Fluval Evo 13.5 1 Year Update (No Skimmer)

The Fluval Evo 13.5 is now a year old so this is my long-term update of my nano saltwater tank with no skimmer!
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0:00 Intro
0:12 Fixing problems
0:48 Filtration and flow
2:32 Dosing and corals
3:15 Fish
3:51 Lighting
4:30 The sump

[@TomSerious]

I just ordered this thank, can't wait to set it up and get back into the hobby! I had 2 big Red Sea tanks in the past but had to give them up about a year ago 😞

[@brianbuchert1521]

Hey congratulations on the new tank! I just bought mine after being out of the hobby for a Col yrs. I’m asking other reefers if they cycle with lights on sometimes or do you black it out until the cycle is over? I’m guessing the answer is no lights during cycling? Was just curious?

[@dannyp4959]

Blennies always make me smile! Dig the tank. Well done sir!

[@JJGills]

lol at the grouchy clownfish. In my experience they're much more aggressive than people expect. Especially the maroon ones!

[@PersianChristianity]

I love this video, you should do more fluval updates

[@victorfelix1072]

Great tank!

[@Menace2142]

I started my 13.5 about 8 months ago and I stocked it with a firefish for a couple weeks then added a pair of clowns + cuc. So far everyone is still happy!

[@reddawn7128]

Ive had this tank for three years solid choice for a nano

[@Reefkeepers_Archive]

Looks great Alex, definitely improved greatly. I do have to say 13 gallons does seem a bit too small for a firefish, of you do end up relocating the clowns, then I think a micro community tank would look good, maybe somethings like barnacle blennys, clown/Citron gobies, or just anything small in the damsel/goby/blenny family. Anyway tank looks great, definitely did a good job 👍

[@john-xo9mg]

After being out of the hobby for many years and having spent enough money to fund a small country when I was in full reef mode, I realy like the ease and look of these small tanks (used to be bigger is better) . Just trying to now convince the mrs that we actually need a nano tank in our lives. Edit, as for fish used to have a breeding pair of Banggai Cardinals so always got a soft spot for these fish

[@marcopalazzo9349]

This is exactly what I went through. I've had quite afew marine tanks started small and ended up with 4 footers. It got to much and stopped for afew years although I kept my clowns. I now run one of these tanks and another nano. It's about 1 hour maintenance a week if that. Nano's are the way to go I promise you that. 50% water change weekly and that's it!

[@f_youtubecensorshipf_nazis]

bigger is better. My nano 10 gallon is twice as much work as my 200. Just keeping up with evaporation is a full time job.

[@wadevisser1343]

Two Helfrichi Fire Fish, a Royal grama and a shrimp goby would be awesome in that tank 👍🏻

[@TheAviely]

Trimma, Eviota and/or Priolepis would be perfect for such a small tank

[@MaxelWong]

I've got the fluval 15g with the bow front - The lid w/ LED light fixture worked for a long time but after upgrading the lighting and purchasing a plexiglass lid the colors are much more vibrant! Simple filtration and weekly water changes are great advice. 1 Nero 3 seem to be enough flow in my tank. Definitely considering upgrading the return pump though for more surface water movement and the ability to pick up detritus in the water column. keep up the amazing work ReefDork!

[@zaneellzey1084]

Helfrichi Firefish are calm, look super, and are even a bit skittish. If you remove the clowns, they are my input for a replacement. I have one and love it, even though it scares me when it disappears for a day or two but it always comes back.

[@sanyamalok1458]

Hi Alex I have a question after you put your fish in how long do you have to wait until water changes and when you can turn on the pump and fish

[@PnCBio]

If you have clowns, the pistol shrimp is a must. They picked on my YWG pretty bad, added a pistol, nobody picks on them now. They have a sprawling real estate empire.

[@cantusaurus8530]

Hmm. Sorry that the Gobies have disappeared. I had a 10 gallon tank with my pair of clowns and shrimp/goby with no issues. But that doesn’t mean anything since all clowns are different. My clowns seem a lot more tame compared to other peoples. Yeah, maybe it’s best to move the clowns though. I’m not sure how well a fire fish would do since they like to have a little burrow, and a shrimp goby could be a bit territorial to a fire fish. But if there are areas where the fire fish can have a little home then it should be fine.

