What are you using to control the ATO float switches? Like I bought a ReefKeeper Elite...what are you using?

I jsut finished looking at most of the users solana tanks, there are some really nice ones. Let keep up with the pictures.

Bruce

I am kind of new to this and I just ordered my solana tank from my LFS and I just had a quick question. I was going to purchase the Reefkeeper from Digital Aquatics and was wondering if anybody has ever used their auto top off float switch equipment. If anybody has can they tell me if they like it and how well it works with the Reefkeeper. Thanks

If you figure it out, I'd like to know, I've had my float switches that I purchased from www.autotopoff.com a while now and my ReefKeeper Elite is up and running turn on/off the lights, and giving me the temp, but thats about it, I've been wanting to figure out how to setup the ATO but just kind of too lazy.

[quote name='TriggerHappyDude' date='Jan 19 2010, 12:11 AM' post='2631596']
If you figure it out, I'd like to know, I've had my float switches that I purchased from www.autotopoff.com a while now and my ReefKeeper Elite is up and running turn on/off the lights, and giving me the temp, but thats about it, I've been wanting to figure out how to setup the ATO but just kind of too lazy.
[/quote

I will probably just purchase them and try it. They are only 24.99 and the price of the pump. Can anybody tell me what the best pump would be to pull water from the stand to to the top of the tank.

I'm running DA's float switch with my Reef Keeper Lite.
I have my ATO pump (aqua lifter) running on a multi-timer for 20 mins an hour during the day (mostly when the MH is on) and created an alarm with the float switch to turn off the pump if the water level gets higher than the float switch. This worked out better for me than just using the float switch as a controller for the pump - it almost overflowed the tank so my timer method is much more controlled.

I need to upgrade my skimmer, any ideas out there? I don't even think mine is working at this point.

Bruce

Well I've had the Sapphire, a Warner Marine(great skimmer, but doesnt work well hanging on the back of a Solana), and my latest the Euro-reef nano. And the ER kicks butt! I pull out about 1/4" of coffee colored skimmate per day. Definately better than the Sapphire, which was already better than the stock one. Just make sure to pull the sponge out of the bottom, and run w/o one.

-Mike

I use the Sapphire Aquatics Solana skimmer, its good enough for me, but its my first ever skimmer so I have nothing to really compare it to. Do you have any links to this Euro-Reef Nano skimmer?

This is what my Sapphire Aquatics skimmer looks like...

I use the TLS Nano Mag at the top you wont spill a drop...



Tunze or Euro-Reef...

Do any of you have pictures of your Tunze or Euro-Reef skimmers inside the tank and outside it?
I've had no real issues with my skimmer, works pretty well, has some odd things that maybe I just don't understand, but I get dark green slimy stuff...quite often.

I can't find the Euro-Reef online?

Ya, go here.
http://ysknp.xxzbg.servertrust.com/default.asp

btw, looks like you have the older version of the Sapphire too. I am comparing my new Euro-reef to a new version Sapphire(pump at bottom pointing up). Btw, I am not down on the Sapphire, I'm just saying the ER skims much better, in my setup. It also has a much better meshwheel imo.

-Mike

I do have the older, Gen 1 version, and it doesn't have a meshwheel, that I have found when cleaning it.
That link didn't take me to a Solana Euro-Reef Skimmer?

This page has every aquarium listed but the Solana...?
http://ysknp.xxzbg.servertrust.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1

PS, I've been eye balling the CADLights 39gallon Pro-X aquarium, I really like the plumbing and flexibility it offers over the AIO in the back of the tank setup...I haven't begun to research these yet though.
http://www.cadlights.com/product_info.php?...products_id=153

Its on page 2.(click the little "next" button)

-mike

Main site:
http://www.euro-reef.com/

Direct link to Solana Skimmer:
http://ysknp.xxzbg.servertrust.com/Product...ode=NS2%2E5%2D3

People google is your friend...

Dur, missed the page 2 link..my bad.





Believe it or not I do know how to use Google, it didn't bring up the main site in any searches I tried, not sure why...?

Click to view attachment

Here is a pic of my 4month old Solana which was an upgrade from a 12g nanocube. And before anyone says anything yes, I do have a small Scopas Tang. I have had it for 2 weeks to clean up the hair algae in my tank, I do NOT plan on keeping it long term.

My question is I use the saphire aquatics skimmer, which I have been satisfied with. But I tend to be reading that the EuroReef nano skimmer is better?? Is this true? Is there a certain skimmer from them for the Solana?

