Fluval 13.5 Evo / Sugar Hill

[56cbr600rr]

Thought I’d post occasional updates here. Show growth and maybe ask questions as problems arise.

Tank is my daughters mostly, however I sit in front of it and just watch often.

tank as of now has been set up about a month.

April 12. Birthday.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Approximately a week later. After a visit to Nemo’s in Duluth.


And after my first purchase from a member here who has really helped get things stocked.

 

[56cbr600rr]

And tonight, After another local (forum member) purchase. After this, I will let things settle and run it’s course. I’ve probably been to “full speed ahead” as it is. Just anxious to have color and movement within the tank.

 

[56cbr600rr]

And lastly. My first “issue”.

Of all the things having problems it is should be pretty easy. As of the last 5-6 Days my green hairy mushroom seems deflated. Color seems off as well.

was curious if it was maybe too much light? Doubtful. It’s just the stock Fluval lighting... Current maybe? I believe my parameters are in order. Ammonia 0. Nitrate id say 5ppm. Salinity maybe was slightly high for a day or two.. nothing crazy. Temp. 78-ish.




Any ideas?

Tonight I did move it somewhat under the cave to a more shoadowy broken light area.

20 years ago I had one go all brown jelly on me and would be nice to keep this one healthy

 

[56cbr600rr]

Just though of something.. the issues with the green hairy mushroom was around the same time the tank started the diatom bloom phase. That is pretty much over now however.

 

[ZapataInc]

Just though of something.. the issues with the green hairy mushroom was around the same time the tank started the diatom bloom phase. That is pretty much over now however.

Just give it time is what I would say. @ActiveAngel might know.

 

[ActiveAngel]

What are your parameters and what are you using to test? The main ones I’m looking for in this case are Temp and Salinity, but since you said nitrates are about 5ppm, let’s also include those. And just to clarify, you are not dosing anything, correct?

small tanks are difficult because salinity and temp are difficult to keep stable. These two parameters are the cause for the majority of issues in small and big tanks, as they are the two ‘vital’ parameters with keeping a reef tank.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Hi. Okay, so definitely not dosing anything. Truthfully not 100% sure what my salinity is. I’ll explain… I’m using my old hydrometer from 20 years ago. But what I’m doing is checking my salinity from my store bought water and keeping my water in line With that # according to the hydrometer. Sidenote, picking up at refractor today.

temp is set at 78 and rises to around 80 during the day most days.

test kits are API, which I am now hearing and reading are not the cream of the crop.

results from Monday night:


also for a reference in the span of a week I’m seeing growth on my Palt’s and jungle juice Zoan’s.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Awesome. Good. Good. Good.

Hydrometers are faulty by design, even if they are brand new. They have a multitude of inherent errors; and they work best when the errors cancel each other out... which isn’t always the case. The Refractometer will steer you correctly. Just ensure that you calibrate it.

The mushroom could also be pissed due to temperature. I’ve found that mushrooms are often the first ones to get pissed when temperature gets over 79*F, so at 80* everyday, that could be a contributing factor. If you can lower that range 1-2*F, it will likely help... even 77*-79*F should be much better than 78-80*F. However, I acknowledge that other people have other experiences and opinions.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Thanks for the advice, I will surely lower my heater levels when I get home. Probably not a bad idea anyways with the upcoming Summer heat. Mine does intervals of 2 degrees, so I'll lower it to the 76 degree mark.

Leave the mushroom where it is now under a "cliff" getting very indirect light for the time being?

Awesome. Good. Good. Good.

Hydrometers are faulty by design, even if they are brand new. They have a multitude of inherent errors; and they work best when the errors cancel each other out... which isn’t always the case. The Refractometer will steer you correctly. Just ensure that you calibrate it.

The mushroom could also be pissed due to temperature. I’ve found that mushrooms are often the first ones to get pissed when temperature gets over 79*F, so at 80* everyday, that could be a contributing factor. If you can lower that range 1-2*F, it will likely help... even 77*-79*F should be much better than 78-80*F. However, I acknowledge that other people have other experiences and opinions.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Just went to my reef shop. He said they usually have salinity around 1.24 on the water I buy there.

Will check in myself later with the new refractometer. Also, I will pick up a second old school thermometer later to verify the temp from the heater's controls

 

[56cbr600rr]

Picked up a refractometer. Best I can tell
It is showing 1.026. Is this a little high or about right?

also, temp was 79 at 7:30.

and lastly. Installed a RFG By VCA. Pretty cool item really. Have a Eheim 1000 due in Thursday as well.

 

[kullas]

Picked up a refractometer. Best I can tell
It is showing 1.026. Is this a little high or about right?

also, temp was 79 at 7:30.

and lastly. Installed a RFG By VCA. Pretty cool item really. Have a Eheim 1000 due in Thursday as well.

1.026 is not bad. Most I believe runs at 1.025. Not hard to do just take outa quart of salt water and add rodi to it until you hit the 025. But 026 I'd not out of range

 

[56cbr600rr]

 

[56cbr600rr]

Update: temp is slightly lower. 76 as a low with a few degree increase on warmer days. Salinity is now stable at 1.025 with the refractometer. Hairy green mushroom is at a new all time smaller size.

Everything else is doing great with rapid growth on the Jungle Juice, Pandora Paly, and Nirvana.

 

[hzheng33]

So many familiar pieces. Happy to see the tank filling in nicely

 

[56cbr600rr]

Thank you. Loving it so far! Especially the Jungle Juice, looks great under the blues. Thanks for help with getting it stocked.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Another update. Added the RFG with the Eheim Compacton 1000 pump. It’s 2/3 up and might be a little too much flow... not really sure. Happy with the power of the unit. It is quite a bit louder than the stock Fluval pump however, so it might go back. Any decent, similar, quiet pumps I should consider?

Also, with the help of several ARC members the tank and is filling up nicely. Would like to eventually move some of the corals up a little higher in the tank, just not sure which ones yet.

 

[56cbr600rr]

 

[56cbr600rr]

Will update with pics here soon.

Rethinking some items... the large arch for instance. Whats peoples thoughts on this. Am I giving up (shading) space that I can do something better with?

Also, most things are growing rather 4 rapidly. Jungle Juice is the most aggressive growth I have atm..

Love the RFG. Not happy with the Eheim 1000. Thinking of picking up the Jebao DCS-1200. Anyone with experience with that brand?

Also, upgrading lighting today as well.