Fluval Flex 15g build Thread

[Jason boles]

I guess I'm just going to jump right in. I have been lurking around for a while now. I have a bazillion questions and could probably post a thread in every single forum... So Why not start a build thread (maybe in the wrong place? should it be in nano??) and ask questions as I go along??

So far this is what I had this morning!

This was my high tech co2 injected shrimp tank! I also used Estimated Index dosing and did a 50% water change weekly. I am in love with the Flex, and its bowed front.

Last night I ordered the following for my move over to saltwater in this bad boy!!

From Marine Depot:
InTank Fluval Flex 15 Media Basket - 1
Tunze NanoStream 6020 Pump - 1

From Bulk Reef Supply:
BRS Reef Saver Shelf Aquarium Dry Live Rock - 15 lbs
Prime HD LED Module (Black) Aqua Illumination - 1
Prime Flex Arm - 12 Inch - Aqua Illumination - 1
120 g Coral Gum Instant - Tunze - 1
2oz Ammonium Chloride For Fishless Cycles - Dr.Tim's - 1
4oz Eco-Balance NaH20 Probiotic Bacteria - Dr.Tim's - 1
Coral Pro Salt Mix 55 Gallon - Red Sea - 1
LED Refractometer for Reading Salinity with Calibration Fluid - 1

I figured that this would get me started into my cycle!

I then broke down my aquarium (got some credit at LFS for inhabitants) today and here a some cleaned up picks of the back of the tank, which has quite a bit of room, and her all cleaned up.

Rear view... was taken while tank was upside down...

I then went out and got this little setup for my QT tank.

 

[Jason boles]

I am unsure why the last two photos continue to pop up.

So here is my plan:

My supplies should arrive on Wednesday August 1st. I am going to get everything setup and going in the tank as well as in the qt tank. I am going to do a fish-less cycle and wait the 30 days before adding anything. I am not planning on testing for anything. Please let me know if I left anything crucial out of my list of things I have purchased.

Things im planning on getting:
Filter Floss - for media basket
Purigen - for media basket
chemipure (should I get elite, Green, or Blue??) - for media basket
Medications for QT fish

I am assuming for now that the dissolved nutrients in the saltwater will be plenty for a fish only aquarium. I am still researching my list of fish to put in the aquarium and will be updated later. I live in an apartment in Houston, and I don't really have room for 2 aquariums much less 3. So my plan is to QT all my fish first as they will not be fluctuating, and get them into the tank, break down / clean the qt tank, and turn it into a frag tank to QT my corals. I am wanting to put in an assortment of all kind of corals as long as I can keep them in good health in my nano environment and current light setup, and plan to do this research in the 72+ QT days.

Chamber 1 will receive custom media basket and it appears that it will also cover the bottom intakes on the tank, which makes it much more desirable IMO. I will add filter floss, chemipure, and purigen. I am not solid on this, just seems to be the going thing. Chamber 3 will be my stock pump, and my aquarium heater. My plan is to be very hands on and proactive with cleaning my sand-bed and manual removal of anything that may pop up that requires removing. Basic method I picked up from reading @Brand429 article.

So... on to my first round of questions:

1. Is it OK to have all fish and no corals? does this sequence make since If I can only have 1 QT tank? Will I risk corals if I completely clean it after, even if it may have harmfal medications while in use. I will have to throw away everything and start fresh, and clean all surfaces.

2. Does one QT their cleanup crew in my situation with a new fish-less tank, or can I just wash them in tank water when cycle is finished and put them in?

3. Speaking of clean up crew... I don't want any hermit crabs, and mainly would like to use snails. How many and which ones would do best? I know I should get an assortment and would prefer not to flip them over.

4. Cleaned the tank out with water, then water, then vinegar / dawn / water, then a good thorough rinse, and dry. Should I do anything else before adding saltwater? It will sit dry for the next 5 days.

5. What should I do in chamber 2? Seems crazy to have an empty chamber when the rest of the hobby has a whole dedicated tank below.... not sure what I should add though.

6. If I dose the HOB, and Filter pads with Dr Tims bacteria can I put fish in in a few days? or do I need to wait 30 days as well? Seems to good to be true from write ups.