I don't know that anyone has owned both and can say one is better than the other, if so they need to pipe up, I too have the Sapphire Aquatics one and have been reading that this Euro-Reef one is so much better, but where is the hard evidence? The link was posted above, to where you can buy one, here it is again...

http://ysknp.xxzbg.servertrust.com/Product...uctCode=NS2.5-3

I'd like to see some of their pictures of it installed and see what it looks like in the tank.
Mind if I ask you how much you've spent on frags and corals? I would love to have that much in my tank.

Mind if I ask you how much you've spent on frags and corals? I would love to have that much in my tank.
[/quote]


I honestly am not sure, but I would say probably $2000-$3000

Did you not read post #462 on this page? lol.... Yes I have owned both, and yes the ER is much much better IMO... Not saying the Sapphire is bad, just saying the ER is better! From my experience, much better. But I pulled the sponge out of the bottom of the ER, and I get about 1/4" of coffee colored skim-mate per day.

-Mike

Mike Does the ER Fit in the solana as easily as the saphire? any modifications?
Is there a particular model for the solana?

You'll have to forgive me for mis-reading post #462, I must have mis-read the post and didn't realize you were saying you owned the original SA skimmer like I do. Care to share some pictures of the ER and how it looks back in the back there of the tank?



I guess you didn't read the two posts where we've given a link to the ER version made for Solana?

here it is again...
http://ysknp.xxzbg.servertrust.com/Product...uctCode=NS2.5-3





Ok, wow, yeah I won't be doing that anytime soon.

lol, its cool.

Now actually I owned the new version SA skimmer, not the older one.
And heres a picture, I found this on the web, but mine looks identical to this, except its filled with gunk! lol...

-Mike

http://justmyreef.com/wp-content/uploads/2..._Skimmer-11.jpg

Thanks, so it sticks out that much huh...wonder how I'd like that? Wonder what else is going on back there, that they have setup? Got the original thread that pic is from?

Also wanted to ask you all, what the reason some of you use bare bottom?
I used to think the sand was natural looking and cool, but mine is just cluttered with empty shells and stuff and I'm considering bare bottom...just wondering what the benefits are?

ya it sticks up, but doesn't bother me at all, due to my lighting shields it. And I just googled it and found a pik, cant remember if it was a thread or ?

mike

Ok cause thats actually a Cardiff tank its on...

The ER sticking up so high might bother me, as my look doesn't have something to block it, the important part of the design of my look is the floating light fixture above the clean looking glass cube...so this is why I initially went with the Sappire Aquatics one, it was flush...

Some very old pics (from first week of setup) but you get the idea...

I love my solona......but chasing snails around the outside of the aquarium is quite annoying anyone else feeling me on this.

looks great TriggerHappyDude! And yes, I think the Sapphire is your best option with your lighting.

-Mike

Heck yes, seems to only happen when the lights are out though, so I put a window screen, thats bigger than the tank, on mine, lots of others have built one that is the perfect size for theirs, they are out there.

Its really the only drawback I have with the rimless aquariums!

Yep every morning same routine especially nerites I definitely not get anymore of those dudes sticking with ceriths and vibexs from here on out. I also lost about 3 fish without a lid but at least not immediately after I put them in they hung around for couple months.

Im not a fan of how the ER sticks out. Wish it fit inside cause my mesh lid for the tank covers the top of the back compartments the way I built it.

I'll probably get the Sapphire in a couple weeks just because it fits in the back area and doesnt stick out.

I think if you're looking for a skimmer that works well in the rear compartment, Sapphire is probably the best you're gonna do. Hopefully you get great customer service and the new mesh-wheel design.

-Mike

What does the mesh wheel do? I have the Ver 1 design, no mesh wheel.

Yea thats what I figured. Heard the Tunze is very hard to dial in due to fluctuating water levels when water evaps.

Didnt really plan to cover the rear compartments when I built the mesh lid but I wanted the back corners covered cause I figured if they werent completely covered, Id end up with a jumper slipping out through them.

EDIT:
Anyone know what online sites have the upgraded model? Dont want to order and end up with the old model.

Makes better bubbles, you should email them, and see if they will send you the upgrade. I know they have sent it to others. But I'm not sure if it were a "free upgrade" or not. Hope you get a quick response, keep us posted.

-Mike

yeah that was the reason i got the Tunze over the ER...but the ER is more of a beast then the Tunze or the Sapphire hands down...but we are Americans so we will always compromise esthetics over functionality 9 times out of 10...

