simon2629 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Hi, there. After few month saving (I even quit smoke), finally my Solana is here. I got few good deal, so it's much better than order on other site - many thanks to "ATSIRHC" for your disco ball, great deal and fast shipping! I'm new to the hobby, had a 38 gallon AIO and have a 12 gallon DX, always want a real nice piece for my living room, after some research and thank for those NR member who gave me many good advices, I decided to buy a Solana. Love the design, not only a aquarium but also a cool piece furniture too. I bought the tank from "craigslist", brand new, nice deal, then light from "Atsirhc", was trying to make the stand myself but really don't have time due to the busy working schedule, found a used one local with broken glass, it's really nicely built, not like BC stand, it's heavy and made of real wood (I think). The only draw back is the glass came broken, I have to pay 35.00 to order a new one (I'll replace it with frosted glass any way) Used my LS from my 34 AIO (just sold, put sand in a buss tub with heat and powerhead, should still alive) Bought these LR with nice purple color, nice guy also give bunch of cheato Use sump fill water, 60% of water is from my 34G to boost circle took 2 hours to fill up bought 2 plant with LR, don't know the name, but look cute will move some inverts from my 12DX tomorrow night, Will probably sell the 12DX after move everything BTW, the guy who sold me the LR also gonna sell me a pair of breeding B/W clown fish. I'll need to find my clown fish a new home. Link to comment
simon2629 Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Just bought a "GRUVA" light from IKEA for the fuge, 8 watt? something like that, hope it'll does the job. PH is kind of low, 7.5, is there nature way to boost it up beside dose? do i need more cheato or it's ok? Link to comment
southstar066 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Welcome to the solana club. Great set up, love the fuge light. Can't wait to see more pics when you get coral in it Link to comment
simon2629 Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Welcome to the solana club. Great set up, love the fuge light. Can't wait to see more pics when you get coral in it Thank you. During the past few days, I notice that evaporation for this tank is crazy, I have to fill up like 6 stock top-off bottle every day, some times more. Is that much normal for the open top tank? Thanks Link to comment
simon2629 Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 coral in. ordered RKL3. should be here next week.hehe Link to comment
TriggerHappyDude Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Thank you. During the past few days, I notice that evaporation for this tank is crazy, I have to fill up like 6 stock top-off bottle every day, some times more. Is that much normal for the open top tank? Thanks Yeah I'm looking into ATO solutions myself, but I don't even have water in mine tank yet! I just know, from reading others, that its probably needed. You should look at the Tunze Osmolator, hear its a great ATO for our Solana tank, in the 3rd chamber. Link to comment
simon2629 Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Yeah I'm looking into ATO solutions myself, but I don't even have water in mine tank yet!I just know, from reading others, that its probably needed. Hi, how do you like your RKE? I wanted it but thought it's little over kill, get a RKL3 comming next week, please let me know, maybe I'll change to RKE too. Link to comment
TriggerHappyDude Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Hi, how do you like your RKE? I wanted it but thought it's little over kill, get a RKL3 comming next week, please let me know, maybe I'll change to RKE too. Ha, there you go an RKL3 is a great tool for the ATO! You can buy the switches for pretty cheap at www.atuotopoff.com and have the RKL3 control it! Away you go. I haven't bought the RKE yet, I'm still debating on the RKE vs RKL3. I'm sold on the RKE and its future proof limitless options and NET module, but its hard to throw $600 at it. I'm close though. And my first module will be an ATO! I was hoping you could convince me I was doing the OVERKILL with the RKE and to get the RKL3? Link to comment
simon2629 Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 I was hoping you could convince me I was doing the OVERKILL with the RKE and to get the RKL3? LOL. I just found RKL3 at marinedepot, yup, 600 is too much. For ATO controlling, I'm really comfused about how to use RKL3 to control ATO, can you explain? Thank you. Link to comment
