Fluval Edge 6g Reservations

[Patricklong]

I know this topic has been discussed, video reviewed, argued, and dissected, but still have not got the definite answers I want.

I am a noob to saltwater and was thinking something with a small footprint like this Fluval Edge would be a good choice. After watching hundreds of videos, and reading thousands of threads I have determined that LIGHTING is my main concern.

A few of the light mods are very sleek with Blue LED strips added, and switching out the stock Halogens for some MR-11 white LED bulbs. I like the simplicity of that mod, but am not afraid of getting a little "deeper" into the mod if the outcome is much more usable.

So my main concerns are if that is actually going to be enough light coverage for your standard coral growth. I see people buying 200 dollar light systems for these tanks, and honestly cant imagine that being a justified purchase for such a small tank....but that could be my noob talking.

Some people here have some amazing Edges set up so I am hoping someone can chime in here with good thoughts about the light mods.

Thank you!! Hope to impress you guys with some things in the future!!

 

[TX..r33f]

buying a $200 doller light is good if you want a really really godd light or your rich. For me i wouldnt spend 200 for a pico tank light. You can get on of these~~Ecoxotic PAR38 LED Aquarium Lamp!! but their still $114. I would just do the mod. Adding ked strips is a great way to get more light. Any you can grow some pretty good stuff. i am going to set up a 3g pico reef and im going with ~ http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_3gal...lons-JBJ_Lighting-JB7151-FIAQNCCKTLUT-vi.html i have seen alot of good coral growth with this set up

 

[Patricklong]

Yeah, the JBJ Picotope was the first set up I was looking into. The bowed front was what caught my eye, until I saw the Fluval with the "infinity pool" esque feel.

I mean sure, 200 dollar lights have a 200 dollar purpose, but like you said, I feel for a nano tank this is overkill.

I see you are in Houston as well, do you have larger reefs set up? Or is the 3g Pico going to be your first?

 

[TX..r33f]

o yeah didnt even see were you were from cool!. &i have a 45g with a few sps but mostly softies. Their are alot of good reef places (shops) in Houston!! I think you should go with the mod. Maybe add 2 more l.e.d strips. I have seen the mod do wonders for corals. if you dont know anr good online shops here are a couple, www.marinedepot.com ... www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[VGT]

I just recently sold my Edge and it's expensive lighting. If I were you, I would skip it and get something that's going to be easier to maintain, like the Innovative Marine Nuvo 8.

 

[Travis55]

I just recently sold my Edge and it's expensive lighting. If I were you, I would skip it and get something that's going to be easier to maintain, like the Innovative Marine Nuvo 8.

I saw ur fs thread on NR it was a way cool light

 

[Patricklong]

I just recently sold my Edge and it's expensive lighting. If I were you, I would skip it and get something that's going to be easier to maintain, like the Innovative Marine Nuvo 8.

The Nuvo 8, does nothing for me aesthetically. Actually quite fugly I think. So reading your comment, Im assuming that you paid an awful lot of money for lighting?

I have found over 10 tutorials about modding the light and the most expensive LED mod was only about 50 dollars.

Explain to me why the Nuvo 8 would be more easily maintained than the Fluval.

 

[Markdiego]

Go for the challenge! I love my edge!

 

[Patricklong]

Go for the challenge! I love my edge!

I am definitely leaning towards that way. I am trying to take everyones input into consideration and have been messaging people as well to build my repertoire of knowledge if you will.

 

[Boonjob]

I this past weekend tore down my Fluval 6 reef for a bio cube 14....

I had diy cree leds(cool white and RB) 50/50 mix on independent dimmers.... i modded them to fit in the stock hood then modded the stock hood to fit horizontally across the tank and made a cover to sit over the power filter.... I upgraded the stock ac20 to a ac 30 by cutting out the factory light system and support posts... I ran 2 nano 240 koralia and 50W mini slim heater....

I added 7# of dry rock and 10# of dry sand

Added a 10gal quick crew from reef cleaners

after cycle I added Ulva,Shaving brush, pencil cap, and flame algae to the DT to help filter nitrates and cut down on needed water changes.

I supported Lps and some sps just fine with this setup... the ac30 ran stock aside from using Rox carbon instead of fluval replacement pouches...

The ulva grew like crazy along with the pencil cap... I didnt develope any hair algae until I took out the ulva and shaving brush. And even then it was slight


My intial Led setup ran a total of 16 cree on 2 drivers 8royal blue and 8 cool white... this set up caused excessive par.... i had par readings at the sand of over 600, on the rock @ 1100 and in the water column of 2000+.... I had to degrade the system almost entirely to keep from burning the corals....

