InTank Fluval Evo Upgrade Question

[Sharkbait19]

Hey everyone,

So I've finally come around to ordering the In-Tank Media baskets, as recommended to me countless times. I am looking between chambers one and two, and am trying to decide, should I get one, the other or both? Is there a major benefit to having both, because I'll probably install both if there is one. What media should I place where when I do get it? Any experience and advice is appreciated.

Thank you!!

 

[namfuak]

I have both in mine. While I don't think the basket in chamber two is completely necessary, it may be useful depending on what kind of media you're using. I would rather pull up the basket than stick my hand in the chamber.

 

[3sgterror]

Chamber 1 media basket is the one to get if you are going to purchase one. It actually directs water from the overflow down the sealed basket and out the exit vents about 3/4 of the way down.

The chamber 2 rack is just that, a rack to hold items. It is open on the sides and just allows water to flow through media you may have place in the rack. You can accomplish this with cheaper alternatives if you wanted to save some money. I don't have either but I have heard that the top rack of chamber two becomes almost unusable because of water levels in the rear with the use of a chamber 1 basket.

 

[Sharkbait19]

So the only way to have both media baskets is to move my heater into chamber 3, in which it is now pressed up against the return pump. Is this okay, or will it damage the return pump?

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

So the only way to have both media baskets is to move my heater into chamber 3, in which it is now pressed up against the return pump. Is this okay, or will it damage the return pump?

Not really. Water level will vary and if your ato doesn't function it could be exposed to air easier. You can do it, I wouldn't recommend it. Chamber 1 only works very well.

 

[Sharkbait19]

So if I did leave the heater it won't melt or break the return pump then? I'm probably going to do both chambers only because I really want excellent filtration when I put fish back in a week (I had been running fallow for the past few months).

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

If the chamber is full then its unlikely to do damage to the pump if everything is running okay but if you water level drops and you don't have an ATO you will be in trouble. I would highly recommend not putting a heater in the same chamber as a pump.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Ok. My water levels don't really drop that much, though I don't have an ATO. Perhaps I should see how everything goes for a little bit in the new setup? The heater doesn't really get that hot and the water level always stays pretty high, so I think it should be ok where I moved it.
The instructions for the fluval evo say to put the heater in chamber 3 with the return pump, so I can't imagine why they'd recommend this if it was risky.
To be honest, I only temporarily stored the heater in chamber 1 the past few months knowing I'd eventually use chamber 1 for media and have to move it. I could also always upgrade the return pump to a more compact model with higher GPH.

 

[newfly]

If you don't mind me asking, what is the main purpose for the media basket? I bought the evo onsale for about $100. Hard to justify spending $60+ just on 1 media basket. I bought an additional foam piece, and use both on chamber 1 and 2. I push the foam down, and on chamber 1 i have some filter floss on top, and chamber 2, i have carbon in a media bag.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Ok. My water levels don't really drop that much, though I don't have an ATO. Perhaps I should see how everything goes for a little bit in the new setup? The heater doesn't really get that hot and the water level always stays pretty high, so I think it should be ok where I moved it.
The instructions for the fluval evo say to put the heater in chamber 3 with the return pump, so I can't imagine why they'd recommend this if it was risky.
To be honest, I only temporarily stored the heater in chamber 1 the past few months knowing I'd eventually use chamber 1 for media and have to move it. I could also always upgrade the return pump to a more compact model with higher GPH.

That is strange and goes against everything I have seen in my tank.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the main purpose for the media basket? I bought the evo onsale for about $100. Hard to justify spending $60+ just on 1 media basket. I bought an additional foam piece, and use both on chamber 1 and 2. I push the foam down, and on chamber 1 i have some filter floss on top, and chamber 2, i have carbon in a media bag.

The foam block becomes a nitrate factory. Flow is very poor through the chambers so water tends to just run around the outside of the foam instead of through the media. The intank changes it to function more like a baffle system forcing the water to flow through the cambers.

You could have a 3D printing service make you one off thingiverse for cheaper. Even an egg crate media basket would be an upgrade but I have seen this tank run so many ways that I have no doubt you could have success without a mod.

 

[Sharkbait19]

If you don't mind me asking, what is the main purpose for the media basket? I bought the evo onsale for about $100. Hard to justify spending $60+ just on 1 media basket. I bought an additional foam piece, and use both on chamber 1 and 2. I push the foam down, and on chamber 1 i have some filter floss on top, and chamber 2, i have carbon in a media bag.

Essentially, a major flaw in the evo is its stock filtration. Unlike most filters, when you look inside, It has an opening from top to bottom between chambers one and two. Additionally, it has a tiny hole on the back wall. These factors allow for stuff to flow around the filter, not really through it. Thus, the filter isn't really doing its job 100%. Additionally, though a sponge works for beginners, you'll quickly find it to be a trap for ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates, and it just holds the dirt rather than allowing the biological filtration to break it down. The InTank chambers block off the certain holes and replace the sponge filter to allow for the dirt to flow through the filter and be broken down, rather than just moving through the chambers without actual filtration. Like NeonRabbit said, it is easy to DIY, and I myself have 3D printed many parts to help my tank. So, you don't need to buy upgrades. You may not even need upgrades. I just personally have become fed up with the stock filtration, so I chose to buy an upgrade, and though I've considered doing it myself, I'd rather leave it to professionals.

 

[Sharkbait19]

That is strange and goes against everything I have seen in my tank.

If by that you mean the water levels remaining consistently high, it is strange, and I'm not sure why they do remain stable.

 

[newfly]

That is strange and goes against everything I have seen in my tank.


The foam block becomes a nitrate factory. Flow is very poor through the chambers so water tends to just run around the outside of the foam instead of through the media. The intank changes it to function more like a baffle system forcing the water to flow through the cambers.

