Solana tank owner thread.

[TriggerHappyDude]

Mixed reef 150w will probably be ok, depends what corals you pick?
250w would be good too, but could cause you heat issues, and might end up having to get a chiller to cobat the heat issues it brings.
I went with T5s.

 

[Nerdy Nudi]

keeg, remember to research chillers, especially if you go with the 250w. the included pumps put out more heat than they should.

 

[keegoaz]

thanks for the help guys! im probably gonna go with the 150 and keep my 24" T5HO fixture on with it. i dont think heat will be a problem, i am one of those people who loves the cold and the air is always on in my house haha.

one more question. what would you recommend for a bulb, a 14000K or a 20000K? those are ones i have to pic that will come with the light, but if anyone also has a favorite bulb of some kind let me know and possibly post some pics for me.

thanks for the help guys i am fairly new at all this so any help i get is well appreciated : )

 

[dustinc]

I have a 20k XM on my 250 watt Solana and I'm very dissapointed with it. I plan on ordering a 14k Pheonix soon and replacing it, because with it I've only heard good reviews.

 

[Nerdy Nudi]

for great colors, and a light that has a slight actinic look to it, ushio 20k.

great coral colors period.

par wont be as high as the radium 150w. for a similar look, but blue tint instead of violet and more par, the radium 150w.

btw, not sure what you are getting for a halide fixture, but the best reflectors (that will make most use of the light) are going to be too large to use with another fixture. remember, the back of the solana, 5", is dead space. so you really only have a 20x15 area to light and place a halide reflector.

using a t5 retro is another story.

good luck

 

[Lightsluvr]

Has anybody actually measured how many gallons it takes to fill a 34G Solana, including the filter section? (excluding LR, sand, etc.)

Just curious...

LL

 

[SDB2224]

ya when i filled my solana up after braking it down and setting it back up i used about 25g to fill it up.... i have about 30 or 40 lbs of Liev Rock and 30lbs of LS.

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15377023#post15377023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDB2224
ya when i filled my solana up after braking it down and setting it back up i used about 25g to fill it up.... i have about 30 or 40 lbs of Liev Rock and 30lbs of LS.

That sounds about right... in which case, a five gallon water change is pretty generous...

LL

 

[E.intheC]

So, I just spent the better part of yesterday and a bit this morning reading this thread (since the last split). I passed over a bunch of posts, I'm sure.

I like a lot of the tanks out there. Very nice setups. They look clean and concise, which is something I want.

I'm considering the Solana as my next tank.

A few questions first:

1.)Does anyone use the Warner Marine H1 skimmer? I've wanted to try this HOB for a while now, and it looks like it will work, but I'm not sure if it'll fit hanging off the back chambers..

2.) How have the Sapphire skimmers worked for everyone? I know that initial impressions were good, but some complained about reliability and other sapphire problems a few months after they were installed.

3.) For the Solana owners that have had their tanks for more than 6 months or so, are you happy overall with your purchase, or do you wish you went with something else. If so, why?

And a bit of advice : I have the MP10 on my cube right now. I'm going to be using it for the Solana if I go that route. I see a lot of people are using Vortechs. A word of caution: you have to make sure the power cable is properly suspended above the pump. If the connection between the dry and wet side were to break, the pump could fall and cause damage. My 2 cents on that.

 

[TAttel]

I just set my tank up and I am using the Sapphire based on alot of what I researched. I got one of the last ones before they moded them. I can tell you that it works and IMO is quiet. The only issue is that I had to mod the air intake with a valve b/c the thing went crazy and bubbled over I guess it was pulling to much air? But Kyle @ Sapphire is good to work with.

 

[Gamepro_inc]

I really want one of these systems

 

[cerobbins]

T

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15377498#post15377498 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E.intheC
So, I just spent the better part of yesterday and a bit this morning reading this thread (since the last split). I passed over a bunch of posts, I'm sure.

I like a lot of the tanks out there. Very nice setups. They look clean and concise, which is something I want.

I'm considering the Solana as my next tank.