[@dderples2888]

SLW-10's are awesome. I've got two on my 100l and wouldn't swap em for Nero's if you paid me.

[@VtolVRClips]

after watching your video ive bbrougt one for 60 quid with everything included full starter kit with all the addons wish me luck

[@russellmurphy7910]

My daughter keeps asking for a salt water tank. This looks the perfect size. 👌🏻 👍🏻

[@trojon]

Bigger is better. Seriously.

[@russellmurphy7910]

@trojon I have a 320ltr tank with 90ltr sump, was the biggest I could get so fully agree with you. But to go in my daughters bedroom and for her to help maintain it will def be on the smaller side 😁

[@hakman239]

I’m using canister filter on my tank would putting a pre filter sponge on the inlet help control nitrate

[@ReefDork]

Only if you replace it a few times a week

[@TimothyWilliams-yj2ud]

Looking good Alex. The Fluval is great. I've had mine about 2 years now but feel like I need to start dosing. Are you dosing 30ml of saturated kalk? Or a lower strength mix? Cheers

[@ReefDork]

Saturated - easier to control the dose via volume than strength

[@caudillioski]

Just went with the AI Blade! Ordered today and pretty stoked. Factory light went out so gave me a good reason. You seeing great advancements after adding?

[@caudillioski]

Also - for that chamber one stl print? What filament did you use and is the stl available?!

[@ramboslice810]

I had the slw10 in my fluval and in the same place. i had to take it out because my hammers were getting blasted too much no matter where in the tank i placed it. I only ever had it on w1 with lowest power setting. I dont understand how you can have 2 wavemakers and your corals are still attached to the rocks 😂 im trying to find a smaller one with a pulse mode

[@EJGraham14]

Clownfish are evil

[@cheefadareefa7153]

Mine bite me All the time but I still can’t help but love them lol

[@ilforever22]

Why?

[@CosmicCorals1]

@@ilforever22 because they are extremely territorial and might bite everything that enters there territory including your hand😅

[@cakesmithofnorwich]

Evening everyone. Do I have a Fluval spec 60 which is the Evo but slightly taller. The key issue I have is that on the left chamber, as well as the surface skim vent, there is a vent of the same side at the bottom of the left chamber. This means surface skim is dreadful and the bottom of the chamber looks like a dead zone full of detritus that is not making it through my filter floss. I am thinking of purchasing a piece of Perspex to glue on to the lower vent to force the surface skim. I have already blocked the little hole in the centre chamber. What are your thoughts? Many thanks. Michael

[@danabsalom]

Hi Alex, how much kalkwasser do you end up dosing a day? I am surprised that the 20% weekly water changes aren’t enough given the relatively small due and amount of hard corals in the tank.

[@ReefDork]

Water changes are never enough beyond the short term. I think I dose about 30ml OK kalk per day

[@shaneatkins6929]

kalk in add water plus water changes is definately enough to keep up with calcium

[@marbles351]

Not surprised the TMC developed a fault

[@diannaray100]

My fluval currently has a protein filter on it, but what kind of filter sponges are you using in that chamber? And is the fluval stock light good enough for the soft corals?

[@ReefDork]

Just filter floss from my local fish shop. Yep, the stock light will be fine for softies.

[@superdarroch]

The AI blade 12" fits perfectly in the stock good of the fluval evo, ideal upgrade for anyone on the fence about it.

[@ReefDork]

100%

[@locksmith9580]

Grow or glow?

[@ReefDork]

@@locksmith9580 I have the grow

[@superdarroch]

@@locksmith9580 yeah Grow.

[@mvu9461]

What settings are you using on the blade?

[@kevintwine8443]

Maybe a moorish idol unicorn tang or emperor angelfish? Joke tank looks great 👍

[@russellmackenzie6412]

Really struggling with algae in my approval. Evo 13.5 currently still running the stock light would changing the light solve that issue.? Thanks, looking good by the way 👍🏼

[@ReefDork]

No but getting an urchin, feeding less and water changes will 🙂

[@OzziMaster]

What did you do keep your calcium levels good? You breezed right over that so fast. I’m new to salties, been a planted fresh tank guy for 20 years

[@ReefDork]

Kalkwasser takes care of calcium and alkalinity

[@Dilboy50]

From where did you get that GSP? The colour is amazing.