You could have a 3D printing service make you one off thingiverse for cheaper. Even an egg crate media basket would be an upgrade but I have seen this tank run so many ways that I have no doubt you could have success without a mod.

Essentially, a major flaw in the evo is its stock filtration. Unlike most filters, when you look inside, It has an opening from top to bottom between chambers one and two. Additionally, it has a tiny hole on the back wall. These factors allow for stuff to flow around the filter, not really through it. Thus, the filter isn't really doing its job 100%. Additionally, though a sponge works for beginners, you'll quickly find it to be a trap for ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates, and it just holds the dirt rather than allowing the biological filtration to break it down. The InTank chambers block off the certain holes and replace the sponge filter to allow for the dirt to flow through the filter and be broken down, rather than just moving through the chambers without actual filtration. Like NeonRabbit said, it is easy to DIY, and I myself have 3D printed many parts to help my tank. So, you don't need to buy upgrades. You may not even need upgrades. I just personally have become fed up with the stock filtration that I chose to buy an upgrade, and though I've considered doing it myself, I'd rather leave it to professionals.

That is a good point. SInce i'm using this setup as a QT and the tank is literary next to a sink, i can easily rinse off the foam and doing large water change for nutrient export. I left the hole in the middle chamber as is.

The comment on nitrate factory is spot on. I have been using canister on a 15g for 15+ years and you need regular cleaning to avoid the nitrates. For my 15g, once every 2-3 weeks is required.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I just ordered the upgrades. I spent a long time planning and researching the point of both, and decided to give it a go. I will update this thread when I receive the new media baskets. Thank you to everyone for your helpful advice!!

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

maining consistently high, it is strange, and I'm not sure why they do

Also if you have a printer this one works fantastic. The flow director really pushes the water through the filter floss and media very well

Fluval Evo 13.5 Chamber 1 Media Basket by stutaylor

Modified version of my chamber 2 basket for use in chamber 1, it doesn't go down as far as an intank media basket but does block off the slats to chamber 2 forcing the water down through the media

www.thingiverse.com

 

[Sharkbait19]

Also if you have a printer this one works fantastic. The flow director really pushes the water through the filter floss and media very well

Fluval Evo 13.5 Chamber 1 Media Basket by stutaylor

Modified version of my chamber 2 basket for use in chamber 1, it doesn't go down as far as an intank media basket but does block off the slats to chamber 2 forcing the water down through the media

www.thingiverse.com

I think I have that downloaded.
I do have a printer, and would have loved to have printed the basket myself, but it's a Da Vinci Mini printer and is simply too small for something like that. I use the 3d printer more for output nozzles, feeding hatches, small stuff like that. Thanks, though!

 

[Mike from TN]

Just my 2 cents. LOL!
My setup is as follows;
Chamber #1 InTank basket with flow diverter. Top section of basket houses 2 layers of carbon infused filter pad on top of a 50 micron pad.Middle section of basket contains a small filter bag with carbon cubes and a ChemiPure Elite bag.
Lower section of basket contains bio media (Twice the supplied amount that comes with the kit).
Chamber #2 contains my heater and a UV light that runs 24/7. The hole
in the false wall is plugged( plug came with the InTank basket.
Chamber #3 (the “pump house” as I like to call it) has a Sicce 1.0 with a “Spin Stream” on the outlet.
The Evo is a nice little “nano” setup but needs help in the filtration dept.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Just my 2 cents. LOL!
My setup is as follows;
Chamber #1 InTank basket with flow diverter. Top section of basket houses 2 layers of carbon infused filter pad on top of a 50 micron pad.Middle section of basket contains a small filter bag with carbon cubes and a ChemiPure Elite bag.
Lower section of basket contains bio media (Twice the supplied amount that comes with the kit).
Chamber #2 contains my heater and a UV light that runs 24/7. The hole
in the false wall is plugged( plug came with the InTank basket.
Chamber #3 (the “pump house” as I like to call it) has a Sicce 1.0 with a “Spin Stream” on the outlet.
The Evo is a nice little “nano” setup but needs help in the filtration dept.

I like this setup! I almost was going to get a UV light after an ich outbreak, but wound up not, in favor of first upgrading the filtration and flow, then revisiting the idea of a UV light.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Just my 2 cents. LOL!
My setup is as follows;
Chamber #1 InTank basket with flow diverter. Top section of basket houses 2 layers of carbon infused filter pad on top of a 50 micron pad.Middle section of basket contains a small filter bag with carbon cubes and a ChemiPure Elite bag.
Lower section of basket contains bio media (Twice the supplied amount that comes with the kit).
Chamber #2 contains my heater and a UV light that runs 24/7. The hole
in the false wall is plugged( plug came with the InTank basket.
Chamber #3 (the “pump house” as I like to call it) has a Sicce 1.0 with a “Spin Stream” on the outlet.
The Evo is a nice little “nano” setup but needs help in the filtration dept.

Very close to mine except everything is 3D printed haha my nutrients sit around N=1 and P=.02 with heavy feeding.

 

[Bato367]

I have the InTank basket in chamber 2 only and run the Fluval skimmer in chamber 1. Yes the top portion of the basket in chamber two is kind of useless as filter floss just floats. I will remove my floss since it isn't doing anything there. The middle level holds my Fluval Total Clear and the bottom holds Fluval Biomax media.

I guess it comes down to preference. My used tank came with the skimmer so I kept it in chamber 1 and it works great at pulling out organics.

Ideally, I would run a skimmer in chamber 2 and run the basket in chamber 1 with filter floss pre-filtering incoming water. But, I'm not even sure the skimmer can be placed anywhere but chamber 1...

Good luck, let us know.