Hello all:
I have a Fluval Edge, I initially planned to go freshwater as I've never done saltwater before (I know, booo, ewww!), but I'm pretty sure now that I'm going to make it a reef.
Before it's said: I know my first reef should be larger, but it's just not an option right now. I'm willing to do everything in my power that is necessary to keep it stable. Back to it then..
If you're not familiar with the Fluval Edge, it's a 6 gallon. It looka like dis..
Under the hood in the center is a small opening. Measuring by thumb, lol, it's approximately 6" by 4". The black brace-type thing behind the tank is empty and hollow. An AquaClear 20 (or 30? I'm unsure, lolzies) sits in that area. A lighting bar also comes out to hang over the opening. It came stocked with 2 halogens, which pretty much everyone replaces with MR11 Led bulbs, as I did.
Pictures of the inside/canopy:
Lighting bar down:
Front view of lighting bar down:
Lighting bar partially up:
Lighting bar all the way up:
Inside of canopy/hood:
Things I know I'm doing:
-Hydor 15w mini heater (intended for under gravel use) housed in the filter.
-Spray painting the grill (probably black), not only for aesthetic purposes, but reports of salt rusting it.
-Some sort of moonlight, still weighing my options. Right now I'm considering this.
-Replacing my big ugly mag float with a Two Little Fishies Nano Mag.
-Fixing some sort of mesh over the filter intake.
-Mylar Ballon Reflector mod on the inside of the hood/canopy.
I'm pretty sure I'm doing this:
-Koralia Nano 240.
Conditional things:
-If I keep the led bulbs/light bar, then I'll rig a 10w 50/50 coralife bulb onto the light bar.
- In the case of the above ^, I'll create a splashguard to protect the led bulbs.
My plans for stocking (These are seperate ideas, not all at once! Also, I'm looking for input):
-Softies, possibly some LPS or NPS
-Snails for CUC
-1 Clown goby
-1 Firefish
-Sexy shrimp
What others have done for lighting:
-2 led bulbs, and a 50/50 coralife.
-DIY Leds
-Removed light bar, multiple coralifes attached to hood/canopy
-Nanocustoms Fluval Edge LED fixture
-Various lighting fixtures place on top of the glass, ruining the aesthetics. (AKA, that's a no )
-Flexible blue led strip around the inside lip of the opening (for moonlight).
Filter options:
-Purigen
-Chemipure
-Live rock rubble
If you search on nano-reefs there are tons of Fluval Edge builds with different lighting setups, some I mentioned above. But I wanted to know if you guys had any insight here at AA, since it seems I'm the only one with an Edge here.
So, the big questions are:
-What do you think is the best lighting option for my ambitions?
-Are my ideas for stocking appropriate?
-What should be housed in the filter?
Thank you for taking your time to read, and thanks in advance for your help!
I have a Fluval Edge, I initially planned to go freshwater as I've never done saltwater before (I know, booo, ewww!), but I'm pretty sure now that I'm going to make it a reef.
Before it's said: I know my first reef should be larger, but it's just not an option right now. I'm willing to do everything in my power that is necessary to keep it stable. Back to it then..
If you're not familiar with the Fluval Edge, it's a 6 gallon. It looka like dis..
Under the hood in the center is a small opening. Measuring by thumb, lol, it's approximately 6" by 4". The black brace-type thing behind the tank is empty and hollow. An AquaClear 20 (or 30? I'm unsure, lolzies) sits in that area. A lighting bar also comes out to hang over the opening. It came stocked with 2 halogens, which pretty much everyone replaces with MR11 Led bulbs, as I did.
Pictures of the inside/canopy:
Lighting bar down:
Front view of lighting bar down:
Lighting bar partially up:
Lighting bar all the way up:
Inside of canopy/hood:
Things I know I'm doing:
-Hydor 15w mini heater (intended for under gravel use) housed in the filter.
-Spray painting the grill (probably black), not only for aesthetic purposes, but reports of salt rusting it.
-Some sort of moonlight, still weighing my options. Right now I'm considering this.
-Replacing my big ugly mag float with a Two Little Fishies Nano Mag.
-Fixing some sort of mesh over the filter intake.
-Mylar Ballon Reflector mod on the inside of the hood/canopy.
I'm pretty sure I'm doing this:
-Koralia Nano 240.
Conditional things:
-If I keep the led bulbs/light bar, then I'll rig a 10w 50/50 coralife bulb onto the light bar.
- In the case of the above ^, I'll create a splashguard to protect the led bulbs.
My plans for stocking (These are seperate ideas, not all at once! Also, I'm looking for input):
-Softies, possibly some LPS or NPS
-Snails for CUC
-1 Clown goby
-1 Firefish
-Sexy shrimp
What others have done for lighting:
-2 led bulbs, and a 50/50 coralife.
-DIY Leds
-Removed light bar, multiple coralifes attached to hood/canopy
-Nanocustoms Fluval Edge LED fixture
-Various lighting fixtures place on top of the glass, ruining the aesthetics. (AKA, that's a no )
-Flexible blue led strip around the inside lip of the opening (for moonlight).
Filter options:
-Purigen
-Chemipure
-Live rock rubble
If you search on nano-reefs there are tons of Fluval Edge builds with different lighting setups, some I mentioned above. But I wanted to know if you guys had any insight here at AA, since it seems I'm the only one with an Edge here.
So, the big questions are:
-What do you think is the best lighting option for my ambitions?
-Are my ideas for stocking appropriate?
-What should be housed in the filter?
Thank you for taking your time to read, and thanks in advance for your help!