View Full Version : Aqueon Evolve 8
Kentech5
02/16/2013, 03:51 PM
First post: Just the basic equipment on my new nano reef. Don't have room for a regular saltwater tank and I have quite a bit of small scale freshwater experience. I've been reading through my book on nano reefs constantly and checking here a lot so I though it was time to post.
Aqueon Evolve 8 Tank
Stock pump powering custom filter floss & activated carbon filter
Marineland Single Bright LED lighting system
Blue & White 60mW LEDS. 300 lumens
Oceanic Biocube Protein Skimmer - powered by whisper 10 air pump
Marineland Maxi-Jet 400 for circulation
5 lbs Live rock from LFS
2 lbs base rock
Live sand (Nature's Ocean brand)
Nutri-seawater
I'm planning on getting a cleanup crew from reefcleaners but I'm not sure how I should get my corals. I've seen "nano reef coral sets" sold before but im not sure if those are a good idea. I would like to have a single clownfish (oscellaris) as well with an anemome surrogate.
Kentech5
02/16/2013, 05:51 PM
Not quite sure how to edit that post. I've pulled the maxi-jet. Too strong for this little tank.
TL1000RSquid
02/17/2013, 01:35 PM
I don't think the single bright is going to support many if any corals. My coworker runs a korelia nano 240 in his evolve 8.
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 02:06 PM
Any ideas on a light to supplement/replace my singlebright that will fit on an evolve 8? Or suggestions for things that do well in low lighting?
Any thoughts on the innovative marine skkye light?
My biggest problem seems to be finding a light small enough.
So it looks like I'm going to go with the beamworks reef ultra bright LED light 11".
And now I have a new concern. I'm starting to think that I have two aptasia growing on my live rock. Will post a pic soon.
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 03:57 PM
http://i.imgur.com/s1d1n5w.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZUB7VQN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GnN2akf.jpg
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 05:06 PM
http://i.imgur.com/s1d1n5w.jpg
OrQidz
02/17/2013, 06:29 PM
looks like aiptasia to me....kill 'em now while you've got the chance!
should be a fun little tank. I think mushroom corals are good place to start and they don't need a lot of light. I would get everything all cycled and the aiptasia gone first though.
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 06:38 PM
Any suggestions on the best way to kill off the aiptasia. I've read quite a few suggestions but I'm still not sure. I put the maxi jet back in just now. Just reconfigured it for a lower flow. About 100gph.
First water quality test:
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 1-2ppm
Did a 1 gallon water change just after taking these readings.
http://i.imgur.com/W3Z7qsdl.jpg
Here's the tank with the maxi jet back in. The pump looks ugly but it's what I can afford right now.
TL1000RSquid
02/17/2013, 08:02 PM
I'd try to get a koralia nano when you get the chance they're like $25 alot smaller.
Injecting the aiptasia with lemon juice works well, since your still cycling the tank you could burn them as well, little butane torch works quite well but you want to make sure you've completely turned them into a crispy critter.
The skky light I guess you mean the the little 6 or 8w clip on? I've read mixed reviews on it, my friend is running a par38 bulb over his and has a few softies and lps doing quite well.
keh9qd
02/17/2013, 08:21 PM
With a tank that small, pull the rocks out and chip them off with a flat head screw driver and a hammer. Just do a tiny chunk of rock under them to insure they are gone.
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 08:45 PM
I think I'll try the lemon juice first. The Koralia nano looks like it could be a good idea. I really like the looks of the beamswork led clip on. Looks like I'm gonna end up with some spare equipment after the new purchases but that's ok. Once the tank is cycled and I have the beamswork light should I still stick with mushroom corals? I'm still hoping this tank can support one clown when it's done but I've read conflicting opinions.
I'm still not sure if coral, the CUC, or the fish should go first once I start stocking. I'm also wondering how long this tank will need to cycle for with he live sand, live rock, and nutri seawater. Finally, I'm not sure if my protein skimmer is working correctly. I can see foam in the tube but it isn't quite reaching the collection cup.
Thanks to everyone for their time.
MrDonkey
02/17/2013, 09:04 PM
Just set up the evolve8 as well. Finished about 15 minutes ago. In the process of looking for a skimmer now. Let me know how yours works. Are you thinking about replacing the stock pump? Right now, I am undecided...
