Fluval Evo 13.5 - The Reboot

[thedon986]

Have had a Fluval Evo set up since December 2018, but was never happy with how it looked and could never conquer the algae the came on my rock (Gulf Live Rock). The rock had tons of life on it, but despite weekly 50% water changes, a Reef Glass skimmer and NOPOX, I just couldn't beat it. So I am rebooting with dry rock and a much more interesting scape. Going through a bacteria bloom and ammonia at .5ppm. Pictures are the view from my desk in the home office. Loving the small peninsula I get to look at all day long. Feeling much better about this reboot.

 

Full list of goodies:

- AI Prime

- Cobalt MJ1200

- NeoTherm 50w

- Tunze 3155 ATO

- inTank Chamber 1 basket

- Reef Glass skimmer

- MP10QDw, may not use it

 

Stocking plans:

- Tailspot Blenny

- Unsure of other fish

- LPS

- Zoas

- Maybe a few monti plates/digitata

 

 

[Fruity Pebbles]

That’s crazy you couldn’t beat the algae. Did you ever try blacking out the tank for a week or so ? That’s what I do when algae gets out of hand and need a quick fix, but tank looks great and I’ve always loved the Fluval evo tanks super snazzy look to them 

[thedon986]

24 minutes ago, Fruity Pebbles said:

That’s crazy you couldn’t beat the algae. Did you ever try blacking out the tank for a week or so ? That’s what I do when algae gets out of hand and need a quick fix, but tank looks great and I’ve always loved the Fluval evo tanks super snazzy look to them 

Yeah and it didn't help. I tried cutting back the lights 25% and shortened the duration. The algae had slowed down a lot but I just couldn't stop it. I was never too happy with the scape anyways and wanted something more interesting.

[j.falk]

I did the same thing and rebooted my tank yesterday.  Took it all apart, cleaned everything and now it's like a brand new tank again.  Good luck with yours!  👍

[thedon986]

Day 8 of the cycle. Ammonia has been at 2ppm for almost three days and I think I’m just finally starting to see nitrites. The API nitrite blue is moving from very light blue to dark blue.  The hardest part of a new tank, the wait! The water has cleared up nicely from my bacteria bloom. Might start looking around for a first coral this weekend depending on how levels progress. 

[Opotter]

Congrats on the reboot!  Like the new scape quite a bit!   I’m in a similar spot as you.  I had an Evo with gulf live rock.  Cool rock, loads of life.  But my battle was hitchhikers (gazillon hairy crabs that took months to get out due to numbers, Eunice worm that was harder to catch, Aiptasia outbreak.. final straw was the polyclad flat worms).  Anyway, I’m now cycling a new IM 25 lagoon with dry rock.  I’m going to give my Evo set up (once clean.. and with some of my extra DRY rock) to one of my co-workers kids who wants (drumroll.. put on your best shocked face).. a Nemo.  I’m about 11/12 days into my cycle as well!  Waiting is not fun!! 

[thedon986]

8 hours ago, Opotter said:

Congrats on the reboot!  Like the new scape quite a bit!   I’m in a similar spot as you.  I had an Evo with gulf live rock.  Cool rock, loads of life.  But my battle was hitchhikers (gazillon hairy crabs that took months to get out due to numbers, Eunice worm that was harder to catch, Aiptasia outbreak.. final straw was the polyclad flat worms).  Anyway, I’m now cycling a new IM 25 lagoon with dry rock.  I’m going to give my Evo set up (once clean.. and with some of my extra DRY rock) to one of my co-workers kids who wants (drumroll.. put on your best shocked face).. a Nemo.  I’m about 11/12 days into my cycle as well!  Waiting is not fun!! 

Nice upgrade! This tank is the perfect size for my office. Would love to set up a larger one but trying not to anger the wife right right. I even have an extra Prime, MP10s, HOB-1, and a Mame overflow sitting around. So tempting! Maybe one day when we remodel the basement....

[thedon986]

I finally made it through my cycle a few weeks ago. Have continued dosing bacteria and did a little NOPOX with my water changes and that brought down the nitrates fast. Actually ready zero on the API test now so I need to back off the NOPOX. I picked up some first corals for the tank. Have been planning out how I will continue to seed the tank to help it mature in a more stabile way. I also added some MarinePure Gems and am planning on getting pods and dosing some phyto to help them establish. 
 

Some pics:

 

[thedon986]

Everything has been going well in the tank. The rocks are taking on color, I have a big pod explosion going on. A maturing tank is fun to watch. I have a meteor shower cyphastrea that I swore was dead, probably due to Alk shock that is starting to color back up, so good signs of stability getting better. 
 

 

[I'm Batman]

How’s the tank coming along?

[thedon986]

The tank is coming along great. Things are settling in and maturing. I’m having trouble getting detectable nitrates and my monti is really pale. I still haven’t gotten any fish so that would help. Just been too busy to keep a feeding schedule. Here are some updated photos. The cyphastrea has totally rebounded and it’s the best looking piece in the tank now. 
 

 

[thedon986]

I’ve finally added fish to this tank! I had been struggling to keep nutrients up by ghost feeding so this should help things stabilize. I was traveling for two weeks and my monti has really gone pale with lack of feedings, don’t know if it’ll survive. I got two teeny tiny clownfish and a tailspot blenny which I always love having. 
 

 

[Gakarl100]

Is that the 12 or 18" goose neck prime mount on your tank?

[thedon986]

14 minutes ago, Gakarl100 said:

Is that the 12 or 18" goose neck prime mount on your tank?

It is the 12". It works perfectly over my aquascape because the center of my rock work is more towards the rear of the tank.

[Ratvan]

Cute clowns and I love the Tailspot Goby

[gotfrogs]

Looks much better!

 

[thedon986]

Tank is cruising along. Still battling cyano from the introduction of three fish at the same time. I have added some more zoa frags and I am planning out my remaining coral purchases.