Fluval Mini Protein Skimmer

[@lundiboy8]

I have the EVO 13.5 and skimmer. The skimmer was useless after about 2 months when it just stopped working on me. The lid is horrible also and I had to put a rock on top to keep it down. My tank is doing great though. I got the InTank media basket for chamber 1 and a diy chaeto reactor with weekly water changes. I have 2 Emerald crabs, 2 Peppermint shrimp and a couple trochous snails for algae control stocked with 2 Wyoming White Clowns, a firefish and 8 corals. No issues at all since the skimmer let me down. Weekly maintenance to me is a must along with an auto top off. The tank has been up for 6 months.

[@JadeIceGreen]

Love your sense of humour and the episode was professionally shot! Thanks for sharing the tank in the starting up phase. Looking forward to more updates.

[@pecktec]

+Isaac Tan thanks!

[@doragon3329]

Emerald crabs mainly eat bubble algae. And when cycling, leave the light off.

[@bestplans9051]

Had one of these for a few months and threw it right into the trash. It came with a tank I bought and was nothing but a headache and did very little actual skimming. Meanwhile it had to be adjusted almost constantly. Replaced it with an Aqua C Remora Pro. Over 40 years in the hobby and thought I'd give it a try but it was replaced in less than 3 months. Save your money!

[@pecktec]

We managed to get it working but found the sound to be intolerable in a bedroom. She broke it down after a month or so.

[@bestplans9051]

Better off saving your money and buying a better quality skimmer. These might work on a freshwater tank (for a little while) but eventually it'll completely stop skimming again. After a few weeks of adjustments mine overproduced bubbles and began to simply fill the skimmer cup with a tiny bit of protein skimmate and a lot more of the good tank water. It's a fairly simple design that's been tried and true for years but Fluval is selling junk here! There's a reason many of these other skimmers have been around for so long. If you do some research these very small type of skimmers usually don't perform very well with one or two exceptions and even those aren't worth bragging about. If you're serious about having good filtration, dump the HOB filter and get a sump system where you can put your Skimmer actually inside the sump. My AquaC is a HOB (Hang On Back) but is pretty quiet and they sell a small sponge silencer that while costly, is worth every penny. Skimping on a saltwater tank can get very costly and will result in a lot of extra equipment that you'll find is unnecessary and financially wasteful. Keep the tank away from direct sunlight to help with the algae and buy a quality light also. Emerald crabs are usually only good for Velonia (Bubble Algae) but will pick here and there. You'll also find the maintenance of a sump system is much easier and less frequency with a huge increase in good results. Try a Lawnmower Goby instead for the time being but prevention is much better. Emerald crabs are usually nocturnal also.

[@bestplans9051]

The green hair algae is usually from too much white light or sunlight and overfeeding, also possibly too long of a light schedule? Check your water chemistry with a good test kit (API is fine). My tank is only 36 gal bowfront and my skimmer is rated for 75 - 100 gallons and does an excellent job. I used the same size skimmer years ago for my 90 gallon salt/reef and it worked equally as well pulling out good (nasty) skimmate.

[@johnaitken7430]

Nice work on the floor....place looking good...funny the contrast between kitchen where you have been camping out I suspect and the rest of the room...thankyou for info on protein skimmers. Might have to convert one of our evo tanks to salt. The technology has sure advanced to make small salt systems much more realistic long term propositions. Used to be only big tanks succeeded.

[@pecktec]

+John Aitken yeah it will be neat to see what it does.

[@infamousnyc8609]

Best thing to do with all that hair algae is as follows, from my own experience.. pick up a saltwater test kit and also pick up the reef test kit, the reef test kits allows you to test for calcium, alkalinity, phosphates, nitrate. Keep you lighting on a timer from about 6-8 hours. Get the snails I mentioned in the other comment, and do 50% water change around every 5 days or so, or until parameters are reading in an acceptable range. The reason I say to ditch the sponge and Bio balls is because all of your BB in literally in your live rock and live sand( it really is that much different from a fresh water stand point) I personally would have and have cycled my tank with NO filter media, adding in the filter floss and chemi pure blue after my test results were in range. Sorry for the rant but I just no the struggle and what a struggle it can be especially in a small tank. Don't give up! And wait till you get bit by the coral bug! Lol ohhhh boy !

