed for rinsing in RO/DI.

LL

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15200596#post15200596 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by myreefcentral
i've heard people say yes & no to live rubble in chambers of AIO nanos...in my 1st solana i had live rubble in the 2nd chamber too and it collected a lot of junk that's really hard to clean out due to the tight space...

This is exactly what they were telling me over on NR dot com, I can't find any specific threads, just comments through the various posts I did when first planning my tank. The detritious issue, and being hard to clean the back of the Solana was their reasoning.

What benefit are you getting from the extra rubble or live rock pieces back there anyway? Right now I have a bag of ChemiPure, Purigen, and SeaGel in my bottom 2nd chamber. Might add cheato above it one day (not sure when/why I need cheato?)

Here, I did find a quote on my first page of my tank build over on NR dot com...

dont use live rock rubble because it can do the same thing that the bio balls do..trap detrius and release nitrates back into the tank..just use the cheato

If you can light it, Chaeto would be a good choice. I don't have that tank, so it's hard to say exactly what I would do, but I'm pretty sure what I wouldn't do. The problem I see with the rubble is that it can (and probably will) trap detritus. In the display, you can use a turkey baster to blast the detritus off the rock, the chamber is too small for that. So, you're either going to get nitrate problems, or, you've added another step it maintenance where you will need to occasionally remove the rubble and "clean" the rock and the chamber. Hopefully that explains my thinking on the subject. If not, ask and I'll try again.

Oh and George, yes your ATO sensors should go nicely in the 3rd chamber, unless you plan to use it for a VorTech, which in a sea horse tank I don't think you are? Here is a picture of someone with some ATO stuff mounted in the 3rd chamber...

 

[MedRed]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15200154#post15200154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MedRed
The stand for the Solana is CHEAP! It scratches way too easy. I wish I'd have known ahead of time.


I have some Oceanic 30 cubes that have the Oceanic stand. The stand is sleek, has a tinted all glass front door, and has an open back, and it would have cost less.

I actually found a picture of the stand in action....

I use this stand on my cubes and its WAY better quality, comes pre-assembled, and is very sturdy. I'm almost tempted to drain my tank and go buy one before put anything in it.

The footprint of the Oceanic Cube is L 20.5 x W 21 x H 18.5
vs L 20 x W 20 x H 20 for a Solana tank, so the stand should be a nice fit as well.

 

[johnvic]

Stock Skimmer vs. Saphire Aquatics vs. Tunze vs. Euro

Stock Skimmer vs. Saphire Aquatics vs. Tunze vs. Euro

I have the stock skimmer and I really came to appreciate how loud it is when I had it turned off for a day. It was a crazy day and I had no time to clean the full cup.

How much quieter are some of the other skimmers for the Solana? I'm sure there are opinions about this topic. I'm looking for quality and quiet.

Thanks!

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Re: Stock Skimmer vs. Saphire Aquatics vs. Tunze vs. Euro

Re: Stock Skimmer vs. Saphire Aquatics vs. Tunze vs. Euro

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15202477#post15202477 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnvic
I have the stock skimmer and I really came to appreciate how loud it is when I had it turned off for a day. It was a crazy day and I had no time to clean the full cup.

How much quieter are some of the other skimmers for the Solana? I'm sure there are opinions about this topic. I'm looking for quality and quiet.

Thanks!

The Sapphire Aquatics Solana Skimmer is silent. The only thing I hear from my tank is the stock return pump and the VorTech sometimes.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15202247#post15202247 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MedRed
I actually found a picture of the stand in action....

I use this stand on my cubes and its WAY better quality, comes pre-assembled, and is very sturdy. I'm almost tempted to drain my tank and go buy one before put anything in it.

The footprint of the Oceanic Cube is L 20.5 x W 21 x H 18.5
vs L 20 x W 20 x H 20 for a Solana tank, so the stand should be a nice fit as well.

Very cool, post some pictures up when you get it up and running with the Solana. I'd like to see some pictures of the inside and back of this stand, it looks very nice.