Xenon's Fluval Edge 6G build thread with pics

[xenon]

I have been in and out of the hobby for years and every time I get back into it, my tanks keep getting smaller and smaller! This time I decided to get a Fluval Edge because I loved the modern/minimalistic design. I also like that you can view everything from the top.

The light fixture on my tank is from a 12G Fluval Edge. It has 42 LED lights with 3 of them being moonlights. I have been told its only 6watts total lightning power so this will be something I will need to replace soon.

I was not that impressed with the flow from the AC20 so I decided to take it out and replace it with a Vortech MP10ESW. Flow is no longer an issue.

I currently have a true perc and fire shrimp in quarantine while I wait for the tank to cycle. I added 10lb of Caribsea live sand with a mixture of dryrock and cured liverock so I don't expect the cycle to last very long.

[Darth]

I love how clean those litte tanks look. makes me miss my little 5 gal pico, may have to convince the wife to let me get another one she has been resistant so far LOL

[xenon]

I love how clean those litte tanks look. makes me miss my little 5 gal pico, may have to convince the wife to let me get another one she has been resistant so far LOL

Yeah, they are great. I only paid $118 at PetSmart.

[sas]

Very slick, thanks for posting this, it may be just the
bump that pushes me over the edge into salt.
I'll look forward to seeing it setup.

[xenon]

Right now I am just looking for ideas on what type of fish I can add to my tank that is an active swimmer.

[salvini55]

Looks great, a pistol shrimp goby pair would be on my list... not an active swimmer though

[redbelly]

A school of Trimma gobies

Or several types of trimma gobies and sexy shrimp
Especially the ones with the clear body, and purple spots. I think they had them in an issue of Coral magazine a couple months ago... I can check tomorrow for the name.

[delslo]

Catalina goby

[NanoSF]

Catalina goby

I tried one, and even with keeping my temps on the low side 75, it was still not cold enough for it. It lasted a while but probably died because it was too warm.

[xenon]

A school of Trimma gobies

Or several types of trimma gobies and sexy shrimp
Especially the ones with the clear body, and purple spots. I think they had them in an issue of Coral magazine a couple months ago... I can check tomorrow for the name.

I don't think a school of anything in a 6G is a good idea. lol

I already have a true perc in QT. I know its been over-played but out of all the fish I owned in the past, I was attached to these the most. They just have tons of personality.

I would like to get a jawfish. I was thinking a pearly (yellowhead). I would prefer a bluespot but they are so expensive and the mortality rate is high.

I am still having a difficult time finding an active swimming fish that will be happy in such a small tank.

[Hookup]

Trimma Gobies are really small..  And perch on your corals or rock work.   Some bright colors...

A blue spot is not so hard to keep, but getting them fed has been my problem, as many of my fish are aggressive eaters and there not enuf food at the bottom of the tank for them eat...  In your 6gal I think you'll be ok,

But

Don't you think a full grown perc will be too big anyhow?

[vonG]

perc too big?
how about too aggressive as well???

[xenon]

My true perc is pretty small right now and they don't grow very fast. I don't think it will be a problem.

I have owned them before and they were always VERY neutral towards any other type of fish so I would never consider them aggressive.

[az]

i'd put the filter back and find another spot for the mp10, cute and all but you need something to take care of the surface skim.

few barnacle blennys?

[xenon]

i'd put the filter back and find another spot for the mp10, cute and all but you need something to take care of the surface skim.

few barnacle blennys?

Yeah, that will probably be the case. I am using the AC20 in QT right now so no big deal while the tank cycles.

I decided what fish I will be adding. I will update the thread with pics once i get them.

[az]

something that will go very good in this tank > yasha haze goby with candy stripe pistol shrimp.

[redbelly]

Yasha is a nice fish and a suitable size.

But this would be an excellent fish and certainly not one that is often seen here:


Another pic:

[delslo]

Yasha is a nice fish and a suitable size.

But this would be an excellent fish and certainly not one that is often seen here:


Another pic:

I second this

[Benja]

FLAMING PRAWN GOBY!  

[jshchrtn]

Great looking edge can't wait to see updates! Good job!

[az]

I have to get one of these for home, I like it!!

barnacle blenny, flaming prawn goby, tiger goby, green band goby, firecracker goby, blue neon goby.....oh so many choices!!

[Darth]

I have to get one of these for home, I like it!!

barnacle blenny, flaming prawn goby, tiger goby, green band goby, firecracker goby, blue neon goby.....oh so many choices!!
[/quote
I would figure with all you have going on at the store you would have given up on home tanks

[xenon]

Still working on the aquascaping. We are not completely happy with it yet.



This is my makeshift quarantine tank. I refuse to have multiple tank syndrome. lol

[delslo]

Your tank is going to look amazing when complete, any decision on fish yet?