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 09:13 PM
I feel like the stock pump has been working well for me so far. The skimmer I have now has a lot of mixed reviews. When I first put it in it was foaming like crazy but now the foam isn't reaching the collection cup. My main issue has been picking the right lighting bi should have done more research because now I'm going to be buying my second light for this tank.
MrDonkey
02/17/2013, 09:20 PM
I picked up a Deep Blue Professional - SolarFlare 115 5x3W Clamp on LED. I like the design of it but had to get a different AC wall adapter. The stock one does not put out enough power.
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 09:23 PM
Are you using any heater. I have mine in but the tank seems to be maintaining 78 degrees without it.
MrDonkey
02/17/2013, 09:24 PM
I have a 50W heater. I keep the house kind of cold so it is needed.
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 09:29 PM
Plans for corals/fish?
MrDonkey
02/17/2013, 09:45 PM
Nothing for certain. Leaning toward mushrooms/richorida. Haven't made up my mind if I want any fish. Still back and forth...
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 09:50 PM
I know what fish I would like to have but still no idea on corals. Something somewhat hardy.
TL1000RSquid
02/17/2013, 09:57 PM
I've seen people online keeping a clown in them, personally I think its to small, if I were to do fish in one I'd probably do something like a clown goby, some type of pistol pairing goby, or barnacle blenny.
I'm thinking about buying an evolve of my own but will probably do coral and invert's would like to do something like a maxi mini anemone, a few sexy shrimp, porcelein crab, pom pom crab.
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 10:02 PM
You're the second person to suggest a clown goby. I have a feeling you're probably right about the clownfish as much as I don't want to admit it.
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 11:10 PM
Some people have suggested peppermint shrimp for the aiptasia but I don't know if they would be good to have long term.
On a side note, is there any kind of hang on back refugium type setup that would fit this tank?
TL1000RSquid
02/17/2013, 11:28 PM
Peppermints aren't always a 100% sure thing for aiptasia. You can give it a try though if you think you'd like to have one or two in your tank, I didn't like the last pair I had they were always trying to take food from my corals.
What are you wanting a refugium for? If you want it for chaeto and a mangrove or two, you can convert an aquaclear50 to one, marina makes a little hob breeder box that can be converted too but not sure how much space you have left in the back if your heater and skimmer are back there might not have room for a pump for the marina box.
Kentech5
02/17/2013, 11:54 PM
Peppermints aren't always a 100% sure thing for aiptasia. You can give it a try though if you think you'd like to have one or two in your tank, I didn't like the last pair I had they were always trying to take food from my corals.
What are you wanting a refugium for? If you want it for chaeto and a mangrove or two, you can convert an aquaclear50 to one, marina makes a little hob breeder box that can be converted too but not sure how much space you have left in the back if your heater and skimmer are back there might not have room for a pump for the marina box.
I think I'll try lemon juice first and then the shrimp will be plan B.
I think that aquaclear50 would be perfect thank you. I'm pretty sure I've seen one at my LFS too. I was thinking chaeto. Haven't done much research into mangroves so I dont know if I wound want one. ;) You guys are all a great help and I'm already planning out my next paycheck. :)
Kentech5
02/18/2013, 12:09 AM
http://i.imgur.com/lO5gUtMl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ujDDQ3yl.jpg
I'm concerned that I might be seeing some kind of hair algae there. Sorry, it's hard to see in still pics.
Another side note. I'd like to get a new complete test kit for all parameters I will need for coral. Any recommendations?
TL1000RSquid
02/18/2013, 09:27 AM
Tough to make out any HA in the pics, I see what looks like aiptasia tentacles in one area.
What do you have now the API master saltwater kit? The tests in that kit are ok, for other testing areas I use Salifert and Redsea tests. Calcium, Phosphate, alkalinity to start with.
Kentech5
02/18/2013, 06:27 PM
Got my lemon juice. Gonna pick up a syringe tonight. I find the API tests hard to read, some of the colors are so similar. Last night I saw some kind of insect looking thing on my live rock. It was mostly clear, kind of looked like a centipede and was 1cm or so long. Couldn't get a good picture.
