Yet another fluval 13.5

[Shnetts]

Well here’s my intro into the hobby. I started off a few weeks ago with the fluval evo 13.5, some dry rock and carbsea live sand. After cycling I’ve began to add the inhabitants.

Livestock:
Yellow watchman goby
Longfin clown pair
Target dragonet
Cleaner shrimp
Orange mushroom
Unknown brain coral
Rasta Zoa
Unknown paly

I have a custom lid, 1st chamber filter basket, full refuge in chamber 2 with a grow light. Return pump and heater in chamber 3. It’s being lit by a ai prime and I also have a Nero 3 in there.

I know it’s been done 1000 times but I wanted to share and also have a page to keep track of my progress.

 

[Shnetts]

Yeah I know im in the middle of a diatom bloom right now lol

 

[nuxx]

Looking good!

 

[Shnetts]

Upgraded to the axis 20, and took out the top rock of the scape. Think it looks much better.

 

[BristolEVO]

Upgraded to the axis 20, and took out the top rock of the scape. Think it looks much better.

How do you like the Axis 20 vs. the stock pump?

 

[Shnetts]

How do you like the Axis 20 vs. the stock pump?

So far I love it. I didn’t necessarily buy it because there way anything wrong with the stock pump. I had zero issues with that one. I just like the ability to control it from my phone. I have the ai prime and a Nero 3 so it’s nice to have control of all of them in one spot.

 

[kevgib67]

Off to a great start, very nice!

 

[BristolEVO]

So far I love it. I didn’t necessarily buy it because there way anything wrong with the stock pump. I had zero issues with that one. I just like the ability to control it from my phone. I have the ai prime and a Nero 3 so it’s nice to have control of all of them in one spot.

That's my plan too, and to use one app for everything. Starting my tank today or tomorrow! I'll use the stock pump in the salt mixing bucket.

Nano Build - Ready to roll - EVO 13.5

Hi all, I've been stalking these forums for a few months and slowly gathering up all the things I want to start up a Fluval EVO 13.5. Hoping to do a leak test and get the store bought water in it today! One thing from the pic I forgot is the 3dOcean chamber 1 and 2 media baskets. And floss...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Shnetts]

That's my plan too, and to use one app for everything. Starting my tank today or tomorrow! I'll use the stock pump in the salt mixing bucket.

Nano Build - Ready to roll - EVO 13.5

Hi all, I've been stalking these forums for a few months and slowly gathering up all the things I want to start up a Fluval EVO 13.5. Hoping to do a leak test and get the store bought water in it today! One thing from the pic I forgot is the 3dOcean chamber 1 and 2 media baskets. And floss...

www.reef2reef.com

Only having one app Is a huge benefit and makes things a lot easier. Just looked at your build and we pretty much have the exact same setup going. Best of luck!

 

[BristolEVO]

Only having one app Is a huge benefit and makes things a lot easier. Just looked at your build and we pretty much have the exact same setup going. Best of luck!

Thanks and you too!

 

[Shnetts]

Got some acros and what I believe is an Alvie? Correct me if I’m wrong. But they all came out this morning and look amazing!

 

[Shnetts]

IM spin stream installed. Is there any reason people chose the 3D printed rfg over these?

 

[Shnetts]

Got these magnetic frag rocks from aqua rocks and a Aussie Duncan so go in one of them thanks to @AquaSD

 

[Dr.Drew]

I'm also in the process of getting my Fluval 13.5 set up. It'll be my first reef tank. Do you plan on switching out any of the filter media or just leaving the carbon and biomedia that it came with? I considered getting a different caddy and doing a 4 stage stack/setup, but not sure if its worth it.

 

[Shnetts]

I'm also in the process of getting my Fluval 13.5 set up. It'll be my first reef tank. Do you plan on switching out any of the filter media or just leaving the carbon and biomedia that it came with? I considered getting a different caddy and doing a 4 stage stack/setup, but not sure if its worth it.

So this is also my first tank so take what I say with a grain of salt.

But I switched out the first chamber for a intank basket and have nothing in the top (used to run floss but I feel like it traps pods and i definitely don’t want that, also have seen zero difference since taking it out) second spot is full of marine pure gems. And chemipure blue in the bottom. In chamber 2 I have a 3D printed basket that’s filled with chaeto and a hygger submerged grow light that runs opposite to my tank light.

Overall it seems to be doing fantastic

 

[Dr.Drew]

So this is also my first tank so take what I say with a grain of salt.

But I switched out the first chamber for a intank basket and have nothing in the top (used to run floss but I feel like it traps pods and i definitely don’t want that, also have seen zero difference since taking it out) second spot is full of marine pure gems. And chemipure blue in the bottom. In chamber 2 I have a 3D printed basket that’s filled with chaeto and a hygger submerged grow light that runs opposite to my tank light.

Overall it seems to be doing fantastic

I honestly didn't even think of 3D printing my own basket! I have an IOAOI nano skimmer in my first chamber. That's also super clever to retrofit a refugium into the second chamber! This is giving me lots of ideas

 

[Shnetts]

I honestly didn't even think of 3D printing my own basket! I have an IOAOI nano skimmer in my first chamber. That's also super clever to retrofit a refugium into the second chamber! This is giving me lots of ideas

Just make sure you get food grade filament!!

 

[Shnetts]

Little update on everything in the tank. Everything is going smoothly at the moment

 

[slogan315]

IM spin stream installed. Is there any reason people chose the 3D printed rfg over these?

I haven’t personally used them but have a RFG on my 13.5. I believe the spin streams reduce flow, but since you have an upgraded return pump, it shouldn’t matter. Some also say they’re noisy. Last thing is in general, moving parts require more maintenance than non moving. So your spin stream may require frequent cleaning to continue spinning freely as coralline and other gunk gets in there.

 

[Shnetts]

Heres a complete updated list of everything going on with my tank since I have not updated in awhile

Tank Details:

• Fluval Evo 13.5
• AI Prime 16HD
• AI Axis 20
• AI Nero 3
• Hygger Heater
• ReefBreaders ATO

Filtration:

• InTank basket in chamber 1 with floss, marinepure gems and chimipure blue
• Chamber 2 chaeto fuge with hygger submersible fuge light
• Chamber 3 heater and return pump

Fish:

• Longfin nearly naked clown and nearly naked mocha clown pair
• Six line wrasse
• Target dragonet
• Skunk cleaner shrimp

CUC:

• 3 Astrea snails
• 3 Red leg hermits

Corals:

• Unknown Brain Coral
• 3x Alvies
• 4x Blastos
• 2x Duncans
• 3x Acans
• 4x Hammers
• Blue Sympodium
• Firework Cloves
• 3x Shrooms
• Candy Cane
• 10+ Diffrent Zoas
• 2x Button Scollys

Deaths:

• 1 Button Scolly
• YWG (Could very much still be alive just have not seen him in about a month)

I have it sitting on a custom stand I built myself, Its just a frame of 2x4 to support the weight and OSB panels. Yes I chose that on purpose I like how it looks lol.

I've been doing weekly 2 gallon water changes and it has been working well for me. Its still a pretty new tank and my parameters have not evened out yet but they are all in a safe healthy range. I test just about everything weekly

Avg. Values:

• Nitrate 8-12
• Phosphate 0.05-0.15
• Salinity 1.025
• Alk 7.5-8
• Mag 1250-1300
• Calcium 400-500
• pH 8
• Ammonia 0

There defiantly not perfect but i'm hoping they start to even out to a more steady value and then i can figure out a dosing amount if needed. Right now I don't do any dosing except for RedSea AB+ for 1mL daily.