Fluval Evo - Filtration - Will it work?
- Thread starter BFResende
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JustaSunday
New Member
Personally I would do without the skimmer, especially with it right in front of the overflow. I’ve used an insert from Intank before with filter floss on the first “shelf”. I purchased the one that goes in the first chamber. As long you don’t overstock and keep up with maintenance I imagine that’s all you realistically need, maybe some chemical filtration now and then.
Narideth
Fishaholic
It does seem like a lot of different filter mediums and types. I think you have every kind of filter listed here: Skimmer, filter pad, chemical, charcoal, refugium and additional biological media. I use a dual layered filter pad + rubble rock, and I have chemipure and activated charcoal on hand for weird swings, but I've never ended up using them. A skimmer is a form of mechanical filtration, so, IMO you really only -need- one kind of mechanical filtration, and then you don't even really -need- it based on stocking.
You're probably going to have trouble getting a refugium to work under the skimmer, the space is fairly tight for it to tumble and get lighting. I would recommend, especially for a brand new setup, maybe two or three of these filtration methods in sequence. Here's a few setup options, but you could mix and match almost any of what you have listed, though I would personally not use chemical filtration on a new tank.
Skimmer + bio cubes and maybe the floss
Or
Skimmer + refugium in the second chamber to give it some space to move
Or
No skimmer, put your filter pads and floss first and then do the refugium and/or biocubes in the second chamber.
Trying to scrub every single little bit out of your water will starve the tank in the end, especially with a new tank, and double especially if you're looking to maybe have corals in this bad boy. You've definitely put some thought into it though, so bravo for that!
You're probably going to have trouble getting a refugium to work under the skimmer, the space is fairly tight for it to tumble and get lighting. I would recommend, especially for a brand new setup, maybe two or three of these filtration methods in sequence. Here's a few setup options, but you could mix and match almost any of what you have listed, though I would personally not use chemical filtration on a new tank.
Skimmer + bio cubes and maybe the floss
Or
Skimmer + refugium in the second chamber to give it some space to move
Or
No skimmer, put your filter pads and floss first and then do the refugium and/or biocubes in the second chamber.
Trying to scrub every single little bit out of your water will starve the tank in the end, especially with a new tank, and double especially if you're looking to maybe have corals in this bad boy. You've definitely put some thought into it though, so bravo for that!
MoshJosh
2500 Club Member
My thoughts. . . I vote skip the skimmer. Get an In-Tank media basket in first chamber, use entire second chamber as refugium, heater and return in last chamber
intankaquatics.com
Coarse foam on top (cut up the foam that came with EVO), then carbon, and then bio media (normally I would switch last two, but worry about too low of flow on bottom for the carbon).
Could also switch to refugium in first chamber and basket in second (different model of basket though)
inTank Chamber One Media Basket for Fluval Evo 13.5 | Fluval Evo 52L
Improve your Fluval 13.5's filtration with an inTank Media Basket
intankaquatics.com
Coarse foam on top (cut up the foam that came with EVO), then carbon, and then bio media (normally I would switch last two, but worry about too low of flow on bottom for the carbon).
Could also switch to refugium in first chamber and basket in second (different model of basket though)
OP
OP
BFResende
Community Member
Thank you very much for all the answers.
I already have the skimmer so I will use it.
The refugium its always a second plan but I'm already thinking on what I may need. I will have to mesure the nitrates in order to see if it is needed or not that is why I'm planning to have a small refugium on the first chamber with the lights from the outside of the tank.
Considering that in the beginning I will not use the refugium you would recomend to use only the skimmer with floss, bio cubes and maybe some active charcoal and forget about the pads, purigen and amonia remover?
So something like this...
I already have the skimmer so I will use it.
The refugium its always a second plan but I'm already thinking on what I may need. I will have to mesure the nitrates in order to see if it is needed or not that is why I'm planning to have a small refugium on the first chamber with the lights from the outside of the tank.
Considering that in the beginning I will not use the refugium you would recomend to use only the skimmer with floss, bio cubes and maybe some active charcoal and forget about the pads, purigen and amonia remover?
So something like this...
this looks much easier to manage in my opinion. nice work!Thank you very much for all the answers.
I already have the skimmer so I will use it.
The refugium its always a second plan but I'm already thinking on what I may need. I will have to mesure the nitrates in order to see if it is needed or not that is why I'm planning to have a small refugium on the first chamber with the lights from the outside of the tank.