TL1000RSquid
02/18/2013, 08:43 PM
Possibly a pod you saw.
Yeah some of the API's can be hard to read, once your cycled and everything starts going smoothly you probably wont use the basic sw api tests you currently have very often, I test nitrates and ammonia only if I'm having a problem haven't tested ph or nitrites since I cycled my last tank.
Kentech5
02/18/2013, 09:00 PM
I'm wondering how much of a cycle I'm really going to see. Between the live sand, live rock, and bacteria in the nutri seawater I'm wondering if ill see much in the way of spikes in my ammonia, nitrites, and nitrate.
Also, I think I'm gonna go with soft corals for my tank, perhaps with sme zoanthids.
Kentech5
02/19/2013, 08:01 AM
So I lemon juiced my aiptasia. A couple are definitely dead. Will have to keep an eye out to see if any pop back out.
Kentech5
02/19/2013, 07:40 PM
Hit 2 more aiptasia that I missed then did a small water change. Thinking I will see an ammonia spike with the deaths. If I don't see any spikes I guess I can take it the cycle is going well. Still looking into what soft corals to get.
TL1000RSquid
02/19/2013, 08:00 PM
Don't think aiptasia will do much to the ammonia levels.
I'd get a nice little piece of shelf rock and do a ric garden up front.
OrQidz
02/19/2013, 10:37 PM
An aquaclear can make a nice little refugium. I have an AC70 on my 28 gal just kind for fun. With an 8 gal nano the extra water volume in a fuge is good to have. I have some sand and live rock rubble and some sort of macroalgae (not caulerpa). I don't know that it really does any significant nutrient export but it's kind of fun to watch the pods in there.
I had a biocube skimmer for awhile. It can work but took a lot of fiddling with all the time. With a small volume of water it's easy enough to do frequent small water changes so you may or may not need it. I think there are varying opinions on skimmers in nanos.
Have you watched the live rock for a bit in the dark? (with a flashlight of course). You might be suprised what's crawling around in there!
Kentech5
02/20/2013, 07:58 PM
What's a ric garden? So far all I've seen crawling around on my live rock was a little pod. It's going to be a very small fuge, just an Aquaclear 20, but im hoping a little Chaeto in it will help. My skimmer is temperamental to say the least but I'm just gonna fight with it for now.
I'd like to get another little piece of live rock but don't want to buy from my LFS. Now that I know what Aiptasia is I can see that their tanks are infested with it. Unfortunately I can't find any other local place to get live rock.
I've been looking ahead to when I can get my soft corals. AquaCorals has a nice looking 6 pack of soft coral frags. Any thoughts on getting something like that.
TL1000RSquid
02/20/2013, 08:37 PM
Ricordea's, easy to take care of not very light demanding.
Might have to go with dry rock then.
After shipping your paying about $20 per frag, which is pricey IMO for some of the stuff you may get. I have some pretty decent LFS as far as coral prices go. Check around and see if you have any local reef forums, can get good deals on frags that way.
Kentech5
02/21/2013, 06:43 AM
Finally was able to order my beamswork light. Can't wait til it's here. Found a fish store in Albany that looks pretty good. It's called Davey Jones Locker. I might get m first corals there if I like what I see when I make the trip down. My battle with Aiptasia looks like its coming to an end.
Do Ricordae not like too much light?
Kentech5
02/21/2013, 06:26 PM
Put together my little mini refugium. Now I just gotta let the silicone cure.
Kentech5
02/22/2013, 02:23 AM
Well I have my CUC all picked out. They've got a nice little packaged deal over at reef cleaners.
5 Dwarf Ceriths - small cleaners that get to the nooks and crannies. Feed on diatoms, cyano, algal detritus, and film algae. Nocturnal cleaners that leave the sandbed at night to search for food.
2 Nassarius - scavengers that will eat leftover food and some fish waste. They will stir sand, but can also be kept in bare bottom tanks.
4 Florida Ceriths - small cleaners that get to the nooks and crannies. Feed on fine hair algae, diatoms, cyano, algal detritus, and film algae. Nocturnal cleaners that leave the sandbed at night to search for food.
