fluval edge reef

so i have been out of the hobby for sevral months now and i am planning on starting up again with a simpler smaller setup. i want to get one of those neat looking fluval edge tanks and i was wondering how i would go about stocking it and such. is the filtration good? how would i go about upgrading light im looking to put a par38 over it. ideas would be great! thanks

 

did a reef tank in the fluval edge they are more work to keep stable. not easier by far.
they are a pain to clean, you dont have much air exchange (tops almost enclosed) i ran mine lower with a power head moving the surface water. and running them lower you lose the effect of the cube.
mine now sits in the garage. and i keep thinking i should do something with it.

 

I have a Fluval Edge that's freshwater right now, and I keep thinking I want to switch it to a reef, but it's my wife's "tank" (even though I do everything), so I leave it be for now. I did do alot a research into it though.

- Stock filtration is fine, I'd add a finer sponge on top of the stock sponge, followed by a media bag of carbon and GFO. Throw out the bioball things.
- No skimmer, just weekly 20% water changes (1-1.5 gal/week).
- Gas exchange/water movement is tough, but from most people who have done one it didnt seem to be a killer issue. Place a powerhead in the tank to keep the water moving in addition to the stock filter/pump.
- Lighting is by far the toughest issue. If you only want to keep soft coral/zoas, you can find LED replacements for the stock halogens. The smaller LED replacements plug right into the stock plugs, or you can upgrade the plugs and buy slightly larger (and brighter) LEDs that will fit. I've also seen people add PC bulbs, but heat becomes a big issue. If you want to add PAR38 bulbs, you will not be able to fit them without a decent mod to the cover/light fixture. I'm not even sure if you could fit it in the cover.
- One thing this tank is great at is minimal evaporation. I maybe top off 1 or 2 cups of water per week, and you definitely dont need an ATO to do that.
- Cleaning can be tricky, but you can wipe down the glass after you drain the water for your weekly WC and BEFORE you top off with the new water.

If you do it, definitely POST PICS. I love the Edge, especially as a reef. Someday after our molly and bloodfin tetras pass away I'll make the effort (might be a few years, lol).

Good luck!

 

i have kept many tanks so keeping it stable will not be a problem. also i would like some more input on lighting, whats the best way i could grow any coral i wanted? would that take some major renovation on the small little thing? as for cleaning i will probably put a magnetic scraper in and occasionally clean it by hand. i am hoping to do this but as a 15 year old without a job it may be sometime before money comes my way. any more thought son the par30-38 over it?

 

I've seen quite a few threads on how majorly they have to be overhauled to keep all kinds of coral in them. Google "fluval edge reef mod" and you'll find a lot of build threads & stuff that tell you everything you need to know!