[@Iamadrummer]

I thought you were going to put in a big tank for the wall next to the fireplace. You can use a protein skimmer in freshwater, it is just not needed. The proteins it removes are more harmful for saltwater fish than fteshwater fish. The harmful proteins build up faster in saltwater than in freshwater. If you do not want to use a protein skimmer in saltwater you will need to do 2-3 times more water changes. In freshwater you generally are doing water changes before the proteins get bad so a skimmer is not needed. Also in freshwater if you have plants they are utilizing these proteins removing them from the tank.

[@pecktec]

+Jeff Frank still working out what tank to get.

[@kg2nc]

The floor looks great. I've watch a lot of saltwater set up on KZbin and they say the protein skimmer takes a few weeks to get broken in. I've seen people use a toothbrush for that algae it just sticks to the brush. Thanks for sharing.

[@pecktec]

+Ruben yeah I keep hearing that about the tooth brush. We will give it a go.

[@EyeoftheWhiteWolf]

The floors look nice! I can't wait to see the whole thing completed with new paint & tanks! I'm sure the saltwater tank will come out looking amazing once the algae has settled down. I don't think I could do saltwater, at least not now...so I'll live vicariously through you guys lol (fingers crossed for a future clown fish!). I ordered a sticker from teespring! I've always loved that design because I love steampunk too! I would have ordered a shirt, but times have been tough money wise...maybe next paycheck if they're still available!

[@pecktec]

+Amy P. Hey thanks Amy the second one with the stickers and other things will go on perpetually. It just restarts every 3 days. I'll do a store on there when I get more designs.

[@FishPieTV]

Floor looks great pecktec! Going to look great with the tanks in

[@pecktec]

+FishPie can't wait!

[@shadowofthestarsdespair]

Freshwater doesn't have enough viscosity. Thier are additives that can make it work on fresh water like api stress conditioner with aloe.... the aloe makes these water for subseptibal to foaming. Also freshwater ater doesn't use it because of the co2 exchange is bad for plants

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

Floors look excellent great update

[@pecktec]

+COOPER'S CICHILDS thanks!

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

pecktec i finally got mine an 13.5 evo salt water tank i put mollies in mine just for a bit i also have this skimmer how long did u wait before u added it

[@Crybaby-Media]

Hey man, I know this is an old video but I’m trying to see if this will fit in my overflow. The dimensions online seem way off- list 65 cm high. Do you mind measuring the overflow of the tank you put this in if you still have it? Or the unit itself?

[@PecktecGames]

Hey there! I don't have it in front of me now but I cant imagine it being longer that 20-30cm. Its just a little bigger than my hand. Oh at 3:32 I say its 10 inches in height. Man I wish someone had told me how dumb that beard was.

[@jodia7435]

Hi pecktec, I got the same 13.5 fluval Evo aquarium. It's been 6 months I bought that skimmer and I still can't manage its use. My aquarium is new so it get's nasty very quickly, lots of diatoms. The skimmer does absolutely nothing. It makes a lot of noise, it's running and making bubbles for days. The collecting cup is always neat.... while my aquarium is dirty. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'd appreciate your help.

[@pecktec]

She didn’t end up using it very long as it was loud in her bed room.

[@bestplans9051]

They're absolute junk. If you're lucky you may get a few months out of it at best but then the cup will leak and you'll be constantly adjusting it with very little actual skimmate being produced.

[@seanmcnally7333]

had one for six months had no problems with it at all, maybe because I am using a external filter with 5 trays of filter media and a booster containing only sponges. To state these skimmers are junk is a unfair assessment.

