EVO 13.5 Help

[pags008]

Hello I am new to this forum. I currently have an EVO 13.5. I've had it running for about a year and a half. I started adding corals about 3 months ago. The only upgrades so far are the pump, intank cart 2 and added protein skimmer. I need some help with the below.


1. I added the intank in section 2 of my tank. I currently have the bios at the bottom. Chemipure elite in the middle and 2 blocks of floss at the top. Is this a good setup and do I have plug anything in the filter area?

2. For fish, i currently have 2 clowns. Is there anything else I can add with them?

3. I have read mixed review on adding a wavemaker. I would like some thought and suggestions.

4. I was thinking about upgrading my light but was a little worried about going without a lid. I have to run my water high in order for the protein skimmer to work and I dont want the fish to jump out. Thoughts on this? Do you know anyone who makes a nice lid and if so, which light is recommended?


5. I currently do weekly water changes. Is there anything I should dose my tank with? My LFS sold me reef builder and calicum stuff. I am not really sure how to use and if it's even needed.

Thank you so much for reading this long post and cant wait to see your thoughts!

 

[Mikedawg]

1) Good media choices and, if you are happy with water levels in AIO "sump" I wouldn't change anything. Sometimes a plug is needed to adjust water levels as you know.
2) A clown or prawn goby would add some interest and color; many other nano choices of course.
3) Since you have upgraded your pump already, I would think you probably have plenty of flow. And, in a smaller tank, a wavemaker takes up a lot of space.
4) As long as your corals are growing well, no need to change light unless you are thinking about getting some species with different requirements. When I had this tank the light was sufficient for a wide variety of lps.
5) Have you checked your water to identify if you need to supplement alk and calcium; with so few corals I would be surprised if you did, particularly since you replenish these elements weekly.
I understand how tempting it is to always want/buy better for your tank; I think you are doing all you need to do right now particularly if your corals are doing well. I couldn't see any cuc members so if you want to add some more color and interest you might consider some of the cleaner shrimp.

 

[Quietman]

Sounds like you're keeping it simple...I like that.

I would stick with the two clowns as that probably maxes out your capacity...maybe add some inverts (small shrimp or crab).

Wavermaker or power head probably isn't need for soft corals.

Looking into All for Reef for dosing minerals - it's a liquid all-in-one. Since you're running softies, you may not even need it with water changes, but if you do, it's dead easy to add. I use it on a mixed 40 gallon and don't even need doser.

Your corals look healthy, not sure you need an upgrade on the light. If you start getting higher demand corals you will of course and the upgrade will depend on the corals. If you do that way, there are a lot of DIY screen top kits (and I think you may find some 'ready made' acrylic top with a bit of searching).

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I would keep the hood and not upgrade the light unless you really want to keep high light SPS. I have not had an issue with the light and it keeps LPS and softies just fine.

My setup is a little different in that I have an MJ1200 (arguably a little too high of flow), blocked off 2nd chamber, and have media baskets for 1 and 2. In chamber 1 I keep 2 layers of floss and chemi-pure on the bottom and in the 2nd chamber I keep Matrix or leave it empty. Chamber 2 for me is kinda useless since the media basket in the first chamber directs flow in a way to kinda bypass the second chamber.

Again, the light isn't fantastic and won't grow 90% of SPS but what is the point in an AIO if you replace everything haha

Kalk in an ATO has kept levels steady but experimenting with dosing in my Evo and it is going well. Don't dose what you can't measure!

 

[pags008]

1) Good media choices and, if you are happy with water levels in AIO "sump" I wouldn't change anything. Sometimes a plug is needed to adjust water levels as you know.
2) A clown or prawn goby would add some interest and color; many other nano choices of course.
3) Since you have upgraded your pump already, I would think you probably have plenty of flow. And, in a smaller tank, a wavemaker takes up a lot of space.
4) As long as your corals are growing well, no need to change light unless you are thinking about getting some species with different requirements. When I had this tank the light was sufficient for a wide variety of lps.
5) Have you checked your water to identify if you need to supplement alk and calcium; with so few corals I would be surprised if you did, particularly since you replenish these elements weekly.
I understand how tempting it is to always want/buy better for your tank; I think you are doing all you need to do right now particularly if your corals are doing well. I couldn't see any cuc members so if you want to add some more color and interest you might consider some of the cleaner shrimp.

Sorry, I have been away for a while. What do you mean by sometimes a plus is needed to adjust water levels? Is there something you would recommend?

 

[Mikedawg]

Sorry, I have been away for a while. What do you mean by sometimes a plus is needed to adjust water levels? Is there something you would recommend?

Some people put a rubber plug in the hole on the piece of black plastic which separates the DT from the sump area to affect/raise the water level. I never did it, but reading on this blog it seems to be a popular option. Anything that will seal this small hole should do.