Nicholas Hatton’s Fluval Edge 46L LPS Coral Heaven
When the Fluval Edge range of aquariums were released, I highly doubt the people at Hagen had the saltwater market on their radar. But where there is potential, there will always be reefkeepers with a “Hey let’s try reef that freshwater type tank” and that saw a whole legion of hobbyists pick up a Fluval Edge, especially the little 23litre version and proceed to modify to become marine ready.
One of the strong points of these types of systems is that they are readily available in most local fish shops and entice newcomers to our glorious hobby. This is where Nicholas Hatton comes into the picture, and with under a year’s reefkeeping experience, he has managed to create a stunning display within the confines of his Fluval Edge 46Litre aquarium. Here’s some insight into his system.
Name, where are you from, hobby experience etc
My name is Nick Hatton. This is my first reef tank and I’m absolutely loving this hobby. I have kept tropical fish tanks in the past but I have never had the same excitement I get from keeping my own little reef. I love adding new corals to the tank to try and make it as stunning as possible. I look at it like a piece of art in the home because when my friends come round they can’t take their eyes off the tank.
What size is your Nano reef and how old is it? What make/model is it?
I have had my Fluval Edge 46l tank set up for 11 months now. I originally started off with the 23l version but after only being set up for a couple of months I decided to go for the larger edge so I had a bit more space to play with. The idea of having a marine tank started when we had our little girl Isla. I thought it would be nice for her to have a ‘nemo’ fish as a pet. After a couple of months into the hobby, I realised it was more of a fish tank for me than Isla and my coral addiction began.
Tell us about the filtration you run on this Fluval Edge reef tank.
I am still using the standard fluval edge filter on this tank with biophos 80, seachem purigen and filter floss in the chamber. I have around 6kg of live rock in the tank plus any other bits where I’ve bought pieces of coral with live rock attached. I don’t run a skimmer on this tank as I’ve found regular water changes of about 20% once a week to be enough to control my nitrate and phosphate levels in the tank. If I’ve had a heavy feed of the corals I might do a water change twice in that week.
What lighting do you use? Wattage? Spectrum? Photoperiod?
I run a 36w LED light unit on this tank with a mix of 6 10,000k white and 6 blue lights. I have these controlled with a dimmer switch. The blue lighting is switched on around 8am in the morning with the whites going on about half power around lunch time. I usually keep the white lights on for about 4-5 hours and the blue for about 10 hours. The blue lights get turned down in the evening to about half power.
What other equipment do you run?
I have a Vortech mp10 to control the flow in the tank. I don’t have a set mode that I leave this on as I’m still experimenting to find out which ways my corals react best. Currently it is on long pulse mode on the lowest setting and everything is looking great. It’s amazing how much flow these little pumps give off.
Tell us about your corals. What have you got and how many corals do you currently have?
My coral list at the moment is: 1 orange and purple scoly, 9 various acan frags including 3 rainbow acans (favourite coral), various zoa frags, 1 hammer coral, small colony of green clove polyps, 2 ricordeas although I can only see one as one has fallen through my rocks and I don’t want to move them now I have got them positioned to how I like them, 1 ultra green and red wellsophyllia and a small colony of green blastomussa coral. I have swapped a few corals on the way as I started off with a few boring mushrooms and finger leather corals. I traded those in for some store credit at my lfs and started my acan addiction. I feed the corals a mix of H2Ocean reef paste and Mysis shrimp once or twice a week.
You’re a self confessed LPS coral lover – what makes them so appealing?
I love sitting and watching the tank in the evening with just the blue lights. When I go to buy a coral I always ask to see what they look like under the blue lights. If they don’t glow, they’re not for me. Due to the size of the tank I believe it is better to fill it with a few ‘stunning’ corals rather than quite a few dull and not very brightly coloured corals. If I had a bigger tank, I would probably go for a mix of these corals just to fill in the spaces between rocks. I do intend on upgrading the tank in the next couple of years but with the news that we are expecting our second baby in the near future, the upgrade has now been put on hold.
