EVO Xll Mini Reef - Fluval 13.5 - RCP Build
- Nano Build
- Thread starter juanrmattos
- Start date
- Tagged users None
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
The reef tank is ready to start but these last couple months have been impossible for me... Will do my best to take care of the rock work early March to begin cycling.
Apologies to everyone
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Some times is just life what gets in the way, going back to October 2020 when this thread started, I’ve have had to deal with another triple stroke in October 2021…. Even though it was a fairly favorable outcome, I literally have had to deal with a bunch of the neurological cognitive disorders left afterwards…. Again.
In any case, back in November of last year,with the help of the 305 Reef Club, we raffled this reef and now, back in square 1, I’m just not having it!; I’m honestly tired of creating these reef tanks just to be “Road Killed” involuntarily!…. And so, against all odds, Just decided to re-start this project from scratch; it may be a lot simpler than expected (For obvious reasons), but I will try my best to get it done this time around!.
Same reef (Fluval 13.5) and stand are due to arrive tomorrow (August 11th); they are identical to that I had before, so I apologize in advance if the thread is bound to become a bit repetitive at times.
Please remember, this is not going to be as advanced as what was originally planed.
Moving along!
In any case, back in November of last year,with the help of the 305 Reef Club, we raffled this reef and now, back in square 1, I’m just not having it!; I’m honestly tired of creating these reef tanks just to be “Road Killed” involuntarily!…. And so, against all odds, Just decided to re-start this project from scratch; it may be a lot simpler than expected (For obvious reasons), but I will try my best to get it done this time around!.
Same reef (Fluval 13.5) and stand are due to arrive tomorrow (August 11th); they are identical to that I had before, so I apologize in advance if the thread is bound to become a bit repetitive at times.
Please remember, this is not going to be as advanced as what was originally planed.
Moving along!
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Restart day
A few items in transit arriving tomorrow, next Monday and Wednesday
A few items in transit arriving tomorrow, next Monday and Wednesday
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
This week’s haul:
inTank Media Baskets:
Chamber 1 for mechanical, Camber 2 for Biological (BioHome), and Chamber 3 with a cutout modification pending for Chemical (Purigen Nano) filtration. The Chemical media will be introduced after the Cure-Cycle stage.
Power Supply Unit
This is the Technical Pro PS9U; I only need 3 switches to begin with, but IMO, is hands down the best option for those of us not using a controller
Cable Management
I do have an extreme OCD disorder when it comes to loose cables (Of frag plugs), so these have always been on hand
Finally, a simple timer unit for the lights (Promised myself I was going to keep it simple, so this is what I get).
Moving along….
inTank Media Baskets:
Chamber 1 for mechanical, Camber 2 for Biological (BioHome), and Chamber 3 with a cutout modification pending for Chemical (Purigen Nano) filtration. The Chemical media will be introduced after the Cure-Cycle stage.
Power Supply Unit
This is the Technical Pro PS9U; I only need 3 switches to begin with, but IMO, is hands down the best option for those of us not using a controller
Cable Management
I do have an extreme OCD disorder when it comes to loose cables (Of frag plugs), so these have always been on hand
Finally, a simple timer unit for the lights (Promised myself I was going to keep it simple, so this is what I get).
Moving along….
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Small (Not so small) update:
After long consideration, I just simply refuse to have a Soft Coral Reef, and so, here we go “Again”!
Back when I had the EVO 5, I had success using the Orbit Marine PRO 2nd Gen LED fixture, this light was discontinued long time ago and has a much greater output and PAR values than their current top of the line model…. I’m not kidding!, this light allowed me to have SPS corals at 65% intensity and this reef is only 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller; this was the fixture I had planned to use when I started this project, but I ended up purchasing the AI Prime HD and this one has been stored unopened ever since
Keep in mind this reef is only 15” high (Plenty PAR).
Off to find a Lid Cover then
The real challenge was transporting all the stuff from the furniture so that I could move it forward to install the power box and the cable management stripes (My back hurts just thinking about it!).
Finally, I ordered Sand, Rock, a lot of Glue, a Pump upgrade and the Reef Mature Kit from Red Sea; they are due to arrive this coming Friday.
Moving Along!!!
After long consideration, I just simply refuse to have a Soft Coral Reef, and so, here we go “Again”!
Back when I had the EVO 5, I had success using the Orbit Marine PRO 2nd Gen LED fixture, this light was discontinued long time ago and has a much greater output and PAR values than their current top of the line model…. I’m not kidding!, this light allowed me to have SPS corals at 65% intensity and this reef is only 2 inches wider and 2 inches taller; this was the fixture I had planned to use when I started this project, but I ended up purchasing the AI Prime HD and this one has been stored unopened ever since
Keep in mind this reef is only 15” high (Plenty PAR).
Off to find a Lid Cover then
The real challenge was transporting all the stuff from the furniture so that I could move it forward to install the power box and the cable management stripes (My back hurts just thinking about it!).
Finally, I ordered Sand, Rock, a lot of Glue, a Pump upgrade and the Reef Mature Kit from Red Sea; they are due to arrive this coming Friday.
Moving Along!!!
Last edited:
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Day 7
Water Leak Test Completed Successfully!
The room still is a hot mess with stuff out of place, but slowly getting there.
Waiting for a couple shipments from BRS to start working on the aqua scape and installing the main pump with accessories.
The top cover will stay there until the custom cover arrives in a week or so.
Moving along!
Water Leak Test Completed Successfully!
The room still is a hot mess with stuff out of place, but slowly getting there.