[@Leigh33]

Turn your lights off for a few days and black the tank out. Nothing in there will be harmed apart from algae phsychaddelicbabe recently made a good video on algae removal.. check it out buddy.

[@pecktec]

+DrOfWelshMagic she is great I'll have to pop over for a look.

[@christopherthomson1978]

what did you put in the filter chamber instead of biological filtration if you are using live rock instead?

[@CrazyAquariumGuy]

You should get a custom made 160-220 gallon. I have 2 custom made aquariums. It's really cool to choose the measurements your self! :-)

[@pecktec]

+Zacks Tanks Crazy Aquarium Guy where did you get them from? I'm discovering the pre made ones are hard to get.

[@CrazyAquariumGuy]

pecktec I live in Sweden. So not much help for you where I got mine. But send an e-mail to Aquarium Co-op. He knows where you could get one. 👍

[@Mr.Glitch]

The house is beautiful!! With regard to the protein skimmer, have you seen any signs of microbubbles in the water? I tried one of these and I'm not sure if it was a design flaw, or just a broken skimmer that was leaking bubbles.

[@pecktec]

+The Glitch I noticed it had a little sponge to help prevent that. But no I haven't seen any.

[@pecktec]

+The Glitch I noticed it had a little sponge to help prevent that. But no I haven't seen any.

[@Jtone_philthy_aquatics]

I have the same exact issue right now

[@nickfel7434]

New angled toothbrush with stiff bristles will get that algae off. Don't use carbon, use GFO in that media bag. It will give you better Phosphate control. Great Video PeckTec

[@philliprash6301]

Hey hope all is well , I also have a evo 13.5 I'm 9 weeks in with great success. I upgraded to a hydro pump with 200 gpm suggested by lfs .also my fluvial skimmer motor failed after a few mins so after much searching I found the Aquaticlife mini 115 is a perfect fit.Cpr makes a small media reactor that fits in middle section.great for a carbon gfo blend

[@dannyboii9117]

I really want a saltwater tank once again xD... Not sure how big but I quite like your daughter's tank :o.

[@richardwalker4220]

Just setting up 15g shallow marine tank!

[@richardwalker4220]

Just setting up a 15g shallow reef tank!

[@joec2174]

It removes nutrients before they turn into the nitrogen cycle and produce resultant high nitrates and phosphates .

[@Shane_Kiel]

Great video for sure. If I can offer you a tip for your videos in the futures. When I clicked on your video I wanted to watch your review on the skimmer. What I didn’t want was an update on you moving (not to be insensitive). I just ended up skipping the video until I found the protein skimmer. Being that I haven’t seen your videos before, I found it confusing why you were showing us random things and not the skimmer. Maybe it’d be better to add an update at the end of the video. But again, great video. Thank you.

[@pecktec]

Permission to skip at will granted. I do small updates on my life when major events happen. Lol wait till you find the clone videos. Super annoying... enjoy! :)

[@Whiskey5-0]

I suggest getting some blue leg hermits and trochus snails. They will helps clean up the algae and eat the un eaten food.

[@pecktec]

+Jeff Kostedt good call

[@grock31]

love that space. wow the possibilities lol

[@pecktec]

+G Dee Cichlids pretty exciting!

[@Daemiex]

ditch the gravel is top of the list, light is probably bad spectrum and too intense, where did you get the rock that looks to be leeching phosphate too

[@kristopherlandmeier2740]

I know this comment is way late and it is probably already come to your attention, but in case it hasn't, be sure that you are not topping off with tap water. That is the quickest way to grow algae in a saltwater tank. You need to use Rodi water.

[@pecktec]

We do she gets it from the shop when she buys her saltwater and months latter I’m happy to report its back on track and looking good in there.

[@parkeralwan206]

House looks amazing! And thanks for making the evo video!!

[@pecktec]

+Parker Alwan thanks!

[@JJJOOSSHHH]

Is this tank still up and running? How is the protein skimmer working?

