Fluval Edge 6g and Spec V with 20g Sump and ADA Imitation Stand

SamiTANKS

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Current tank shot 1/4/21
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8/29/20 progress photos and build thread
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Start f Build Thread


Ayyy first build thread on R2R! Bought a new Fluval Edge 6g on sale and already had a Fluval Spec V. Goal is to have a the fluval edge be a quiet, low maintenance reef tank next to my bed that is plumbed into a sump. The Edge aquariums are pretty neat because the water level is above the top glass pane, making top-down viewing crystal clear. The Fluval Spec will be a low tech planted tank above it.

Here are plans for the stand (Lower left stand is bed nightstand, middle is Edge, Top is Spec. Put the frame together with 2x4s, wrapped in 1/2" plywood, and added a drawer by the bed. I went with a french cleat on all the doors so they could come off during maintenance.
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Priming and painting next. I used the lowes valspar outdoor season flex paint 2 coats, followed by 3 coats of oil-based polyurethane. In hindsight, I regret using the oil based poly. It added a pretty noticeable yellow tint.
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Turned the black plastic stand of the fluval edge into an overflow box. Here are the steps:
1) Cut out a notch in the black stand lined up to the top glass pane
2) 1/4" acrylic rectangle plate cut to inside dimension of stand box, drilled three holes for bulkheads
3) Weldon 16 acrylic cement acrylic plate to bottom notches in stand box and around edges of stand box, followed up with silicone everywhere
4) Placed two 1/2" slip/slip bulkheads for herbie overflow and one 1/2 slip/barb bulkhead in middle for return out loc line
5) cut out holes in bottom of stand box and in wooden stand for 3 bulk head plumbing lines. I cracked the bottom stand box, put some weldon 3 to patch it up
6) used a jigsaw to cut out a weir from the top plastic lip of the tank
7) Cemented a water diverter to back of weir with weldon 16 to make sure water makes it to overflow box
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Aquascaping
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SamiTANKS

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There still is a gap left in the stand between the top of the tallest door pane and the stand frame you can see below:
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Does anyone have any quick and cheap fixes for that gap???
The gap is due to the board being warped. I've tried velcro but could get the velcro to adhere to the wood panels with double sided tape or super glue.

I decided to use the Edge's premade stand as the overflow box so it looks unaltered. First I cut out the top of the back of the stand so water can overflow:
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Then drilled three holes in 1/4" acrylic for the base of the overflow box:
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Then glued it the acrylic base plate into the bottom slats of the Edge's plastic stand with weldon 16 followed by silicone all around the seams:
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I went with three 1/2" bulkheads in the overflow box. Two bulkheads for a herbie overflow and one for a return line. It definitely seems sketchy using a 1:1 size ratio of drain to return. I think the 1/2" herbie drain should be able to handle a flow rate ~120gph on the full siphon line @ 4" depth below surface. But this is solely based on equations I found on the internet and I have no experience doing anything like this before. We'll see if my carpets are flooded in a couple weeks
 
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SamiTANKS

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That's a good idea. I just wish I thought of that before painting, sealing and installing the cleats. I can't flip the board over now that the cleats are wood glued on the inside.
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Curious to see how the overflow works for you and the mods. I have a 6g Fluval Edge (3 actually) that are used as my traveling tank for outreach programs. I have always wondered if I could change them to a sump design.

Oh, to keep it crystal clear on top, be prepared to scrape a lot. They get full of algae on that upper glass panel. Kids love to look down though. So do I actually.

What are you doing for light? The standard will not grow corals. I use T5s at home, but LED bulbs on the road. Just two PAR38s.

It is a great tank. Especially for keeping little hands out.
 
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Curious to see how the overflow works for you and the mods. I have a 6g Fluval Edge (3 actually) that are used as my traveling tank for outreach programs. I have always wondered if I could change them to a sump design.

Oh, to keep it crystal clear on top, be prepared to scrape a lot. They get full of algae on that upper glass panel. Kids love to look down though. So do I actually.

What are you doing for light? The standard will not grow corals. I use T5s at home, but LED bulbs on the road. Just two PAR38s.

It is a great tank. Especially for keeping little hands out.
That's so cool I just saw your edge online it looks really good. How did you set up the lights over the tank? I have an aquaknight A029 LED I was going to put on it, but I need to figure out what to do with that plastic cover that comes with the tank. I like the clean look with it on but also want to have the light unobstructed and elevated above the tank
 

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My lights when at home are hung with a pvc built hanging mess. Ignore the need for cleaning. I let it go until need a clean tank for kids. I am due a water change today. :) The cardboard on top was to block light from the UAS on my main sump. Not needed anymore, but keep forgetting to move it. Just a frame of pvc that sits around the tank and holds the T5s in place. Since it resides in my fish room, aesthetics are not on my mind.

