New Fluval 13.5g Tank Setup

[dexsreeftank]

Hi
Completely new here and new to fish! I have a standard Fluval Sea 13.5g with no modifications (yet!) Bought this “rock” from my LFS which had been in their sump for 4/5months. With Caribsea Fuji pink live sand. All I’ve got in there at the moment are some tiny shrimp-type creatures and a few tiny white snails that come out in the dark- I presume hitchhikers. These pictures were from the day I set it up- definitely more brown and fluffy now! The tank has been cycling for 4 weeks, all my Salifert tests have been coming up great, so time for some fish.

 

[dexsreeftank]

Some pictures of my little hitchhikers and fluffy rock with maybe some coraline algae? Still trying to do my research!

 

[dexsreeftank]

Last night we added 2 clownfish, and a hermit crab. The crab came out of the net at the back of the tank, so we haven’t seen anything of him yet. The fish are eating well (pellets and frozen food) but we noticed “Spike” has a bit of his dorsal fin missing- hence his new name. Really looking forward to making the tank more reef like- any suggestions for coral? I have the standard Fluval light at the moment….

 

[dexsreeftank]

6 days on and we’ve got a bit of algae, Jimmy the crab is doing his bit to keep the tank clean all be it in random patterns . I’m feeding twice a day- brine shrimp & mysis on a morning, and pellets on an evening. I’ve lost count of how long I’ve sat and watched the tank! Looking forward to building on it more.

 

[dexsreeftank]

Last Sunday (4th May) we added some new friends- a strawberry conch (Sweet), a shrimp (Steven) and a daisy polyp. Going to sit back a bit now and see how the tank develops. Sweet has already taken care of so much algae, even venturing up the rock faces- love him!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Last Sunday (4th May) we added some new friends- a strawberry conch (Sweet), a shrimp (Steven) and a daisy polyp. Going to sit back a bit now and see how the tank develops. Sweet has already taken care of so much algae, even venturing up the rock faces- love him!

Good choice on getting a conch! Those will take care of your algae issues! What corals are you planning on adding next to your tank?

 

[dexsreeftank]

Good choice on getting a conch! Those will take care of your algae issues! What corals are you planning on adding next to your tank?

I only have the fluval stock light at the moment, so going to stick with soft corals and mushrooms I think. I would like a bit more movement in the tank. I am a bit worried about my Daisy coral, it’s only been opening for a couple of hours on a morning, and it’s started to have some brown fluff/strings on it

 

[zerozero]

I only have the fluval stock light at the moment, so going to stick with soft corals and mushrooms I think. I would like a bit more movement in the tank. I am a bit worried about my Daisy coral, it’s only been opening for a couple of hours on a morning, and it’s started to have some brown fluff/strings on it

Hello fellow Fluval 13.5 owner!

You can blam off that algae with a turkey baster

 

[nickscorals]

Recommend 24-hour blackout periods where you cover the tank and turn off the light for 24 hours. Does wonders starving algae of nutrients, and lets bacteria outcompete them for surfaces

 

[CoastieCorals]

Looking good! Following along!

 

[nickscorals]

Update?

 

[dexsreeftank]

Sorry, it’s been busy (and so has my tank!)

We now have-
2 x clowns
1x hermit
1x cleaner shrimp
1x sally lightfoot
1x strawberry conch
1x tuxedo urchin

Hitchhikers-
2x asterina starfish
1x stomatella snail

Coral-
1x Daisy
1x GSP



The lettuce algae had got way out of control, so it was suggested I try a tuxedo urchin- he is a powerhouse, it’s nearly all gone (there are 2 weeks inbetween these pictures)! I haven’t taken any pictures this week- need to remember to update more frequently!

Looking forward to making the tank look prettier, might need to change the standard light so I can have nicer corals!

 

[dexsreeftank]

Algae is almost gone. The urchin has done a great job!

 

[dexsreeftank]

Time for a little update. A new Wavemaker, and 3 new softie coral frags. Any advice on how to remove the plugs? I don’t want to keep them in the sand, but they’re so long!