I just bought the 9 gallon as Im just getting back into the hobby also.....also just bought a whole bunch of modification parts such as a clear hood and a much better light to put above the tank....going with the basic easier to grow plants so I can start learning about them...yes, Im a novice with plants so going with forgiving specimans. As far as the divider, may end up attempting to remove it in the future for low tech when I feel confident enough to do it. Fluval is Fluval. One of the most reliable companies ever since I can remember....the flex tanks are beautiful and love that there are no rims on this.....will probably jump to the mega flex as I brush the rust off of my fish keeping skills. Lol. Love your tank!
Good honest review. Just bought one letting it break in. I have done saltwater with snow flake eel, puffers, blah blah blah. Just wanted something with tetras to amuse me and the cats when not home.
I am starting the aquarium hobby again, I bought Fluval 15 gl. and I plan to place a CO2. In the grids I will be placing a fine mesh glued to prevent the shrimp from leaving. An appropriate piece of furniture with a tray, etc. etc, thanks for your video
Love my Flex 15. I have done some mods to it for my betta to reduce the flow somewhat. I am now cycling another one for a shrimp tank. Lots of awesome mods on Etsy!
@@xxdclawzxx I didn’t. But i had purchased an adjustable flow bar off etsy that had a “relief valve” that’s in the filter compartment. So as it restricts the flow out the front the extra water gets recirculated into the back to keep it from getting stagnant. I have now upgraded to the Flex 32.5 with the same thing. I have used the “poke holes” method on my Spec V though since I can’t find a similar etsy mod for that tank. It works well just start with a few holes - you can always add more
I have the Flex 57 and Mega Flex, both have been great. Crystal clear water from stock filtration too. I love the design and the fact you can hide all the equipment in the back.
I have a Flex 15 gallon that I mod with a few parts off of a Etsy shop. It made it perfect for my larger finned male betta and his corycat friends. I have to say I love the ease of the setup and I even replaced the light with a Aquasky 2.0 (I just wanted to have a Bluetooth light that matched my mega flex still sticking with the java ferns, crypts and anubias in this tank). The inlet covers also were covered with a snorkle on the bottom one and a tighter grid on the top incase I ever wanted to add shrimp or a micro school to the tank. I absolutely love it and I think the newer models do better with that seal between the back compartments and the front. Fluval has taken a lot of feedback over the years to make this one better. I do still wish for a speed control on the pump but the low flow spraybar is doing the trick for now.
I'm seriously looking into the 9 or 15 gal for a betta and possibly a few peaceful tank mates. I'd need something to lessen or dampen the water flow and you mentioned a mod from Etsy? Could you tell me what it's called so I can look it up?
Bought in January 2022 to get me back into hobby after a 3 year hiatus. It is so pretty. But I immediately upgraded it. LOL. Already have lid off, Fluval plant 3.0 up, a bunch of upgrades from LidPropz on Etsy,n and upgraded media. But still, even with all of the upgrades, I really love it. It’s just a nice, nice tank. I can’t have a larger tank due to landlord rules, and it gives the illusion of being a lot bigger than it is. I have 5 guppies, 2 endlers, 2 dwarf gourami (the third died last night), and a handful of cherry shrimp. Got a decent aqua scape going with basic plants that will be upgraded (of course) now that I have the upgraded light. I recommend it!
I bought the 9 and 15 gallon (used) and removed the filter baffles to use sponge filters in it,and made my own clear lids so I could use the lights I prefer(provides far better coverage in the tank with no issues of moisture getting into the light housing). I’d love to do this mod with a 32 gallon but with larger tanks I prefer a large sponge filter as emergency/backup only so I’d like to find some method for filtration similar to a hob.Cant see setting a hob on this thin glass frame,though. 😂 I digress! Thank you for the review. Love your content.
Love this review! Honest and not patronising at all, I'm a beginner and iv had to skip a few TH-camrs as all they do is say beginners are stupid?! So thanks for the informative and to the point review!