The tank looked great but became a huge pain as for maintenance.... water changes were every week, top off is a must my fluval was evaping 2-3" a day in water(about 1 quart) which is not huge but my power heads were sitting at the 3" mark and began sucking air every day(leave for work in the am with a topped off tank, and come home to a tank sucking air and in need of topping off)

I also could not get my fluval down to a desired temp... it sat on display on my main room out of direct sunlight and it always hovered at 80(i contribute this being to the diy led fixture being right ontop of the tank, as I had it in the stock hood for a stock look... all in all it was a fun tank and I love the look but became too much of a hassle.... also it didnt bother me at forst going in but after a while the narrow stock opening became a pain in my @zz.

It was fun but since going to the biocube 14 its a huge weight lifted off my shoulders... I have room to work and can go a few days with out immediate attention....I liked my edge but I am not looking back on my choice to upgrade.....

My recommendation for the edge would be dont.... unless you really want the challenge and intend on spending a good chunk of time on it every day and every week..... The maintenance load far exceeded my larger tank but with severe restrictions small openings, small foot print, slim choice of filtration options....

Go with a 10+ just the footprint alone is worth it... Imo fwiw

 

[Patricklong]

I this past weekend tore down my Fluval 6 reef for a bio cube 14....

I had diy cree leds(cool white and RB) 50/50 mix on independent dimmers.... i modded thrm to fit in the atock hood then modded the stock hood to fit horizontally across the tank and made a cover to sit over the power filter.... I upgraded the stock ac20 to a ac 30 by cutting out the factory light system and support posts... I ran 2 nano 240 koralia and 50W mini slim heater....

I added 7# of dry rock and 10# of dry sand

Added a 10gal quick crew from reef cleaners

after cycle I added Ulva,Shaving brush, pencil cap, and flame algae to the DT to help filter nitrates and cut down on needed water changes.

I supported Lps and some sps just fine with this setup... the ac30 ran stock aside from using Rox carbon instead of flival replacement pouches...

The ulva grew like crazy along with the pencil cap... I didnt develope any hair algae until I took out the ulva and shaving brush. And even then it was slight


My intial Led setup ran a total of 16 cree on 2 drivers 8royal blue and 8 cool white... this set up caused excessive par.... i had par readings at the sand of over 600, on the rock @ 1100 and in the water column of 2000+.... I had to degrade the system almost entirely to keep from burning the corals....

The tank looked great but became a huge pain as for maintenance.... water changes were every week, top off is a must my fluval was evaping 2-3" a day in water(about 1 quart) which is not huge but my power heads were sitting at the 3" mark and began sucking air every day(leave for work in the am with a topped off tank, and come home to a tank sucking air and in need of topping off)

I also could not get my fluval down to a desired temp... it sat on display on my main room out of direct sunlight and it always hovered at 80(i contribute thia being to the diy led fixture being right ontop of the tank, as I had it in the stock hood for a stock look... all in all it was a fun tank and I love the look but became too much of a hassle.... also it didnt bother me at forat goong in but after a while he narrow stock opening became a pain in my @zz.

It was fun but since going to the biocube 14 its a huge weight lifted off my shoulders... I have room to work and can go a few days with out immediate attention....I liked my edge but I am not looking back on my choice to upgrade.....

My recommendation for the edge would be dont.... unless you really want the challenge and intend on spending a good chunk of time on it every day and every week..... The maintenance load far exceeded my larger tank but with severe restrictions small openings, small foot print, slim choice of filtration options....

Go with a 10+ just the footprint alone is worth it... Imo fwiw

Exactly the kind of response I was looking for. I truly appreciate this. I think this post alone has given me more to think about than any Edge thread has so far. Thank you!

 

[Boonjob]

No Problem if you have any further questions feel free to ask.

 

[Markdiego]

Wow, 2-3” evaporation a day???!! Even my solana doesnt evaporate that much.

 

[Boonjob]

the tank was running hot to begin with 80-84 and the first inch and a half of the fluval is the "necked opening" and is a small foot print of about 6x4 so it doesnt take much to evap it off...

 

[bugs713]

I've had a Edge set up as planted FW for about 4 years and for FW, it is not much problem maintaining. I run an external canister with floss and Chemi-Pure and the plants take care of the rest or a rather high bioload. I will be DIYing 10 Cree dimmable LED's into the stock hood when I make the time; currently I am using a Marineland so called reef-ready LED that set across the top.

