Haha looking good costa. I'm digging that rbta with clowns. When I get a chance I will add you on the list. Keep it up the good work!

get a ATO with a 5 gallon tank too! It takes for my fresh water top off 17 days to refill my 5 gallon tank.
You can find it on www.autotopoff.com for 54.00 shipped at got the dual system and I am happy that I don't need to do the hard work anymore.

had that same system on my Biocube and loved it, will be getting one for my Solana as well.

Also, what return pump is everyone using in Chamber 3? Stock, a rio, MJ? I don't even know the flow rate of the stock one. I really need to bring my tank in out of the garage and play with it.

It cost me about $125 to make the stand I don't know about shipping though. I would think that even though it is not very heavy, it would cost a bit to ship due to it's size.

right now i am using MJ900 for slower flow and less power uses

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...p;#entry2786838

There ya go espresso gonna send this to ya as well via PM

Addd me finally haha

Really? When? I need to get off my butt and get a MP20 soon then.

Tank looks awesome man. Bout time you posted an update.. haha
I'm gonna need a new update soon too. As soon as I figure out where I'm putting all my new SPS frags

I just got my Tunze 9002 in the tank. Got the new upgraded inTank cup too. Trying to dial the sucker in now - had some water level problems from removing the stock skimmer initally so that made the initial setup a PITA.
Anyone who has it, any tips on getting it dialed in and working quick?

Sigh I was really hoping for an ES upgrade for my MP20. For anyone wanting the MP20 i would suggest getting the MP40 and just dialing it down half way. Just so when and if you do upgrade you have it available.

thanx man, With the Tunze it really only takes a day just turn it up a little on the high side and dial it down every hour or so till you hit that sweet spot...

Maybe the MP20 and MP40 are just really close in comparison i guess thats the reason for it???

Cool. I think I've got it in the right spot now.

I guess so. Guess I'm just getting a MP10 then. Oh well, saves me money.

yeah i really like my Tunze Skimmer...i'll get the upgrade for my MP10 later this month if i don't forget...lol...

ya it seems like a nice skimmer. Can't wait to see what amount of skimmate it produces.

Nice. The upgrade seems pretty cool. My brother just got a mp40w es and the new modes are pretty cool. That new nutrient transport mode seems pretty sweet.

took out all my zoa's and lps... this tank is going to be sps only!
rearranged my rock work as well hope you all like it

really interested in changing out the stock skimmer never seems to do much, makes a bunch of noise been 7weeks and although the micro bubbles have gotten better they never seem to be gone completley
.
can you guys post some pics of the backs of your tanks with a tunze or other skimmer. Also what are your thoughts on making the change?

Well people another Picasso has jumped...Damn!!!...So i traded my last remaining one for 4 juvenile B&W clowns (non-jumpers)...lol...

they look good but i have had B&W clowns jump in the past, we lost our last one about a month before we got the solana due to it jumping in the filter area on an aquapod

1st time i've herd that?...but hey i guess it can happen?

Ouch. Sorry to hear about the jumper. I thought your tank was covered?

Long story, but top is not on...I kinda' like having 4 B&W's better they school all day which is pretty cool to watch...

Called Current today to order a replacement glass lid for my 25g Solana and was told they don't make them anymore. So, I will either get glass or acrylic cut to fit at Home Depot.

Problem is, the plastic clips didn't come with the tank. Does anyone have a mod for the glass lid and/or plastic clips (the 4 that keep the lid on place).

I checked on the framed cover too - Current only makes one for the 34g.

Gotcha. Well glad the new clowns are working out for ya. Good luck with them!
My tank stays covered .... Just actually replaced the mesh with 1/4" clear mesh from overlapped 1/2" bird netting. I don't trust my purple firefish or tailspot blen at all…

Wondering if anyone is using the stock ATO system, I just started having an issue for some reason the bottles dont let out any water even if the level drops well below like a few inches below the opening on the bottles and then it usually takes 4 full bottles to get the level back up. Im afraid this is going to cause to many swings in the salinity.