While I do have several other questions these are the most pressing. Some require more research and digging. I will continue to narrow down my fish selection and get everyone's input shortly. I want to start my QT as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance!! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here thus far. Reading through all the various posts / articles..

 

[Jason boles]

This got buried quick. Bump

 

[Jason boles]

So... for stock here is what I am thinking....

1 Blenny
1 Goby
1 clown

Variety of snails for CUC (not sure which yet)
Maybe a shrimp if it won't eat at the corals.

Want to get these guys in QT ASAP so I can then use it for a frag QT tank.

 

[count krunk]

I am unsure why the last two photos continue to pop up.

1. Is it OK to have all fish and no corals? does this sequence make since If I can only have 1 QT tank? Will I risk corals if I completely clean it after, even if it may have harmfal medications while in use. I will have to throw away everything and start fresh, and clean all surfaces.

you can add fish or corals in any order to your display. Only thing that matters is if the tank is ready for them. No need to QT corals. I would recommend dipping them in something like Bayer (google coral dips) to knock any potential bad critters off. If you use copper in a QT tank it is possible it will leach out of the silicone over time thus harming or even killing corals and invertebrates.

2. Does one QT their cleanup crew in my situation with a new fish-less tank, or can I just wash them in tank water when cycle is finished and put them in?

I never have, don't think anyone does really. Just pop them in when the tank is ready. In the beginning, food will most likely be scare, so don't add a big lot of snails and hermits all at once or many of them could starve and die.

3. Speaking of clean up crew... I don't want any hermit crabs, and mainly would like to use snails. How many and which ones would do best? I know I should get an assortment and would prefer not to flip them over.

I love reefcleaners.org and their snail only quick crews. As I said before though, do not get the crew that is made your size aquarium. My plan with my 40 breeder is to use the 20g quick crew. Only turbos (i believe) need to be turned back upright.

4. Cleaned the tank out with water, then water, then vinegar / dawn / water, then a good thorough rinse, and dry. Should I do anything else before adding saltwater? It will sit dry for the next 5 days.

Next time you bust down a FW tank. Just rinse it out haha. No real need to hit it with dawn. If you're worried, just vinegar and water will do fine. In fact, a mix of vinegar and water is a great cleaning solution for reef tanks.

5. What should I do in chamber 2? Seems crazy to have an empty chamber when the rest of the hobby has a whole dedicated tank below.... not sure what I should add though.

TBH didn't read your plan for the chambers... But it is common to use it to hold any sort of filter media. I would not recommend turning it into a refugium as it is much too small to make much of a difference.

6. If I dose the HOB, and Filter pads with Dr Tims bacteria can I put fish in in a few days? or do I need to wait 30 days as well? Seems to good to be true from write ups.

If you are unsure, go slow. Use the Dr. Tims as directed and test and test and when the numbers are ready add one fish. Test and test after adding that one fish and a few weeks later add another.

While I do have several other questions these are the most pressing. Some require more research and digging. I will continue to narrow down my fish selection and get everyone's input shortly. I want to start my QT as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance!! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here thus far. Reading through all the various posts / articles..

 

[NY_Caveman]

Welcome to the forum!

@yungreefer2410 had some good advice I would add that one can just acclimate clean up crew and no need to QT. I like Trochus and Cerith snails. They can right themselves and handle most kinds of algae and diatoms. I would start really small then add more as needed.

I have an empty compartment too and I am glad. I will have some flexibility if I want to add something down the road.

Good luck!

 

[NY_Caveman]

Also, even after the cycle completes go really slow. A cycled tank is just the beginning of the maturing process.

 

[Daniel91]

Www.reefcleaners.com

Plenty of information and purchase options for the CUC.
Good luck!

 

[Jason boles]

Thank you everyone!! Im gonna check out reefcleaners!

Welcome to the forum!

@yungreefer2410 had some good advice I would add that one can just acclimate clean up crew and no need to QT. I like Trochus and Cerith snails. They can right themselves and handle most kinds of algae and diatoms. I would start really small then add more as needed.