Thanks mate, I've had my fluval flex for 4 months now and I love it, I agree with what you said about the pump I did replace mine after 3 months, must of been faulty , thanks for the video I learnt something's 😁
I have a 8.9g flex lol. That's how old mine is!😂 it was my first tank that brought me back into the hobby as well. So it been maybe 8/9 yrs since I set it up and is still my all-time favorite tank. I've never had a problem with mine. I haven't had to replace anything on mine! 10 out of 10, would reqimend
I have the 15 and 32. The biggest drawback for me is cleaning the filters. I can make a mess in the tank. I love the look and how different it is from a standard tank. I had the light fail on the 15 and fluval covered it with very good service. It's also super quiet.
I got one for a blue shrimp tank/ quarentine. Now it houses a dozen pseudomugil furcatas and 1 apistogramma cacatuoides. My plants are several species of buce and anubias. I love it
Great review! I've had my 9 gallon running just over 3 weeks now with a couple anubias attached to a driftwood stump, and something like 9 individual "octopus" plants(a lot came in the tiny bundle from the fish store!), along with a whole 20lb bag of eco-complete as substrate. It reaches 5" deep in some places. I have 6 tetras total, 3 embers and 3 black emperors. Hoping to add my betta Nikolai very soon as well... also want to get the "bag of bugs" from Phillips Fish Works to try getting a nice little ecosystem going. From Etsy, I got the low flow filter nozzle, and the intake replacement sponge boxes. Both have worked amazingly well. Also got the little stands to hold up the lid... lifesaver when doing maintenance! Another cool gadget, which isn't specific to this tank, is an awesome 3d printed holder set specifically made for the api freshwater master test kit + KH and GH kit. Holds all the test tubes, holders on the opposite side for holding them upside down for drying, a slot for the book with the colors to go, and helpful notes engraved in front of each test tube slot to remind you how many drops for each test. The one thing I must say though, is that I did buy the magnetic algae scraper at Walmart, and it does indeed work perfectly fine on the bowed front of the flex 9. Not sure if they're usually bigger, causing a problem(mine is only about 3"x1.5"), but mine holds on and gets everything off the inside glass just fine. Love your videos, even though this is an older one!
I just used my turkey baster to rescue some platty fry from the back. I do have a problem with pellets getting sucked in and staying at the bottom of the first chamber and causing cloudy water
This pump is indeed very powerful and unadjustable. I actually bought a replacement pump from the Flex 9 and found it much better speed for the tank. You could also add a hose barb valve in the back chamber between the outlet and pump to adjust flow.
Been running mine for almost 3 years now and it’s been a great tank to learn plants on. Grown many of the Java ferns, anubias, some swords, and currently have a bunch of rotala hra in it.Tore it apart and messed with the equipment 4 times after issues I caused over those years. But learned more each time and now basically stock again with a Co2 bell I got for free that’s fits in the filter chamber. And is probably my nicest looking scape/ tank.
I had an old pre-filter for the Fluval Edge (which ended up being a pita). I still see them for ~$4 in the pet shops if you don't have one. I cut it in half top-to-bottom. Each piece fits perfectly under the intake covers on my Flex.
I got back into the hobby after a few years away with the mega flex... best investment ever... i have grown 2 giant apongeton plants in the 32... got the wife a 15 for christmas last year and have grown swords and crypts taller than the tank... cut off multiple times... the new 15's come with the grates since at least last year... you still need to cut some filter foam for behind those... flow control i use is an intake filter over one nozzle with the other
My flex15 is in the perfect zone. I just clean the filter and do a 25% water change every two weeks. Very little algae growth. I use CO2 injection and I cut a chunk out of the middle of the hood, removed the stock light and added the Fluval Plant 3.0 light. That's it, no other mods. I have shrimp, Zebra Danios, a few Neon Tetras and 2 Golden Algae eaters. Love this tank.
I have 2 flex 15, I liked the shape. Not long after buying I took out the back filter system, added a sponge filter. The flow was to strong for my betta. Funny on the box it says great for a betta tank. Less than a year of purchase my light quit working. Other than the shape, I would not buy again. But to be fair to fluval, it was a starter into the hobby. Just found Ithat I really love fish keeing and want to customize my own tank.