Funny thing is it has been working flawless for the past few weeks, other than having to fill them 3 times per day they were keeping the levels topped off. Any ideas?

I know I need to change to a better system, just trying to get by for a while we these.

****update*****

Never mind just pulled the trigger on a tunze osmolator 3155

well i pulled the trigger on a solana tank and stand last night, and a mp10es an hour ago. now to get my pc ballast replaced and dry rock

dont forget to get pics of the unpacking i love those...

Oh trust me i will, i have a 2gb card that is going to be dedicated to this build

Welcome to the Solana crew!

Edit:
Updated my Solana's picture thread w/ some FTS and macro shots

Link is in my sig.

Nice. I like the look of less rock. Sometimes I wonder if I crammed too much into my Solana.

Thanks. Its a tough decision. Sometimes I feel like I dont have enough rock in my Solana.
Less rock is nice but I feel like Im really running out of room to mount frags to.
Its a tough call.

Folks,

In my never ending search for lighting, I have accrued quite the arsenal of lighting. I currently have:

(2) 150w 20" Sunpods
(1) 250w 20" Sunpod
(1) Aqua Medic Ocean Light 250w Pendant
(1) Current USA Sundial HQI (150w MH & 32w Actinic)

So I know FOR SURE I am not going to use the 150w Sunpods (Sundial HQI is same MH wattage plus actinic supplementation) and will not use the Aqua Medic pendent (250w of MH but no LEDs light the Sunpod 250w)

So now the question: For a tank that is going to be run either bare bottom or with very little sand, that is planning tons of SPS, Acans, and other sickness (think no Zoos, or any other low light stuff), should I use the 150w Sundial or the 250w Sunpod?

My plan is to keep both. I will most likely be using either the stock Solana stand, or a custom made stand that is a little higher. I plan on mounting the light on a lamp tree, probably the zero edge, about 6 inches or so above the water, maybe a little higher. I have my Apogee Quantum meter and will be doing tests on both fixtures.

I have a 14k Phoenix bulb for the 250w Sunpod and will test it against a 14k Phoenix with brand new Current USA Actinic bulbs in the Sundial. The best of both for me would be to find a way to retro the 250w reflector into the Sundial HQI so I have both sets of bulbs. Then I would be back to another 20" 150w Sunpod when I installed the Sundial stuff in the Sunpod body!

250W Sunpod and no sand all day...lol...

Thank you sir, and that is the plan right now. I still am going to see about modding the Sundial HQI when it comes. If I can sacrifice a reflector from the aquamedic light I have coming, this could get serious QUICKLY.

Good news is I sold both Sunpods. Probably gonna keep the T5 fixture and I think I am going to setup a 40B as a frag tank in my garage.

so i got my tank and stand on wednesday and i noticed that night when i went to go put the stand together it was already broke and then today when i went to go leak test the tank i noticed the bottom of the skimmer thing that looks to hold the pump was all broken apart. So this has been a lovely start.

A lot of people have trouble with the stand. And I think the general consensus is that the stock skimmer is not that great so most people scrap it for a Sapphire or Tunze.

The stand is really not that great at all but the skimmer i taught was great. the only problem is that its super loud. but if the noise doesn't bother you i would hold on to it till it dies thats what i did...



contact Current their customer support is really top notch and no questions asked just need your receipt...but if you just got it i would go thru your point of sale first....

yeah i have replacements coming. I'm going to use the stock skimmer til it dies. yeah its just a rough start. no worries. mp10es still isn't in yet

Hi All,

I just came across this thread and was wondering how solana stands against cad light or bio/nano cubes. I am in my research phase of deciding on an AIO system. How much would a 30g solana cost with HQI lighting?

What is the capacity of ATO system that comes with solana system?

Does solana come with a builtin refugium?

