How to further upgrade Fluval Evo 13.5 AIO?

[Drew1600]

Hi all,

My Evo has been up and running for a couple of months now and I was just looking for suggestions on possible further improvements? Thank you all so much for your time & help, it is beyond greatly appreciated!

Current Build:
Chamber 1 (AIO Intake) - Refegium (gracilia, 1/2lb live rock, running with stock Evo light), airstone (with in-line CO2 scrubber for ph, aquarium in basement)
Chamber 2: 9W Green Killing Machine, temp probe
Chamber 3: Eheim Compaction 1000 Return Pump (with Random Flow Generator on output), Cascade 500 Canister intake (running Marineland Carbon and Zeolite, Seachem Purigen, denitrate, PhosGaurd), Preset Aqueon heater
NICREW HyperReef LED 50W
Fluval CP2 Circulation Pump
Reefing Arts Frag Rack

Stock (Inverts/Coral, no current fish) :
Sand Sifting Sea Star (fed multiple times weekly)
3 Turbo's
1 Astrea
4 Scarlett Hermitts

Coral:
Hammer Coral
GSP Colony
2 Duncans
Toadstool
Metallic Pipe Organ
Clove Polyp Colony
Xenia (why not pulsing, too much flow?????)
Devils Hand
Sm & Lg Zoa Colonies
Green Finger Leather
Kenya Tree
Green Birds Nest

I feed Reef Roids twice a week

Thanks again

 

[Bdavidson10]

How do you like the NICREW hyperReef led 50W? I was thinking of getting the AI prime 16 HD but if the HyperReef 50W is good for the 13.5 Evo I'd definitely appreciate saving some money.

 

[Drew1600]

I love the HyperReef, IMO go with that and save $$$ for coral I run 80-100% blues and about 20% whites on the full spectrum mode. Great color and growth so far. Be sure to work your way up on brightness because the light can be quite bright if you so choose. Hope this helps!

 

[Bdavidson10]

Thanks Drew1600! This definitely helps. Gonna try my hand at a saltwater tank after being in the freshwater world for many years. Might bug ya for light settings once you've found what works good and I'm cycling

 

[Drew1600]

Anytime! I just added my first saltwater tank about 4-5 months ago (the Evo) after also being in freshwater for many years. Loved it so much added another nano saltwater tank. Welcome to the reefing world!

 

[A2dahlberg]

I needed this thread, I have been reading about green hair algae, and all kinds of stuff happening because of this small tank. Started to think I bit off more than I can chew.
Thank
P.s. How often do you do WC?

 

[Drew1600]

I needed this thread, I have been reading about green hair algae, and all kinds of stuff happening because of this small tank. Started to think I bit off more than I can chew.
Thank
P.s. How often do you do WC?

I water change religiously every Tuesday, feed the coral twice a week (Reef Roids, Phyto and Zoo Plankton), and add Aminos and Coral Accel daily. I am also in the middle of an algae battle! More blue light, less food, frequent water changes + a solid clean up crew and you'll be golden

 

[Drew1600]

Running two successful nanos (this and a 6g cube), lmk if you have any questions at all!

 

[A2dahlberg]

Running two successful nanos (this and a 6g cube), lmk if you have any questions at all!

OK thanks will do.