TriggerHappyDude Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 LOL. I just found RKL3 at marinedepot, yup, 600 is too much. For ATO controlling, I'm really comfused about how to use RKL3 to control ATO, can you explain? Thank you. You'll need a couple things... First, you'll need a float switch. Second, you'll need a pump setup to add the type of solution you want to top off with, usually just RO/DI water. Third, you'll need the switch adapter kit to interface the float switch with the RKL system. Then all that's left is to program the unit. As for the ATO equipment portion other than the RKL3... Goto the Misc. page of autotopoff.com and build your own double since you already have the RKL3. Upper Float Switch: $11 Lower Float Switch: $12 Bracket: $6.00 Snail Guard (if desired) $1.50 Total for a double switch $30.50.. or under $20 if you don't want a double. The $50-$55 assembled version autotopoff.com sell's has some features you don't need (break out box with power socket) since the RKL3 will accept the switches bare wires and control a specific channel on the PC4 based off your programming of these sensors. I am not trying to sway your decission in either direction and I have no expeience to speak of yet as I have only just ordered my switches from autotopoff.com. Link to comment
weeber Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 very nice simon uve got lots of red coralline. Link to comment
simon2629 Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 the pineapple still not open..... Don't know this one I'm using Solana stock protein skimmer, so far it's good for me, here is the collection cup and that's how high I set the it. Link to comment
Osric Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Most people are taking the bio-balls out - you left them in for a reason? I'd like to know it. Tank's lookin good. Osric Link to comment
simon2629 Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Most people are taking the bio-balls out - you left them in for a reason? I'd like to know it. Tank's lookin good. Osric well, I did took all the bio-balls and carbon in the middle chamber, but since the fuge is young I decide to keep little amount in skimmer and will take them out later. Link to comment
TriggerHappyDude Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Let us know when that RKL3 gets here and how you get it working! Link to comment
simon2629 Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 the glass door finally come today, and the RKL3 is comming next Tuesday, I'll put pic then. All the livestock looking fine, so far for CUC I have: 15 astrea snails, 10 cerith snails, 20 blue leg hermit crab, 1 sand star, 1elegant seastar, 2 cleaner shrimp, 5 pepper mint shrimp. Fish: 1 flame angel, 2 clown fish, 1 6 line and a lawn mower blenny. Link to comment
simon2629 Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 My stock pump (Jebao) just broke this morning!! I was changing water (every thing turned off), and when I turn them back on, the return pump is not working !!!! Turn off and on again, nothing happened. Should replace it at begining, my friend who has solana told me his "Jebao" broke in 3 month (mine is only 1 month). Now I'm considering Mag500 for the replacement, is it too big? I'm planing introduce SPS and clam to my tank in the furure. Link to comment
TriggerHappyDude Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 My stock pump (Jebao) just broke this morning!! I was changing water (every thing turned off), and when I turn them back on, the return pump is not working !!!! Turn off and on again, nothing happened.Should replace it at begining, my friend who has solana told me his "Jebao" broke in 3 month (mine is only 1 month). Now I'm considering Mag500 for the replacement, is it too big? I'm planing introduce SPS and clam to my tank in the furure. Great, I have to purchase another item! This stock stuff is just bad huh? I replaced the skimmer due to noise issues and performance complaints. Now this. What would be a good return pump? I'm curious too! Link to comment
ryanmilo Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 I'm using Solana stock protein skimmer, so far it's good for me, here is the collection cup and that's how high I set the it. I am also using the stock skimmer and it seems to work great. I would like to know why you moved the rubber for how high you set it? LOL I didnt even know what it was for in the first place.. BUT what I have in it is some nice dark skim water and slime. Just curious if I raise it will it work better? Thank you Link to comment
TriggerHappyDude Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 What kind of rock do you have in there Simon and where did it come from? Link to comment
Osric Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 ... BUT what I have in it is some nice dark skim water and slime. Just curious if I raise it will it work better? So I'm interested in what's optimal too. I have read that you should get 1c of coffee coloured skimmate a day. When I set mine to get a nice dark colour, I get less than that out each day - if I set it high like this, it's too watery. So ... some expert advice would be great. Osric Link to comment
davidr2340 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 So I'm interested in what's optimal too. I have read that you should get 1c of coffee coloured skimmate a day. When I set mine to get a nice dark colour, I get less than that out each day - if I set it high like this, it's too watery. So ... some expert advice would be great. Osric The color,and amount you pull is going to depend a lot on how heavy of a bio-load you have in the tank. Link to comment
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