JHoekstra Fluval EVO 13.5 build

[Jhoekstra84]

Hi all,

this is my first tank. I set it up in August and so far it seems to have been going well. My budget is limited so I have kept most of the stock items. I am running a AI Nero 3 pump to create some additional flow. I also run a bag of chemipure elite that I change out every 3 months.

I dose 2ml of Alkalinity 3x per week, and 1 drop of iodine once per week. Water change happens every 2 weeks and it’s around 1.5 - 2 gallons. Lights go on at 2pm and off at 9pm daily.

Here are the equipment details of my tank.

1. Lighting - stock light
2. Filtration - stock sponge plus Chemipure Elite bag
3. Return Pump - stock
4. Wavemaker - AI Nero 3
5. Heater - don't recall but it enough to get the job done.
6. Thermometer - Digital thermometer

Livestock Details:
1. Clownfish x 2
2. Watchman Goby
3. Azure Damselfish
4. Cleaner Shrimp
5. Pistol Shrimp
6. Sally Lightfoot Crab
7. Emerald Crab (recently deceased)
8. Nassarias Snails x 3
9. Astrea Snails x 2
10. Hermit Crabs x 2
11. Sand Conch

Corals:
1. Branching Hammer Coral
2. Trumpet Coral - Kryptonite
3. Toadstool
4. Lightning Green Lime Mushroom
5. Duncan
6. Assorted Zoanthids - roughly 14 different kinds
7. Pulsing Xenia

 

[Jhoekstra84]

Lately, I have been dealing with a pretty significant algae bloom. My LFS recommended a sally lightfoot crab, but that doesn’t seem to be doing the trick. Is a turbo snail overkill for this size of a tank?

below is a picture of the red hair algea that has been getting out of control:

 

[Lord_Mort]

I've had turbos in my Evo. 1 should be fine. Are you sure that's red hair algae? Have you posted here to get it identified?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I'd post for an id of the algae, it would help give you answers on how to deal with it!! The tank is looking good though!!

 

[Dave1993]

i would try save for a light upgrade corals will look so much better

 

[Lord_Mort]

i would try save for a light upgrade corals will look so much better

FWIW, I recently upgraded to the AI Prime and I LOVE it!

 

[Dave1993]

FWIW, I recently upgraded to the AI Prime and I LOVE it!

i have the AI prime too very nice light

 

[Jhoekstra84]

FWIW, I recently upgraded to the AI Prime and I LOVE it!

It’s on my list!

 

[Lord_Mort]

It’s on my list!

One thing I would like to add about the AI prime... there are many bad reviews on BRS. HOWEVER... the majority of those people were running BRS's recommended settings which overdrives the UV and blues. That is totally unnecessary for the EVO (IMO). I'm running at about 60% and it is still more light than the stock fixture had. I never hear the fan and the tank is beautiful so all those negative reviews I read are pretty much N/A to my situation. Hope that helps!

 

[willnow]

Hi all,

this is my first tank. I set it up in August and so far it seems to have been going well. My budget is limited so I have kept most of the stock items. I am running a AI Nero 3 pump to create some additional flow. I also run a bag of chemipure elite that I change out every 3 months.

I dose 2ml of Alkalinity 3x per week, and 1 drop of iodine once per week. Water change happens every 2 weeks and it’s around 1.5 - 2 gallons. Lights go on at 2pm and off at 9pm daily.

Here are the equipment details of my tank.

1. Lighting - stock light
2. Filtration - stock sponge plus Chemipure Elite bag
3. Return Pump - stock
4. Wavemaker - AI Nero 3
5. Heater - don't recall but it enough to get the job done.
6. Thermometer - Digital thermometer

Livestock Details:
1. Clownfish x 2
2. Watchman Goby
3. Azure Damselfish
4. Cleaner Shrimp
5. Pistol Shrimp
6. Sally Lightfoot Crab
7. Emerald Crab (recently deceased)
8. Nassarias Snails x 3
9. Astrea Snails x 2
10. Hermit Crabs x 2
11. Sand Conch

Corals:
1. Branching Hammer Coral
2. Trumpet Coral - Kryptonite
3. Toadstool
4. Lightning Green Lime Mushroom
5. Duncan
6. Assorted Zoanthids - roughly 14 different kinds
7. Pulsing Xenia

I've got the same tank, ran it for two years with stock light. Then the thin power wire coming out of the light fixture will start to mess up. I too am on a budget. I do suggest getting a better light, you want to get a Fluval Sea Marine 15"-22" LED fixture. This particular model will fit perfectly over the stock opening in the lid. Keep your stock lids it will prevent a lot of evaporation, and keep your fish inside the tank. This light it special it has several different spectrums of light, each is individually controlled. It's controlled by Bluetooth on your phone, or button on light. The stock light that comes with this tank only has white/blue/off. Which is fine if you just want fish. If you're keeping corals, live rock, and fish definitely look into this light.
Everything else on your setup looks A-1. Let me know if you've got any questions