Stoney's Fluval Evo 13.5

[stoney7713]

Well in the course of things I ended up with a new 13.5 Evo Fluval.

I wasn't planning a new build but in the course of things I think I bought too many corals! Well, this tank was sitting empty, and I mean who could resist!

It will be mushrooms, possibly a another softy or LPS thrown in there too.

I'll keep it mostly stock and upgrade as I go.

I will be using live rock and sand to get the tank up and going ASAP.

But here's the not arrived inhabitants. Gotta get this tank going!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Can’t wait to see the tank!! Those coral are going to look real nice in it!!!

 

[stoney7713]

Can’t wait to see the tank!! Those coral are going to look real nice in it!!!

Well it's still empty and looks like any other 13.5 Evo.

But yes as soon as I get the rock and sand in it I'll get some pictures!

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Following, those look like great mushrooms!

 

[stoney7713]

I just ordered 17 lb of live Gulf Rock. So this is actually quite exciting for me. My last build was dry rock and sand seated with live rock my LFS. I've never had real ocean fresh live rock before.

 

[stoney7713]

Live rock is here! I didn't get overnight shipping though so definitely die off. It arrived a day later then originally planned.

Still plenty of life on it!

I think the one large mollusk is a turkey wing clam and the other I'm not sure. They are definitely still alive.

Some corals on it don't look like they made it. One mushroom too. But I've seen some come back so we'll wait and see.

Did have some bad hitchhikers not make it but next time I'll do overnight for no delays.

Pretty sure he was a baddy

 

[stoney7713]

Just letting it cure a bit, I'll work on the scape later once I know it's ready. I'll be testing ammonia daily and doing water changes accordingly.

 

[stoney7713]

I've put one of the ammonia badges in the tank, saves time from frequent testing. I also added a powerhead.

I've done 2 50% water changes already,. First time because of cloudy water the second time because the badge was reading .05 ammonia.

I found a small clam on top of the large rock looking clam. They are all open and looking good I suppose. Haven't seen much else alive critters yet but holding onto hope I find more hitchhikers.

 

[stoney7713]

Well still have a little bit of ammonia. I have done a more few water changes also.

While I wait, I'm seriously thinking of upgrading the light. It's okay but would like more controllability, better quality, a bit more PAR. Thinking either the Fluval marine 3.0 to keep the stock hood or a noopsyche k7 mini.

 

[woodyarmadillo]

Well still have a little bit of ammonia. I have done a more few water changes also.

While I wait, I'm seriously thinking of upgrading the light. It's okay but would like more controllability, better quality, a bit more PAR. Thinking either the Fluval marine 3.0 to keep the stock hood or a noopsyche k7 mini.

I bet that stock light will be fine for mushrooms but you’ll probably upgrade at some point anyways. If you can keep the stock hood, you can keep evaporation down.

 

[stoney7713]

I bet that stock light will be fine for mushrooms but you’ll probably upgrade at some point anyways. If you can keep the stock hood, you can keep evaporation down.

I'm not too worried about evaporation, I'll probably have an ATO on it anyways. But being in the kitchen, and kids, everything else, I'd prefer the hood.

But we all know how this starts... LOL

 

[steveschuerger]

Looks good so far. By the way live rock “rocks”. You’ll keep finding living stuff months later. I’m still finding things like fanworms popping up month later from the KP rock I got around Christmas time. Nice little tank. My Biocube was my first reef tank. It might get reconverted for reef if my pea puffers pass on.

 

[stoney7713]

Looks good so far. By the way live rock “rocks”. You’ll keep finding living stuff months later. I’m still finding things like fanworms popping up month later from the KP rock I got around Christmas time. Nice little tank. My Biocube was my first reef tank. It might get reconverted for reef if my pea puffers pass on.

I'm looking forward to it! I'm actually happy just having the clams and coralline!

I definitely have microalgae that made it, now time to throw a tang in there, thinking a naso...lol

 

[stoney7713]

Ammonia has hit 0! It never got high but I done several WCs anyway. Sponges are dieing off and macro algaes are growing.

Clams are still doing well.

I'll be aquascaping sometime in the next few days. Can't wait to move the shrooms in!

 

[Reef Jockey]

looks great so far.
Ive just discovered this new pump that blows away the Sicce 1.0 i used to run
is reasonably priced and very strong

 

[stoney7713]

looks great so far.
Ive just discovered this new pump that blows away the Sicce 1.0 i used to run
is reasonably priced and very strong

Cool, I'll look into it.

 

[stoney7713]

Scaping is so difficult. I can never decide what exactly I like better.

 

[LegalReefer]

Following along! Good luck, the live rock looks great

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Scaping is so difficult. I can never decide what exactly I like better.

Scape looks great!!

 

[hbubley]

Scaping is so difficult. I can never decide what exactly I like better.

LOVE the scape. Looks really pretty and natural. And wow, something so pretty about live rock, all the different colors and life on it. So cool already.