New Setup - Fluval Flex 32.5 Marine Temperature

[kpoj9]

I started up a new all-in-one fluval flex marine 32.5. I’m using the factory 3.0 lighting and hood. I‘m still cycling the tank. The temp fluctuates between 79 (no light) to 82(with light). 82 seems borderline high to me. I’d rather not remove the hood permanently. Anyone else had this concern with the Flex? And advice?

 

[ludnix]

You're going to find a lot of compatriots in the biocube community. Any of these AIO tanks with a lid definitely suffer from high temp swings with the lid closed and lights on. A lot of biocube users end up propping the lid open, cutting new vents or installing a nano-chiller. The cheapest solution that keeps the lid is to retrofit a small fan onto it somewhere and have it blow fresh air into the tank. You can have the fan run on a temp controller or just a timer with the lights. Nano chillers are little less DIY, but are much more expensive in the $150-300 range.

82F is borderline high, but there's tons of tanks that reach that temp without issue too, so I wouldn't stress over it too much if you don't think it's at risk of getting even hotter depending on the time of year.

 

[DeepSeaRob17]

As soon as my LFS gets my tank in I will be setting up the same tank. I’m curious as to how you fix this. I live in San Antonio Texas... or as I call it the Devils Groin... it’s so flipping hot here and I know that will be something I have to tackle. Let me know what you come up with!! I have considered taking one of the filters out and replacing it with floss on the outside compartment where the heater would go and putting the skimmer where the filter goes, then pulling the skimmer tab off and leaving that part open.

 

[kpoj9]

That’s a good idea. Opening the back will help. I don't know if I will run a skimmer yet. Depends on # of fish. I think water changes work just as good on a small tank. But a skimmer doesn’t hurt. I just got 2 Intank.com baskets. I’m going to ditch the foam and start running a combination of media. Something like this attached. I’m hoping that will lower the temp a few degrees. Keep in touch. I’d like to know how things go.

 

[DeepSeaRob17]

I am happy to show off mine. Just got it Saturday and took the weekend to set it up. It’s starting to clear up nicely. I have not yet had an issue with the temp rising, but mine is right under an ac vent... so I’m sure that helps. I didn’t want to put it here but it was really the only place I could get away with it.

 

[kpoj9]

Looking Good....I like your rock scape alot.

 

[kpoj9]

UPDATE- I removed the back cover on my Flex, installed an InTank basket and turned down the LED whites to 30%-35%. I’m staying around 79 degrees which is good.

 

[DeepSeaRob17]

Looking Good....I like your rock scape alot.

Thanks, it took me a while to figure out how high I wanted to go. I figure after some time I’ll have some hammers and torches to reach up into that negative space.

 

[DeepSeaRob17]

That’s a good idea. Opening the back will help. I don't know if I will run a skimmer yet. Depends on # of fish. I think water changes work just as good on a small tank. But a skimmer doesn’t hurt. I just got 2 Intank.com baskets. I’m going to ditch the foam and start running a combination of media. Something like this attached. I’m hoping that will lower the temp a few degrees. Keep in touch. I’d like to know how things go.

How are the new baskets going. I’m highly considering them. The foam blocks just dint catch enough of the small particles for my liking.

 

[kpoj9]

yeah the foam is ok...I guess. It does keep some of the beneficial bacteria. But I will eventually lose both of them and run Intank in both chambers. None of the more advanced tanks use foam. The Intank baskets just give you a lot more flexibility to run media like chemipure, purigen, phosguard, etc. I’m considered setting one up as a refugium when my tank becomes a little more established.

 

[HavocXT]

yeah the foam is ok...I guess. It does keep some of the beneficial bacteria. But I will eventually lose both of them and run Intank in both chambers. None of the more advanced tanks use foam. The Intank baskets just give you a lot more flexibility to run media like chemipure, purigen, phosguard, etc. I’m considered setting one up as a refugium when my tank becomes a little more established.

I found that the marina hang on back breeder box fit perfectly on the back next to the side for a refugium. I'm planing on running a algea scrubber and refugium on mine.

 

[kpoj9]

I found that the marina hang on back breeder box fit perfectly on the back next to the side for a refugium. I'm planing on running a algea scrubber and refugium on mine.

That’s an interesting idea. Are you planning on growing chaeto? I don’t have any experience with alage scrubbers. Do you need to have both? Wouldn‘t the algae scrubber affect the growth of chaeto? I’m thinking an algae scrubber by itself should do the trick especially on 32g tank. Not sure though.

 

[marcwjj]

yeah the foam is ok...I guess. It does keep some of the beneficial bacteria. But I will eventually lose both of them and run Intank in both chambers. None of the more advanced tanks use foam. The Intank baskets just give you a lot more flexibility to run media like chemipure, purigen, phosguard, etc. I’m considered setting one up as a refugium when my tank becomes a little more established.

Great post! I'm setting up my fluval flex 32 for saltwater as well. I wonder if you end up setting up a refugium in your tank? should I use the middle part to grow chaeto or one of the filter basket?

 

[kpoj9]

Welcome

Great post! I'm setting up my fluval flex 32 for saltwater as well. I wonder if you end up setting up a refugium in your tank? should I use the middle part to grow chaeto or one of the filter basket?

Welcome to the Flex 32g family My tank is still fairly new. I’m waiting a couple more weeks before starting a refugium. I would keep the refugium separate from the middle chamber. You don’t want algae clogging up your pump in that chamber. I was considering setting up one of the side chambers as a refugium using a stick-on-the-glass IM refugium light. However after more research I think it would be better to use a DIY reactor. See links below.


or

MAR-3181 Macroalgae Reactor

Grow Macro Algae to Control Nitrates and Phosphates! Cultivating chaetomorpha algae in the Tunze MAR-3181 makes controlling your aquariums nutrients clean and easy. Tunze's algae reactor can be placed internally in your sump, or placed externally if you do not have room in your sump, or just...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[marcwjj]

Thanks for the tips! the reactor looks very cool! let me know how it goes once you got it hooked up.

 

[DeepSeaRob17]

How are the new baskets going. I’m highly considering them. The foam blocks just dint catch enough of the small particles for my liking.

The baskets are awesome. I think I’m going to leave the centers of the baskets open and add a light to the back of the tank for cheato. Right now everything is at an all stop though as I found that one of my fish had flukes. So now they are all in quarantine.

 

[kpoj9]

If you can...I would fresh water dip the fish. That’s very effective against fluke.

 

[DeepSeaRob17]

If you can...I would fresh water dip the fish. That’s very effective against fluke.

I was going to, but I would have to do it to all of them. I think it was one of my fish who I got about two weeks ago. So by then the fluke could be an adult and start producing eggs. So... 4 weeks of fallow it is. All my fish are in QT

 

[kpoj9]

Sorry that sucks.

 

[DeepSeaRob17]

Sorry that sucks.

It’s all good, better now than when it’s completely stocked