A few questions first:

1.)Does anyone use the Warner Marine H1 skimmer? I've wanted to try this HOB for a while now, and it looks like it will work, but I'm not sure if it'll fit hanging off the back chambers..

The H2 fits so I would assume the smaller H1 should fit with no problems

3.) For the Solana owners that have had their tanks for more than 6 months or so, are you happy overall with your purchase, or do you wish you went with something else. If so, why?

I personally do not like the rear chambers. I really liked the smaller cube with the 24" solana now out with a sump I would seriously consider that instead. just my $.02

 

[herostar]

This question goes out to everyone who has a solana...

Has anyone tried using a larger than stock top-off bottle?


It seems like it should work, but I was just wondering if anyone has actually tried it. I was thinking along the lines of a 1 Liter soda bottle or something (2L? too big?). I will eventually be using a JBJ, but until my transfer is totally complete the JBJ will still be on my 58g. It would be nice to have a little more peace of mind since I'm often out of town for 3-4 days in a row.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15381310#post15381310 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by herostar
This question goes out to everyone who has a solana...

Has anyone tried using a larger than stock top-off bottle?


It seems like it should work, but I was just wondering if anyone has actually tried it. I was thinking along the lines of a 1 Liter soda bottle or something (2L? too big?). I will eventually be using a JBJ, but until my transfer is totally complete the JBJ will still be on my 58g. It would be nice to have a little more peace of mind since I'm often out of town for 3-4 days in a row.

I haven't but the idea passed in my head a few times as I've filled up the two smaller ones. I'm waiting on my Reef Keeper Elite to be fixed so I can setup my ATO with float sensors and a 2.5 gallon tank underneath in the stand. A 1 Liter Soda mod might be a good idea though...would like to see someone try that out...

 

[nirvanaandtool]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15376292#post15376292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TriggerHappyDude
From experience, I accidentally put 40lbs of sand in mine, its WAY TOO MUCH. Use 20lbs or less, otherwise your bottom is like 2-3" deep. 40LR is good, but sand, no way...unless you want the bottom that deep?

Hmm ok. So 40 is too much sand. Maybe ill do 30 then. I want to add a pistol shrimp and shrimp goby combo eventually so they will need some extra sand to burrow into.

Do any of you guys run a two little fishes phosban reactor on your solanas? I have one sitting around from a failed 75rr build and was wondering if it can be used on the solana.

 

[LoneWolf88]

I have 40 pounds of sand in my tank I think it looks great plus I planning on adding blue spot jawfish in the future... I guess it really doesnt matter how much sand you put in a tank it is based on personal preference some people like sand some dont there are plenty of solana owners that have bare bottom tanks or those that use HDPE or those of us that like sand... it is all based on personal preference and the needs of your tank livestock

 

[DheereCrossing]

I've seen some folks use the phosban reactor on here. I think they mainly do so in the third chamber. Personally, I haven't done it but I'd probably try setting one up to pull from the first chamber and empty to the second.

 

[TAttel]

I used about 25lbs sand and it is a decent 2+ inch sandbed so 30 would definitely be what you need

 

[nirvanaandtool]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15383147#post15383147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DheereCrossing
I've seen some folks use the phosban reactor on here. I think they mainly do so in the third chamber. Personally, I haven't done it but I'd probably try setting one up to pull from the first chamber and empty to the second.

Awesome. Good to hear that it can be used - didn't want to donate it to my brother's 90g tank.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15382341#post15382341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nirvanaandtool
Hmm ok. So 40 is too much sand. Maybe ill do 30 then. I want to add a pistol shrimp and shrimp goby combo eventually so they will need some extra sand to burrow into.

Do any of you guys run a two little fishes phosban reactor on your solanas? I have one sitting around from a failed 75rr build and was wondering if it can be used on the solana.

Yes, sorry, I forgot to mention in my last post to you about the sand thickness, that it was my personal preference, if you like and want and need 3" then 40lbs is good. Like LoneWolf said, depends on your live stock and preference. I didn't want/need it that deep, so I'm ok with 20-25 lbs.