Fluval Evo Saltwater Startup

[Deadeye]

They sell the pellet trained ones online and occasionally in stores, but you’re looking at a very expensive fish.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

I think mandarins need 20 gallon

 

[EntoStentor]

I think mandarins need 20 gallon

As long as you have enough live rock you're kinda fine.

This might not work (actually it definitely won't work) for most people, but whenever I get any new live rock I'll plop it in to my 6" peacock mantis setup. He gets rid of any unwanted guests real quick lol. Good thing too because a rock I got had a burrow with a 3 inch mantis shrimp in it that I never would have noticed if my peacock hadn't killed it.

 

[Deadeye]

As long as you have enough live rock you're kinda fine.

This might not work (actually it definitely won't work) for most people, but whenever I get any new live rock I'll plop it in to my 6" peacock mantis setup. He gets rid of any unwanted guests real quick lol. Good thing too because a rock I got had a burrow with a 3 inch mantis shrimp in it that I never would have noticed if my peacock hadn't killed it.

Man I want a mantis...
I guess I’ll settle with the pistol shrimp I’ll be getting for now.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Aren’t Pistol Shrimps real dangerous because they snap so loud and can break the glass?

 

[Deadeye]

Aren’t Pistol Shrimps real dangerous because they snap so loud and can break the glass?

I’ve never heard of them breaking glass. From what I know, a single one is only really an annoyance and can only stun a fish or shrimp. Harmless otherwise. Basically blind as well. A whole colony can basically thanos snap though. They do live in colonies like ants, they can do a synchronized snap so loud it can kill a human (at least so I’ve been told).
Now a peacock mantis, that can break glass.

 

[Potato Patatto]

I’ve never heard of them breaking glass. From what I know, a single one is only really an annoyance and can only stun a fish or shrimp. Harmless otherwise. Basically blind as well. A whole colony can basically thanos snap though. They do live in colonies like ants, they can do a synchronized snap so loud it can kill a human (at least so I’ve been told).
Now a peacock mantis, that can break glass.

Yeah that’s a problem I could pass on, right now my biggest issue is working right next to a tank that smells like decaying raw shrimp ?

 

[KATALEKEEPER]

Got the bug bad and decided to have some fun as I came across a pretty good deal on the fluval 13.5 gallon saltwater kit.

I used Caribsea live black sand and got nutri -seawater after being talked into it by a lfs owner. Said it’s small enough that it would be easier to just use this to fill and do water changes as it’s a minimal amount. I got one piece of dry rock (7.5lbs) instead of live to minimize the chance of unwanted guests. I will be doing a fishless cycle this time around and spiking the ammonia with 2 pieces of raw shrimp for about 2-3 days. Once the ammonia is high enough I’ll be dosing Dr. Tim’s aquatics. The lights and skimmer will stay off until the cycle is complete. I also have a small pump to help circulate.

The only real plan is to have a small clown pair or a watchmen goby with a orchid dottyback with some soft coral.

Any insight you may have would be appreciated as this is new territory for me.

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does the setup come with the pump and skimmer and heater?

 

[Deadeye]

Pump yes
Heater no
Skimmer no, but it isn’t really necessary in so small a tank.

 

[Potato Patatto]

does the setup come with the pump and skimmer and heater?

A water pump comes with the set but you’ll need a wave pump and heater. Mixed reviews on the skimmer, some say you don’t need it with this size. I paid $100 for the tank and another $60 for the skimmer+pump. (Already had a spare heater). Then another $100 for the rock, water, and sand so $260 total. If you order online with petco, you get 25% off so I found it be worth it. I think you can get away without the skimmer so even cheaper if you want, maybe add a air stone if you don’t do a skimmer.