Current-USA Solana 34G HQI - 1st Impressions

[Sebae again]

I think $ 800 is a very good price for a complete set up including HQI lighting and skimmer. In this hobby it is easy to spend thousands. Looking forward to seeing pics.

[VFX]

No pics yet...

I guess $800 isn't too bad considering, but if they would sell it for $600-650 without the stand would be much better.

You could buy or build a much better stand for $150.

Too right about spending $1000's - hard explaining why you need all that cash for a box full of water!

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[Myka]

My 33g has WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY more than $800 invested. But hardware only...hmm let's do a comparison (haha):

33g tank w/ 150w Ebo heater, AquaClear 500, and decent looking stand from the local newspaper $75
Remora skimmer from guy on Reef Central $110 w/ preskimmer box
Sell pre-skimmer box for $27.50 (hahaha)
Glo T5 strip lights $140
Bulbs $50

Makes my total $347.50
BUT yours is all brand new. Your tank probably isn't scratched like mine is. You have a MH light. You have a nicer looking stand (by far), even if you don't like it. It's quite possible that my skimmer is better than the one in your setup though. If I bought all my stuff new it would cost almost exactly $500 new, including taxes, but not including a stand.


So...ya I think the Solana is a good deal.

[VFX]

Trouble with most All-In-One tanks is you need to keep spending once you bought it if you want to keep anything other than softies.

Solana $799
2 Heaters $50
2 x Korallia 1 $60

Also, I want to replace the glass cover with some kind of mesh cover to let in more light.

It's spend, spend, spend whether you have 5 gallons or 500 gallon!

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[Myka]

Yes...and then you want to upgrade. First it's phosban reactor, then lighting, then skimmer, then calcium reactor. Then you decide you want different brands. Then you decide to get a bigger tank, and you need to buy all new bigger, better, awesomer equipment. Really, it's all quite nerdy.

[VFX]

Originally Posted by Myka

Really, it's all quite nerdy.

It totally nerdy!

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[Hangfire]

I just wanted to ask, as I'm looking at getting this set up as an introduction to salt water tanks, has the price come down - as Ocean Aquatics is advertising the set up at $349.99? I thought that was a heck of a deal.

I'm curious about how the tank is running so far. I'm really only interested in keeping softies in this tank anyway, so the 150 Watt MH should be good enough, right?