My 13.5 Evo

Zos4me · Feb 12, 2023

Hi guys
So after a 2 year hiatus after my last 40 gal nuked and I lost everything I got the bug and the heart back to try again.i bought the tank heater and wave pump used for cheap.100 claims. I had rock leftover from the last tank.
Went and got sand and salt mix and I'm off to the races.
After reading a lot and watching a lot of upgrade videos I upgraded the following:
Sicce 1.0 return pump
In tank chamber 1 media basket
Mag tool ato
Replaced one nozzle with random flow Gen
Added switches underneath to control everything independently
I used an old 10 gallon stand and customized it to what I needed for the tank.
I promised the wife this would be a "simple" tank lol.
Today I added 6 hermit crabs to eat some of the uglies that are popping up.
Next week maybe some turbo snails.
Tank has been up and running for a month now.

Zach B · Feb 12, 2023

Glad to see you're back at it! Best of luck

Zos4me · Feb 12, 2023

Zach B said:
Glad to see you're back at it! Best of luck

Thanks appreciate it

Gumbies R Us · Feb 13, 2023

Best of luck to your tank!!!

Zos4me · Feb 13, 2023

Gumbies R Us said:
Best of luck to your tank!!!

Thanks very much

kevgib67 · Feb 14, 2023

Off to a great and patient start, following!

Zos4me · Mar 11, 2023

So tank is 3 months old now. I have made a bunch of upgrades.i upgraded the pump with a Sicce .5. I put the I tank basket in Chamber 1 with bonded floss,bioballs and chemiclean blue. I had an algae bloom so I added a uv sterilizer. I also added a ato system.due to still having the hood on it doesn't have an evaporation problem but better safe than sorry.
I have ordered an Ai blade grow light that will be here soon.
I added a Kenya tree last week and is doing great. Yesterday I added an Toadstool leather. Both have great polyp extension.
I know these are basic starter coral but having no experience with a small tank
thought it would be best to start with the basics. I also have never had either of these so it is something new.
I will update when the new light arrives.

Zos4me · Mar 14, 2023

I upgraded my light to the new AI Blade Grow .used the 12 in light and it fits perfectly into the stock hood

Zos4me · May 13, 2023

So I haven't updated in a while.i am a little over the 5 month mark and I have been pretty successful. I have learned from past failures and seem to be gaining.
I have updated stock fluval light to Ai grow and I am very pleased with the growth of all my coral.my Kenya and Toadstool have quadrupled in size .I have a Duncan with 4 heads on it that as soon as I got home and put it in the tank opened up bigger than when they were at the store.
To be honest the only thing that is growing but very slowly is the Gsp. Thought it would have over run the tank but it is happy on the little Rock.
I have been trying to put corals in this tank that I have never kept . The only one I have had before was the Duncan and that added badly so I am elated with the turn out on this one.
Last but not least I went and bought 2 Rose bubble tip Anenomes today. I felt the tank was mature enough. I want them to get bigger and then I will introduce a bonded pair of clowns.
I know Nems can move and not 3 mins after I took the picture I am posting the little one is on the move haha. Hopefully it will end up where I like it.

girlsdad_AAA · May 13, 2023

How are you liking the blades? Will you add more or just have one

Zos4me · May 13, 2023

No the 12 inch fits where the stock light goes in the cover and works great.ill stick with just the 1

girlsdad_AAA · May 13, 2023

Gotcha, how long you waited before you added the nem?

Zos4me · May 13, 2023

I started tank on new years day so a little over 5 months ago.i bought 2 that were on 1 rock.i have heard that you can tear the foot if they are forced and didn't want to take that chance so I bought both. I paid 60 each. I didn't think that was too bad.i didn't have to pay 50 to ship like online so I was happy. Only been in the tank 3 hours and both look happy.can really only see one from the front but as they grow I'll be able to see both.

girlsdad_AAA · May 13, 2023

Zos4me said:
I started tank on new years day so a little over 5 months ago.i bought 2 that were on 1 rock.i have heard that you can tear the foot if they are forced and didn't want to take that chance so I bought both. I paid 60 each. I didn't think that was too bad.i didn't have to pay 50 to ship like online so I was happy. Only been in the tank 3 hours and both look happy.can really only see one from the front but as they grow I'll be able to see both.

Ok thanks! I’m thinking about waiting 9 months before I add a CSB but perhaps I can do it sooner

Zos4me · May 13, 2023

girlsdad_AAA said:
Ok thanks! I’m thinking about waiting 9 months before I add a CSB but perhaps I can do it sooner

Well from what I read as long as the tank is stable you should be ok.i waited 3 months before I put my first coral in and I think that is the key to starting a new tank