fluval edge mod

sphelps · #1 03-03-2011, 02:38 PM

Also I suggest you do a simple test to determine if the tank can handle the flow appropriately. Fill the tank will water and place the desired substrate in it. Use a maxi-jet 1200 or equivalent power head placed in the tank and see if you can direct the flow in such a manner so the substrate doesn't get too disturbed and remains level and evenly distributed.

claymax · #2 03-03-2011, 07:06 PM

yes i will definitely check and make sure that the substrate stays put, i dont think it would take too much to turn that little tank into a giant cloud of dust, ive read up a tiny bit on substrates, no one seems too crazy about the crushed coral substrate, mostly cause of the lack of surface area compared to fine sand, and there were some complaints about debris being trapped in there, should i rule the option out? is it really much worse than sugar sized aragonite etc?

and im not a crazy flow monster, im just an amateur reefer who doesnt understand limits

sphelps · #3 03-03-2011, 07:33 PM

I use crushed coral in the edge and prefer it to fine sand but it's personal preferance but it is obviously better for higher flow tanks.

claymax · #4 03-03-2011, 07:51 PM

how do you do with nutrient export on yours? do you run a large skimmer, massive water changes, or run a nice fuge? or a combination of these things.

sphelps · #5 03-03-2011, 08:00 PM

No skimmer or fuge. I use a wet-dry system in a modified canister filter and do monthly water changes of around 25%. I only have one goby and a ribbon eel with the corals so I don't feed that often, around 2-3 times a week. Tank is too small IMO for stuff like skimmers and refugiums.

claymax · #6 03-03-2011, 08:50 PM

well that sounds rather low maintenance! i was on the fence about a skimmer. my bio load will be a damsel, clown, a hermit and a mexican turbo snail, im hoping it wont be too much bioload.

but those ribbon eels are too scary, im not getting one

sphelps · #7 03-03-2011, 08:57 PM

Yeap super low maintenance and everything is doing well. Your bio-load sounds fine but I would recommend a wet-dry system as well as they are probably the most effective filtration. They don't work for larger setups due to nitrate build up but nitrate is easily managed in such a small tank. If you go SPS you'll have to kick up the water changes to weekly.