Fluval Flex Shrimp Setup

#FluvalFlex #shrimptank #setup
Setting up the Fluval Flex for shrimp with a few thoughts.

[@karunald]

gosh - I could listen to your voice all day

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Oh wow. What a kind thing to say. Don't think I've had a compliment comment like that before. Thank you very much.

[@Sue.5776]

I just got a free flex as well. Just finished sterilizing it and intend to set it up for Neos as well. I'm planning on stuffing as much media as I can in the back compartments. I can say though that from personal experience that sponge media you put in the grates won't prevent shrimp from migrating. Would be wise to slip the pump into some panty hose material to prevent the shrimplets from being sucked into the impeller.

[@sharpiesfishandphantoms]

Hi Dan, what i did was add some stainless steel mesh in the intakes, the stuff used for keeping bugs out from airbricks in houses and pop some sponge over the outflows which reduced the flow noticeably.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Good thinking man. Thanks.

[@aquaticfish7327]

Nice setup! I have the exact flu all tank and I did not know you could remove those intake covers! 🤔 I have shrimp in my tank and I just put sponge in the compartment but now I am going to do what you did! Thanks

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Ah, sweet! I'm glad someone has found it helpful. That is afterall the point so I'm delighted someone has found it useful. Thanks so much for commenting and letting me know.

[@EL-yg6ox]

Great idea! Where you brought this kind of sponge?

[@DanielKeepingFish]

It's just filter sponge bud. You can get it in various grades in fish store or online. If it's those vents you intend to use it for I'd say go for the most course (biggest gaps in the sponge). It's just to prevent livestock going through not to block waste. They'll still need squeezed out from time to time.

[@AngelosFishTanks]

You had me at FREE 😮😮😮

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Haha, yes it was the highlight for me too. 😀

[@Jonnnii26]

Otherwise you can cut a filter bag in the exact same size as the intake covers and put it in those covers with some underwater glue. I made the experience that so "much" sponge affect the water flow. But both methods work to keep your shrimps save ;)

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Hey yeah. That's a great idea too. Thanks.

[@joefreeman6437]

Thinking about getting the same tank and doing the exact same as you Shrimp tank

[@DanielKeepingFish]

They're great tanks. I really like them.

[@leeandmandybattersby5958]

just came accross this video .. what do you think of the tank do you still use it ... i just got the flex 123 , 32.5 gallon version for christmas going to be setting it up for marine

[@DanielKeepingFish]

The Mega Flex? That's the best Christmas present ever! Yeah I love it. I like tanks with the rear sump set up. I like the curved fronts, everything is still working... yeah I think they're great, got nothing bad to say about it. Will make a great marine display tank. Enjoy it.

[@leeandmandybattersby5958]

great .. i have never had this sort before cant wait to get it set up

[@DanielKeepingFish]

I'll bet. They're great tanks. Looking forward to seeing it.

[@TheRockacer22]

Is that enough substrate for a planted tank or does it need to be deeper?

[@DanielKeepingFish]

No I would definately put more in for a panted tank. The plants I used in this build were all ones that don't need to be placed in the gravel.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Usually I add a wee bit of clay based substrate at the bottom if I'm using gravel too. Gives the roots something to start feeding on.

[@richardaldridge5474]

How's this tank going now Daniel,and is that a South London accent I hear?

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Good ear. Yeah I spent many years in that neck of the woods. I changed that tank actually. I wanted to use the rocks in another tank and I moved the blues into another tank. The Flex is home to my Yellow Sakura now. There's a few clips in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap3GiZ-FeLd_nas

[@gigimiyuki]

How did you keep the tank cool? During summer?

[@DanielKeepingFish]

I live in the UK so it's not a such a problem here bud. I have heard of people freezing bottles of water and floating them in their tanks but I've not tried it myself. Hope that helps though.

[@minakiel2930]

i’ve put rocks in the freezer then put it into the tank. helps but need to be refrozen frequently

[@karunald]

Which size is this? I guess I missed it.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

This is the smaller of the Flexs this one. It's the 34 litre.