What about fish?
I currently have 2 ocellaris clownfish (one orange and white, one black and white). Many people will say that clownfish should not be kept in a tank this size. I intend on moving the fish on once I feel they are too big for the tank and swap them for maybe one juvenile clown and a small goby, but for the time being they have more than enough space and the water quality is good. I also have 3 fire shrimp and a couple of turbo snails. There is also a few bristle worms, starfish and other snails in there that came as hitch hikers with the rock. I feed the fish and shrimp a mix of new era flake, hikari marine s pellets and crab cuisine as well as the occasional Mysis shrimp they get that the corals miss.
Tell us about the tank overall, what do you love about it, what problems have you had?
The only real modifications I have made to the tank are the lights. I want to keep the same look with the tank as when I first bought it. I have seen a few fluval edge tanks with the hood removed and all sorts of equipment sticking out the top. The look of the tank was the first thing that attracted me to the tank so I’m pleased I have been able to run this tank without much change. I don’t fill the water to the brim anymore on the tank however as I like to keep as much water agitation as possible to keep the oxygen levels in the tank high. The top down look on the tank when it full to the brim is stunning, but I’d rather that all the fish and corals were happy and healthy in the long term.
I have had a bit of a battle with aiptasia in the past and there are still a few that keep coming back every now and again and I also had quite a lot of algae in the first 2-3 months. Both my turbo snails looked like Bob Marley with hair algae covering their bodies. Thankfully this has now gone after the addition of biophos 80 and the reduction in my photoperiod.
Do you belong to a reef club? Which online forums do you use, (what is your username)? What books do you read for reef knowledge?
I am a member of ‘thenanoreef’ forum under the username nhatton14. Without this forum I wouldn’t have a clue what I was doing. I have learnt so much in such a short period of time from some very knowledgeable members on there. I have recently ordered a new book by Albert J. Thiel called ‘Nano Reef Aquariums’ which I’m looking forward to reading and hoping to expand on the things I have already learnt in the last year.
Anybody you want to thank? Anything else you’d like to say about your tank?
I’d like to thank all the members on ‘thenanoreef’ forum who have so far given me help and advice on keeping my tank. Without them, I probably would still have a tank full of algae and Bob Marley snails and all my corals would be very unhappy.
Enjoy this video of Nick’s tank.
Thanks for the write up Cerven. Really appreciated!
Seriously, ocelaris clownfish in a 43 litre tank… What is wrong with you…. No skimmer, filtration through a freshwater system…. Think your'e a smartass now dont you? …. Idiot.
(Editor: Bad language removed)
Hi Tommy,
Your comment on this article is really uncalled for – all bad language has been cleaned up in the comments. If you had taken time to read through the article, you will see that Nick is aware that the clownfish will grow bigger and will need a larger tank – he is well aware of what these fish need.
In terms of a skimmer and 'freshwater' filter – well, I would like to ask you to educate yourself a little more in what is possible within the scope of nano reef keeping. Hopefully you can learn a few things right here, and if you look through the other tanks featured, you'll see that 'freshwater' filters and going skimmerless can produce outstanding results.
as a graduated marine biologist, owner of a aquarium store, and somewhere around 25 years of experience in saltwater aquariums, i would kindly suggest you reflect your opinion… "you sir, are wrong."
Ocelaris need a n absoluteinim of 200 litres….
Gorgeous tank and shots. A quick question about the tank–is it easy to get into things to perform regular maintenance? Are they (Fluval Edges) functional as well as visually appealing?
Thanks for the kind words Tommy.
With a 46l tank I've found regular water changes once a week of about 20% more than enough to keep all my parameters stable. I think the filtration is more than adequate as well running Purigen, filter floss and biophos 80 in the chamber. Tommy has his views on them but that's fine. I'm not going to get into a slagging match because he is clearly the marine tank pro here.