[@ReefDork]

My LFS, Reefkeeper Moss End

[@Dilboy50]

​@@ReefDork Thank you :) Any tips on keeping it only on the island? I have heard it can spread onto the sand!

[@Steve_RobbieRaygun]

Without sounding too thick, which AI Blade light did you use, and do you know if it would mount under the lid, since I don't have a tank as yet, I'm wondering, with the various changes to the setup, is it still worth buying as most of the reviews seem to have changed out a lot of the bits. Thanks for any reply.

[@ReefDork]

It was the Grow version, don't know if it'll fit under the hood though. It's still absolutely worth buying and the stock kit will be fine, if a little basic. If you're on a budget, it's great. If you have more money to spend, you'll be able to get something more advanced.

[@Steve_RobbieRaygun]

Great stuff, thanks for taking the time to reply.@@ReefDork

[@DeanR3]

I have a waterbox 10 and only doing weekly water changes the same, not testing at all would you advise testing ? I have 2 clowns and 2 astrea snails any other clean up crew you recommend. Thanks

[@ReefDork]

Yes, testing is essential

[@DeanR3]

@@ReefDork how often do you test and what do you test ? I did initially test the nitrogen cycle and do salinity

[@hakman239]

My nitrate and phos have both bottomed our can’t get them up

[@khalifaalmazrouei5005]

Did you have any issues with SLW-10 magnets being underwater?

[@ReefDork]

I use Tunze magnets on the wet side - I suspect the Jecod one will be OK, but I know the Tunze one is...

[@Timbofowl]

Would you recommend getting the blade or the prime hp for the fluval evo

[@ReefDork]

Blade for sure - I swapped the prime out for the blade. Much better light coverage, still plenty of PAR and cheaper than the prime!

[@mattjackson5164]

What mount did you use for your blade? There are so many options, its kind of confusing.

[@ReefDork]

I 3D printed my own

[@DontCare3000]

In my experience with Blennies, they like to jump out of my tank.

[@SpikeP100]

How did you cope with the temperatures in the hot weather recently? Mine with the stock lid was a nightmare, so working on a solution

[@ReefDork]

Absolutely fine - only peaked 2 degrees higher than normal. Having the lid off helps cos I can blow a fan across the surface to cool it down. But if you don't have an auto top off, that's not an option

[@SpikeP100]

@@ReefDork indeed. I'm into 3d printing so I am working slowly on a replacement back cover with fan and gravity fed auto top up system for the future. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Love your videos and their format :)

[@wadevisser1343]

A pair of Blue Striped Pipe Fish 🤟🏼

[@zacstephenson3734]

May I know what size of AI Blade light you decided on?

[@ReefDork]

The smallest - 12 inches

[@cb8309]

Did you switch out the sand? Looks like gravel almost by how big the chunks are

[@ReefDork]

Nope, same stuff since day 1

[@dualfirecatgaming8035]

Where did you get those clownfish from there edcellent qaukitt most picasso clowns from my lfs dont look very nice....

[@ReefDork]

Maidenhead aquatics Woking

[@TomoBishBosh]

Great video! I love that torch, it looks so good! Just seen this is Members only, was that intended? is it like an early release?

[@ReefDork]

That's the hell fire I cooked the colour out of! KZbin set up a new feature this week that allows early access for members so this will be a regular thing from now on 🙂

[@eham1434]

Have you had much experience keeping clownfish with rock flower anemones before? I've seen some warnings about RFA's eating clowns sometimes due to regional differences, but I don't have personal experience to know for sure. What are your thoughts/experiences?

[@ReefDork]

Yeah, my clowns in my main tank live right next to 2 RFAs. Totally fine - been together for years.

[@eham1434]

@@ReefDork good to know! I love RFA's but have always been a bit paranoid about it

[@bailliej]

Can you tell me if the Jecod DC-650 is as quiet as the TMC Reef 500 Compatible. I bought the TFC based on your recommendations in an earlier video. I had to send it back as it kept coming up with an error and I am waiting exchange or refund. I am only just now seeing you went for the Jecod a year later. The current factory supplied pump does not allow enough room for the heater that was supplied with the Evo, so the heater goes into another Chamber - I found the heater and Factory Pump could not fit into the same Chamber. Hence I went for the TMC - which address both size and noise levels. Hopefully then I will be able to upgrade the Media in Chambers 1 and 2 :) Thanks

[@ReefDork]

Yeah, it's quiet - I'd recommend it over the TMC one now. My TMC developed a fault too - code E5

[@MrRoderick11]

Where’d you get the mesh top?

