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

[SauceyReef]

 

[Reef Jockey]

stunning

 

[SauceyReef]

stunning

Thank you!!

I wanted to add a photo of this little monster maxi mini. It’s technically gone in the 5 gallon reef bowl but I couldn’t help sharing.

5 Gallon Reef Bowl:

 

[Cthulukelele]

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)

This might be the only maxi mini I like more than my own. It's at least close lol

 

[SauceyReef]

This might be the only maxi mini I like more than my own. It's at least close lol

I literally just took a video an hour ago and sent it to the LFS store owner saying this is the nicest Maxi Mini I have ever seen. I got it for $20! It is in the back of the 5 gallon reef bowl, but doing very well. Can't get a any photo of it, but can get a decent video. Half of it is covered up by another maxi mini. They seem to like cuddling up together I have about 10 total in 2/3 tanks.

 

[Cthulukelele]

I literally just took a video an hour ago and sent it to the LFS store owner saying this is the nicest Maxi Mini I have ever seen. I got it for $20! It is in the back of the 5 gallon reef bowl, but doing very well. Can't get a any photo of it, but can get a decent video. Half of it is covered up by another maxi mini. They seem to like cuddling up together I have about 10 total in 2/3 tanks.

Here's my favorite of the 2 I have. Green edge with burgundy that shifts to yellow as it goes in and little lines all over it. Would look better in more white, but the anemones and fluorescent softies would look a lot worse.

 

[Cthulukelele]

It's actually kinda the inverse of yours now that I think about it! How big is yours now?

 

[SauceyReef]

Here's my favorite of the 2 I have. Green edge with burgundy that shifts to yellow as it goes in and little lines all over it. Would look better in more white, but the anemones and fluorescent softies would look a lot worse.

Dang that is super pretty! I kind of think the opposite though. Just judging from your photo it seems you have a decent amount of whites in whatever lights you are running. Are those t5s? Under heavier blues/purples that would look insane, and would potentially color up more over time. Their ability to change with the lights they are under is remarkable. You have a keeper there for sure! It looks more like the one I had a bit ago on the lower section of page 10 here. That was my favorite until sadly it passed away during my last tank crash. The Evo is still recovering from this which is why I have not posted any photos for a bit. The one in the bowl is about 2"-3.5" when opened fully.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Dang that is super pretty! I kind of think the opposite though. Just judging from your photo it seems you have a decent amount of whites in whatever lights you are running. Are those t5s? Under heavier blues/purples that would look insane, and would potentially color up more over time. Their ability to change with the lights they are under is remarkable. You have a keeper there for sure! It looks more like the one I had a bit ago on the lower section of page 10 here. That was my favorite until sadly it passed away during my last tank crash. The Evo is still recovering from this which is why I have not posted any photos for a bit. The one in the bowl is about 2"-3.5" when opened fully.

It's good that you're recovering. I had a devasting crash after a massive power outage almost 2 years ago now after an outage. Was gutting. Lost 2 beautiful maxi minis, and pretty much all my livestock. The only things I still have from the before times are a probably 8ish year old ywg (had him for like 6 1/2 years and was full grown when got him) and a toadstool I've had since it was the size of a nickel. Hope your tank keeps improving again. Looks like it was a real beauty. Would love to see more of it. We have similar tastes in coral. Motivational pics of the toadstool and watchman goby included!

I run 2 blue+ t5s and then 2 black box leds at like 50% blues 30% whites. I like it pretty white since the tank is mostly softies, but it's not metal halide white.

 

[SauceyReef]

It's good that you're recovering. I had a devasting crash after a massive power outage almost 2 years ago now after an outage. Was gutting. Lost 2 beautiful maxi minis, and pretty much all my livestock. The only things I still have from the before times are a probably 8ish year old ywg (had him for like 6 1/2 years and was full grown when got him) and a toadstool I've had since it was the size of a nickel. Hope your tank keeps improving again. Looks like it was a real beauty. Would love to see more of it. We have similar tastes in coral. Motivational pics of the toadstool and watchman goby included!