I have an empty compartment too and I am glad. I will have some flexibility if I want to add something down the road.

Good luck!

I am thinking of putting in some live rock rubble in the second chamber as I am starting with dead rock, and just skipping the ammonia, and dosing with the beneficial bacteria. I want to follow that with some pods a couple weeks after, then add me two snails (while doing same in QT, minus snails) then I will also start my QT with two fish at same time that I add snails! so excited.

 

[Jason boles]

Its christmas in August!! I got my orders in from Bulk Reef, and Marine Depot!

Sadly there was a death in my family and I will be flying out tonight through early Sunday, so I will have to wait until then to make my aquascape.

I am super impressed with my media basket by in tank!!!

Was afraid it may not be worth the cost, but I was wrong!!

So the rocks are much larger than expected. I thought I was getting the stax product I had seen on a you tube video... Can I just break the rocks with a hammer?

 

[Jason boles]

also not sure why pesky photos appear more than once. When I hit edit it is not there for me to delete.... sigh.

 

[Jason boles]

Just read the red sea salt mix... says not to mix for more than 4 hrs. My plan was to make enough to have a 20 gallon container with around 15 gallons in it, and to just use my old circulating pump that came with my aquarium to keep the water moving.

Is this not necessary? can the water just sit? When my QT comes down, in a million days, i was also thinking of sticking the aerator in there just cause. I will also be adding a heater.

 

[JBKReef]

The over mixing concern is due to precipitation. With the increased alk and calcium in that type of salt if you over mix it, without any rock sand or coral to absorb it the mixture will start to come together and precipitate calcium carbonate.

Taking a hammer and chisel to the rocks is one option. Do you have a rock saw, or table saw to use? that could give you some flat surfaces to build off of. There is a small box from Marco rocks which is a hand picked box of smaller pieces (usually around 10-12 pounds) that you could order for around $25 I think. (Free shipping kicks in at $50 so I'm not sure what else you might need) If you check out my previous posts I have a big write up on it.

Aslo do you have a LFS anywhere around you? Maybe they have some smaller pieces you could mix in.

That AI Prime HD over a 15 will be killer. I'm in the process of building out a 25 and looking forward to getting it all going. Best of luck!

 

[Jason boles]

Thanks for the reply!!

I purchased the rock with a flat shelf, so I'm hoping just breaking it up a bit will be plenty, if not I will make sure I spend the time / money to get the aquas cape right. One thing you cant easily undo / redo. No table saw / or rock saw.

I live in Houston and have several LFS to choose from, great idea for smaller pieces.

So what does one due to have pre-mixed salt water on hand??

 

[Jason boles]

So my Tunze Nano Stream appearantly got the wrong blade at the manufacturing facility. They are sending me the proper propeller in the mail. Cant wait to get it going.

Aquarium has been wet for 2 days!!

Used Carib Sea live sand.

I also purchased 2 lbs of live rock rubble to seed the aquarium as opposed to using the ammonia to cycle.

I plan on adding copepods next week along with some phytoplankton to feed them. Then clean up crew in week 2.

Also setup quarantine and put in some live rock today. Hoping to cycle and get it going in week three to place my first fish in it. Going to go slow and only add fish first, then get some corals to add in a few months. Slow and easy. ( we will so how long that lasts)

Will remove all the live rock eventually. Was thinking of putting it in back chambers. I have also decided to only use live rock, sand, and water changes. No chemical filtration, and water changes will replenish nutrients. Maybe some kalk in my top off water, or other changes as I progress as needed. I do have the stuff here if needed.

Mixed my first few batches of Red Sea Coral Pro

Also purchased my Red Sea test kit, and tested for the first time tonight. Will be some time before I add anything so not reading too much into results. Also as my first time I could have done something a bit wrong. Going to use a timer next time for shaking things as I am sure I went over on all the times.

Temp: 79
SG: 1.027
DKH: 12.6
Ca: 500
MG: 1800

I like my aquascape. It obviously has purple rock all over it, but eventually it will be removed. Thinking of putting it in rear chambers once done needing it, but I also dont want to creat a harbor that is hard to clean, thoughts? I also bout the inset I could put it in to easily remove it for cleaning.... Extra filtration.