[@JHAquatics]

I need one of those for my brackish eel tank.

[@Mateo-he9qk]

Can't unsee that dance......HAHA!

[@cbdislife2514]

i would just wait for the emerald crab to eat it all, he will. if you cant' wait, dont put all those algae spores in the water column, this can make it worse, instead, next time you do a water change, take that piece of live rock out and put it in a bucket. use a toothbrush (new one) to brush it off , shake it good, then put it back in the tank. this way the algae and spores go out with the dirty water.

[@TylerOstergaard]

Is that a wood like tile we installed that in our house a year ago and love

[@pecktec]

+Tyler yes it is. We love it too.

[@Towert7]

Hope to see more of the saltwater tank!

[@thekillermef]

what fish do you have?

[@infamousnyc8609]

Get rid of the big sponge and Bio rings, it's not needed and can definitely become problematic later on. Go with just filter floss and chemi pure blue. And monitor calcium and alkalinity. Get some turbo snails and ninja star snails. No hermit crabs

[@pecktec]

+inFamous Nyc what's wrong with hermit crabs?

[@infamousnyc8609]

pecktec nothing wrong with them but if you mix with snails they will possibly kill the snails to take their shells. In my experience, the snails do much more quality work as a clean up crew, but that's from my own experience and opinion.

[@jettechristensen4014]

i love couches with cup holders.

[@everythingaquariums7050]

pick up a small bag of gfo, it will help w algae from returning once those crabs help you.

[@1dowsey]

Everything Aquariums gfo ?

[@danielfisher6501]

Can this be used for goldfish in fresh water ??

[@jenifferrodriguez9904]

Just wanted to mention how beautiful your hands and nails are for a man 😊 and thanks for a great video also .

[@tudoemaisalgumacoisa2743]

I think you need to increase the water flow and add some turbo snails. If I were you, with all that live rock I would take out the ceramics and the sponge. In my opinion not good for reef tanks. ;)

[@pecktec]

+Tudo e mais alguma coisa what do you put in there if you remove the sponge?

[@tudoemaisalgumacoisa2743]

pecktec two options: nothing and I would have more flow or if the phosphates are high a little bag with phosphate remover. On the reef tanks I never use filter like fresh water. The bacteria will be in the live rock. It is all we need. :)

[@pecktec]

+Tudo e mais alguma coisa thanks that's pretty interesting. So you mainly remove it for flow? I mean if it's not needed it makes sense. I wondered about maybe a refugium.

[@tudoemaisalgumacoisa2743]

pecktec yes bigger flow will help with the algae problem. If it gets light a refugium it as good idea. The macro algae will help to keep the nutrients low (together with the weekly water changes).

[@Mr.Glitch]

I'd swap the sponge for either a phosphate remover, or just a load of live rock rubble. Sponge tends to just act as a huge nitrate factory in reef tanks unless you change it every other day.

[@wesleyallen5312]

How did you get the lid to stay one? mine always wants to lift up

[@pecktec]

+Wesley allen well it fits on two ways. I turned it the opposite way I had it in the beginning and the hose tightness helped instead of working against me.

[@markcena3745]

Where do you buy your aquarium supplies and tanks?

[@pecktec]

+Mark Cena my local fish store mostly.

[@davidperrin1675]

Can you use that tank for fresh water ?it would be interesting and use skimmer

[@rinzl3rs349]

Protein skimmers do not work in fresh water.

[@MissCandyTattoo]

Love the shirt!!

[@raymondgoodman9148]

as tec as you are --- i figured you'd do a projector for TV needs ... leaving more room for tanks!

[@pecktec]

+raymond goodman I can't get it dark enough. And I love those cool robot arms that hold the tvs. :)

[@raymondgoodman9148]

when the robots take over they will thank you ... your channel is great! cheers!

[@pecktec]

+raymond goodman thanks!