I run 2 blue+ t5s and then 2 black box leds at like 50% blues 30% whites. I like it pretty white since the tank is mostly softies, but it's not metal halide white.

Thank you! It is looking much better recently, and I will be posting more photos soon. YWG are one of my favorite fish! I worked at a LFS and they had one near 10 years old that was like 4-5". I always wanted one, but knew it would get to big for my little Evo which is my largest tank.

I will be honest I am super jelous of that warpaint goby. I have always loved them also, but any time I try one it does not live past a few months.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Thank you! It is looking much better recently, and I will be posting more photos soon. YWG are one of my favorite fish! I worked at a LFS and they had one near 10 years old that was like 4-5". I always wanted one, but knew it would get to big for my little Evo which is my largest tank.

I will be honest I am super jelous of that warpaint goby. I have always loved them also, but any time I try one it does not live past a few months.

It is the closest thing to an impulse purchase in the tank. I rarely lose new additions, but I tried and failed with 2 clown gobies in the 4ish years before my crash. Neither ate well and neither thrived. Swore them off. I was at the store buying inverts and she was just eating up a storm in the tank and swimming around happily like they almost never do when they come in. Was a long shot, way too small for my other fish, but she thrived. Refused to get bullied, ate like a champ, and now lives 100% of her life on that toadstool or sleeping wedged under it with nobody giving her guff.

Also I know she's a she because she was confused for the first few months in the tank and periodically laid eggs on the base of the toadstool. Doesn't these days seems to have wised up that there's no partner haha

 

[SauceyReef]

It is the closest thing to an impulse purchase in the tank. I rarely lose new additions, but I tried and failed with 2 clown gobies in the 4ish years before my crash. Neither ate well and neither thrived. Swore them off. I was at the store buying inverts and she was just eating up a storm in the tank and swimming around happily like they almost never do when they come in. Was a long shot, way too small for my other fish, but she thrived. Refused to get bullied, ate like a champ, and now lives 100% of her life on that toadstool or sleeping wedged under it with nobody giving her guff.

Also I know she's a she because she was confused for the first few months in the tank and periodically laid eggs on the base of the toadstool. Doesn't these days seems to have wised up that there's no partner haha

Wow! I hope I find one like that one day! The ones I had were exactly how you were describing (dont eat well). What a cool story. Cleary it is happy.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Wow! I hope I find one like that one day! The ones I had were exactly how you were describing (dont eat well). What a cool story. Cleary it is happy.

If you ever see one eating happily at the store and personable I say go for it. Fun fact they can live over 10 years! Kinda funny for a creature that is essentially the Thompsons gazelle of the reef lol

 

[SauceyReef]

I got a couple good photos of the rainbow RFA today. Mr. Krabs just molted so I thought it would be a good time. This RFA has been with me through thick and thin. Hasn’t even moved one time in like 3 years since I’ve had it including a big crash.

 

[SauceyReef]

A little bit of editing on the phone

 

[SauceyReef]

Night time shot !

 

[SauceyReef]

The Button Scoly I got at last years frag swap is doing well. It seems to like being up in the rocks a lot more than the sandbed. Any time I turn the pumps off for photos it thinks it is being fed

 

[SauceyReef]

The tank is still recovering from the crash, but I finally feel a little comfortable taking a full tank shot again. Some of the zoas are still recovering, and sadly the larger scoly is definitely a goner along with a couple other pieces, but everything else is near back to full health.

I need to do some reordering / selling I have frags everywhere. Here’s a few shots with orphek filter / no filter.

 

[SauceyReef]

More RFA + Porcelain crab photos!

 

[SauceyReef]

The Helfrichi Firefish has really gotten comfortable! It doesn’t even swim away when I’m doing tank maintenance. I will be honest it is a bit of a bully which is surprising! I want to add another possum wrasse since I lost the last one but I think anything I add the Helfrichi will bully badly.