Building a NANO Reef Aquarium Part 5 , Fluval EVO 13.5, Filter media.

[@rwj5954]

I really like your approach to constructing a NANO reef. I have checked out so many reef pages on KZbin and finally I have found one that emphasizes a sensible and patient approach. Looking forward to learning more.

[@sharonwhalen4250]

I want to thank you. I want to buy this tank as my first salt water tank. I have learned so much from watching your videos. They have not only explained the what for each thing, but also the why.

[@mattlibby9593]

Just want to say thank you for such an informative series, you mentioned in the last video about being long winded but I’m sure many people watching this enjoy that you take the time to explain why we do the things we do with our aquariums

[@manufacturer3602]

Nice to see someone still using the foam block, I was getting disheartened by all the mods, kind of ruins the point in an all in one system! Picking mine up soon, will be visiting this channel more!

[@wez1987ful]

Just bought mine I get it tomorrow can't wait to get it up and running

[@harlanmichael7088]

Thanks for the advice!

[@Rolex-s1f]

My advice to anyone wanting to upgrade the filter media would be to use Bio home ultimate marine! Truly amazing results and not that expensive £15ish for 1kg which is plenty for this system,I’ve also bought the intank media baskets allowing me to get rid of all but 1inch of the sponge provided.

[@UrbanBotanical140]

sound advice its the best sintered glass media on the market, although the price is getting a bit out of hand these days.

[@megyockey5730]

Thank you so much for this series! I have been transfixed on this. My fiancé and I have the same tanks. I am relatively new to saltwater, he’s been into it for a couple years. Mine was initially freshwater, but after he converted his reef to a combined system with macro algaes, I had to switch and try it out because I thought it was so beautiful. When I saw your series I made him watch it, and afterwards we spent last weekend looking for live rock in Houston. Which was very difficult because of the trade ban with Fuji. We found some that although anemic looking we figured would do us a bit of good and added it to our tanks. Mine has no livestock yet as I’m picky about inhabitants but your series makes me extremely excited for the process.

[@UrbanBotanical140]

That is so nice to hear meghan its lovely to have you both on board. You can usually get live rock by mail order via the internet. Australian rock seems popular in the states at the moment and Indonesia has just come back online.

[@megyockey5730]

The Practical Reefkeeper yes but it’s very expensive! Not that our tanks are really budget builds, but I have thought about since we are so close to the coast, the benefit of possibly seeding some rocks in the reefs near us for a future build 🤔 too risky?

[@UrbanBotanical140]

@@megyockey5730 That depends Meghan would it be actual rock or coral skeleton, (sorry im not familiar with your coast line) it really should be reef rubble to have the desired effect, and be in an area that if as free as possible from pollution.

[@megyockey5730]

The Practical Reefkeeper it would be reef rubble. But yeah the pollution may be a problem as it is the Gulf of Mexico 🤔 maybe I’ll do this as a stand alone experiment and put no fish or corals in the system but study the micro fauna after 6 months or a year of being left on the reef here.

[@trevordix3295]

Each week is getting better

[@gutsydating4711]

Hi, when will you be doing video on updating the media & pump? Thanks

[@PharaohNai]

Thanks for a new video! Got my first fire shrimp todayy

[@UrbanBotanical140]

Ha what did you get?

[@PharaohNai]

The Practical Reefkeeper i have 2 clowns (they were fighting a lot at first but now they are fine) I also got a leather coral and a zoa garden. I am now terrified because I saw a video that says Zoas will release a toxin that may kill you, so I might get rid of it soon. But thats all I have in my tank for now (in addition to that fire shrimp)

[@UrbanBotanical140]

@@PharaohNai Dont worry about Zoanthids Pharaoh, ive never actually heard a first hand account of any one been harmed by Zoanthids. Just wash your hands thoroughly whenever they have been in the tank as a precaution, and enjoy them!

[@PharaohNai]

The Practical Reefkeeper thats calming to hear! Thanks a lot sir

[@pamkonen8593]

Have you done a video on upgrading the back chamber media?