3 Small Nerites - We are currently offering the longer lived and quite hardy Antillean Nerite. (Nerita fulgurans). It grows to a nice size,and consumes a good deal of diatoms, cyano, algal detritus, and film algae. It will also consume some fine hair algae. A nocturnal herbivore that will feed more often at night, they tend to need some time to adjust to the limitations of the aquarium during their first week.
I'm adding an order of chaeto now I've just gotta wait and see what my water parameters are doing.
I think I am seeing my first diatom bloom now. Brownish powder everywhere.
Kentech5
02/22/2013, 10:42 PM
Checked my water parameters.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 4
Ordered my cleanup crew as I'm seeing quite a bit of algae growth and diatoms. My mini refugium will hv cured for 48 hours tomorrow and ill be attaching it along with the beamswork light I should be getting tomorrow. I have chaeto ordered for my aqua clear refugium.
Just ordered a Hydor Koralia nano to replace my awful bulky Maxi-Jet. I'll save it to maybe use it for a sump on another tank someday.
Kentech5
02/24/2013, 05:27 PM
So here's the tank with the new Beamswork LED lighting. Definitely liking the looks. That ugly maxi jet is getting replaced with a Koralia nano 425 as soon as it comes in the mai, Tuesday I hopel. Really wish there was a decent life's in the area.
Kentech5
03/09/2013, 08:09 PM
Got my first 2 corals today now that my levels have zeroed out. My zoas opened up really quick but it looks like there are two clams on that frag. I saw them when I bought it but didn't realize they were alive. Think there's any way to keep them alive?
Kentech5
03/11/2013, 01:34 AM
New corals looking pretty good now. Nice bright colors for the most part. I've changed a lot since the last pics so ill take more in the morning.
Kentech5
03/11/2013, 05:45 AM
http://i.imgur.com/UjIeODZl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cA18HyYl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Roj30vTl.jpg
Kentech5
03/12/2013, 06:17 AM
Still hunting for a skimmer I like. Any suggestions?
blackbeltmom
03/12/2013, 07:05 AM
Still hunting for a skimmer I like. Any suggestions?
You don't really need a skimmer on a tank that small. I did use the one made for the Biocubes when I had my 14 and 29, but I don't think Oceanic made one for the smaller tanks. I don't think JBJ does either. If you are concerned about oxygen in the water, you could just drop an airstone in the back compartment. I have one set up as freshwater and that is where I put the airstone for it.
If you really want a skimmer, you could probably bill one using a wooden airstone. Model it after some of the smaller ones on the market or google DIY skimmers.
Kentech5
03/12/2013, 06:07 PM
I think I'm ok for oxygenation. Plenty of surface agitation. I know a lot if people say you don't need one for a small tank but I'd prefer to.
blackbeltmom
03/12/2013, 06:15 PM
I think I'm ok for oxygenation. Plenty of surface agitation. I know a lot if people say you don't need one for a small tank but I'd prefer to.
The problem I would have with a skimmer on this tank is that I like the all in one look. The way this tank is made, I am not sure of a skimmer that will not show. The Biocube skimmer would probably fit and mine always worked well. You have to be patient until you get it adjusted correctly.
Kentech5
03/12/2013, 06:21 PM
I've read that some people switch out the adjustment knob on the tubing. My problem was I could never get the foam close to the cup.
blackbeltmom
03/12/2013, 06:46 PM
I've read that some people switch out the adjustment knob on the tubing. My problem was I could never get the foam close to the cup.
Only problem I ever had was forgetting to empty it and blowing the top off.
Kentech5
03/12/2013, 06:49 PM
I may try it again now and see if I can get it to skim properly or save it for when I get a bio cube in a couple years v
blackbeltmom
03/12/2013, 06:57 PM
I think JBJ makes one for their cube too. Never used one of those though.
Kentech5
03/12/2013, 08:10 PM
Looks pretty similar to the bicube protein skimmer.
HIM_Shepherd
03/12/2013, 08:26 PM
Don't mean to hijack, but has anyone had a problem with the Evolve8 leaking? And has anyone dealt with Aqueon's customer service before?
Kentech - love the look of the lights. I'll keep this in mind once I get a non-leaker and get mine set up!
blackbeltmom
03/12/2013, 08:33 PM
I have one set up as freshwater. It has not leaked, but it has bowed. I was told by one of the tank designers on another forum that it is bowing because it is acrylic.