[xenon]

Your tank is going to look amazing when complete, any decision on fish yet?

Yep. I would rather the pics of new fish speak for themselves.

Should have one of them in 3 weeks.

[salvini55]

Good job getting the expert designer on the aquascape! Is multiple bucket syndrome better than multiple tank syndrome?

[delslo]

Good job getting the expert designer on the aquascape! Is multiple bucket syndrome better than multiple tank syndrome?

lol

[xenon]

Good job getting the expert designer on the aquascape! Is multiple bucket syndrome better than multiple tank syndrome?

Ha!

It's the lesser of two evils.

[zoom111]

Does any local store carry the flaming prawn goby ?

[xenon]

Does any local store carry the flaming prawn goby ?

I haven't seen it.

You will need to get on an order list to get the more rare species.

[delslo]

Does any local store carry the flaming prawn goby ?

Just a guess, but I would talk to aqua valley since he suggested it.

[xenon]

I spent more time on aquascaping. It's challenging because of the light fixture position so I am pretty limited to what I can do for coral placement. It's a mixture of dryrock and live rock so its going to look terrible until they are covered in coraline.











I also purchased a neon green candy cane coral for La Niche that is currently in QT. I was surprised when I tested the salinity and it was at 1.030. I had to match the salinity in a 2nd QT tank "bucket" so that I can slowly drop it down to 1.026 over the next week. I was expecting to just stick the coral in with the clown fish.

[delslo]

I hole through that wall to a sump below would improve water quality and reduce fluctuations 

[xenon]

I hole through that wall to a sump below would improve water quality and reduce fluctuations 

Yep. I already thought about that.

It may happen in the future but for now, I am trying to keep it simple.

[Cheebs]

Very nice! Even without coraline it's far from ugly. Good job!

[delslo]

Very nice! Even without coraline it's far from ugly. Good job!

I agree, I think it's lacking a cave spot for those non photo corals

[jshchrtn]

Great build thread!
Might try to convince my gf I need one of these and replace the fluval chi tank she adores lol!
Just got to make her think it was her idea lol

[xenon]

I agree, I think it's lacking a cave spot for those non photo corals

I need to leave room for corals but as they grow, that middle pathway may become a type of cave.

[xenon]

I picked up 6 more frags today but its not worth taking pics because the lighting they are under does not do them any justice.

I am using my studio lights while they sit in QT. I figured a few people might get a good laugh.

[salvini55]

I lol'd  wicked bucket setup

[xenon]

I got some test kits today.

I wanted to see where I was at in my cycle and now I know.

3.0ppm of ammonia! lol

[Hookup]

What tests are those? 

[xenon]

What tests are those? 

http://www.marinedepot.com/Tropic_Marin_Expert_Test_Kit_Set_Specialty_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Tropic_Marin-TP4119-FITKSI-vi.html

[Stussi613]

Where did you get he lights from the 12g edge?  Did you have to mod the 6g to make them fit???

[xenon]

Where did you get he lights from the 12g edge?  Did you have to mod the 6g to make them fit???

I purchased a 12g edge and swapped the lights. Then I sold the tank to my gf mother and she is using it for a freshwater tank so she didn't want the LED fixture.

There was no modding required. They are virtually identical.

[Stussi613]

I purchased a 12g edge and swapped the lights. Then I sold the tank to my gf mother and she is using it for a freshwater tank so she didn't want the LED fixture.

There was no modding required. They are virtually identical.

Ahhh, so you have the new 6g edge. I have an older style one bnib...wonder if I could trade it in for a newer style one.

[xenon]

Ahhh, so you have the new 6g edge. I have an older style one bnib...wonder if I could trade it in for a newer style one.

I searched high and low. I could only find the v2 edge in the 12g size.

The 42 LED light fixture is for sale if you want it. $60.00

[Stussi613]

I searched high and low. I could only find the v2 edge in the 12g size.

The 42 LED light fixture is for sale if you want it. $60.00

So the new lights from the 12g retro-fit into the older style 6g without modification?  I'm guessing if it does it has two mr-11 style plugs on it to allow it to plug into the receptacle on the older 6g "canopy"?

[xenon]

So the new lights from the 12g retro-fit into the older style 6g without modification?  I'm guessing if it does it has two mr-11 style plugs on it to allow it to plug into the receptacle on the older 6g "canopy"?

Yep, no mods required. It does not have the MR-11 style plugs.

The entire fixture needed to be swapped out by removing the 4 rear screws.

[xenon]

I got my AI Nano LED light today from Premium Aquatics. Now I need to figure out how to mount it under the stock good without it falling into the tank.

[matycake]

very clean set up I'm defiantly jealous i think i need one on my nightstand

[xenon]

New project. Can you guess what its going to be?



