Fluval 32.5 gallon reef tank

[Roliv081]

Hey guys I’m new here and was wondering to get advice from everyone else that has this tank or is willing to help. I’m trying to set my self up for success with basic corals for now. I’ve had this tank running for about 2 months now. Could use some help with stocking ideas, power heads (have a ai Nero 3), corals, inverts, lighting specs and pretty much anything else. Any information helps.

current livestock:
Royal gramma
Purple fire fish
Pair of black storms
Pair pistol shrimp and yellow watchman
Cleaner shrimp
Conch

Corals:
motiporra frag
Zoa frag
A dying chalice
Hammer frag
Duncan frag

 

[Kasrift]

Hey guys I’m new here and was wondering to get advice from everyone else that has this tank or is willing to help. I’m trying to set my self up for success with basic corals for now. I’ve had this tank running for about 2 months now. Could use some help with stocking ideas, power heads (have a ai Nero 3), corals, inverts, lighting specs and pretty much anything else. Any information helps.

current livestock:
Royal gramma
Purple fire fish
Pair of black storms
Pair pistol shrimp and yellow watchman
Cleaner shrimp
Conch

Corals:
motiporra frag
Zoa frag
A dying chalice
Hammer frag
Duncan frag

View attachment 3102451 View attachment 3102452 View attachment 3102453

Where is the Nero located, I don't see it in your photos. My suggestions would be to pop the back cover part off to get better air/ph, especially if you are running with the lid on. I'd also suggest getting a skimmer solely for the ph bump as well. You're limited on corals with the stock lights, their par isn't amazing, but it can work for low light corals. Just get good oxygen exchange and flow and be selective and you will be fine.

 

[dedragon]

With kasrift here. I like the protein skimmer for o2 exchange as well, just dont expect a nano skimmer to do much heavy lifting in regards to nutrients. I think it is best to upgrade lights as you are already trying to keep montipora and chalice and fluval just doesnt make a powerful light. Many choices for how to upgrade if you want to

 

[Kasrift]

For context, I have modified most everything with my fluval 32. Here is an older video of mine from a few months ago

 

[Roliv081]

Where is the Nero located, I don't see it in your photos. My suggestions would be to pop the back cover part off to get better air/ph, especially if you are running with the lid on. I'd also suggest getting a skimmer solely for the ph bump as well. You're limited on corals with the stock lights, their par isn't amazing, but it can work for low light corals. Just get good oxygen exchange and flow and be selective and you will be fine.

So I’ve actually par tested the tank on what u see here versus full power and the top shelf of the reef sees 126 and at full 230

 

[Roliv081]

With kasrift here. I like the protein skimmer for o2 exchange as well, just dont expect a nano skimmer to do much heavy lifting in regards to nutrients. I think it is best to upgrade lights as you are already trying to keep montipora and chalice and fluval just doesnt make a powerful light. Many choices for how to upgrade if you want to

I’m thinking about running two fluvals unless I can get convinced other wise and I was also looking at the fluval skimmer but it has a review for a loud hum

 

[Roliv081]

Where is the Nero located, I don't see it in your photos. My suggestions would be to pop the back cover part off to get better air/ph, especially if you are running with the lid on. I'd also suggest getting a skimmer solely for the ph bump as well. You're limited on corals with the stock lights, their par isn't amazing, but it can work for low light corals. Just get good oxygen exchange and flow and be selective and you will be fine.

 

[Kasrift]

I’m thinking about running two fluvals unless I can get convinced other wise and I was also looking at the fluval skimmer but it has a review for a loud hum

Fluval skimmer is garbage, it has a design flaw that will always leak micro bubbles. Wish I hadn't bought it, it is sitting in a storage box. I eventually got the Icecap k1-nano skimmer, it works great. Now though, I'd probably buy a AquaMaxx Bullet 2 just for the extra space and water volume.

Two lights is going to raise the heat alot. I bought the second light, it is also just sitting there. If you hang them on a bracket, it works. I did that at first. I got a current USA back of tank mount and then some brackets on Etsy. Eventually I moved on to Noopsyches.

