I have been keeping reefs for the past few years and every time I have wanted to try out the live ocean rock for a while. I also tend to focus more on the unusual natural habitats of the ocean, like the sedimented mangrove lagoons/tidepools/macroalgae reefs. So I might be focusing on a more natural take on a reef tank. Where crystal clear water is not the important and I really want some microalgae growths/detritus build up. The only true filtration will be marine pure gems filling both the 1st and 2nd chambers. I might also get a full spectrum light over the stock light, but this stock light can throw out some PAR.
So for the time being the light is just fine for what I want.
One big thing about the fluval 13.5 is upgrading it, that’s the fun part of these budget AIO tanks. I already upgraded the return pump to a sicce 0.5 and I ordered the plug from Intank aquatics as well. Other upgrades I’m thinking of are:
ATO- probably the reef breeders prism ATO
Wavemaker- might happen, maybe a Nero 3?
Timer- Nicrew dimmer/timer for the stock lights
Lights- Really not thinking of upgrading them at the moment
Other- maybe the RFG nozzles
Now onto the fun part of tanks, the inhabitants. I really really love green porcelain crabs and saw a few videos on habitats that they are found in. I want to replicate this, they come from a bit more turbid water and have a lot of nooks and crannies from oyster shells. An ideal habitat would a few rocks with some oyster shells on them. Most of the habitats I have seen have negligible coral growth, mostly some macroalgal clumps and some hardy anemones. The substrate is very muddy and less of white sand typically found in reefs.
So my plan is to get some ocean rock and then look into getting an ATO. For now I might get the Amazon bottle ATO, while looking over other ATO options.
So for the time being the light is just fine for what I want.
One big thing about the fluval 13.5 is upgrading it, that’s the fun part of these budget AIO tanks. I already upgraded the return pump to a sicce 0.5 and I ordered the plug from Intank aquatics as well. Other upgrades I’m thinking of are:
ATO- probably the reef breeders prism ATO
Wavemaker- might happen, maybe a Nero 3?
Timer- Nicrew dimmer/timer for the stock lights
Lights- Really not thinking of upgrading them at the moment
Other- maybe the RFG nozzles
Now onto the fun part of tanks, the inhabitants. I really really love green porcelain crabs and saw a few videos on habitats that they are found in. I want to replicate this, they come from a bit more turbid water and have a lot of nooks and crannies from oyster shells. An ideal habitat would a few rocks with some oyster shells on them. Most of the habitats I have seen have negligible coral growth, mostly some macroalgal clumps and some hardy anemones. The substrate is very muddy and less of white sand typically found in reefs.
So my plan is to get some ocean rock and then look into getting an ATO. For now I might get the Amazon bottle ATO, while looking over other ATO options.
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