SPS Solana

[JGross4]

reefsahoy: Good questions! The tunze does not let any micro bubbles into the tank, thats why I wanted it in the first chamber though. Once the water comes out of the skimmer it must pass though filter floss, carbon, and then live rock rubble before reaching the return pump.

Without the sunpod on, the tank runs almost dead silent. I have found it is important to keep the filter floss in the overflow a slightly larger size than the one that came with the tank (I cut a generic brand to size for mine now). By keeping it wedged in there, it eliminates the trickling water sound.

With regards to the sunpod, I am currently looking into replacing the fan with a new one in order to reduce noise even further. I used two vantec stealths (I think) on my old tank, and ran them at a slightly reduces speed. They were almost dead silent (with acceptable airflow). Hope this answers your questions.

Thanks!

 

[JGross4]

Thanks NaH2Ofreak!

 

[reefsahoy]

OH, i just noticed you changed out the stock skimmer. did the stock skimmer let microbubbles into the tank? i'm in the market for the solana too but doing homework first. quietness is of upmost importance for me cause i may put it in my bed room and don't want the wife to complain about noise, not that she would but i get quite annoyed easily when i hear noise constantly. btw where did you get the vantec stealths fans from your previous tank? btw just for reference what is the model and make of the skimmer that you have?
thanks

 

[E30 E T A]

Nice! Serious business!

 

[Zoanut]

Wow that is sick. Everything looks soooo nice and tidy can you come and build a stand for me

 

[Zoanut]

Oh I have a question. How did you get your top up water into your ATO under the stand?

 

[JGross4]

Reefsahoy: I actually never used the stock skimmer so I'm not sure if it creates microbubbles. I am using a Tunze 9002, but I had to modify it to fit in the Solana. As far as putting the tank in you bedroom, I probably wouldn't even put mine in my bedroom. The tank still has a slight hum, and things like ATO and Dosing in the middle of the night would annoy me.

Zoanut: I just used a Maxijet 1200 powerhead with 5 feet of vinyl tubing. I would fill up a 5 gallon bucket with FW and then pump it in with the powerhead. I do this for the Solana ATO reservoir as well.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[jackiechandc]

Man love your setup!

 

[deacon hemp]

Awesome tank man,mine will be almost like yours.....i have a question though,how did u attach the false wall cover? and how did u take the dimentions? Lastly do u have the dimentions written down for the back plate?

I love the idea of the smooth cleanable back wall and thought of it b4 i seen yours,great job.

 

[JGross4]

jackiechandc: Thanks!

deacon hemp: I attached the false wall cover with black aquarium silicon and I simply measured the false wall for the dimensions. However, I actually don't have the dimensions written down. Sorry about that.

 

[deacon hemp]

Kool man thanks.... keep this thread up to date with pics ;-) Is yours the starphire solana?

 

[JGross4]

Kool man thanks.... keep this thread up to date with pics ;-) Is yours the starphire solana?

Yeah I'll definitely keep the pics coming. I wish I had the starfire solana, I didnt even know you could get one!

 

[lhoy]

I haven't heard of the Starfire Solana, just checked Current's website and they don't mention anything about a starfire tank.

I bought mine in January, would have loved the option though?

 

[SOLANA34]

starfire solana was limited to select stores

 

[deacon hemp]

I was told i am getting the starphire edition so we'll see what it is when it gets here....I'll make a build thread too. I already have a ton of goodies for it...

 

[tgcreef]

any updates?

 

[jthao]

very nice set up man. your set up is one of the cleanest I've seen on here. I couldn't keep my stuff that clean, it'll make me nuts!! lol.

 

[atrox]

I bet it was tough tearing down the 70, but Im sure after you had this tank set up you were very pleased. Its nice to see a small system with all the toys. I think a lot of people go bigger simply to use the toys. You def showed everyone you can still go small and use toys.

Beautiful well thought out system I love how the 5.5's fit perfectly in the stand. Im sure a lot of people will copy this idea.(I will)
That mixing station you built is sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
couple questions

1. what 2 part are you using?
2. do you just dump the contents of each bottle directly into the compartments.
3. how long did it take you to tweak lift pumps to maintain proper levels
4. did you order the tank with the 150 hqi and if so did you just box up the original light?

 

[JGross4]

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while, I am in the process of getting a new car, and have been overwhelmed the last few days.

Anyway, I am using the two part additives from twopartsolution.com but I dilute their mixture recipe. I have found over the last month that to maintain my desired levels, I need to use 18 ounces of additive per reservoir. I fill the rest of the volume up with RO/DI water.

Just to clarify, I fill up a gallon jug with RO/DI water and then pour 8 ounces of additive in. I mix and the solution is what I use to fill my reservoirs. Since my reservoirs at 2.25 gallons, I use a total of 18 ounces of additive per reservoir.

Also, I order only the tank and stand from my LFS so I wouldn’t have to deal with reselling the 150 light.

Hope this helps!

 

[Felix1021]

Great set up man...wow
I like it how neatly you keep things around.
i'm cycling my solana right now ...hopefully i'll get my light fixture next month.

Keep the pics coming!

Felix-