I strongly considered converting it to a SW reef because I absolutely love these Edge tanks and think they would make a awesome mini reef, but decided (for now) to keep it FW. I have read a ton of info on people that have made these in to some cool little reef tanks, one guy even drilled it for an overflow and small sump.

Good luck if you do this and be sure to do a build thread if you do.

 

[VGT]

The Nuvo 8, does nothing for me aesthetically. Actually quite fugly I think. So reading your comment, Im assuming that you paid an awful lot of money for lighting?

I have found over 10 tutorials about modding the light and the most expensive LED mod was only about 50 dollars.

Explain to me why the Nuvo 8 would be more easily maintained than the Fluval.

$50? You can't put any kind of appreciable lighting in there for $50, you couldn't even buy 8 CREEs and a driver for that. The biggest hassle with the Edge is maintenance. Unless you've got a minimalist aquascape, cleaning the glass is a *****. I paid a lot for lighting because I did it right. The MR-11 or MR-16 bulbs that you might see look nice, but don't provide enough light for anything demanding. Nuvo 8 was just a suggestion for an All-In-One that for most people, is aesthetically pleasing, has more room for customization, hiding components (like a heater), and the ability to add an auto top off.

Like you, I bought the Edge because it's a beautiful tank, but the maintenance truly got to be a chore. I just upgraded to a Nuvo 16 -

I don't know anyone who thinks that it isn't an attractive tank. The increased room for livestock is a huge perk as well. With only two clowns in my edge, I felt guilty enough (even though they hardly swim anywhere other than the 6" radius around the anemone.

 

[amutti]

The edge isn't too bad, but it is high maintainence.

The edge isn't too bad, but it is high maintainence.

I've had mine running for over 2 years as a saltwater tank and it isn't that bad to maintain. Yes, you have to do weekly water changes, but if you miss a week the thing doesn't just die. For me the biggest pain is having to top it off at least every two days (mine is setup in my office so it doesn't get topped off over the weekend). That pretty much puts it in line with my other tanks (55g,29g, 10g); so when I travel I need someone to top it off.

That said, don't waste money or time on mr11 or mr16 bulbs. They just aren't enough light and/or they don't hold up to the salt creep. Plan on spending about $200 and make your own (you can do it cheaper, but that's what it cost me for 16 premium Crees,dimable driver, heat sink, plexi glass, etc.). This is the same price for a good light on a 10g-30g.

Next, realize that only the center 60-70% will get enough light for 90% of the coral out there; so build your aqua scape high toward the back and the sides, leaving the middle as open as possible.

To keep maintainance down, I run chemi-pure elite (lasts about 3 months) in the filter and buy a jug of premixed water (this is mostly for convience as the tank is in my office at work, but it makes it easier to keep parameters stable) which lasts about 1 month.

At every water change clean the glass with a magnetic glass cleaner - dead easy.

DON'T OVER FEED.

DON'T RUSH IT. This is a nano. Give it some time to establish (IMHO at least 4-6 weeks) and stock slowly.... Also, 2 small fish max.

Personally, I find the edge very easy. 1 gallon water changes take what, 5 minutes or less?

 

[Boonjob]

forgot to add sticking your hand in the tank is almost a impossible act.... it will over flow every time... i had to place rock near the opening that i could reguarly remove to drop the watwr line to be able to stick my hand in... tongs are a must....

The maintenace was more than I ever do on my larger tanks... It wasnt terrible or hard just time consuming and became a pain making sure I had time... I havent touched my bio cube since setting it up... I would have done 1 water change, topped off atleast 5 times by now and its only been 5 days... add that over weeks to months and it does add up time wise.. Yes it isnt hard its just time... time I got tired of wasting personally.

And until you get the hang of it, topping off after the waterline is below the neck always leaves bubbles trapped... and until you get used to getting them out they will drive you crazy and youll spend alot of time just getting them out.

 

[Enavas]

I agree with Boonjob. I had a fluval edge reef for a while and I hated it. You have to siphon some water out to do any maintenance. Good lighting for it cost as much as lighting for a bigger tank.

 

[TX..r33f]

have you thogu about getting something like this "
Innovative Marine 4 Gallon Pico Aquarium w/ 4 Watt 14000K Skkye Light Clamp LED Light - White " i am looking into it and is looks realy clean.