[@mgk2020]

I was going to pass on the shirts... until I saw that sexy Instagram pose. Bought 5. 😂

[@one234569and10]

get a couple cleaner shrimp as well, might help.

[@kingdougie80]

Nothing about fish or movies. But are you being smoked out from the BC fires??

[@kingdougie80]

chees e I'm from Nanaimo it's pretty think here.

[@kingdougie80]

chees e you have to get Donald trump to build those walls faster 😂

[@pecktec]

+Mr. Douglas I haven't noticed anything yet.

[@Teo-ji8he]

Get a couple turbo snails, they will eat all that up

[@ethanlin9925]

Turn off the lights since the tank is still cycling

[@pecktec]

+Aquarium Chaos yeah they aren't on much but I guess there's no reason to have them on. Except to look at algae.

[@lukedenton483]

pecktec oh lord you leave lights on whilst cycling your tank as you know you got through cycles if you leave them off cycle the tank bacteria will be good then boom algae all over

[@lukedenton483]

Have them on as you normally would

[@ryanwilson5936]

Luke Denton Beneficial bacteria doesn't need light to develop. Light doesn't dictate the nitrogen cycle because it's not a photosynthetic process.

[@parkeralwan206]

I would definitely say you could add coral now and some inverts... it should definitely be fine now. And whenever I start a new tank I go ahead and dose bacteria to go along with it to speed the process up.

[@pauldeacon5615]

Hi Pecktec! you know the Fluval flex! can it be used as a marine tank please?? 😀

[@stoneybrotha7540]

You but it needs modified slightly. Also if you ever changed your mind to make a reef tank you'll need to ghetto rig up a new lighting system as that light isn't strong enough to support coral growth. It's easier to buy the EVO as it can be used for both marine and reef.

[@geo-6964]

What kind of fish was that in the vid?

[@kingcodien7386]

I cant find anything anywer would this fit in the flual flex please??

[@pecktec]

Yes I think it will. Almost the exact same in the back. But we found this not to be that great.

[@kashbrown603]

Leave the lights off for 2 weeks you should get rid of algae

[@narcissisticcapitalist1842]

What color are your walls, look great 👍

[@pecktec]

It’s a sort of beige color.

[@Vacublaster1]

Informative video, thank you. One point Algae is 'al gee', not 'al jee'.

[@Beerme-pl2ml]

No it’s Algae

[@donovandel416]

"i won this couch" haha

[@musicalmarion]

Aren't you meant to take the T shirt OFF ?... you ruined that sequence : )

[@pecktec]

+musicalmarion I was afraid I would break the camera or the internet.

[@ramenorwhatever]

Does it fit inside a 15g Fluval Flex?

[@pecktec]

Yes

[@hightidecorals7941]

So, i can ramble on about SW all day, however in short... after your cycle its normal to see an initial diatom, starts brown..works its way to green hair algae... even sometimes you'll see a cyano bloom.. while a Emerald crab is decent algae eater they're more known for bubble algae control.. you want to load up on snails and blue leg hermit crabs.. they'll get rid of that algae in a matter of days.. maybe focus on Spiny star snails, trochus... probably not Turbo's...they get large.. also hermit crabs...provide plenty of shell for them to switch into or they will hunt down your snails.. kill them, eat them, and inhabit there shell!

[@hightidecorals7941]

also please disregard comments saying to put Phosphate remover..save your money...if you're using RODI water in a new tank...there is no phosphate...your system is getting adjusted to the light.. everybody goes through the first diatom bloom, 100% of the time. 4-6 trochus or spiny as mentioned, maybe 4-5 hermits.. it'll be gone in no time.. i can assure you.

[@pecktec]

+Richard Seguin thanks I passed all this down to KP.

[@Shloppie]

Hey man, dope couch.

[@dannyboii9117]

Does da crab have a name :P? His friend Gucci is pretty kewl x).

[@dannyboii9117]

or her * xD

[@pecktec]

+boop da snoot he does but I couldn't remember it. Maybe KP will comment.