Waiting for a couple shipments from BRS to start working on the aqua scape and installing the main pump with accessories.
The top cover will stay there until the custom cover arrives in a week or so.
Moving along!
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Leaving 1.5” of space in every direction, this is all the real estate left to work with
The real challenge is managing the height, this reef is only 11” from the surface to the sand so I’d say 7” should probably be as far as it goes (Luckily, I’m a fan of Zoas and Acans, so the few SPS would have some room…. Just getting ahead of myself sorry).
One small shipment of rock arriving tomorrow, another small shipment on Friday
Moving along!
The real challenge is managing the height, this reef is only 11” from the surface to the sand so I’d say 7” should probably be as far as it goes (Luckily, I’m a fan of Zoas and Acans, so the few SPS would have some room…. Just getting ahead of myself sorry).
One small shipment of rock arriving tomorrow, another small shipment on Friday
Moving along!
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Let me start by saying KUDDOS to the @Bulk Reef Supply staff member that picked this rock with a Nano reef in mind; Excellent Job bud!!!
It almost takes me away from the Negative Space design I have in mind (Jk).
Also received the sand (Might be a bit short, I hope not!)
And a combination of products to add into the starting setup
I have some small Base and small Shelve Rock arriving tomorrow.
Happy reefer moving along!
It almost takes me away from the Negative Space design I have in mind (Jk).
Also received the sand (Might be a bit short, I hope not!)
And a combination of products to add into the starting setup
I have some small Base and small Shelve Rock arriving tomorrow.
Happy reefer moving along!
Let me start by saying KUDDOS to the @Bulk Reef Supply staff member that picked this rock with a Nano reef in mind; Excellent Job bud!!!
Glad you like the rock! Looking forward to see what you do with it.
Nice sim rig in the background btw
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Hammer Time Lewis!!!!
This is about to get rocky
Moving along!!!
This is about to get rocky
Moving along!!!
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Stage One….
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Not sure what is going on with the video, probably too large in size….
Completad the first half of the aqua scape, is far from what I had in mind, but I’m ok with the first attempt (Compared with the EVO 5).
I will try to create the second part tomorrow, if my back doesn't break overnight
Moving along!
Completad the first half of the aqua scape, is far from what I had in mind, but I’m ok with the first attempt (Compared with the EVO 5).
I will try to create the second part tomorrow, if my back doesn't break overnight
Moving along!
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
No rest for the wicked!!!, 16 hours non stop
2D Pictures don't make justice to the detail; it is my very first try, I hope not to disappoint @Bulk Reef Supply
I need food, I need sleep, I need a new back, and I need to grow new skin on my hands!
Moving along!!!
2D Pictures don't make justice to the detail; it is my very first try, I hope not to disappoint @Bulk Reef Supply
I need food, I need sleep, I need a new back, and I need to grow new skin on my hands!
Moving along!!!
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Lid cover in transit!
This will be a fish-less, lights off cycle, so light fixture will be added last along with the cover (I will leave the stock cover in the meantime.
Also installed the upgrade pump, the stock unit works fine but from experience is a bit noisy; this one is rated 160 GPH, but is dialed down to 75%
Moving along!….
This will be a fish-less, lights off cycle, so light fixture will be added last along with the cover (I will leave the stock cover in the meantime.
Also installed the upgrade pump, the stock unit works fine but from experience is a bit noisy; this one is rated 160 GPH, but is dialed down to 75%
Moving along!….
Nice job on the aquascape, looking forward to seeing it progress. Best wishes going forward with your health as well.No rest for the wicked!!!, 16 hours non stop
2D Pictures don't make justice to the detail; it is my very first try, I hope not to disappoint @Bulk Reef Supply
I need food, I need sleep, I need a new back, and I need to grow new skin on my hands!
Moving along!!!
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Installing media chamber with 2 lbs of BioHome; it is amongst the greatest media sources in the market (I’ve used it for many years)…. Photo shows 1 Lb
Waiting for additional sand, test kits and filter floss due to arrive mid next week.
Also, I decided to cycle using Dr.Tims fish-less method instead of the Red Sea Mature, mainly because it requires live rock, skimmer and a light schedule, but my plan is to do the full cycle whit out lights (As l’ve always done). Once I complete this process, will include the full Red Sea Program
Moving along!
Waiting for additional sand, test kits and filter floss due to arrive mid next week.
Also, I decided to cycle using Dr.Tims fish-less method instead of the Red Sea Mature, mainly because it requires live rock, skimmer and a light schedule, but my plan is to do the full cycle whit out lights (As l’ve always done). Once I complete this process, will include the full Red Sea Program
Moving along!
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
My mother was right, “You always get double the stuff you like the least”!!!
I was not happy with the location of the tank, it was just too close to the stairs and in your face once you cleared the last step; you would literally have to squat to be able to see it….
And so, I spent all day moving books, re-cabling, and organizing.
Much better, you can actually see the whole reef standing next to it now
Ordered some other components and additives that should arrive this week; still shooting for September 1st to start the cycle.
Moving along!
I was not happy with the location of the tank, it was just too close to the stairs and in your face once you cleared the last step; you would literally have to squat to be able to see it….
And so, I spent all day moving books, re-cabling, and organizing.
Much better, you can actually see the whole reef standing next to it now
Ordered some other components and additives that should arrive this week; still shooting for September 1st to start the cycle.
Moving along!
OP
OP
juanrmattos
- Frag Plug Hater -
Just leaving this here
Similar threads