[@hangoutwithdeggers]

Hi , great series , could I ask please .... No phosphate remover ?? People swear by ‘Chemipure Blue’ , would u not recommend this ? .... thanks 😊

[@chrisdabestlad]

Really informative video. Would you say the stock lights on the fluval 13.5 would be sufficient to keep rock flower anemones?

[@UrbanBotanical140]

I dont see why not Chris!

[@TheHaldenbys]

Would there be anything u can put in the first chamber seems its empty? Could u put more crushed rock and media in to help with filtration? Seems like a waist of space if not using it. Thanks

[@UrbanBotanical140]

yes you can fill it with small pieces of live rock rubble.

[@jamesparker754]

Other than aesthetic reasons, is there any problem using a standard glass cube 10g with a small internal filter stocked as suggested in your rear sump? Also, would a fluval aquasky 12w (non-Marine specific variant) be adequate for easy soft corals?

[@UrbanBotanical140]

Id rather not comment on that James this series relates to the Fluval Evo and dont want to cloud the issue.

[@crazywidowmaker]

Ah Haaaah it's Alan Partridge on aquariums

[@joeslipper290]

Really love the videos! Are you going to use a skimmer?

[@UrbanBotanical140]

no I wont be using a skimmer

[@jamiebourne5594]

I am watching with interest as I started this tank in January after many years keeping fresh water fish. I don't want to be running carbon but every time I remove it the tank has a slight odour. Any advice would be appreciated.

[@UrbanBotanical140]

It might be that the actual filter media has not colonised properly due to the carbon starving as described in the video. what sort of smell are you talking about?

[@BlueMacer76]

So ... This system can be supported with a basic filter system? Ie Mechanical (filter floss) and biological (ceramic media) alone?? If a media basket was to be used for example.

[@UrbanBotanical140]

Theoretically yes but in practice I wouldn't recommend it.

[@BlueMacer76]

The Practical Reefkeeper , Why would you not recommend it? If for example I bought a media basket for chamber one what would you recommend starting from the top of the basket ... I’d use chamber 2 for my bio media (1litre Ceramic rings) would you recommend using some sponge ?

[@UrbanBotanical140]

@@BlueMacer76 if im reading your original comment correctly Macer you dont intend using liverock? Thats how we used to do it 30 years ago, and long term its doomed to crash!

[@BlueMacer76]

The Practical Reefkeeper I will be using live sand and live rock naturally , it’s that I have invested in the media baskets for both chambers of this particular tank and wanted the best advise on how to stack them with media for best results? I have reserved chamber 2 for a 1 litre of siporax and there is 3 shelf’s for the media basket in chamber 1, I was going to keep it simple with filter floss and more bio media but should i be using a sponge of some description? Stocking would be 2 clowns, so low and softy’s corals. I’ve already invested in a new return pump with higher output for turnover and a 100w heater. My tank is still dry at this time as I’m not ready to start. And nearly forgot I will be adding Bacteria 🦠 mainly into the chambers to give the bio media a good chance to host bacteria. I won’t be using carbon or any other chemical media to begin with unless it’s advised to but the plan it to keep it simple for the first 3-4 months with the lights off and away from any sunlit areas.

[@UrbanBotanical140]

@@BlueMacer76 Ah right yes of course I use one myself. I would stay clear of filter sponges in a reef tank. some poly filter to strain out particles where the water enters your filter will help prevent it from clogging. and as much ceramic filter media or sintered glass media as you can cram in to the basket.

[@manuel600073127]

How tall and wide is it?

[@jamanemaraashollington8760]

Mine is 2 days into cycling.

[@paulcarwtright3516]

so what are we saying here, no carbon, no phosphate remover, no nitrate remover, just fluval biomax / ceramic media??? biological filtration media ONLY????

[@stuartfillingham7011]

Yeah I'm pretty sure that's what I said. It's a live rock system! Strictly speaking it doesnt even need the biological media!

[@HasimFN]

You dont replace that filtermedia it has all tbe bacteria on it lol

[@stuartfillingham7011]

Yes you do replace filter media as it only has a finite lifespan. End result if you don't is old tank syndrome. All filter media should be replaced yearly. Changing a half at a time at six month intervals.