Fluval evo5 pico reef

[Ursuladives]

Starting a fluval 5 gallon evo reef build. Began cycle in April. Used carabsea live sand. Live rock from My lfs. @Evil1

 

[Evil1]

Great Job!

 

[Ursuladives]

After allowing the tank to cycle and deciding on an aqua scape, we went with the Oase 60 hang on filter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07DF4GZF1?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

Soaking the tubes in hot water helped greatly with the pliability of the tubes. Inserted intake tube into second small chamber; attached output hose with original nozzle. Definitely reccomend this filter. Small very very quiet easy set up. @Evil1

 

[Evil1]

A fine job great work! You must have had some great advice! Thats what R2R is all about! Helping each other out and making new friends!

 

[Ursuladives]

Next on the docket was to remove the fluval power head. Though it was great it was a little too much current for what I plan on keeping. It is very hard to find a protein skimmer that can fit in the tiny chamber of this tank. I managed to find one with the correct dimensions on Ali express. It's quiet, efficient and very effective:

https://m.aliexpress.us/item/3256803991778042.html?spm=a2g0n.order_detail.order_detail_item.4.3abbf19cwmcTwh&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Because of the hang on nature of the skimmer I had to remove the hang on filter and simply let it sit instead. The only issue with the skimmer is that you can then no longer use the light bracket in the position that it comes in. So I used a blow dryer to heat up the adhesive and a paint scraper to remove it. It is currently curing in its new location as to still be usable.

Next step was to cut the lid shorter. The lid that comes on this tank allows for no cords to be ran. It's built to cover the all in one filtration system. Just used a hack saw to cut it shorter in order to uncover the filtration while still covering all water surface. With a little help from @Evil1 And My dog hans; no fingers or toes were lost in this endeavor and the fit was perfect.

 

[Ursuladives]

Updated photos of the tank so far today; inhabitants include:
1 snail
1 crab
1 peppermint shrimp
1 bangai cardinal
1 rixordea mushroom
1 hammer coral.

Equipment:
Oase hang on filter
Mini q skimmer
Hygger adjustable heater
Basic digital thermometer

 

[Evil1]

Next on the docket was to remove the fluval power head. Though it was great it was a little too much current for what I plan on keeping. It is very hard to find a protein skimmer that can fit in the tiny chamber of this tank. I managed to find one with the correct dimensions on Ali express. It's quiet, efficient and very effective:

https://m.aliexpress.us/item/3256803991778042.html?spm=a2g0n.order_detail.order_detail_item.4.3abbf19cwmcTwh&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Because of the hang on nature of the skimmer I had to remove the hang on filter and simply let it sit instead. The only issue with the skimmer is that you can then no longer use the light bracket in the position that it comes in. So I used a blow dryer to heat up the adhesive and a paint scraper to remove it. It is currently curing in its new location as to still be usable.

Next step was to cut the lid shorter. The lid that comes on this tank allows for no cords to be ran. It's built to cover the all in one filtration system. Just used a hack saw to cut it shorter in order to uncover the filtration while still covering all water surface. With a little help from @Evil1 And My dog hans; no fingers or toes were lost in this endeavor and the fit was perfect.

You did all the work i just coached you through it!

 

[danenelsen]

 

[Ursuladives]

Updated light, and some new corals. Ricordea is the same as originally posted @Evil1

 

[Evil1]

Awesome job! That mushroom is amazing!!

Next on the docket was to remove the fluval power head. Though it was great it was a little too much current for what I plan on keeping. It is very hard to find a protein skimmer that can fit in the tiny chamber of this tank. I managed to find one with the correct dimensions on Ali express. It's quiet, efficient and very effective:

https://m.aliexpress.us/item/3256803991778042.html?spm=a2g0n.order_detail.order_detail_item.4.3abbf19cwmcTwh&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Because of the hang on nature of the skimmer I had to remove the hang on filter and simply let it sit instead. The only issue with the skimmer is that you can then no longer use the light bracket in the position that it comes in. So I used a blow dryer to heat up the adhesive and a paint scraper to remove it. It is currently curing in its new location as to still be usable.

Next step was to cut the lid shorter. The lid that comes on this tank allows for no cords to be ran. It's built to cover the all in one filtration system. Just used a hack saw to cut it shorter in order to uncover the filtration while still covering all water surface. With a little help from @Evil1 And My dog hans; no fingers or toes were lost in this endeavor and the fit was perfect.

 

[Evil1]

Updated light, and some new corals. Ricordea is the same as originally posted @Evil1

Looks fantastic! Hey nice bike too! Love that monster mushroom