Secondhand Fluval Evo 13.5 - First Saltwater tank

[saltylilthang]

Hi! I just got my brand new (albeit used) saltwater tank+many MANY goodies to have me setup for the first year. The hope is to start cycling it this coming week. It passed the leak test twice so I am confident it will hold. I am hoping to get a new heater, just something smaller I can place in the back. I also need to redo the lid as the original fish netting has ripped and needs a new one. Chaeto will also be placed in the back once tank is cycled (hence the glow light) and my LFS has got be hooked up with all my salty needs. Will be picking up live sand, live rock, saltwater, and test kit to get this ball rolling. I hope I can continue updating with how this tank will look in a year. Tank will go in the back area where my current hospital tank is positioned.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Following!

 

[saltylilthang]

I decided to remove the damaged vinyl that wraps around the filtration area. I am planning to but fully black on the sides but leave the back visibly open so I can any address issues I need maintaining. I also scrubbed and scraped any algea off. I am still working on it. Currently it is doing a 20/80 vinegar soak to remove the remaining algea and scum and scrubbing any parts that need it. Lots of fine scratches aren't showing up when filled with water but there is a major (not deep) scratch on the side. Decided that the frag shelf will "cover" it. Also realized I need a whole new stand since there is no place to put it so will be splurging on a new furniture piece that can hold up this tank. Will be fixing the kraken top netting this weekend and waiting on supplies for my filtration media. May need to upgrade pump as well (current one is VERY noisy and I kind of hate it)

 

[saltylilthang]

Vinegar soak was a success. I put new blackout vinyl on the sides to hide the pump. Pump was upgraded to Rio 200GPH. Will probably remove middle compartment for a slimmer heater with chaeto. Ordered a steel stand that can hold 400lbs each level. Hoping to start cycling my tank this weeked

Still need to fix the mesh top for tank. Purchases this week will include:
New Heater
Sand
Live Rock
Salt Water
Distilled Water
Test kit

Will eventually see if I need an ATO and a dehumdifier for the room

 

[saltylilthang]

Started cycling after my shelving came in. Holds up to 1600lbs (400lb per shelf so I will be okay) doing a fishless cycle with live sand and dry live rock and ghost feeding. RO/DI water and salt water will be getting purchased from LFS. Already realizing I will probably need a ATO with how much water I am losing and a wavemaker I don't feel I am getting enough movement. I will making these big purchases in a few weeks. The next think will be getting some Hanna testers. Hoping to get some clowns in the next 4-6 weeks

 

[Rjukan]

Really nice looking tank!! I have the baby brother 7.5g plumbed into my display system. Neat little tanks.

That shelf gives me all sorts of anxiety though, is it that particle board those shelving units usually come with? That's a lot of load in the middle of that shelf, and all of the weight is being carried by that thin shelf material. Please consider making your own piece out of plywood that extends over the tops of the metal frame which is what's rated for that 400 lbs. Hopefully I'm wrong and that shelf is metal or something.

 

[saltylilthang]

Really nice looking tank!! I have the baby brother 7.5g plumbed into my display system. Neat little tanks.

That shelf gives me all sorts of anxiety though, is it that particle board those shelving units usually come with? That's a lot of load in the middle of that shelf, and all of the weight is being carried by that thin shelf material. Please consider making your own piece out of plywood that extends over the tops of the metal frame which is what's rated for that 400 lbs. Hopefully I'm wrong and that shelf is metal or something.

Its metal shelving and has supports underneath each shelf

 

[Spare time]

That is one pimped out fluval evo lol

 

[saltylilthang]

That is one pimped out fluval evo lol

More to come want to make it perfect.

 

[WalkerLoves_TheOcean]

I can't wait to see what this build turns into!

Following!

 

[nuxx]

This is the fun part

 

[Calmwaters]

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

 

[saltylilthang]

Today was the day! My tank finally cycled with Ammonia and Nitrite at 0 and Nitrates around 10ppm. I did forget to pick up chaeto in my excitment but my 2 new baby black ice clowns are in the tank. Will be getting chaetto tomorrow. I also got another rock to help balance out the tank.

I also picked up a an ATO as seen below so with upcoming trips, I won't fear my tank water getting too low. I was so sad since I lost 2 freshwater fish today so these cuties defintly cheered me up.

 

[Calmwaters]

Today was the day! My tank finally cycled with Ammonia and Nitrite at 0 and Nitrates around 10ppm. I did forget to pick up chaeto in my excitment but my 2 new baby black ice clowns are in the tank. Will be getting chaetto tomorrow. I also got another rock to help balance out the tank.

