new fluval evo 13.5

[elcapitanmas]

getting ready to setup my fluval evo xmas present and I have most of the supplies lined up and ready to go. I'm waiting on a local source of live rock to get the tank wet but I had a couple questions and was looking for some suggestions. I do not plan on using the foam and media that came with the tank in chamber 2. Instead, I am going to use chemipure elite, purigen, and some kind of bio ball/stone sock.

question 1: My plan was to not add anything to the media slot until after the cycle is finished, should i add anything at all? even just a throw away sock of carbon?

question 2: Planning on picking up the fluval ps2 mini skimmer but I don't really feel like theres a need for it until after the cycle. I know the skimmer needs time to "cycle" as well, but will there be enough waste to even bother before the cycle is complete?

question 3: is a 50 watt heater enough for the temp swings in the northeast? room temp/thermostat is usually down to 60 during the day and I'm wondering if i should have gone with the 100 watt?

question 4: not planning on upgrading the stock pump at the moment but considering adding a pump on the opposite side of the tank from the discharge for a mid tank low flow current. Is this necessary and how many gph is too much for a 12g tank as a secondary flow pump?

any pointers are greatly appreciated, I've done a ton of bigger reef setups so the nano thing to me is all new.

I'm in Ct, near uconn if anyone else is local to the area.

Thanks in advance

 

[Tripod1404]

1- You can add media that support bacterial growth (such as seachem matrix or denitrate). Point of the cycle is grow bacteria, you can give them some additional media to grow on.

2- Skimmer cycling means bacterial growth on the side walls of the skimmer. This makes the inside of the skimmer wall more slimy and allows bubbles to travel upwards with less resistance and premature popping. So yes you can turn the skimmer on so that bacteria starts to populate it, though it will not produce much waste.

3- I would go for a 100w heater. A 50w heater might be enough but if it is on all the time you wont be able to use it for a very long time.

4- Generally you should have at least 20x turnover rate. So for 12 gallons, it makes 240 gallons. Idk the flow rate of your return pump but it is always better to have turbulent flow. With one pump you will get constant one directional flow, like you said put a pump to the opposite side. This way flow form two pumps will hit each other and generate turbulence.

 

[elcapitanmas]

Thanks for the reply, I was kind of depending on the live sand and rock for help with a "bacteria cycle" and didn't want to waste any media in the second chamber. So if I go with a sock of some kind of stone, where should it end up in the coloumn of the second chamber? Thinking of putting it in the bottom and forgetting about it for a couple months after the cycle?

 

[Tripod1404]

Thanks for the reply, I was kind of depending on the live sand and rock for help with a "bacteria cycle" and didn't want to waste any media in the second chamber. So if I go with a sock of some kind of stone, where should it end up in the coloumn of the second chamber? Thinking of putting it in the bottom and forgetting about it for a couple months after the cycle?

I did not understand what you mean by "sock of some kind of stone" but in general you should have media supporting aerobic bacteria first and downstream of that, a media supporting anaerobic bacteria. This way aerobic bacteria consume oxygen and turn ammonia into nitrite and the to nitrate. Next anaerobic bacteria can utilize nitrate and turn it to nitrogen gas. Depending on what kind of bacteria your stones should carry, you can rearrange it.

 

[elcapitanmas]

i was thinking something like fluval cnodes or something similar, put a bunch in a mesh bag and let them grow a bunch of bacteria, or a bag of live rock rubble so its almost acting like a refugium.

 

[vcc.edu]

i have a fluval evo 13.5 i love i it hows yours coming

 

[elcapitanmas]

Going pretty well, will post some pictures tonight

 

[NCreefer73]

I bought the same tank to use as a tank for quarantine for new frags and fish, I've actually grown quite fond of this tank I ditched the light because it lacked controllability and got a kessil a160we and I'm just using a viaAuqua 50 watt heater which doesn't seem to have any problems keeping the tank warm i keep my house about 67.

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[elcapitanmas]

I may have to go back to the 50 watt heater as I want to add the ps2 skimmer in the first chamber and move media to second. 100watt heater is too tall for the third chamber with pump. Tanks looks awesome NCreefer73, love it without the top, I want to smash mine everytime I have to work on the tank. Looks like a diy screen eggcrate cover? would love the info on that in case i go topless.

 

[elcapitanmas]

lets see if i can figure out how to get some pictures on here without losing my mind.......

 

[NCreefer73]

Nice pics elcapitanmas your aquascape makes the tank look bigger than it actually is. I to was ready to smash that top made it hard to work on it. I made the screen from bird netting and diy window screen frame from Lowes they sell a little better diy screen kit on bulk reef supply. I glued little square plastic pieces , recessed in the corners for the screen to sit on so it will be flush with the top of the tank. Wish I didn't have to have a screen but I've lost a clown before that jumped out a while back. If you go topless your evaporation rate will increase. I add about 2 cups of water a day now. I'm getting ready to add a diy ato I've built one for my bedroom tank for about 20 bucks and it's worked flawlessly for 3 years. Your tank looks great by the way


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[elcapitanmas]

going to see if i can come up with a plan to go topless, for sure my lawnmower blenny would end up on the carpet. Any info on the diy ato? I'd love to make a small one for the evo as I have a ro/di unit on the way.

 

[NCreefer73]

This is the example I followed I didn't use the led but I might on my new tank https://youtu.be/7mYrqecali4


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[NCreefer73]

This is the pump I use it's pretty quiet and even though I bought three of them I've never had to replace the first one in 3 years http://m.ebay.com/itm/Mini-DC12V-Mi...3A2a457d3615a0a6a4b2a50952fffb2dfc%7Ciid%3A16


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