Central Pet has great customer service. When I complained about the bowing and heat(the tank got up to 84 degrees) they sent me a new tank.
Also, when the thermostat went wacky in my Oceanic Chiller, they sent me two thermostats and a new control pad.
HIM_Shepherd
03/12/2013, 08:44 PM
Sweet. Glad to hear that. Exactly what I was hoping! Being in customer service myself, I HATE dealing with customer service! :)
Kentech5
03/13/2013, 12:45 AM
My tank got up to 84 when I was adjusting the heater but I have never had any bowing or leaking. I had this set up as a freshwater a few months ago. Beamswork has the same style lights in higher watts as well. I've since added a smaller blue led for my moon light so I can have it on automatically.
I've been looking into an auto top off. Any opinions on the avast marine ato?
Jonahjls
03/13/2013, 07:00 AM
Still hunting for a skimmer I like. Any suggestions?
Gnome glass mini skimmer
Kentech5
03/13/2013, 04:30 PM
Gnome glass mini skimmer
That work well? I did check out their site before.
Jonahjls
03/13/2013, 06:24 PM
That work well? I did check out their site before.
Its seems to work well for everyone that owns one. Its also small enough to fit in the sump of the 8 or clean enough to sit in the display.
Kentech5
03/13/2013, 11:01 PM
Found a shell-less hermit crab stuck in the circulation pump today, either that or a molt. Not sure what happened to it or even where its shell is.
Kentech5
03/16/2013, 12:51 AM
Other bigger hermit looks fine. My small one I can't find but it's shell looks just like all my dwarf Ceriths.
Kentech5
03/16/2013, 09:57 PM
Finally got a refractometer so I can get some real salinity readings. Glad to see my hydrometer was only about .0005 off.
Kentech5
03/24/2013, 04:06 PM
So I've been toying with the idea of adding a small sump to my tank. I don't really have the drill needed to make a hole in the back of the sump but I was also considering going with a HOB overflow from lifereef since they have good reviews.
Anyways, as far as a sump for this tank I would prefer to have as much of it pre-made as possible. I'm researching sumps now but any advice on piping and pre-made sumps would be very much appreciated.
Of course as I plan on moving in a year I may put these plans on hold until after that.
MrDonkey
03/28/2013, 06:17 PM
Are you using the stock pump still?
Kentech5
03/29/2013, 04:00 AM
Yeah I haven't switched it out and everything still seems to be doing OK with the stock pump and the Koralia Nano I added.
MrDonkey
03/29/2013, 06:34 AM
Yeah I haven't switched it out and everything still seems to be doing OK with the stock pump and the Koralia Nano I added.
Where did you place the Koralia? I had a 240 for about a week and it was way too much flow.
tangov5559
04/03/2013, 12:53 AM
any updated pictures? thanks.
Kentech5
04/03/2013, 01:37 PM
I placed it under the overflow facing the front glass.
Kentech5
05/03/2013, 05:42 PM
My tank in its current condition:
http://i.imgur.com/pA8L3f4l.jpg
Kentech5
08/01/2013, 05:17 PM
Tank photo shoot. Lost my clown, jumped in a hole in my net that has since been fixed.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/uju8ape5.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/eve7y3ap.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/ama8uvy7.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/ty9yry5u.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/udu4aqud.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/8amy5utu.jpg
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
Kentech5
08/01/2013, 05:18 PM
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/utuvuqes.jpg
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
adanielferguson
08/13/2013, 04:57 PM
are you using the light that came with your evolve?
I am looking to purchase one if you aren't.
-daniel
Kentech5
08/21/2013, 02:22 AM
No I'm not using it and unfortunately the cord was chewed through by a ferret so I have no way to plug the old light in anymore.
MrBrightside
04/10/2014, 12:05 AM
I picked up a Deep Blue Professional - SolarFlare 115 5x3W Clamp on LED. I like the design of it but had to get a different AC wall adapter. The stock one does not put out enough power.
Hey can you elaborate a little? Did you just get a better quality wall adapter with the same specs or something different?
I run one of these just ordered a second one for a 7.5G and keep polyps, chalices, rock anemones, mushrooms successfully for 6+ months and just put in a euphyllia, fingers crossed.
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