Community Tank: Fluval EBI with Betta as centerpiece

[Mr. Limpet]

With reviews here, online and one setup at our LFS, we settled on the Fluval EBI 7.9g kit to rehome Elvis (our Betta) and get him the entourage he deserves. The kit is well done, geared for shrimp and IMHO lacking only a heater to make it complete and one of the nicest kits I've found.

Still undecided as to "what" will share his new home and we're in no rush to decide, since cycling hasn't even begun.

Comments, suggestions and ideas greatly welcome.


Here's some pics of the new tank, what it's replacing and the shelf that needs bracing so it can support 80+ lbs of water and fish. Of course the obligatory picture of Elvis (in his blue suede shoes ).

The last one is of the cute, telescopic mini net and unreadable thermo that came with the kit. Those will be sold with the shrimp stuff on CL.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[fort384]

looks nice!

No no aqua forest I take it?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

looks nice!

No no aqua forest I take it?

No, we were at our 5* LFS, saw this one and sans a heater was too nice to pass up. With a custom look, all glass w/cover and a 13w 6700K PC light, I don't think I could've gotten as good a setup at the price I paid.

But your suggestions helped inspire me fort, so feel free to impart any info/wisdom you might want into my newest effort .

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Shelf brace in place, level looking good with only a slight tilt (1/32" +/-), tank is filled to 80% and looks good. With peat, PFS, intank filter, etc will take it where I want the water line. 24 - 48hr test to make sure the shelf/support is good (rather lose water/tank than whole kit ) then filter preseeded and tank cycle will be close to done in 48hrs.

Sweet looking setup Fluval put together and I haven't even really started .

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Fluval "Nano" Filter Review:

Going thru the Fluval Nano filter setup and media arangement I do see some flaws that need to be rectified. The solutions are simple really. Overall the design is sound and stylish. Once I have it up and running for a while, then the performance can be evaluated.

Media Solutions:

The first chamber is a thin slot dedicated to a carbon pack insert that isn't supplied with the kit and although I choose not to use carbon, I'm a bit disappointed in that cost cutting choice. This may be filled loosely with filter floss, or just left open.

Chamber two is a fine foam pad enclosed in a removable cartridge. I like this design because after the cycling is complete, I'll replace the rather flimsy foam with a HBH cut to fit filter pad tuned to remove excess ammonia.

Chamber three is filled with "Bio-foam" that will never be used. Having an extra AC "Bio-Max" pack on hand, I was able fit it into (barely) the final chamber and it should make an exceptional bio media breeding ground for bacteria. If I ever opt to change this pack, one sized for the AC30 to avoid the overly tight fix of the AC50's bio pack would be better suited.

The beauty is I have the new bio media pack (for the Nano) in my seeded AC50 filter, sandwiched between the sponge and bio media. It should be ready in the next 24hrs I suspect.

Here's a couple bad pics of the filter in place.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Tank support is looking good, peat is soaked and sand has gotten the pillowcase/rinse treatment. I've picked out the DW with java fern, moss ball and some young anacharis to plant for now.

All I need now is some bacteria from my main DT and it's almost ready for fish .

Any suggestions on tankmates for a mellow betta?

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[iDream]

Awesome tank! Can't personally suggest tankmates, but I will follow this. These new fluval kits are amazing, they're awesome at making good-looking tanks

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Awesome tank! Can't personally suggest tankmates, but I will follow this. These new fluval kits are amazing, they're awesome at making good-looking tanks

I'm really impressed with it, rimless, rounded front corners, full top and it's all glass. They're taking aquariums to a new level style wise and still keep it affordable IMHO.

I just hope I can do justice to it with my aquascaping lol.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[jenatron]

I love Fluval, their tanks are so nice. Following along. Here's your popcorn.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Wow my first popcorn at AA!

Thanks .

This one is a great setup, now if I could only find a heater that I like for it .

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Fluval EBI notes: The media chamber that is a friction fit/click in unit seems to be a bit lightweight. Hate to think I'm going to have to bubberband it to the motor or something. The clear corner clips that supports the glass top have become an annoyance, always clicking. Some 2 sided tape in the channel/tank edge should keep them in place.

The tank is chugging along on its cycling and since I seeded it from my DT, I've already gotten a bacteria bloom. Couple more days and it should be ready to go.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Pics of the filter chamber customized for better filtration. Bloom in background lol.

Chamber 1, temp filter media. Chamber 2, temp Fluval foam pad. Chamber 3, AC50 BioMax media bag fitted for maximum bacteria hosting. Works great by the way.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[Mr. Limpet]

24hrs of seeding with rotting peas (food for bacteria) and 12hrs with seeded media in the filter and it's ready to go.

Ammo: 0ppm
no2: 0ppm
no3: 40ppm
pH: 7.8

The peas worked great btw.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

Time to remove the water and filter to a holding bucket and get peat moss/sand substrate in.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Water and filter out, here's the peat/sand substrate going into the EBI. We wanted an asymmetrical look to the layers, so hopefully it'll cooperate lol.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Substrate compression worked better than I thought.

Pics: Before/after soil compaction & Final fill and wait for everything to settle.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[Cdepriest6009]

Tank looks great. As for tank mates for the betta we have 2 Cory cats and a pair of sword tails in with ours.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Tank looks great. As for tank mates for the betta we have 2 Cory cats and a pair of sword tails in with ours.

Thanks, it's looking better as the dust settles.

My GF wants some version of a neon tetra, so we'll see how them get along with Elvis lol.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[Cdepriest6009]

Thanks, it's looking better as the dust settles.

My GF wants some version of a neon tetra, so we'll see how them get along with Elvis lol.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

We thought about those to but it's my wifes tank and the manager at our lfs showed her some swords and she fell in love with them so we brought them home instead.

 

[Coleallensmom]

I'm really like the tank you picked; rimless is always great looking and I like the rounded corners. Can't wait to see this completed...Elvis is one lucky dude!

 

[Mr. Limpet]

We thought about those to but it's my wifes tank and the manager at our lfs showed her some swords and she fell in love with them so we brought them home instead.

I know, but our LFS said no flowing tails and even the Cardinal Tetra may be an issue because of its bright colors. I have 2 more tanks to setup so they may be rehomed.

I'm really like the tank you picked; rimless is always great looking and I like the rounded corners. Can't wait to see this completed...Elvis is one lucky dude!

Thanks! Yeah it's a great looking tank and just picked some plants out to get it greener. Elvis is the king, so only the best will do for him .

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App