Fluval Evo 13.5 Build

Twoddler

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Hi all. Well, the other week I went to my lfs to pick up some Iron for my 5mth 1000 ltr mixed coral and fish tank.
I had quite a lot of store credit, The Evo was an impulse buy.

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Twoddler

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After a bit of research, I decided to make a few upgrades.

Return pump replaced with a Eheim Compact 1000 ( Fits perfect not touching sides of return chamber and no noise, no controller thou, I have turned the pump up full, return pipe slots straight on )

Replaced return flow nozzle for a 1/2 inch RFG, had to but 2 1/2 inch loc line, fits straight on to stock fitment

Still to get ato, probably going to go with DD H2 Ocean Compact.
Not sure about skimmer, I like the clean look of the lid.
Filtration, still to look at, do I buy an upgraded media basket, or just make one from egg crate ?

No plans to upgrade light, maybe a timer thou, probably some nice Lps and softies going in




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Twoddler

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Tank filled with sw, I used Aquaforest reef salt, same as my big tank. I have had problem in the past with this salt ( kh, calcium and magnesium imbalance, I put this down to not stirring the salt in the tub, been alright since I started doing the later. And the lfs always has plenty in stock).

Rock scape done, had spare rock in sump of big tank.
 

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Twoddler

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Started to cycle the tank, I'm using the stock sponge filter at the moment, I have removed the active carbon it comes with, and thrown in some maxspect bio balls in the overflow chamber.

Rock from my other tank
TMC fine crushed coral
ATM colony
Small piece of prawn for ammonia ( no fish )
I probably should have dosed ammonia, I would have had more control, but the prawn will do the job.
I,ll just monitor Ammonia and nitrate, infact scrub that lol !!! The prawn is coming out, I'm off to lfs to get some ammonia
 

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Twoddler

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Back from lfs, decided to get the DD H2 Ocean ato, also decided to re arrange the rock work.
 

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TriggersAmuck

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Great start! The ATO looks like the Duetto we get here in the US. Great unit (the Duetto), but I had an issue with an urchin trying to swallow mine (since I don't have a sump nor all in one) nearly causing the tank to overflow. :). You shouldn't have that issue since you can tuck it away in your return compartment.
 
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Great start! The ATO looks like the Duetto we get here in the US. Great unit (the Duetto), but I had an issue with an urchin trying to swallow mine (since I don't have a sump nor all in one) nearly causing the tank to overflow. :). You shouldn't have that issue since you can tuck it away in your return compartment.
Yes it is quite compact, I'm going to put it in the return chamber, I'm going to let the tank cycle, first thoughts regarding fish maybe a small puffer , but not sure I want something different.
 

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I have one. I got the InTank brand media basket for the middle compartment. I have 2 of the small fluval poweheads in there. I also opted to ditch the canopy because i was not impressed by the light. I now have 2 kessil A80 tuna blues mounted on flexible arms with their controller. way better lighting for it.
 

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Twoddler

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I have one. I got the InTank brand media basket for the middle compartment. I have 2 of the small fluval poweheads in there. I also opted to ditch the canopy because i was not impressed by the light. I now have 2 kessil A80 tuna blues mounted on flexible arms with their controller. way better lighting for it.
Yeah it looks good, I'll probably go with the media basket, which media basket did you go with?
As far as lights, the evo does lack control ability, I do like the canopy thou, not sure if the is an upgraded light out there that slots in.
Powerhead, I'm thinking about a small jecod blowing towards the overflow
 

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Yeah it looks good, I'll probably go with the media basket, which media basket did you go with?
As far as lights, the evo does lack control ability, I do like the canopy thou, not sure if the is an upgraded light out there that slots in.
Powerhead, I'm thinking about a small jecod blowing towards the overflow
i didn't like the light because it was off/on/blue/on blue and white. not dimmable. The media basket is by "InTank" they sell one for the first compartment and the second compartment. I got the one for the second compartment. I use brightwell x-port bio cubes in the middle section, filter floss on the bottom. you can throw a carbon sack on the top. I found that the floss on the bottom works the best because of the design from the first compartment to the second... the water flows in through a series of vertically stacked weirs. the flow is then directed down and through another opening into the return compartment. if you use the floss on the top it lets all the crap pass right through to the return compartment. I just cut floss to fit. I also have a small hang on media reactor with some carbon that I run. keeps it crystal clear.
 

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the media basket was like 50.00 on amazon. i like it much better than just the big black nitrate farm of a sponge they throw in there. i did buy the little skimmer for the first compartment.... its a piece of junk. can't dial it in very well.
 

Melanie Fish

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I have one and love it. The stock light is good for lps. Simple tank for simple stuff. Upgrading the pump i think is the best upgrade on these tanks
 
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Twoddler

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I have one and love it. The stock light is good for lps. Simple tank for simple stuff. Upgrading the pump i think is the best upgrade on these tanks
Yes that's what I want, a simple tank, I spend enough time on the big tank, but I am looking forward to see how the evo developes .
 

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Here is what I am doing to make the original lighting a little better.
I added a 12" strip of actinic blue 450nm LEDs on a dimmer to tailor to my liking. I also added the cheap Nicrew LED controller. It works as a timer and gives a 15 minute ramp up and down. Cheap and easy and working great as my quarantine and grow out set up.
 

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Twoddler

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Just a little update, things are going well in my little Evo, cycled well. I purchase a small power head, Jecod 0w 10 and put the first fish in a, small Purple Firefish.
I would take a picture, but as soon as I put him in the tank he disappeared in the rock work.
So here's a pic of the powerhead and tank.
 

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Just a quick update, first fish in Evo.

Purple Firefish.
 

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Twoddler

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Another small update.
Tank doing well, first signs of diatoms, I've also added some Gsp and a Kenya tree, mainly to see how they do under the stock light ( came from big tank ).
Still debating filtration, Intank chamber 1 and 2 or go with D Flow chamber 1 and 2
 

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