Filter Upgrade. Evo 13.5

Zack857 · Aug 24, 2017

Hey everyone!

Currently have had my Fluval Evo 13.5 since December. My return pump has gone from breaking the water surface, to barely creating a ripple. Unsure as to why this is happening, haven't given it a "vinegar bath" (as I've been reading I should do) since I got the tank. I'm also dealing with a hair algae outbreak right now and the tank is in blackout stage for now.

So what do y'all think is up with the return pump? Is it possible build up so I should soak it in vinegar? Or is it the hair algae that has clogged it?

I tried taking the pump out before the black out and stubbing the outside to remove some algae but no internal work, couldn't figure out how to get into it (new to return pumps). Might go ahead and upgrade. Looking at this pump. (Anyone know the dimensions of 3rd compartment, currently can't get to it.)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017R709UE/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_6kTNzbK9KXRTQ

Also if anyone with algae knowledge wants to chime in on that as well. My parameters are perfect all across the board (Antonia: 0, Nitrates/Trites: 0, Phosphates 0, Salinity+Kh: Good, Ph: A bit low, will fix that in the upcoming weeks). So I'm unsure as to what is causing this, I have the tank on an 8 hour timer. Last resort was to unplug the light and black out the tank. I'm doing water changes 2-3 weeks with RO water, reef crystals, reef buffer. Dosing tank with Reef Fusion 1-2.

That's about all I can think of as far as info.

Thanks for any help you guys can offer!

P.S: will be scrubbing the rock with next water change after BO.

chuckfu5 · Aug 24, 2017

Pump is plugged. You don't have 0 nitrates all that hair algae is using it as fuel.

How often are you doing water changes and how much are you doing?

To clean the pump you have to pull it out, unscrew the nipple in the pump and then the face will come off. It's going to be nasty in there but clean everything the best you can, inside hoses, return nozzles everything.

While you have the pump out I would do a water change and clean out that third chamber. Trust me it gets nasty fast.

As far as hair algae manual removal and get those nitrates and phosphates under control.

Lmk if you need or want any more advice.

What type of water are you using also?

P.s. I have the same tank.

Zack857 · Aug 24, 2017

Sorry I know it's a long post but most of the questions I answered in the original post. When it comes to parameters, you cant get them to absolute zero yes, but mine are as close to as possible, can post images of water test. I'm doing water changes every 2-3 weeks, RO water, 40-50%.

Thanks for clearing the pump situation up! I did fresh water for a long time and was just used to the impeller magnet sticking out and easy to pull out. I'll clean it thoroughly.

After today will be the last black out day, Friday I will do my water change and scrub the rock, but the only problem is that I've done this in the past and this sucker is persistent! [emoji23]

Phosphates are 0, my test came back almost perfect, I've been running Phosguard plus RO water changes. After WC tomorrow, will start doing weekly 25% water changes until algae is gone.

But your tank looks awesome! Looking to add in more Coral when I get this algae under control. Very nice.

Thank you for the quick reply!

Mikedawg · Aug 24, 2017

Zack857 said:
Hey everyone!

Currently have had my Fluval Evo 13.5 since December. My return pump has gone from breaking the water surface, to barely creating a ripple. Unsure as to why this is happening, haven't given it a "vinegar bath" (as I've been reading I should do) since I got the tank. I'm also dealing with a hair algae outbreak right now and the tank is in blackout stage for now.

So what do y'all think is up with the return pump? Is it possible build up so I should soak it in vinegar? Or is it the hair algae that has clogged it?

I tried taking the pump out before the black out and stubbing the outside to remove some algae but no internal work, couldn't figure out how to get into it (new to return pumps). Might go ahead and upgrade. Looking at this pump. (Anyone know the dimensions of 3rd compartment, currently can't get to it.)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017R709UE/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_6kTNzbK9KXRTQ

Also if anyone with algae knowledge wants to chime in on that as well. My parameters are perfect all across the board (Antonia: 0, Nitrates/Trites: 0, Phosphates 0, Salinity+Kh: Good, Ph: A bit low, will fix that in the upcoming weeks). So I'm unsure as to what is causing this, I have the tank on an 8 hour timer. Last resort was to unplug the light and black out the tank. I'm doing water changes 2-3 weeks with RO water, reef crystals, reef buffer. Dosing tank with Reef Fusion 1-2.

That's about all I can think of as far as info.

Thanks for any help you guys can offer!

P.S: will be scrubbing the rock with next water change after BO.