[@mountainhobbit1971]

uh yeah.....this video gives a whole new meaning to being 'too sexy for your shirt'! ;-) You should have played that song during your modeling debut!

[@pecktec]

+Sean Meister lol next time!

[@doragon3329]

Why the first chamber?

[@videocraze95]

only place that it fits

[@doragon3329]

Ryan R oh ok.

[@bigbowlowrong4694]

2:31 for cat

[@coreyorr4206]

Gotta get a good clean up crew

[@pecktec]

She is rocken' some snail now. Helps a lot.

[@stinkydinkyblinkytheclownf4493]

👍😁👍

[@shadbonen]

Have to say I subscribeed immediately after the sexy instagram poses think I might have to add this to my channels videos 🤣

[@walterotiepka1460]

I use a toothbrush to scrub algae off

[@pecktec]

+walter otiepka cool

[@christopherwetzel5544]

walter otiepka do NOT use a toothbrush! The bacteria on your live rock is key to saltwater keeping, you scrubbing algae off will scrub the live rock too. DO NOT or you will kill your best filtration.

[@bobwright8789]

Man, everything about that skimmer screams cheap, cheap, cheap. The shape of the neck will pop the bubbles prematurely. The saltwater will also ruin those suction cups after a short time😕

[@joec2174]

He didn’t use the suction cups. The skimmer does the intended job for this application.

[@bobwright8789]

@@joec2174 it may do the job, but there are definitely better nano skimmers out there that would do a better job

[@joec2174]

@@bobwright8789 yes but don’t complicate things . I had a 250 dollar eshops on my 60 salt tank. It had constant adj issues. So I bought a new aqua max 1.5. I hooked it up and due to copd was in the hospital. After two weeks I came home to find four gallons on the floor . The clowns but the silencer inside the skimmer body and 1/4 of it was submerged. Salt creep happened and clogged the pump air intake tube. The skimmer water level rose to the point of the cutout for the inlet and wa la instant flood.

[@bobwright8789]

@@joec2174 man that’s a bummer sounds like you may want to stick with a stock skimmer then.

[@joec2174]

@@bobwright8789 they actually sent me a remote external silencer.

[@ThylineTheGay]

Heeeeellloooo fish keepers!

[@4thGloryMonday]

i use a tooth brush for hair algae

[@pecktec]

+4thGloryMonday ahh ok sounds like it would work.

[@christopherwetzel5544]

pecktec scrubbing your live rock with a toothbrush will get rid of more than just algae, would not recommend that method. Your live rock is ALIVE per say and scrubbing with a toothbrush would destroy the good stuff that's growing on it.

[@pecktec]

+Christopher Wetzel I hear ya Chris. I'll probably just help her black it out before I get into all that.

[@isaiahdial9262]

Get a tuxedo sea urchin

[@pandapug2260]

turn off the lights for 2 days'

[@vinceshrimp2262]

rip gucci

[@STLFANSS]

Turn off dem lights while cycling O_O

[@pecktec]

+Nomad ahh ok

[@joec2174]

And alge

[@gmacisbac7]

like the video, very funny.

[@pecktec]

+Gary Montgomery thanks!

[@bballjizzo]

That sexy dance made my day!

[@whatif9858]

Lol

[@thomasyoung1685]

Yam

[@tommyboy5730]

Is this Tom greens dad? Lol jk

[@pecktec]

We are the same age. 😝

[@TedSpacey]

@10.00 ... highly arousing 😉

[@AlejandroMartinez-up9lq]

Useless crap equipment. I get you’re sponsored by them but this thing should’ve never made it to market. They should be embarrassed

[@vicaroo001]

*dying* @ pouty sexy footage

[@pecktec]

+Vicki K :) :@

[@265petsar]

Not interested in your house

[@pecktec]

🖕🏻

[@ryantaylor380]

that tank looks disgusting

[@pecktec]

🖕🏻

[@tinybudgie8039]

First