I am building a house for a bluespot jawfish. I will be adding more sand to hide the plumbing.

[xenon]

Welcome to another episode of "Pimp My Bucket" lol

[Hookup]

Have to say that the zero side viewable bucket is not that functional, but I love the cylindrical design.  Very modern!

[bt]

Welcome to another episode of "Pimp My Bucket" lol

When is it scheduled to get the spoiler and oversized exhaust pipe?

Have to say that the zero side viewable bucket is not that functional, but I love the cylindrical design.  Very modern!

I believe the term you're looking for is "top viewable" (not suitable for jumpers)

[rgauvin]

When is it scheduled to get the spoiler and oversized exhaust pipe?

maybe a fishtank in the fishtank?

[xenon]

Hilarious! 

I decided to figure out how to mount the light fixture this evening. I ended up getting it solved pretty quickly. I drilled 2 holes in the top of the hood and used a plastic spacer to angle the light towards the front of the tank. I did that because I was getting too much light concentrated in the back.









I am now thinking I need some type of light reflector under the fixture to spread the light towards the sides. I will get that figured out before the fish/corals go in.

[xenon]

I am trying to take pics but none of them are turning out.

I have a DSLR set on TV (time value) so that I can adjust the shutter speed to 1/1500. That way, not too much light gets into the lens and blows out the pic. I also put a piece of white cutting board inside the tank with the light on and took a pic of the white board and set a custom white balance. No matter what settings I try, it just does not end up looking anything like it does in person.

My  iPhone4S takes a better pic.

This was the best I could do.



If anyone has tips on what settings I should play with on my DSLR cam for taking pics, that would be great. I am not liking LED for photography at all.

[Hookup]

the white balance of your camera and software is not setup for the blue lights of our aquariums...  the color-card should have worked according to what i've read, but in your case it's not.

here's what I do.

Snap Photo (RAW MODE) - compose and expose as you are doing.
Import to LightRoom
Set Color Temp to +14000
Set Color Tint to -27

This works for most shots that are not MACRO shots.  For Macro shots i have not found a consistent starting setting.

Again, this is just a starting point, but it typically takes the crazy OMGWTFBLUE color and tames it down to something much closer to your eye's perception.  From there it's time to drive yourself crazy doing a perfect color match...

PS: nice shot.

[xenon]

the white balance of your camera and software is not setup for the blue lights of our aquariums...  the color-card should have worked according to what i've read, but in your case it's not.

here's what I do.

Snap Photo (RAW MODE) - compose and expose as you are doing.
Import to LightRoom
Set Color Temp to +14000
Set Color Tint to -27

This works for most shots that are not MACRO shots.  For Macro shots i have not found a consistent starting setting.

Again, this is just a starting point, but it typically takes the crazy OMGWTFBLUE color and tames it down to something much closer to your eye's perception.  From there it's time to drive yourself crazy doing a perfect color match...

PS: nice shot.

Thanks for the tips Tim!

I got my AI controller today so maybe I will adjust the lighting to have less blue instead.

[vonG]

we can haz updates??? 

[xenon]

Nothing has changed since my last update.

I will certainly keep this thread updated as things change.

[Lockpick]

Always fancy Dan lol. Nice to see the build.

[xenon]

I have lived with the AI LED module for a while now. I have been tweaking my settings often enough and these are my final results.

Timer 1: 8:00am (actinic)
0% WH, 25% BL, 50% RY - 180min Ramp

Timer 2: 11:00am (daytime)
18% WH, 25% BL, 50% RY - 180min Ramp

Timer 3: 5:00pm (actinic)
0% WH, 25% BL, 50% RY - 180min Ramp

Timer 4: 8:00pm (moonlight)
0% WH, 1% BL, 1% RY, - 180min Ramp

Still haven't added corals. I will update this thread with more pics once I have something to show you guys.

[Reefguy]

Hey Xenon,

  We need some update pics of your tank with that awesome looking fish you got. Plus I want to see all the new stuff your nano tank has and is doing.

Thanks
Reefguy Pat

[xenon]

Thanks for the reminder.

I will take some pics very soon.

I just recently hooked up my dosing pump to automatically dose alkalinity to the tank and added some SPS frags. 

[Reefguy]

Xenon,

 Very awesome, how long did it take to hook up? What did ya use?

Thanks
Reefguy Pat

[xenon]

Xenon,

 Very awesome, how long did it take to hook up? What did ya use?

Thanks
Reefguy Pat

I use an automatic 4 pump dosing system by Fauna Marin that I use for my reef system. I only use 3 out of 4 pumps for calcium, alkalinity and magnesium so I decided to use the 4th pump to dose alk for the nano.

Took me a few mins to run a line to the tank. I am only dosing 1ml/day but I expect that demand will increase as the corals grow.