Tommy, you are a moron.
thank you james
Tommy get off you high horse and take your trolls with you! Nick has created a beautiful aquarium and all his animals needs are met and then some! The health of his fish and corals speaks volume about his dedication and skill as an aquarist
(Editor: Bad language removed)
Tommy,
Actually, by the content/tone of your post, I don't think anyone would value your opinion anyway, so lose yourself you vile mug!!
Nick, you're a credit to this hobby; your passion for it is unquestionable and your tank is inspirational and flawless.
Well done mate!
thanks, but i am unaware of you being the spokesman of every soul on this blog. the fact that your knowledge is at a different and more primitive level than mine is, doesnt give you the right to base an opinion on the behalf of everyone out there…
Beautiful tank Nick. Gongrats mate.
That Tommy is probably one of them guys who thinks he knows everything but he knows nothing about nothing. Small minded idiot!
(Editor: Bad language removed)
thanks!
Thanks for the support everyone.
If you search here tommy, you will see where you can order a copy of Albert Thiel’s upcoming book so you can educate yourself on modern methods of reefing.
I always feel sorry for people that get left behind the times and get grumpy because they don’t understand
i am aware of the reputation of master thiel. a truly skilled author, one of the many true experts on animals. this knowledge is almost unchanched for the last 20 years. the techniques for an efficient tank is not, and that is why mister thiel, and his many followers cant keep up with the `big boys`
Tommy, I would like to reply to you using my intellect and wit. However, when you use words (I say words as I can only assume they are supposed to be words) such as "your'e" and "absoluteinim" then I am afraid that whatever I say will be lost on you.
Many thanks and have a great day.
(Editor: Bad language removed)
thnx for all the kind words…
i feel i should be granted the right to retort.
because, do you people even realise you are the ones walking way, way behind on marine tanks? no? western europe is the place where everything you say in this article, was been thrown overboard at least a decade ago because there are far more eficient and animal-friendly ways to do things.
i understand this hurts, but if you really think so highy of yourselfves, and are soawae of current standards, this should not be new information to you.
so excuse my own aquarium store, bioreaserch "marine biology degree", 25 years experience, and western european ways of doing things,instead of your ancient "american" ways, but i stick to my point. this is pure animal cruelty. (out here we actually have actively enforced laws that prohibit such animal keeping)
anyone can fix a peanut butter jar with something shiny, and a little light. put a rock in there with a piece of coral, and make it look nice, a monkey can do that.
the art of reefing (or nano reefing) is creating a healthy, thriving and controlled enviroment where all the lower and upper animals feel at their best.
Too bad the author/webmaster is blocking the 8 personal professional reply’s on the typical accusasions put out by the retards who cant take criticysm.
With love,
Tommy
Hi Tommy – apologies on the delay in getting comments approved – I have been having some email issues and didn’t get any notifications. All sorted now.
Thank you.
Tommy, your spelling is absolutely awful!
I don’t think people are having a go at you for what you said, its the way you said it. ‘Think you’re a smart arse now don’t you…idiot’.
You seem like a very pleasant human being! There would have been a friendlier way of putting your point across. Anyway, ill let you get back to your shop. I hope you don’t speak to your customers this way if they go against your ‘professional advice’ because the shop isn’t going to last long with that sort of customer service. If you actually bother to read the article instead of just looking at the pretty pictures, you will see that I intend on moving the clownfish on when I feel the time is right and they will be replaced with smaller fish. Thanks for the ‘polite’ input anyway Tommy. Have fun telling everyone about your marine biology degree that disagrees with your opinion.
Tommy,
Does it not occur to you that you have had the reaction which i and others have given to you due to your initial response?
You mention civilization amongst the crowd… do you feel that you were civil in your replies?
‘ Seriously, ocelaris clownfish in a 43 litre tank… What the f*** is wrong with you…. No skimmer, filtration through a freshwater system…. Think your’e a smartass now dont you? …. Idiot.’
Firstly nothing is wrong with Nick. He has prooven that he can take great care and produce great results doing what he does. If you care to read the blog entry then you will see that the clownfish will be being rehomed.