God bless the U.S.A. i would have it no other way...lol...

Sapphire website should have it and I bought one of the last older models(which has a mesh wheel anyway) in June so you should be fine....personally the sapphire frustrates the heck out of me it never worked right I had to mod the air hose to fix it and the chamber door to lower/raise water level broke and I never even got a chance to use it to adjust skimate

So they made an original model, version 1, with a mesh wheel? I don't have one? Wonder if they can do that now?

I am pretty sure mine is a mesh wheel when I look at the pump. They told me at the time they were fixing the "old version" possibly the mesh wheel but I don't remember. After I purchased I called them about the newer model realizing I had the older one. The difference had something to do with maybe how the bubbles re-circulated? I don't quite remember but it at the time seemed to me to be insignificant.

I'll contact them and see...bet I get an excuse and brush off.

PS, just orderd 8 frags for $115 from someone on here...will be in on Tuesday.
Have to get my water tested this weekend, and maybe do a small water change.
I have some other frags that are looking sick or dead, will post pics later for advice/opinions.

You may want to do alot of WCs like every couple days and dip your corals
I recently had an issue with my torch and a paly. One day couple weeks ago my 3 headed torch literally dissolved to one head with brown ooze coming out and my paly started to shrivel and brown. Possibly it was brown jelly but no other corals affected. I checked online/ LFS no one could quite explain it I do weekly WCs and only have 2 fish. My tests came out fine but my lfs said phosphates sometimes deceptive suggested doing water changes every couple days and dipping corals I also added a type of carbon in the 2nd chamber(I just have purigen). Everything looks good now.

Dipping, in what?
I just bought a Kent Marine "Reef Starter Kit", comes with Iodide, Strontium&Molybdenum, and Liquid Calcium.
Did a water change this pas weekend, might do another one depending on my Reef Kit test.

I use this, and love it... Smells good!!!

I just snapped a couple piks of 1 days worth of skimmate from my Euro-reef nano skimmer.

pretty good, i've been getting this much daily, and i barely feed at all.

-Mike

Humm looks like what my SA is pulling in a day too...nice though, glad its working better for you.



What does dipping do? Clean the coral of what?

How's the Tunze working out for ya?
Yea that pretty much sums us up. Its gotta look good THEN perform well haha



Gotcha. I checked there and didnt see any link for a store, instead saw links to retail stores instead so I was curious who would have the upgraded model.
Ugh I dont like the sound of their customer service. Have they been this bad for everyone?

Damn firefish and his jumpy habits preventing me from going Euro-Reef....



Trigger do you have test kits for these supplements? You shouldnt dose anything without testing your levels to see if you are under or over-dosing.
Also, you are going to need an Alkalinity buffer and a Magnesium supplement.

Personally I just dose a 2 part solution for Calc and Alk and a Mag supplement. Everything else just gets replenished when you do a water change if you are using good salt.

Sapphire stepping up in the world... I think you will get the "newer" model b/c they did not have any inventory of the old back in june. But if you e-mail them they will respond.

Trigger from what I understand Calcium and Mag are the key supplements which I am actually considering adding additionally myself but want to get specific testing to know. I am discovering that if you use API testing kits it only tests for prosphates to a certain degree so even if you test looks good there may still be traces hence it was suggested doing a lot of changes like every 3 days. The dip helps prevent parasites but also it has nutrients that help.

Ok looking into stocking my tank now since I am getting rid of the tang, he is going back into my 50br set up at home.

I have 2 Picasso Clownfish sofar

I can handle extra bioload I know that, I am starting to use microbacter7, and I use a bunch of chateo.

My ammonia is at 0.50, nitrites, phos, and nitrates are all 0ppm


Looking into

Lyretail Antias
Mccoskers Wrasse
5-7 chromis

[quote name='NirvanaandTool' date='Jan 23 2010, 09:05 AM' post='2639775']
How's the Tunze working out for ya?
Yea that pretty much sums us up. Its gotta look good THEN perform well haha

I have the API Salterwater Master Kit and API Reef Master Kit; which checks for Calcium, KH-Carbonate Hardness, Phosphate and Nitrate levels.

So I shouldn't use the Kent stuff I bought? I can return it. It was an impulse buy.
I do have 3 Seachem products; Reef Buffer (Raises pH to 8.3), Reef Builder (Raises Carbonate Alk), and Marine Buffer (Safely raises and maintains pH to 8.3)

So, I'll test my water today, doesn't sound like I even need the Kent Marine stuff...?