Some pics! Lemme know what you think!

 

[Jason boles]

I feel like so much has happened and it has only been a week.

Once I got my Tunze going I was very confused on where to place it to provide the best amount of flow for my future corals. I settled on the placement and think I did well. I welcome your comments on it. While placing it I knocked part of my aquascape apart.... So I ordered some reef welder with high hopes of it doing a good job. I have to report that I am super impressed with this stuff and it has worked wonders.

While working on the aquascape I also added a little height to it so that it looks like I originally intended with the two jutting peninsulas and the lower shelf. Check out the pics.

About the aquascape. My plan was to remove the 2lbs of live rocks and place them in the back chamber, but since then I have decided that I am going to have a heavy bioload and added a skimmer, and am planning on doing some cheato in the back for kicks and giggles.... I am wondering am I going to do any harm by removing the live rock to the filtration when I remove it around 30 days....

I have started getting an orange dusting around here and there and did my first water change and dirt stir. I am confused on how people "stir their sand bed" without getting it all over the corals / aquascape... not sure if I am doing it right. I got sand everywhere. Also the live rock has started getting some green grass growing on it. I decided it was time to get some CUC since the algae is there!! gonna go slow. I got a Trochus, and Cerith snail, Thanks @NY_Caveman I love them both, and really like the Trochus snail look. I already want more!!

Can see it floating in some pics.

Back to aquascape... I found my first hitchhiker... I was excited then was like ****... not sure if this is good or bad.. can someone ID it for me?? (last photo) I truly thought I got a bunch of dead purple rocks... but maybe not.

I then tested my parameters and realized I was reading the chart backwards My salinity was way to high, I removed a good bit of water and added RO water to the tank slowly over a few hours and brought it back down to where it needed to be. I will pay more attention when mixing next time. I am wondering if the Top Off daily is going to cause a large daily swing as I have no top and a good bit of evaporation. Going to start testing before and after top offs just to make sure its negligible.

My params:

1.030 Salinity
12 dkh
465 Ca
1900 Mg

Oh, I almost forgot! I also added some mixed pods. Was very pleased with my order, and also remembered reading to refill the jar and I may get a second batch in a week? Not sure if its true and couldn't find where I read it.

I got some plastic and covered the lower intake so that my filter media basket will work better. I added Chemi Pure blue, Purigen, and also some filter floss.... Wondering how often I should change this? Currently thinking once a month once I start putting in inhabitants.

I installed a Fluval sea mini protein skimmer. I super glued 3/4 PVC reducers to bottom to lift it up enough. Still not sure how to dial in the setting but will be doing research over the next few days. My cup thing is either full of water or the bubbles don't even come up....

 

[NY_Caveman]

I feel like so much has happened and it has only been a week.

Once I got my Tunze going I was very confused on where to place it to provide the best amount of flow for my future corals. I settled on the placement and think I did well. I welcome your comments on it. While placing it I knocked part of my aquascape apart.... So I ordered some reef welder with high hopes of it doing a good job. I have to report that I am super impressed with this stuff and it has worked wonders.

While working on the aquascape I also added a little height to it so that it looks like I originally intended with the two jutting peninsulas and the lower shelf. Check out the pics.

About the aquascape. My plan was to remove the 2lbs of live rocks and place them in the back chamber, but since then I have decided that I am going to have a heavy bioload and added a skimmer, and am planning on doing some cheato in the back for kicks and giggles.... I am wondering am I going to do any harm by removing the live rock to the filtration when I remove it around 30 days....

I have started getting an orange dusting around here and there and did my first water change and dirt stir. I am confused on how people "stir their sand bed" without getting it all over the corals / aquascape... not sure if I am doing it right. I got sand everywhere. Also the live rock has started getting some green grass growing on it. I decided it was time to get some CUC since the algae is there!! gonna go slow. I got a Trochus, and Cerith snail, Thanks @NY_Caveman I love them both, and really like the Trochus snail look. I already want more!!

Can see it floating in some pics.

Back to aquascape... I found my first hitchhiker... I was excited then was like ****... not sure if this is good or bad.. can someone ID it for me?? (last photo) I truly thought I got a bunch of dead purple rocks... but maybe not.

