Shiny's Aqueon Evolve 4 (Updated pics 1/7)
 

Aqueon Evolve4 Specs:
Tank - Aqueon Evolve4 (obviously)
Filter - stock
Lighting - stock
Heater - none (as of now)
Substrate - 2" of Black Blasting Sand
Flora - Anubias Nana Petite, Green Cabomba, Mini X-Mas Moss
Fauna - Pumpkin Shrimp

01.07.2013 (video update)
http://youtu.be/fz_e5O0gZC8
http://imageshack.us/a/img72/8227/e40008.jpg

01.04.2013 (video update)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVcwC1FkVi4

08.17.2012
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5864/e40003.jpg

07.21.2012 (start up date)
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1821/e40001.jpg

So I decided this weekend that I needed a new tank. The wife is out of the house all weekend with her friends so it's my prime opportunity. :hihi:

I've been eyeing the Aqueon Evolve series ever since it came out. I've heard good things about it as well so I figured I would try one out for myself. They were all on sale at Petsmart so I snagged the 4G version for $64 after tax (which I don't think is too bad really).

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1821/e40001.jpg

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/1227/e40002.jpg

Substrate is Blasting Sand from Menards. Stuff looks real nice actually. Stock light, which is actually pretty bright and also has 2 LEDs for moonlight effect.

Plants are Green Cabomba, Anubias Nana Petite, Mini Xmas Moss tied to the rocks in front, and Salvinia.

I plan on housing Pumpkin Shrimp in the tank. I'm a little worried that the temp is too high, as it's 84˚ without a heater. I'm probably going to have to look into getting a small fan for it.

So simple it's awesome. Looks perfect. Also a little mysterious...

Thanks! I can't wait for the moss in front to grow in. I think that will make the tank look a lot better because right now it just looks like empty rocks in front

I like. Look forward to seeing the shrimp in there.

I think the Pumpkin's will really pop out from the environment. Hopefully I can get them in there sooner than later. Haven't checked water parameters yet, but started cycling 2 days ago and also seeded the filter. I'm hoping for a quick cycle, but only time will tell

A little warning with shrimp. You are going to want to block the overflow and the little hole below the overflow with some mesh or something to prevent the shrimp from getting in. It is a pain in the but getting them out from the pump area when they are hidding to the left of the pump in the little cave area. Also you might consider modifying the outflow to slow it down a bit. Mine was too much for my rili shrimp.

So I tested water parameters today for cycling purposes:
Ammo: 0.5ppm
Nitrite: 0.1ppm

I guess seeding the filter with a sponge my other shrimp tank helped a bit. Hopefully this is a fast cycle and I can get the Pumpkins sooner than later. I'm adding in more Ammonia today to bring it back up to 3-4ppm.


That did cross my mind and I think I figured out a way to block them off. I grabbed some AC70 sponges and crammed them in there (had to squeeze them in a little bit), but they are blocking off overflow. I haven't checked the hole, thank you for bringing that up and reminding me. I did cram the sponges all the way down so I'm assuming I did cover that hole but I will double check.

How did you block yours off by chance? SS mesh?

I had thought about the outflow. I was thinking just putting something around it to block it a bit off, maybe cut a corner off a sponge and rubber band it. I already have the pump all the way down, but it still seems rather rough for shrimp. My plants don't mind it though.

EDIT: Just shined a light into the little hole and it is blocked off by the sponge. I think I'll be alright

I've read that some people cut slits into the pump hose and that slows the outflow. It also helps to circulate the water in the pump section, which is particularly good if you have a small heater in there.

That's actually a smart idea, RWaters. No heater as of right now since it's summer, but I'll pick one up for the winter just in case

Checking water parameters again:
7.24.2012
Ammo: 2.0ppm (not quite 2, but a little less, maybe 1.9)
Nitrite: 0.5ppm

I brought the Ammonia back up to 4ppm yesterday and so far the bacteria can chow down 2ppm of Ammonia within a 24 hour period. Not too bad for seeding the filter :)

The Green Cabomba is really starting to take off. I'm also starting to see some new growth on the moss as well. I must be doing something right ;)

EDIT:
7.25.2012
Ammo: 1ppm
Nitrite: 2ppm

07.26.2012
Ammo: 0.25ppm (bringing it back up to 3-4ppm)
Nitrite: 2ppm

07.27.2012
Ammo: 0.5ppm (bringing it up to 2-3ppm)
Nitrite: 5+ppm

07.28.2012
Ammo: 2ppm
Nitrite: 5+ppm

07.29.2012
Ammo: 0.25ppm (bringing it up to 2-3ppm)
Nitrite: 5+ppm

07.31.2012
Ammo: 0ppm (bringing it up to 3-4ppm)
Nitrite: 0ppm

08.01.2012
Ammo: 0.25ppm (bringing it up to 3-4ppm)
Nitrite: 0.5ppm

Little update...

Tank is coming along great. Had to already trim the Cabomba back, but all I did was pull it out and cut some off the bottom and replant. Very easy :)

I was also looking into the tank the other night and there was a baby RCS swimming around the tank from when I put the driftwood in. Apparently he decided to hitch a ride to a new home. I was kind of surprised to see him roaming around in a tank that is cycling with 4ppm Ammo and 5+ppm of Nitrites. :eek:

I pulled the little guy out and put him in my 60G angelfish tank. My angels decided to make a snack out of him

I also put a fan on my tank as well to help cool it off a bit. The tank was staying around 85˚ due to the room temperature. Now with the fan grazing over the water, brought it down to 72˚! I didn't expect a fan to work that well!

EDIT:
Sitting here watching my tank and I see ANOTHER baby RCS hanging out. Time to pull him out

Did you uproot the plant and trim the roots?
You shouldn't disturb the roots, and just trim the tops, cutting them down a few inches.
(if I understood that correctly)

Yeah, I was cutting from the bottom, but there were no roots so I thought it would be OK. Roots are being sent out from above the substrate so the plants are getting their nutrients from water column.

I understand you should cut them down a few inches, but this works for me. Plus, since the tank is so small, I don't want the Cabomba overtaking the tank

Small update... I need to post some pics soon...

Cabomba really starting to overtake the tank now. This stuff grows fast in this nano. First time I've tried out this plant and it looks nice. Moss growing in a little bit as well. I can see the mini xmas moss starting to grow above the mesh on the rocks finally.

I'm also starting to notice some Diatoms on the driftwood as well as some hair algae on the Anubias

The tank is still cycling... gotta love the waiting game. I stopped keeping track for a few days, but still kept adding a little bit of Ammonia everyday. I tested yesterday and everything was 0's so I brought it back up to 4ppm Ammonia last night

08.07.2012
Ammo: 0.75ppm
Nitrite: 0.25ppm

08.11.2012
(Added 4ppm Ammo yesterday morning)
Ammo: 2ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm

08.12.2012
Ammo: 0.25ppm (adding 3-4ppm Ammo)
Nitrite: 0ppm