You make reference that Nick is a smartass…. how you have come to that conclusion is due to your own little warped mind. By making the comments you have you have made yourself the ‘idiot’.
You have also brought up your experience…. as experienced as you are…. no one likes a smart arse. May i suggest that you pay some attention to your ‘soft skills’ rather than trying to feed your massive ego.
If you dont like what you see here then take your opinionated little self away to someone who wants to listen.
Tommy,
Nick is right, had you not been so rude in the first instance, you wouldn’t have received so much abuse.
However, in light of the fact that you swore, and called Nick names without provocation, you immediately became a target of insults. You are certainly therefore in no position to now take the moral high-ground.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, whether they are right or wrong and people are of course entitled to express them on a forum – that’s what they are for. However, when you post an impolite, abusive and unwarranted message like your initial comment, you must expect reprisal.
The fish are showing absolutely no signs of distress or sickness. The tank parameters are clearly exceptional as displayed by the presentation of the corals. Who are you to therefore question the suitability of the tank?! I doubt very much you have “marine biology degree” – you can hardly string a legible sentence together.
Unfortunately, you have tarnished a really nice article and caused unnecessary upset.
The right thing to have done would have been to ignore the responses to your post or better still; apologise. You should certainly not continue to defend your original message!
Your most recent post reads like the rants of a mad man.
Judging by the content of your email I am surprised you are able to look after yourself, let alone a fish tank and certainly not a shop.
I therefore imagine that you are full of shit and you are most likely a sad pathetic inept loser hiding behind a keyboard and I don’t imagine you have very many friends based on the social skills you have displayed on here to date.
If I were you Tommy, I would take a deep long hard look in the mirror and consider some serious life changes.
I usually wouldn’t get embroiled in responding to something like this, but reading your messages makes my blood boil!
I actually felt a little sorry for you after the first round of abuse you received, but not now.
I sincerely hope you have the foresight to see the error of your ways and apologise. We can all therefore put the nastiness behind us, otherwise I expect you will continue to receive a further barrage of well deserved abuse.
After running numerous small marine tanks I have come to the conclusion that doing things your own way is the best way. Disregard what others say is right or wrong, read forums with an open mind, as nearly everything you read is a person’s point of view and not applicable to you.
But if you post pictures of your tank, list it contents and say how you maintain it, do not be offended or defend your actions when others disagree with how you’re doing things. Neither in this case are right because neither of you are wrong.
People would have a field day commenting on my setup if I still advertised it openly to the world. Why my successful very low maintenance heavily stocked tank is enjoyed so much now days by myself. I no longer share my experiences for this sole reason.
Beautiful tank.
Thanks Shawn.
I didn’t mind what tommy had to say, the way he said it annoyed me though. Like I said, there is a polite way of expressing your opinion. His way is just plain rude and ignorant.
Nick,
You tank is absolutely inspiring and amazing!!
I have to know which blue LED makes your corals pop and become so fluorescent?
Do you recall what nm or where you ordered them from?
Thank You,
Ryan
Hi Ryan.
Thanks for the comments. I am actually selling these lights now along with the tank, stand and vertex duplex. I have recently bought a aquareef 300 so the fluval edge is up for sale. If you are interested in anything just send me an email to [email protected]. I bought the lights online for £189 so I could send you a link to where I bought them. I will be selling the lights with the tank, mag cleaner and stand for £220.
hi nick,
im thinking of purchasing the same tank as what you have. did you find it difficult to put the live rock and corals in through the small opening in the top of the tank?
cheers
adam
I used quite a lot of smaller branching live rock to build up one side then a larger piece that just about fit in on the other side to create a bridge. The best advice I could give with this tank is keep the rock away from the glass or cleaning the sides will be a massive pita. It’s quite hard getting your hands in the top to clean and if you knock the rock while cleaning the sides it can take a while to get the rocks back to how you like it with the added unnecessary stress on fish and corals.