I love the flex. One of the best tanks i've ever owned. Hoping to pick up the larger one soon too. The filtration is really powerful for the size of tank so you can get away with some overstocking. I managed to grow a full carpet of Marsilea Crenata with the stock light too which looked fantastic.
@@BentleyPascoe Totally agree with your comments on the intake btw. Clip on vents from ebay are a must! My kuhli loaches used to slip through the gaps before they got chunky, now they just climb over the top if i fill the water too high 😂 I actually found 2 baby rosy tetras about half an inch long in the back compartment that had somehow survived from fry. Couldn't believe my eyes.
I think most fish deal with a fast flow in time..my fan tail guppies went all over the tank for a day..I put a canister filter for a 100g tank on a 36g..now they swim in the flow..I put a fast flow in my shrimp tank and they have no problem..my beta fish was also fine with a fast flow tank..I also overstock sometimes..
Have this tank about 4 months and I like it a lot. What I don’t like is that pump. It was very fast at the beginning and now has slowed some but it’s quite noisy. I’ve got 5 white tips and 3 bandit Corey’s so flow not an issue. I prepped it according to Father Fish principles as an experiment and my random selection of plants has thrived, apart from the floating plants. Not enough light or real estate mebbe. I also have mystery snails. I’ve always had snails and I like them a lot. One snuck in with a plant and now there are many. They don’t eat the plants at all. However, I think this might be why the pump has slowed and is noisy!! I need to investigate but getting the pump out looks tricky.
The pump's actually relatively easy to remove. You just have to unscrew it from the front outlets and then you can pull it up with its tube. Usually what happens when you're getting slow flow: the pump has a small sponge That's in front of its intake and that's been plugged up. So if you just pull out the sponge and clean it out you'll get back to normal flow.
Thanks for the tip about the silicon and the back chamber. Love this tank so much. My starter as well and set up for two years so far. I glued a Fluval Nano Plant light under the hood to address the plant growth issues you noted.
Nice tank,I picked mine up used at a thrift store with stand and a five gallon tank for less then the five gallon when they are having a dollar a gallon sale.
My son is saving up for one. He really loves the look and the all in one ready to go set up. He's going to check out your video later. Lots of good info, Bently, thanks. 👍❤👍
I own this tank and love it. You have low key helped me with the knowledge you have dropped in other places. Particularly that blue light is a huge factor in algae even when other things seem balanced. The stock Fluval light come with colored LED that comes on automatically when using a timer. The default light color is blue. It causes a huge amount of algae if you are not looking to grow it such as you are. I modded my tank like others with the fluval nano light in the middle and stock light moved to back. I stopped using the back light even though I want to and then turned nano light blue light output to 3% power.(your suggestion) (also don't dose phosphorus). The decline in algae was drastic! (1 nerite snail in the tank to clean up the rest) Also I don't use the stock filter setup. I bought the mods from ebay/etsy. The filter racks (inTank Media basket pricey but worth the one time investment) and some 3d printed mods. The out flow cover for the top (I used aquarium silicone to do a smooth seal of the bottom intake before the tank was setup) and different water outflow nozzle. The outflow is the same but distributed so its not rushing out from the same hole. Fish don't get blown around. Chili rasboras can swim freely of current! The pump died after about 2 years. Bought a pump that has the same GPH specs replacement on ebay for cheaper than buying the a fluval replacement would be. The after market mods on the tank cost to probably around $300 usd at time of purchase ( the tanks were 100$ when I bought mine). I would say WORTH IT. I don't need to buy things like filter replacements or carbon etc. Maintenance can be a breeze. Last thing. The stock lights worked damn great for java fern ( the lights do have intensity setting I always had them on max), amazon swords, monte carlo (carpeted no c02), staurogyne repens, and floating plants PS: I highly recommend putting in an airstone with this tank.
I have always liked the look of the flex, and probably will get myself one at some point (maybe the megaflex?). As of now I am still a student and budget trumps style points. Cheap all-glass tanks, camping foam mats, air, and old-school box filters are how I afforded my fish rack.
