Fluval sea 13.5

Shaymas0420 · Mar 24, 2021

So I got the tank brand new and moved everything over from a 4 year old tank that was a DIY franken-tank that was left at brother in laws for a year while we were remodeling a new home. All he did that entire year was add fresh water top offs so it was pretty gross! Everything is scrubbed up and moved over. Its a new home new tank new livestock on a new forum so I figured maybe some one would want to follow along maybe chime in some advice along the way.

Shaymas0420 · Mar 24, 2021

Oh and yes those are aptatia anemones I have had the same 4 for like 3 years now. And here is pictures of the gross tank.

GoReefin · Mar 24, 2021

Looking like a good start!

Shaymas0420 · Mar 24, 2021

I am already running into problems with it. I need a timer for it and I think I need to upgrade the pump or something. With all my other all in one tanks there is like a cascade effect between the three chambers but this one the leves are less than an inch difference. The pump is working like it should but it just isn't fast enough. But also the skimmer doesn't sit in enough water to function. Oh and the skimmer blocks where the water flows out of the tank into filter compartments. Anyone have any suggestions?

GoReefin · Mar 24, 2021

Shaymas0420 said:
I am already running into problems with it. I need a timer for it and I think I need to upgrade the pump or something. With all my other all in one tanks there is like a cascade effect between the three chambers but this one the leves are less than an inch difference. The pump is working like it should but it just isn't fast enough. But also the skimmer doesn't sit in enough water to function. Oh and the skimmer blocks where the water flows out of the tank into filter compartments. Anyone have any suggestions?

A lot of people upgrade the return pump and lights. Did you add a heater?

Shaymas0420 · Mar 24, 2021

Yes I put a cheap tetra heater from Walmart in the 3rd chamber with the pump. I should probably mention i have 5 kids between my fiance and I so everything has to be on a very tight budget... I got the tank and the skimmer sold separately for $194 including tax. I have been trying to find a ramp timer and a pump for it but I hate shopping online and no stores have what I need.

GoReefin · Mar 24, 2021

Shaymas0420 said:
Yes I put a cheap tetra heater from Walmart in the 3rd chamber with the pump. I should probably mention i have 5 kids between my fiance and I so everything has to be on a very tight budget... I got the tank and the skimmer sold separately for $194 including tax. I have been trying to find a ramp timer and a pump for it but I hate shopping online and no stores have what I need.

I hear ya. Your local fish store could probably order you a better pump that would fit in the back chamber. You can search through other 13.5g evo users threads to get an idea on which return pumps will fit.

Shaymas0420 · Mar 25, 2021

Thank you for the advice that is precisely what I have been doing lol. So I think I may go coral shopping today. I wish I knew more about coral. I have only really had soft coral because I have 5 kids and can't afford "the good stuff" like good lights. This tank is actually the first NEW tank I have ever owned! Everything else has been second hand DIY nightmares lol. I have learned the mechanics of equipment function really well lol but life has been a slow go. I really want to get into LPS but I don't know about them... will 14000k support them, what has mean sweeper tentacles, do they have to be fed, what supplements do I need to add... so much I don't know so, so much I don't grow.

GoReefin · Mar 25, 2021

Shaymas0420 said:
Thank you for the advice that is precisely what I have been doing lol. So I think I may go coral shopping today. I wish I knew more about coral. I have only really had soft coral because I have 5 kids and can't afford "the good stuff" like good lights. This tank is actually the first NEW tank I have ever owned! Everything else has been second hand DIY nightmares lol. I have learned the mechanics of equipment function really well lol but life has been a slow go. I really want to get into LPS but I don't know about them... will 14000k support them, what has mean sweeper tentacles, do they have to be fed, what supplements do I need to add... so much I don't know so, so much I don't grow.

Your evo lights should be able to support most LPS corals. Just mount them higher in the tank. I would start with a single frag of duncan coral. Easy and cheap lps to see how it does.

Drew1600 · Mar 25, 2021

Check out the Eheim Compaction 1000, double flow rate of stock pump

Shaymas0420 · Mar 27, 2021

What is better ehime or sicci? I found them both...

Twoddler · Mar 27, 2021

Eheim 1000 slots straight in, sicce requires mod. I Run Eheim

Shaymas0420 · Mar 29, 2021

Here are some pics and livestock list. I added a lot this weekend!
New rocks precycled
Mangrove tree and light
Redfin fairy wrasse
3 kinds of zoas
GSP
clove polyps
Palys
Green mushrooms
2 kinds of montipora
Green sympodium
6 blue leg
4 turbos
1 XL margaritas
Dragons breath macro