13.5 Fluval Evo Build Thread: Mixed Reef (Photo Heavy!)

[SauceyReef]

I took some FTS’s with my AI demo all colors at 50%. Doesn’t look bad! Evo at 2.3 years

 

[SauceyReef]

Here are all the latest additions for 2023!

I am lucky to have a few close coral vendors - one in Akron called 330 Corals. I've seen this scoly lingering in his assortment of corals for sale for a bit now and finally made the move when I went over to get some other frags. I lucked out with this one! I got it yesterday and cant wait to see how it colors up and forms over time.

The GMK has been nice and open since I got it from the LEAR frag swap! I am lucking out with this one.. Another polyp or two is forming - it is normally open but I accidently bumped into it a moment before.

Cant remember if I updated here, but me and a local reefer buddy traded a White Zombie for a Salted Agave to see how they fair in the tanks and if they switch colors at all. Magicians/People eats are a ****** branch of zoas.

The Helfrichi is finally coming out a little bit! Such a funny fish.. It will literally eye me around the corner of a rock, and slowly scoot back if I make any sudden movements just going out of sight. One of our local stores had a big discount springs saving, and had some Pink Streaked Wrasse! I always wanted one of these guys and know spring is one of the few times you can get them as they are all wild caught, so I made the move as it is so tiny and perfect for the tank. The Firefish and Pygmy Wrasse seem to be best buddies already. Pygmy wrasse are always proving to be some of the most personality filled fish I have ever had. This lil one is awesome.

Here is the petco RFA I got that was brown! Still not fully sure what color it is going to be.. I am thinking a Christmas Tree RFA (Green / Red)

 

[SauceyReef]

I slightly changed my preset after lately

really enjoying the look of whites more. Plus I wanted to create a slightly different night time coloration.

 

[SauceyReef]

The euphyllia seem to like it!

 

[SauceyReef]

Video update!!
Almost got the Hellfrichi to make an appearance, but it gets skittish when the flow turns off.

 

[SauceyReef]

I traded space booty 3.0 for a Godzilla Yuma. As much as I love scolys the color was slightly less desirable, and knowing I can split the Yumas and trade or sell them is encouraging.

 

[SauceyReef]

Update: The Helfrichi is out and about all the time now! I think you can see all the fish in the photos below. I added a few new RFAs they all seem to settle where I put them on the bottom left. I had a couple zoas melt off when I changed the lights a bit, but other than that the tank is doing well!

 

[SauceyReef]

 

[Jamestmc]

This is probably one of the best evo's I’ve seen!

 

[SauceyReef]

This is probably one of the best evo's I’ve seen!

Awww thank you that means the world to me!

 

[SauceyReef]

I took another YT Video of the tank! This one may be the most extensive video I have ever took.

 

[SauceyReef]

As much as I love RFAs I think Maxi Minis could be one of the most amazing looking specimens in the hobby. It’s incredible to think one can have a tiny multi colored carpet anemone in their nano tank. I got a second one a couple months ago and finally get to show it off!

I swear I remember in the hobby ten years ago RFAs were tough to find and these were far more in abundance. Now they’re tough to find and quite expensive.

(No Contrast)

 

[SauceyReef]

Keeping the anemone love going. I bought a 3D printed anemone basket. It was 6x6 and I didn’t realize that’s like a quarter of my tank lol. It was way to bulky so I traded it to another anemone lover for some more RFAs!

 

[SauceyReef]

The latest addition! Frost Corals accidentally bought 150 skunk cleaners and was selling them for $20 so I couldn’t pass that up. Reminded me of the old days

 

[SauceyReef]

The Helfrichi loves the camera now! Super cool fish. I imagine it has been in aquariums for quite a long time. It doesn’t mind when I put my hand in the tank. In fact I could probably hand feed it.

 

[SauceyReef]

I snagged a couple rainbow acan frags the past couple months! I didn’t want to really share until I knew they retained their color. We all know what happened to the last one (it turned all red ). But check this beauty below! I am going to start trading / selling the more basic colored acans, or fragging them up and adding a couple pieces in my new smaller tanks.

 

[SauceyReef]

Finally have an acan garden in the making!

 

[SauceyReef]

I cleaned the glass in the back right corner which I rarely get a chance to do because I have to move the return pump and frag racks around. But I’m still happy to see this disco mushroom is doing well! I’ve had this one for over two years and it’s literally never grown! I think I’ve only ever shown this bad boy once. Such a cool mushroom! Maybe one day it’ll decide to sprout a new one

 

[SauceyReef]

After some research it appears to be a Nuclear Sunset Discoma! I remember when I bought this from Chester Corals he was telling me how special of a mushroom it was. A spectacular design to say the least.

 

[SauceyReef]

Mrs. Porcelain says good morning. She rarely ever uses this couch cushion, so I had to take a photo