Fluval Edge 6g Reservations

[Patricklong]

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.

Appreciate the info for reals. I am now leaning AWAY from the Fluval after this thread discussion.

$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.

I think I may have worded that wrong, I meant to say the AVERAGE led mod was about $50. But then after reading more about LED lighting I figured that those tube leds from ledlight.com probably wont cut it.

I will admit that your tank does look clean and sleek. I havent purchased any glass yet, still mulling over the options that I have. Im limited in the amount of water I can have, and am really trying to explore EVERY option. Thank you for the post!

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?

Some great info right here, from an actual owner of the edge. Thank you!

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.

Yeah, I was talking to another owner of the edge and he was saying the same thing, that he has to take water out just to rearrange things or add things....not something I think I want to have to deal with on the weekly, or even daily basis.

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.

Yeah I saw those after your post about the 1 comment. Im still skeptical even about THAT clamp on light. I may end up building a hanging led bar for whatever I decide. Still not quite sure.

 

[thebanker]

Like I said on our PM's, the Edge is a great tank when it is done right, but it is a challenge, nothing really fits the tank, and no matter how mine looks I always think I can make it better.

Lighting is the biggest challenge. After that, filtration. Sure you could just jam a bunch of powerheads and filters in the tank, and hang lights all over the place, but part of the charm of the tank is the design... and you don't have much room to work with.

I wanted the challenge, which is why I bought my Edge.

 

[Patricklong]

Hey Mikey, I have decided against the Edge. I went with a 20h and 10g sump build. Still in the build process, and a long ways from seeing water.

I do appreciate the advice though, was definitely not taken on deaf ears.

 

[thebanker]

Cool. Do you have a build thread?

 

[Patricklong]

Just did a silly one for the sump for now.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2193291

I will post a full on build thread once, more of it comes together.

 

[jcrissey]

Ok Edge owners, can one of you please measure the available space inside the stock light hood- width plus inside front to hob filter? I really want one of these units but am not into a DIY solution for fears of somehow screwing it up and setting my office building on fire with a poor install.

I'm thinking of purchasing a Skkye 8-watt unit from IM and sawing the arm off and mounting it inside the edge hood. Dimensions of the skkye (w/o arm) is 4.65" wide and 2.68" deep. If there is room, the 30-watt skkye is 12.6" wide and 7.09" deep.

I'm only planning to grow spas and shrooms, and the PAR rating based on IM literature SHOULD suffice.

TIA.

 

[thebanker]

The smaller skyye will fit, but not the larger one. The hood is 6 inches wide.

 

[jcrissey]

The smaller skyye will fit, but not the larger one. The hood is 6 inches wide.

Thanks for the quick response. As an edge owner, do you think that is sufficient light for softies in this tank?

 

[thebanker]

I think so. Not sure, never seen the skyye lit up, but I have looked at it in the store, and I know it will fit. Softies don't need much light, you should be fine with it.