I also picked up a an ATO as seen below so with upcoming trips, I won't fear my tank water getting too low. I was so sad since I lost 2 freshwater fish today so these cuties defintly cheered me up.

Oh my goodness they are so tiny and cute!

 

[saltylilthang]

Oh my goodness they are so tiny and cute!

They are! My LFS had so many new babies and they caught my eye. Currently duking it out but they were in the same tank so fingers crossed they settle down in a few days.

 

[saltylilthang]

Update: Light is now on and diatoms can have their fun. I am planning to get a clean up crew possibly next weekend along with calcium, phosphate and alkalinity test kits to start getting some coral. Current coral ideas are

Toadstool
Leather
Zoas
Bubble

Personally don't truly care for any particular type. I want to make sure it won't ovetake my tank so I can add corals as I go.

Also planning my clean up crew

Reef crazing hermits
Nusarias snails
Pistol shrimp

I would like a gobi put I feel i'd be pushing my limit on this tank so that ideas is on the back burner for now.

 

[saltylilthang]

Currently tank is looking good but dealing with challenges
Salt creep + salinity dropping

I am running an ATO but I have been supplementing any water level drop (very minimal) with salt water VS RO/DI water for the past few days. Salinity originally dropped down to 1.021 vs 1.024 it was at. I am currently reading again at 1.024 again but hoping to raise it to 1.026. With traveling coming up, super worried about my salinity dropping even more. I still have a month to mess with it. I also want to upgrade my sailinity tester for a more accurate read. I realized salinity was dropping due to salt creeping out of the tank which was related to water evaportation and the top hanging off the edge (had a cover to cover sump but that is now removed to fix lid). It happened suddently and original thought it was the ATO not working.

Otherwise, everyone looks happy! I will be getting my clowns some frozen food this weekend as well as my first group of CUC. I am looking at getting blue leg hermit crabs (2), nerite snails (2), nusariars snails (2), and perhaps 3 sexy shrimp (undecided). Although tank looks spotless, there are diatoms growing everywhere but as I stir the sand and clean the glass, they don't fully settle. I am also leaving on getting another few corals: Duncan and Toadstool. Wanting to keep the tank relatively open with somewhat slow growers. Zoa's are pretty but not a fan of how quickly they grow.

 

[Ollie67]

Currently tank is looking good but dealing with challenges
Salt creep + salinity dropping

I am running an ATO but I have been supplementing any water level drop (very minimal) with salt water VS RO/DI water for the past few days. Salinity originally dropped down to 1.021 vs 1.024 it was at. I am currently reading again at 1.024 again but hoping to raise it to 1.026. With traveling coming up, super worried about my salinity dropping even more. I still have a month to mess with it. I also want to upgrade my sailinity tester for a more accurate read. I realized salinity was dropping due to salt creeping out of the tank which was related to water evaportation and the top hanging off the edge (had a cover to cover sump but that is now removed to fix lid). It happened suddently and original thought it was the ATO not working.

Otherwise, everyone looks happy! I will be getting my clowns some frozen food this weekend as well as my first group of CUC. I am looking at getting blue leg hermit crabs (2), nerite snails (2), nusariars snails (2), and perhaps 3 sexy shrimp (undecided). Although tank looks spotless, there are diatoms growing everywhere but as I stir the sand and clean the glass, they don't fully settle. I am also leaving on getting another few corals: Duncan and Toadstool. Wanting to keep the tank relatively open with somewhat slow growers. Zoa's are pretty but not a fan of how quickly they grow.

Looking really good! Big difference from when you started! Glad I came across another 13.5

 

[saltylilthang]

Looking really good! Big difference from when you started! Glad I came across another 13.5

Thanks! I do regret scraping the coraline from the tank but hopefully in the next years I will get my own growth. Eveything has been farely stable and don't find it any more tedious than my freshwater tanks besides the constant testing but it may just be because I give it extra attention as it's next to my office desk

 

[Ollie67]

Thanks! I do regret scraping the coraline from the tank but hopefully in the next years I will get my own growth. Eveything has been farely stable and don't find it any more tedious than my freshwater tanks besides the constant testing but it may just be because I give it extra attention as it's next to my office desk

I'm sure you'll get some coraline back soon! I'm a little less than five months in on my 13.5 and I believe I have some starting on my wall! I agree haha, it's not *too* bad, just a lot of testing and proactive measures you might take. Happy reefing! Excited to see some first coral when time comes.