Sorry for lot of questions.

Thanks in advance!

When I was thinking of upgrading to a new system I was going between the CAD Lights, Biocube and Solana. I did a lot of research and discovered that CAD lights had recently been having huge issues with quality control and customer service. Not to mention many people were receiving their tanks shattered durring shipping. As far as the Biocube I realized that I would have to purchase an upgraded lighting system and would have to perform a ton of MODS to get what I wanted. I ended up purchasing the Solana because I like the look of the rimless cube the best and I could customize my lighting system without cutting into the AIO. Your best bet is to search the forums there are countless posts regarding these two systems.

As far as price there is a LFS in my area that sells the 34 Solana with stand and HQI pendant lighting for $600.

For me the stock ATO lasts for about 3-5 days depending.

There is no set refugium in the Solana like the CADlights however many people convert the center chamber into a "refugium".

Good luck!

jae4571, thanks for the info. My LFS don't have solana in stock. I will have to buy it online if i decide to go this path. How does the stock protein skimmer perform? And any idea how much would a replacement bulb for the pendant would be?

Need opinion: Pendant vs Strip? Which one is better? I do like the look of the pendant.

Thanks!

Guys,
Would a five gallon jug fit in the stand from currentusa? Also was reading some earlier posts about protein skimmer. is the skimmer very loud? can anything be done to reduce this noise. I will be keep the tank in our living room so it would be trouble if the noise from skimmer is easily noticeable.

Thanks for any input.

I have a 5.5 Tank in the stand for top off water,not sure about the skimmer as I run a sapphire.

I dont think my skimmer is really that loud but the overflow is what i hear all the time. i put i piece of filter pad in there and it seems to help keep it quiet

Its my solana's 6m.o. Anniversary!!

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...7607&st=120

kthehun89, your tank looks great. nice setup you have there.

I am having hard time finding a good deal on solana tank. I hope to get the tank (with stock equipment) + MH lighting for around $600 or less if possible.

I assume sapphire skimmer fits in the back chamber of solana tank? I have a HOB skimmer that does a great job on my 60g tank that i am downsizing into this nano. May be i could use that if it fits in the chamber.

Guys, if you come across any deal for solana please let me know. Thanks!

I found just the tank used for 200, assume you can get a decent MH for 200 so $400 total...

checked local craigslist...no nanos for sale...
just came across jbj nano 28g with new LED lighting...total comes to around $650...that could be another option too...

I remember the first day I set up my Solana I thought the stock skimmer was super noisey. The noise has seemed to disipate as the skimmer broke in I hardly notice it now. I use T5HO so I have no idea what the going price for MH bulbs would be.

As far as the sound for the overflow; the stock system came with a filter pad to use that catches anything on the surface and also muffles the sound of trickling water. There is no noticeable sound from my overflow.

Good luck let us know what you decide.

I ended up modifying my sundial 150 to a 250w and it is awesome. Lighter, more powerful, heat is not an issue. The only thing I don't like is the spread of the light, it lets out a LOT.

I have a Tunze 9002 and I have noticed that my skim mate production has gone way down.

also when I fill up chamber 3 with water to the top of the plate my tank almost over flow. I'm thinking this mean that somewhere along the way there is a slow down in flow.

I have the little black sponge thing in the over flow (I rise this every water change)I have a Tunze 9002 in chamber 1, then I have a small pad that I rise every water change on top of plate 2. Under that I have some cheta alega and a chemi-pure elite pad. Then the normal return on chamber 3.

I have a mp10 in my tank for water movement.

I'm not sure what is going on. I'v also noticed an increase in allege the last week or so.

Any thoughts as to what is going on?

thanks.




How you mod it from a 150 to a 250?

I have a current outer orbit pro.. I wonder if I can do the same...



Is that the wood frame kit that you have on your tank?

it is the wood frame i built for my tank because i wanted to use the mesh on top instead of glass. the link the DIY is in my sig.