New Reefer with a few questions!

esloan88 · Mar 30, 2017

Hey folks, new reefer here with a couple questions!

I purchased a Fluval Evo XII tank (https://www.amazon.com/Fluval-Evo-Aquarium-13-5-Gallons/dp/B01M2WI6PT) for my first go at this. Yes, I know that bigger tanks are easier to get started and maintain but my wife and I wanted to start small and make sure we enjoy it. We figured we will move up to a bigger tank once we know we can do it and we enjoy it.

So far, everything is going fairly well. We cycled it for awhile and I used AquaVitro's Seed product to help speed it along, at the recommendation of our LFS. Right now the tank is showing good parameters. Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrites seem to be in line. We just put a small cleaning crew in the tank to see how they would do and they all seem to be motoring along just fine.

I ordered a Hydor Koralia Nano 240 to provide some more movement in the tank as the stock pump doesn't seem to provide a whole lot of movement. It arrives tomorrow and I will be installing it then.

Now my questions:

1. Where is the best place to install the Nano 240? Should I put it in the corner of the tank caddy corner from the stock pump? Should I install it pointing at the surface of the water so I get more movement on the surface or should I point it down so I can provide more movement near the substrate?

2. The Fluval came with everything but the heater and a Protein Skimmer. I purchased a nice 100 watt heater and it is already in the tank and working great but I am not sure about the Protein Skimmer. Fluval has one that is made specifically for that tank; the Fluval PS2 Mini-Protein Skimmer but I have read some iffy reviews on that. If I don't get the Fluval, what would you recommend for a 12.5 gallon Nano tank? Is there another skimmer that would fit in the same spot as what the Fluval skimmer goes in? Or would I need to get a HOB type skimmer? I can't afford to spend a huge chunk on the skimmer but I want to make sure I get a good one.

3. Stock lights are okay right now but I am going to need to upgrade them at some point, if for no other reason but that the stock lights don't have a timer. What would you suggest for lights on this thing?

Thanks guys and I appreaciate the assistance!

Brew12 · Mar 30, 2017

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

esloan88 said:
1. Where is the best place to install the Nano 240? Should I put it in the corner of the tank caddy corner from the stock pump? Should I install it pointing at the surface of the water so I get more movement on the surface or should I point it down so I can provide more movement near the substrate?

This will always be a matter of opinion and the best results will also depend on how you lay out your rock. I keep mine breaking the water of the surface just a little to help with air exchange and keep it from blowing the sand around.

esloan88 said:
2. The Fluval came with everything but the heater and a Protein Skimmer. I purchased a nice 100 watt heater and it is already in the tank and working great but I am not sure about the Protein Skimmer. Fluval has one that is made specifically for that tank; the Fluval PS2 Mini-Protein Skimmer but I have read some iffy reviews on that. If I don't get the Fluval, what would you recommend for a 12.5 gallon Nano tank? Is there another skimmer that would fit in the same spot as what the Fluval skimmer goes in? Or would I need to get a HOB type skimmer? I can't afford to spend a huge chunk on the skimmer but I want to make sure I get a good one.

You will read iffy reviews on just about every protein skimmer. You never know the experience level of the person writing the review. I would go with the one designed for the tank just to keep things simple. There are definitely better skimmers out there but the reality is that you don't even need a skimmer if you keep up with regular water changes and a light bio load.

esloan88 said:
3. Stock lights are okay right now but I am going to need to upgrade them at some point, if for no other reason but that the stock lights don't have a timer. What would you suggest for lights on this thing?

I would suggest sticking with the stock lights for as long as possible. Buy a timer for them if that is your only concern right now. Good lights are one of the most expensive parts of this hobby and a worthwhile upgrade would cost more than you paid for your system.

I do have one concern. That is a huge heater for your size tank. If it sticks on, which heaters have a tendency to do, it will cook your fish quickly. I actually use a 150w heater as the primary for my 120g (150g total volume) and a 300w as a backup. I highly recommend getting a heater controller to shut off your heater if the temperature gets too high, such as this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Max-3...=8-6&keywords=aquarium+temperature+controller

dakoop · Mar 30, 2017

rock work will make the ph placement make more sense. Too low and it will blow sand. Place it were you won't have any "dead" spots. Everywhere needs flow