Scottayy's 13.5 fluval evo 13.5 reef build

[Scottayy]

I've had that happen. Have you been able to keep them all fed? I may just pop by an LFS and get a similar population of inverts but more diverse

Yep. When I first got them I didn't have any algae so I popped an algae wafer in here and there.

Now I'm going through the ugly stage and there's plenty.

 

[ISFNick]

where does one get extra shells?

 

[ISFNick]

Yep. When I first got them I didn't have any algae so I popped an algae wafer in here and there.

Now I'm going through the ugly stage and there's plenty.

I'm going lights off for the first two months, just to help avoid the ugly stage, and let biofilm cover rocks

 

[Scottayy]

Not a bad idea.

I searched hermit crab shells on Amazon. I got the mini ones. Some are still on the big side but there's like 10 that are usable. Was only $10.

 

[Scottayy]

I got this WaveMaker guard for my anemone.

The anxiety was just too much, lol.

It's made specifically for the hygger mini. Some guy on etsy is 3d printing them. He's doing a great job,the shipping was fast, and the fit is excellent. Can highly recommend!

(excuse the microbubbles, this picture was right after a water change)

 

[emmysnewtank]

Nice dude. We started basically the same tank 3 months ago. Honestly you can probably drop some corals in there now.

Live rock/sand and we seeded tank w Dr Tim’s bacteria and two baby clowns literally week 1. Don’t think we ever showed any ammonia/no2 so kind of think the cycling not really necessary.

week 3 we started adding some softies. Xenia, gsp and a Kenya tree. Trying to grow gsp up back wall too!

but then we started adding lps with some Black Friday deals and they are doing awesome. I’d look into just starting w lps. So much cooler options than the softies. Duncan’s, torch, ricordia mushrooms, acans and candy cane. Running stock light as well…but added a cheap Amazon submersible led tube that we mounted into the hood for some extra actinic. Was like $10.

Following your progress. Want to hear how that bta does!

 

[Scottayy]

Nice dude. We started basically the same tank 3 months ago. Honestly you can probably drop some corals in there now.

Live rock/sand and we seeded tank w Dr Tim’s bacteria and two baby clowns literally week 1. Don’t think we ever showed any ammonia/no2 so kind of think the cycling not really necessary.

week 3 we started adding some softies. Xenia, gsp and a Kenya tree. Trying to grow gsp up back wall too!

but then we started adding lps with some Black Friday deals and they are doing awesome. I’d look into just starting w lps. So much cooler options than the softies. Duncan’s, torch, ricordia mushrooms, acans and candy cane. Running stock light as well…but added a cheap Amazon submersible led tube that we mounted into the hood for some extra actinic. Was like $10.

Following your progress. Want to hear how that bta does!

The bta is going great! I might have to end up getting new lights, I'm following his health closely.

Link me to your build thread if you have one! Would love to follow along.

Corals will be coming soon. We just overdid it on Christmas lol. Waiting for the bank account to replenish.

 

[JoJosReef]

I got this WaveMaker guard for my anemone.

The anxiety was just too much, lol.

It's made specifically for the hygger mini. Some guy on etsy is 3d printing them. He's doing a great job,the shipping was fast, and the fit is excellent. Can highly recommend!

(excuse the microbubbles, this picture was right after a water change)

Great nem guard! Does food and detritus get caught in it? I made a DIY one and found turkey basting it a few times a week helped a ton.

 

[Scottayy]

Yeah it does tend to get gunked up easily but I'll just take a toothbrush to it every water change.

Guys, I bought my first coral!

Bought a big piece of GSP and some orange mushrooms.

I'm visiting family right now, so the corals will need to be in a bag for about 5 hours until I make it back home.

I'm sure they'll be fine though.

I also ordered an AI prime 16hd and BRS DIY mesh lid kit.

So lots of updates coming soon

I'm very excited.

The only thing I'm worried about is I don't have an ATO yet, but I'm sure I can top off manually for a few weeks until I get one.

 

[Hairyteeth]

Honestly I have two evos going, one is highly automated and the other is a qt/ holding tank for corals… the qt doesn’t get water changes frequently and is manually topped of when I remember. Once a day sometimes two…. My low maintenance does amazingly well, so don’t stress on the ato till you can afford it. It will help out a lot but can be done without

 

[Scottayy]

Honestly I have two evos going, one is highly automated and the other is a qt/ holding tank for corals… the qt doesn’t get water changes frequently and is manually topped of when I remember. Once a day sometimes two…. My low maintenance does amazingly well, so don’t stress on the ato till you can afford it. It will help out a lot but can be done without

Just dropped 370 on the light, flex arm, coral, and dip.

So that ato will have to wait. All about keeping the wife happy lol.

Nice to know your tank is doing good with low maintenance.

I think the ato is all I have left to get, besides media bags and media. What do you run?

I was thinking purigen or chemiclean.

 

[Hairyteeth]

On my tank I run filter floss and a small amount of activated carbon and that’s it. I also have a uv sterilizer but it has been off for about a month now

 

[Scottayy]

While waiting on my prime to get here, I went ahead and put together the brs diy mesh lid.

It's perfect.

 

[Scottayy]

And here's my green star polyp and mushroom over the weekend.

Anyone know specifically what type of mushroom this is? The bright orange really attracted me to it.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Nice! I love the little tanks. Should be a fun one to watch grow.

 

[Scottayy]

Nice! I love the little tanks. Should be a fun one to watch grow.

Awe thank you!

 

[Scottayy]

I also wanted to post this much clearer picture of my clownfish that my sister took with her iPhone 12.

Starting to see little coraline spots on my rocks. Exciting!

 

[Scottayy]

My anemone is really thriving in this stock light.

I get my ai prime tomorrow. Hope he adjusts well!!

 

[Scottayy]

I got my ai prime today.

I downloaded the David Saxby profile and set an acclimation starting at 30 percent for 7 days, since I only have 2 corals.

Is this all I need to do?

I'm pretty overwhelmed with the amount of settings I can change.

I don't want to fry my anemone.

 

[Nscalise]

since your running the stock light what do you have your timer set to for hours. I have mine currently running 8-9 hours. Not sure if I should run it longer?