34g Solana - Snail Guard?

[sf_ramsden]

I don't know if anyone else with a 34g Solana has this happen to them, but every time a snail goes up onto the overflow grates it slows down the water going into the back sump and causes the auto top-off to start up prematurely.

Maybe it is because the return pump that comes with the Solana is too fast? I have been thinking about switching out the return pump for a Maxijet 900 since I have had the tank. I am just tired of fresh water being pumped into the system when it's not need. Once the snail moves off the overflow grate then the back sump is too full of water and messes with skimmer.

Am I the only one? I tried searching on many forums and haven't heard anyone say this yet...

 

[toyencounters]

Get rid of those plastic bottles and the Solana skimmer its the worst!!

 

[sf_ramsden]

Get rid of those plastic bottles and the Solana skimmer its the worst!!

Solana skimmer is going away very soon. I just purchased a Tunze 9002 with InTank cup and airline mod, should be here end of this week I hope. Those water bottles will be going away as soon as I can figure out what ATO I am comfortable running. But even without the water bottles and with a true ATO, I feel that the ATO would run prematurely.

 

[toyencounters]

Do you have a Refractometer? I top off my self every day!

 

[sf_ramsden]

Refractometer, of course!

No way I can always top off myself... I leave for weekends, go on vacation, work trips, etc. And I don't want to burden someone else with this task either, when it can be automated. The water bottles have been working just fine for now, even though I need to refill daily. But I am looking to go the route in which I only need to refill the top-off reservoir once a week maybe.

 

[toyencounters]

No way possible! Because the water evaporates to quickly in the Solana especially with the mp10! and if you dont have a chiller its even worst!

 

[sf_ramsden]

Not true, hooking up a 5 gallon bucket or the 5.5 tank to an ATO system would easily hold me over for a week. I barely go through 2.5 gallons a week.

How would the MP10 cause that much evaporation? There is no heat given off as the motor is on the outside (which is why they are one of the best out there)...

 

[toyencounters]

If you go that route it is a diffrent story! I top off my self every day but I work from Home. Do you have a Refractometer?

 

[sf_ramsden]

I have a refractometer... Salinity level in the tank is very stable. Pretty much always between 1.025 - 1.026.

It doesn't mess up the water parameters when the snails slow down the flow to the intake, it mainly messes with the water levels in the back of the solana where the skimmer is.

 

[toyencounters]

Right on the MP10 but its motion that evaporates some water! Trust me I had one of the first MP10 about 1 1/2 ago and bought one of the first Solanas about 3 1/2 years ago!

 

[toyencounters]

Your Right I was just on the topic of top off!

 

[sf_ramsden]

Haha, I got you... I am only going through maybe 1/4 gallon or so a day, which I don't think is bad at all. With running T5s instead of MH it definitely helps with heat. Plus I keep my apartment at 74 degrees or so, so my temp in the tank is actually around 77 - 78.

 

[toyencounters]

I love your Solana! I have some awesome pictures I will send you soon. My older Solana actually has about a 1/4 thickness of coraline algae on the black cover!

 

[toyencounters]

Got my fiirst flamethrower today I am very excited!

 

[sf_ramsden]

Yea, I saw you snatch up a real nice piece (I'm jealous your's has the blue streaks already on it!). Looking forward to the pics!

 

[toyencounters]

Something I did that was cool to my Solana tanks stands. I Tinted the Glass cover door with dark window tint looks awesome!

 

[m and m]

Solana skimmer is going away very soon. I just purchased a Tunze 9002 with InTank cup and airline mod, should be here end of this week I hope. Those water bottles will be going away as soon as I can figure out what ATO I am comfortable running. But even without the water bottles and with a true ATO, I feel that the ATO would run prematurely.

Go with one of the new tunze top off and call it a day. I love mine so much.

 

[toyencounters]

I will look in to buying one ! I am leaving for Maui for 3 weeks this week and having my poor Mother topping off my tank LOL!

 

[sf_ramsden]

Go with one of the new tunze top off and call it a day. I love mine so much.

What new tunze topoff?

 

[toyencounters]

Not sure??