When traveling, I have a black pvc built frame that holds two LED PAR38s. Simple, less heat around kids, and cool blues for them to wear the yellow glasses. This is a picture from a Chicago trip to Aquatic Experience. A few years back.

I ditched the back case and top case. I still have them, just do not use them. :) I bet you could somehow build a LED system in the black cover though. I just do not have that desire. Even use the bar that holds the current LED system. I have thought about it many times to do this, but never became a priority.

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DeniseAndy

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I too like the clean look of the tank together, but lighting is the issue. Although, black pvc is a good friend. Blends really well and less noticeable.
 
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SamiTANKS

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My lights when at home are hung with a pvc built hanging mess. Ignore the need for cleaning. I let it go until need a clean tank for kids. I am due a water change today. :) The cardboard on top was to block light from the UAS on my main sump. Not needed anymore, but keep forgetting to move it. Just a frame of pvc that sits around the tank and holds the T5s in place. Since it resides in my fish room, aesthetics are not on my mind.

When traveling, I have a black pvc built frame that holds two LED PAR38s. Simple, less heat around kids, and cool blues for them to wear the yellow glasses. This is a picture from a Chicago trip to Aquatic Experience. A few years back.

I ditched the back case and top case. I still have them, just do not use them. :) I bet you could somehow build a LED system in the black cover though. I just do not have that desire. Even use the bar that holds the current LED system. I have thought about it many times to do this, but never became a priority.

Wowww that is so crazy you have a mobile fish tank for teaching! That's pretty impressive you modded a fluval edge to withstand travel and curious kids haha. I'm really happy you posted pics of your setup on this thread. I have a bunch of questions for you:

1. What do you do for freshwater top offs to make sure the water level is above the top glass pane?
2. What's the flow rate of the wave pump you went with and what were your thoughts on picking a position/direction for it?
3. How difficult is it keeping sand maintained, especially around the edges?
4. Do you have any other advice/tips for success with this tank or some obstacles you ran into given its small top opening?

Thanks!
 

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It is a fun thing to bring for the kids. They do love it. I think the teachers and adults love it even more sometimes. I went to a Boys and Girls Club and one of the adults would almost "push" kids out of the way to see it. He had soooo many questions. Very fun.

1. Tops off are just done by hand once a day. It has less evap than a full open top. I keep the water level about 1cm above the top panel.
2. The flow of the pump is the 240gph one of the Koralia. I do not count the HOB filter into the flow. It does a decent job. Just wish it could be easier to put in different spots. Because of the cord, it is awkward and only can be placed near the opening.
3. It is not too bad to maintain sand. I have a Flipper and it is invaluable for this tank. It can get the top, sand area, and is very low profile. I also have the Flipper magnifying lens for the kids. Super neat! You cannot vacuum the sand, so if it begins to get really bad or I feel is adding to any algae I do this...
I have 3 of these, so I get the clean one and add new, rinsed and dry sand, all new water - then move everything over to new tank. Done.... almost. Then I go through the sand very carefully to track any strays that may be in there. Snails, shrimp, crab, etc. Found my shrimp goby once hiding out in the sand.
Nice thing is then I can rinse the sand really well, let it dry and use it next time I need to switch the tanks around.

In your case, I would simply keep some rinsed dry sand in a bucket. Move livestock to a bucket or bin, remove the sand, clean the tank, fill with sand and water, put back livestock. Then deal with the sand and any stray critters.

Sounds like a mouthful, but can be done super quick. I have done it without using another tank in past. I do this with my 20g and 40g even if I get and algae outbreak.

4. Real pain to clean if you let it get bad. I mean if you let the algae build up on the sides and you empty to clean, it hurts your hand and wrist to twist in scrubbing the sides. Also, make sure the rock can go in and out the top. Same with corals. Unless you plan to never fully clean it, but it will eventually need it.

My guy loves acans! They puff up and grow wonderfully. It has a nice Herpolitha spp in it that grows nicely. Favia and platygyre do well too. Those with all low flow.

Looking forward to what you do.
 
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SamiTANKS

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Thanks for all of the tips! I got the tank up and running, on month 2 now. Really like your tip for the koralia nano placement. So far everything going well except for some algae right under the light. Also setup a mini planted tank right above it.

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SamiTANKS

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Tank update 11/2/2020:
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I added a lot of corals and 4 sexy shrimp. All corals have been doing well except for a few zoas and the stings from that big elegance. So far I've learned to keep low light corals on the perimeter and avoid high light sps altogether. Definitely my favorite tank build!
 

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