Considering that in the beginning I will not use the refugium you would recomend to use only the skimmer with floss, bio cubes and maybe some active charcoal and forget about the pads, purigen and amonia remover?
So something like this...
Make sure you have an ato because heater in the return section is generally a bad idea. As water evaporates the return section water will be the chamber that lowers and the heater will be exposed to air
You don’t need the refugium at all. It’s just another thing to maintain and deal with.
Can you fit a small heater and the skimmer in the first chamber ?
Can you fit a small heater and the skimmer in the first chamber ?
Jasongtr
Well-Known Member
Doubt you need a skimmer in a tank that size, I got one when I bought a fluval flex tank a few years ago, tried it for a week, chucked it in the bin, better off I'm my opinion with a nano filter roller
I agree with the media basket. I use one in the first chamber with filter floss on top, followed by carbon and bio media. I have the heater in the second chamber and only the return pump in the third chamber. If you really want a refugium, I have seen people have success setting one up in the middle chamber. There is a Fluval Evo 13.5 group on Facebook that has a lot of posts regarding how to set one up in the middle chamber.My thoughts. . . I vote skip the skimmer. Get an In-Tank media basket in first chamber, use entire second chamber as refugium, heater and return in last chamber
inTank Chamber One Media Basket for Fluval Evo 13.5 | Fluval Evo 52L
Improve your Fluval 13.5's filtration with an inTank Media Basket
Coarse foam on top (cut up the foam that came with EVO), then carbon, and then bio media (normally I would switch last two, but worry about too low of flow on bottom for the carbon).
Could also switch to refugium in first chamber and basket in second (different model of basket though)
However you decide to go, good luck with your build.
sharkbait-uhaha
Active Member
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Keep it simple , media basket , floss rubble rock or other form of surface area for bacteria to grow and possibly carbon every now and then .
No need for skimmer or refugium . Invest in a ato and ink bird of some sort as well
No need for skimmer or refugium . Invest in a ato and ink bird of some sort as well
dr_vinnie_boombatz
Active Member
I have had this tank for over 2 years and tried so many combinations.
What I am running now after trying dozens of combos
Chamber 1:
intankaquatics.com
+
Seapora 4040 Filter Floss Aquarium Filter Pad, 10 sq. ft./12" x 120" (top of media basket)
+
Chemi-Pure Mini Elite Formula for Aquarium, 3.1-Ounce (middle slot of media basket)
+
Seachem Matrix Bio Media 250ml (bottom in media basket, loose not in bag, not the whole bottle but measured to 12.5 gallons)
Chamber 2:
Heater 100w
www.innovative-marine.com
Chamber 3:
Sicce pump stinks, it's loud and zero control. I run MightyJet™ Mini 266 GPH DC AIO Submersible Return Pump:
www.innovative-marine.com
+
Tunze 3155.000 Osmolator Auto Top Off System
+
www.bulkreefsupply.com
What I am running now after trying dozens of combos
Chamber 1:
inTank Chamber One Media Basket for Fluval Evo 13.5 | Fluval Evo 52L
Improve your Fluval 13.5's filtration with an inTank Media Basket
intankaquatics.com
Seapora 4040 Filter Floss Aquarium Filter Pad, 10 sq. ft./12" x 120" (top of media basket)
+
Chemi-Pure Mini Elite Formula for Aquarium, 3.1-Ounce (middle slot of media basket)
+
Seachem Matrix Bio Media 250ml (bottom in media basket, loose not in bag, not the whole bottle but measured to 12.5 gallons)
Chamber 2:
Heater 100w
Helio PTC Saltwater Aquarium Heater - Titanium | Innovative Marine
The Helio PTC Smart Heater is the safest and most efficient saltwater aquarium heater in both cost and thermal dispersion.
www.innovative-marine.com
Chamber 3:
Sicce pump stinks, it's loud and zero control. I run MightyJet™ Mini 266 GPH DC AIO Submersible Return Pump:
Shop | Innovative Marine Products
Shop Now | Innovative Marine's Official Store | Free Shipping on all orders* | NUVO aquariums and saltwater reef supplies.
www.innovative-marine.com
Tunze 3155.000 Osmolator Auto Top Off System
+
ReefDose 2 Dosing Pump
Red Sea’s highly-anticipated ReefDose redefines ease-of-use and smart functionality for aquarium dosing pumps, offering advanced programming and incredible dosing accuracy for the most demanding applications. The ReefDose doser was built from the ground up to meet the needs of modern reef...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
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