The stock return pumps are okay, but you might want to consider upgrading to this one: https://www.amazon.com/Sicce-Syncra-Aquarium-Pump-251gph. Gives you an extra 100 gph which my corals seem to appreciate.
As mentioned above it would be a great idea to clean up tank, filter chambers and pull/scrub off as much hair algae as you can. Then, begin a new regimen of controlling nutrients; btw, many reefers like some nitrate for their corals, maybe 5 - 10. I couldn't tell much about your CUC; do you have a good mixture of hermits and snails to help control algae, uneaten food? Trochus and Astrea snails can eat a lot of algae for example and are interesting in their own right.
Good luck

Zack857 · Aug 24, 2017

Mikedawg said:
The stock return pumps are okay, but you might want to consider upgrading to this one: https://www.amazon.com/Sicce-Syncra-Aquarium-Pump-251gph. Gives you an extra 100 gph which my corals seem to appreciate.
As mentioned above it would be a great idea to clean up tank, filter chambers and pull/scrub off as much hair algae as you can. Then, begin a new regimen of controlling nutrients; btw, many reefers like some nitrate for their corals, maybe 5 - 10. I couldn't tell much about your CUC; do you have a good mixture of hermits and snails to help control algae, uneaten food? Trochus and Astrea snails can eat a lot of algae for example and are interesting in their own right.
Good luck

Good idea for the return. I'll take a look at it, I'm thinking of getting a powerhead as well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CXDOQWA/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_69TNzbATFXRBG

Only problem is it's 500gph, way to much, but it's only $10! Compared to others that are $20 for 280gph, I can't justify why I would pay more for less. Is there a common thing that people do to keep the flow down? Or am I just making to much of a headache over an extra $10?

As far as CUC, I have 5 hermits, 1 turbo, and 2 smaller snails (can't recall the name), used to have an emerald crab, but he has sense disappeared... sad. Haven't found him so no sure where he went.

Thanks!

chuckfu5 · Aug 24, 2017

Zack857 said:
Sorry I know it's a long post but most of the questions I answered in the original post. When it comes to parameters, you cant get them to absolute zero yes, but mine are as close to as possible, can post images of water test. I'm doing water changes every 2-3 weeks, RO water, 40-50%.

Thanks for clearing the pump situation up! I did fresh water for a long time and was just used to the impeller magnet sticking out and easy to pull out. I'll clean it thoroughly.

After today will be the last black out day, Friday I will do my water change and scrub the rock, but the only problem is that I've done this in the past and this sucker is persistent! [emoji23]

Phosphates are 0, my test came back almost perfect, I've been running Phosguard plus RO water changes. After WC tomorrow, will start doing weekly 25% water changes until algae is gone.

But your tank looks awesome! Looking to add in more Coral when I get this algae under control. Very nice.

Thank you for the quick reply!

What I'm saying about the nitrates and phosphates being zero is yes your test kit is reading zero which may be the fact however all that hair algae is using nitrates and phosphates to grow That s why you are getting the zero readings. That s why a lot of reefers will put Chaeto or caulupera algae in their tanks or sumps. So the Chaeto or caulupera which is easily managed trim, throw away and let it regrow. It uses the nitrates and phosphates to grow this eliminating the nutrients for the hair algae. Does that make sense? That s what these are in my tank.

I keep the stock pump well maintained so I get max flow from it and added a small Jabeo controllable powerhead so I could through some randomness in the tank to help get better growth and less deadspots where water wasn't moving as good. It's small and hardly noticeably and cost me $40 on ebay....it moves a ton of water.

Like you said I'd get in there and scrub that hair algae off with a toothbrush or something and then get a fine mesh net and just try to collect as much of it as you can.

You running a skimmer at all?

Zack857 · Aug 24, 2017

chuckfu5 said:
What I'm saying about the nitrates and phosphates being zero is yes your test kit is reading zero which may be the fact however all that hair algae is using nitrates and phosphates to grow That s why you are getting the zero readings. That s why a lot of reefers will put Chaeto or caulupera algae in their tanks or sumps. So the Chaeto or caulupera which is easily managed trim, throw away and let it regrow. It uses the nitrates and phosphates to grow this eliminating the nutrients for the hair algae. Does that make sense? That s what these are in my tank.

I keep the stock pump well maintained so I get max flow from it and added a small Jabeo controllable powerhead so I could through some randomness in the tank to help get better growth and less deadspots where water wasn't moving as good. It's small and hardly noticeably and cost me $40 on ebay....it moves a ton of water.

Like you said I'd get in there and scrub that hair algae off with a toothbrush or something and then get a fine mesh net and just try to collect as much of it as you can.

You running a skimmer at all?

Oh! I get what you mean now, okay. I am thinking about getting a power head as well. And I am not running a skimmer at all, didn't think it was necessary in a small aquarium.

chuckfu5 · Aug 24, 2017

Zack857 said:
Oh! I get what you mean now, okay. I am thinking about getting a power head as well. And I am not running a skimmer at all, didn't think it was necessary in a small aquarium.

If your bioload is small and you do good with water changes than you'll be fine without. If you stock heavy and only change water every once in awhile a skimmer is nice.

I love mine.