[@ReefDork]

Reef tops on Facebook

[@Elliesexoticanimals]

just bought the ai blade for my evo. what percentages do you run the whites and blues at?

[@ReefDork]

Here's my full schedule kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4vapmV3fq-EeZI But the short answer is 100% blues, 30% white I think

[@alarsen18]

@@ReefDork @Elliesaquatics Did either of you try mounting the Blade into the original lid for the Evo? I'd be interested to seeing a picture/video of how this potentially could fit in this as I, and probably others, like the enclosed hood due to the containment of evaporation and light.

[@lengleonado9673]

Do you close the light at night? May i know ur light schedule

[@ReefDork]

Here's my schedule kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4vapmV3fq-EeZI

[@corbinperry1264]

I know I’m late to the party but how much are you dosing and how often?

[@ReefDork]

Can't remember I'm afraid - I've since shut this tank down...

[@sim12384]

Can I ask how much Kalk are you dosing ans what the coral feeding regime is?

[@ReefDork]

About 30ml per day. I don't feed corals

[@sim12384]

@@ReefDork My Evo isn't burning any Calcium yet - stable at 430 with a weekly natural seawater waterchange. Should I hold off with kalk until Isee some burn?

[@praveshshilotri5752]

Is the stock light good for lps?

[@ReefDork]

It'll do yeah

[@EIY_Kumar]

Every local fish store tells me to dose iodine in my reef because I have zoas and mushrooms Is it that necessary? Or they just want to sell stuff?

[@ReefDork]

If you do, go very carefully - it's very easy to overdose iodine which will poison your tank

[@reddawn7128]

Sunrise dottyback

[@SalamanderFangskin]

2:51 what kind of anemones are those? bubble tip?

[@ReefDork]

Rock flower anemones

[@SalamanderFangskin]

@@ReefDork Thank you!

[@ljcorner7393]

The led that comes with the tank real good or no

[@ReefDork]

I didn't use it but it'll grow soft corals just fine

[@ljcorner7393]

@@ReefDork ok thank you that’s all I’m curious about that’s why the tank is 200$ because of really the light

[@ljcorner7393]

@@ReefDork plus also it won’t burn out the soft coral but overall it’s a pretty good light

[@Zoe.TheBody360]

Would love to know cost...also what are the dimensions please.

[@ReefDork]

You can do it MUCH cheaper than I have but I spent around £800 on all the equipment

[@Zoe.TheBody360]

@@ReefDork thank you 😊

[@PersianChristianity]

The much cheaper i did for 480 but my clowns r Darwin clownfish

[@iwillnevergetalife]

How much did it all cost? It looks great btw.

[@ReefDork]

I've upgraded bit by bit and you can do this MUCH cheaper, but I've spent about £800 excluding livestock

[@iwillnevergetalife]

@@ReefDork ty

[@PersianChristianity]

I did mine for 500total

[@ryesagainstthemachine2995]

Do you have the file you can send me for your 3d printed for this tank.

[@custard8816]

is 3000L ph , too much for this tank>? wavemaker

[@ReefDork]

I have 2x 4,000 lph powerheads...

[@enzomontini758]

Get a naso tang or 5 😬

[@russellmackenzie6412]

My Evo, sorry🙈

[@comment.highlighted]

I returned my Clownfishes because of their aggressive behavior. Never again 😕

[@lazarogonzalez4537]

😂😂😂

[@GazzasReef]

Pair of clowns 100% the way for the evo mate.

[@roflsyndrome]

What is the table you have your Evo 13.5 sitting on? Do you have a link? Thanks!

[@ReefDork]

Can't remember where I got it, it's just a 2 foot aquarium stand I found online

[@jiyzlahid944]

I have no idea why you didn’t jsut get the small skimmer, made your life much easier. Also, your alkalinity, calcium Etc won’t get eaten that quick, There are such small amounts of coral

[@ReefDork]

It's totally unnecessary for such a small tank in my opinion - ugly and noisy too