[@williamsmarquess8379]

Hey. I have too a same aquarium but for me the Filter motor so bad! Slow from the first moment and all of my Shrimp was dead ,and all my plants was yellowing and rooted...:( maybe i get a wrong filter pump?

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Not sure why that would be bud. The one that comes with it is pretty strong. Maybe there was something wrong with it, something sticking the impeller or something like that? Either way sorry to hear about your shrimp and plants man.

[@hammerjoe2008]

I looked at that tank as I'm looking for a 15 gal one but too much of it is used for the filter area in the back. What really worries me with that tank is the curved glass in the front that is being held only by silicone. The amount of pressure on it will lead to disaster sooner or later imo.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

I like the design with all the internal equipment being hidden like that. It supports a decent amount of media, hides the heater and doesn't take up much more room than the heater and a decent sized filter in my opinion. There's still a good amount of viewing and swimming space for your fish and adequate area for scape. You may be right about the glass. Time will tell with that one but I'm sure Fluval designed it carefully and did plenty of stress testing before they launched the Flex. Have you seen the Mega Flex? It's a 123L (32.5 US Gal) version. Looks amazing.

[@chrispeters2645]

Hi. I subscribed to the channel maybe 2-3 months back and having just acquired a 34l Flex in a 50% sale at a LFS (not quite free, but too good to pass up) this video is particularly relevant. Anyway, at the 10:30 mark, you show some moss/rhizome shelves and mention having featured them in an earlier video. I've watched quite a few already and have been looking at the titles of the rest on your channel page and I'm struggling to find the video in question. Maybe I'm missing the obvious (it is after 1 am as I type this) - can you point me in the right direction, or maybe give a link to where you get them from please (I've tried searching on Amazon, but can't find the same ones - the ones that are coming up are basically just plastic mesh attached to suckers and the prices are ridiculous)? T.I.A.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Haha, yes I'm up late too. Hey that's a bargain getting a Flex half price. Nice one! Sure I'll put the link to the video below and the link to RAD Aquatics Facebook page is in the comments of the video. Hope that helps and enjoy your new Flex. If you get stuck give me a shout. I can contact the gentleman who owns the business and sent them to me if needed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWfTgpSGmqeVd7c

[@chrispeters2645]

Hi, Thanks for the link, I've just finished watching the video. All of my tanks so far (all 4 of them, lol) are nano's and I really like mosses, so I'm always happy to find another way to fit more in. I've used some of the little acrylic cultivation cups before and I've also made a few DIY moss bars using willow sticks (sold in bundles by P@H as chew sticks for rodents, etc) and suckers off of Amazon. I'll try contacting RAD direct and see if I can order some and I'll let you know how I get on. Thanks again, o7.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

@@chrispeters2645 I know what you mean. I was talking to someone the other day who asked me if I could only keep one type of plant what would it be? I said moss. It's so benificial to a tank, looks great and is really versatile. I found these ledges worked best with Java Moss rather than Christmas or Flame (I tried all three) but you sound like you're well used to experimenting yourself so I'm sure you'll create something nice with them. They're such a great idea these wee ledges.

[@chrispeters2645]

So far, I've mainly used Tropica plants (from P@H, usually ordered online to take advantage of the multi-buy discount) and my favourites are the Java moss and fern, Anubias and Limnophila sessiflora (grows like crazy and great for taking up Nitrates, etc). I've also used Weeping moss before and think it would be perfect for those shelves.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

@@chrispeters2645 definately! Weeping moss would be a great choice.

[@spasticusautisticus3545]

How long before the shrimp are big enough to eat ?

[@ocbu564]

Really carefully this tank it's too thin glass

[@richardaldridge5474]

I thought that as well,it looked light when carried in,my Dennerle 30 litre nano weighed a ton empty.

[@TheRaezorRae]

Its 9 gal lol thats 75 lbs lol the glass is and eighth of an inch thick. Plenty. Wtf u tlkin bout