 

[Roliv081]

Fluval skimmer is garbage, it has a design flaw that will always leak micro bubbles. Wish I hadn't bought it, it is sitting in a storage box. I eventually got the Icecap k1-nano skimmer, it works great. Now though, I'd probably buy a AquaMaxx Bullet 2 just for the extra space and water volume.

Two lights is going to raise the heat alot. I bought the second light, it is also just sitting there. If you hang them on a bracket, it works. I did that at first. I got a current USA back of tank mount and then some brackets on Etsy. Eventually I moved on to Noopsyches.

Okay I’ll try those. I was also thinking of upgrading the return pump as well. Any advice on how long I should have my light on? I currently run 8 hours with one hour before of start up

 

[Kasrift]

Okay I’ll try those. I was also thinking of upgrading the return pump as well. Any advice on how long I should have my light on? I currently run 8 hours with one hour before of start up

That is perfectly fine for lights. For return pump, sicce syncra 1.5 is what most people get.

 

[Roliv081]

That is perfectly fine for lights. For return pump, sicce syncra 1.5 is what most people get.

Hey just wanted to update any advise on stocking? Want to add maybe 2 more fish. I really want a carpenter fairy wrasse.

I currently have:
1 royal gramma (super super shy)
2 black storm clowns
1 purple fire fish
1 watchman goby paired with a pistol shrimp

everyone gets along great and 99% of activity is the clowns everyone else hides most of the time. Here’s an update with the corals aswell who I’ve had in their current locations for a week and they seemed to Have liked it so I finally glued them

 

[Roliv081]

With kasrift here. I like the protein skimmer for o2 exchange as well, just dont expect a nano skimmer to do much heavy lifting in regards to nutrients. I think it is best to upgrade lights as you are already trying to keep montipora and chalice and fluval just doesnt make a powerful light. Many choices for how to upgrade if you want to

Hey any advice on stocking? I just put new pictures in another reply. Anything regarding corals and fish would be great!!!

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hey any advice on stocking? I just put new pictures in another reply. Anything regarding corals and fish would be great!!!

I wouldn't add any more animals.

You're already at the limit for that size tank.

FWIW, I run one in the office, and a have a pair of clowns, one peppermint shrimp and a couple Nassarius Snails and the 2 Trochus Snails is all I have in there.

Thats' plenty for that size tank - trust me the clowns grow.

I use a Sicce 0.5 as the return pump, the fluval PS2 skimmer which works great once you get it set up correctly, a Nero 3 and a Prime 16 HD light.

Mixed Micro Reef with SPS and LPS. Dosing AFR.

I tossed the cover as it overheats the tank.

 

[dedragon]

Hey any advice on stocking? I just put new pictures in another reply. Anything regarding corals and fish would be great!!!

I would say you are near the limit for fish. Monitor the nutrient levels (phosphate and nitrate) for a couple of months first to make sure they are staying mid-low. Afterwards I would maybe try a pairing for the firefish which this thread (linked below) will show you how to tell the difference between the sexes. Without upgrading lights I would maybe stick with euphyllias, zoas, and mushrooms. A new light upgrade wont cost too much though as it is a relatively small tank.

Sexing and Pairing Dart & Firefish

My local store got a shipment of African Purple/Exquisite Firefish (Nemateleotris exquisita) in and I decided to give pairing these guys a shot. I was able to pick a male and a female based on their genital papilla and It seems to have worked as they paired up almost instantly: After this...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Sink_or_Swim]

With kasrift here. I like the protein skimmer for o2 exchange as well, just dont expect a nano skimmer to do much heavy lifting in regards to nutrients. I think it is best to upgrade lights as you are already trying to keep montipora and chalice and fluval just doesnt make a powerful light. Many choices for how to upgrade if you want to

Agreed. This was my first tank. I could keep mushrooms, some LPS (even an elegance), clove polyps, other softies, etc. well - and also a long tentacle anemone. But I had back luck with montipora and cyphastrea I tried. :/