I then tested my parameters and realized I was reading the chart backwards My salinity was way to high, I removed a good bit of water and added RO water to the tank slowly over a few hours and brought it back down to where it needed to be. I will pay more attention when mixing next time. I am wondering if the Top Off daily is going to cause a large daily swing as I have no top and a good bit of evaporation. Going to start testing before and after top offs just to make sure its negligible.

My params:

1.030 Salinity
12 dkh
465 Ca
1900 Mg

Oh, I almost forgot! I also added some mixed pods. Was very pleased with my order, and also remembered reading to refill the jar and I may get a second batch in a week? Not sure if its true and couldn't find where I read it.

I got some plastic and covered the lower intake so that my filter media basket will work better. I added Chemi Pure blue, Purigen, and also some filter floss.... Wondering how often I should change this? Currently thinking once a month once I start putting in inhabitants.

I installed a Fluval sea mini protein skimmer. I super glued 3/4 PVC reducers to bottom to lift it up enough. Still not sure how to dial in the setting but will be doing research over the next few days. My cup thing is either full of water or the bubbles don't even come up....

Looks good. In general, the answer to many of your questions is specific to your own tank. Only over time will you find the best settings, amounts, etc. Part of letting the tank mature in the beginning is the reefer themselves maturing. This is true for everyone, not just beginners. With a new tank I tend to test a lot and observe a lot in the beginning and then over time, I learn how the tank will communicate with me. After I get a feel for it I may not test a lot at all.

For the ChemiPure or Purigen, I have not used them, but I would start with whatever the manufacturer recommends.

 

[ramona]

Any updates on your built?

 

[Jason boles]

Thanks for the shout out @ramona! I have been meaning to update for a while. Not a lot went on as it sat empty with the cuc until last week.

So far I have added:

Green bubble tip anemone
Hammer coral
Florida Ricordia mushroom (cant seem to find any except same color I have, but want more)
Eagle eye zoas
Oompa Loompa zoas
2 acan lords (guy didn’t know name)
1 is pink and other looks like candy cane maybe)
Pink maze (looks green to me, JS)
Green nepthea
Kelly green Psemmocora
Red Setosa
Cyphastrea
Red and green Monti cap


I kinda went in when I went to a reasonably priced store yesterday and ended up with 8 things. I felt reluctant, but couldn’t resist the BTA, especially after reading teenyreefs experience, but what the hay.

Here are some pics. Some with normal lights and others with more white. I was terrified to mess with the lights so only did it for like 20 secs. Here are both versions. I liked them both lol.

 

[Jason boles]

I will update the first thread one day to contain info on my tank and progression pictures....

I am following along with @Nano sapiens philosophy. If you ever want to read a brilliant build thread he has an amazing on on nano reef.

I did order an ATO today as I could not find a suitable water bottle or way to cut the nozzle and now that I have so many coral it scares me.

I still love my rock work, even though it does not come apart.

I am not using the nanostream I purchased. I think it may be too much flow, and I also think my current one may be too little flow. I will say when I turn on the micro bibles they go everywhere and I can see that I have a pretty good flow.

I microbubble scrub at night for 8 hrs. I only have filter floss, 2 heaters, some live rock, mercury thermometer and return pump in back chambers.

I never had a ugly phas in my cycle, thanks @brandon429. He is a rockstar.

I clean my sand bed by symphonies. I do two 3/4 gallon water changes a week. Clean back chambers Monthly (once so far!)

I will be using Kalk x 2 with my ato. Still a little unsure about my test kits and accuracy of numbers, but I’m going along with it. Also have some Kent’s iodide to add a drop or two every week. Hoping for a Ricordia garden on the ledge that has one, if I can ever find some more.

Looking into how to feed my mynagerie now. Will start feeding tonight / tomorrow. I have tried a little spot feeding with reef roofs with no visible effect yet. I do have Spirulina enriched brine, and my sis to feed as well.

Anyway, happy viewing and welcome to my circus. I’m new so any tips advice are welcomed.

Thanks guys / gals

Jason