I have a 15 gallon Flex which I haven’t set up yet as the room it’s going into needs to be painted first. I also have a 9 gallon Flex I was intending to put some baby platys or my new male betta into, but once you pointed out the flow of the filter might be too much, I’m rethinking what to put in there, so thank you for that. :)
I had a 9 gallon Flex. I called it my guppy production machine. I had a trio of large known babyeating showguppys in the tank and allmost all the fry survived, because they hid in the back chamber. So there was no need to take the mothers out to a separate tank when they gave birth. I made a white polishing pad that blocked and secured the access to the middle sponge chamber. Then I just harvested the fry with a hose😆 In 9 months I got over 600 fry😁 When I got it, I immeadiatly tossed out the original pump. It is a constant tornado with the 9 gallon! With an adjustable Eheim CompactOn 300, you can have anything from rosetail Bettas to fish that like good flow. The pump is also higher quality and much less noicy. My main gripe with the Flex is the very thin glass. So there is not much silicone in the seals. When the tank was 3 years old, I did not trust the seals anymore, so I sold it.
In debating getting this. But I've chillinrasboras and ADF. What I've seen now though om Amazon is a flow control for it and different covers for where waters sacked in, one a pre filter cover. I've spare lights so guess I could change the light to a better one for the plants. I don't know if half and half. I've 7 tanks so don't want issues cleaning glass at front either as I like front glass to be clean. You can buy these with heaters now also.
I'm thinking about getting one for a nano tank. I think I'd remove the filter and put an internal filter in, but I guess at that point I might as well piece together my own setup.
I liked the flex 15 even though the light was not good. I retrofitted an Aquasky in it's place. Now I also have a flex 32. I guess that means I would recommend either one.
I have pogostemon helferi growing in my flex 15 looks amazing! My Ludwigia repens is super pink towards the tops of the stems now. It’s been running a year and a half now virtually no algae definitely my most successful tank. Also mine is the updated version they actually made a piece that clips on to the intake slots and you can trim some sponge to size and clip it on with the sponge inside and it keeps everything out! I didn’t do a great job of explaining that 😂
I have a Flex 9 as an office tank. Pogo octopus, lymnophila sessiliflora, crypts all doing well. I have 7 male endlers and some ramhorns. I did add a prefilter sponge to one of the outflows. Nice looking tank in an office environment. But I don’t think I’d buy another.
I always appreciate hearing all the pros and cons of these aquariums!! Personally I think I definitely want one or maybe the megaflex 😁 it's definitely the price point that would hold me back unless I ever get lucky enough to find a used one again 😂😂 I love the way you have your setup 🙏 even with the Blackbeard algae 😂💪💚 Only recently was out fortunate enough to find two Fluval specs on Facebook marketplace for a really great price. It was the first time of ever having a Fluval all in one type tank so far I'm really loving the one I just set up 💚 Thank you always Bentley for taking time sit down and discuss and share your experience!! Another great video!! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙏🦃🌿🐟🌿💚
I was thinking of doing a nano tank for a Betta, in a Fluval Flex. Thank you about discussing the flow the water pump it has. I think I will get some other small all-in-one package kit for a Betta Nano tank setup.
I have a great solution for the flow as I have a Betta in all of my tanks , so I just get the FLUVAL spray bar kit and it was easily the best of both worlds. Clean water and the lazy Betta is going to let you know when you have the bar pointing in the right direction . I have it connected using the grey rubber elbow , remove the dual spray outlet and the connections are not advertised as I was looking for a simple fix and PETSMART had it $20 - and the material is very easy to cut ( bread knife 🤫 ) very easy to get the fit perfect
Yeah I've had mine for about 4 years now and I love it, I got it when I was almost 12 and I'm almost 16 now. Can I ask where you got the replacement light though mine is still in great condition but I'd like to know where I can get another just in case. I've never had one issue with the back divider coming loose and I find it very easy to clean with an old credit card which scrapes all algae and debris off without hassle. My only complaint is that when I got it the suction cups on the bottom of the pump didn't reach the bottom of the aquarium, so instead it would vibrate against the glass but all I did was use a small piece of foam to put between it and the problem was solved. The only other complaint I have is that the back compartments are really annoying to clean, usually I just try and get a siphon down there. But no I do love it, the build quality is fantastic, it's really low maintenance, I've kept cardinal and neon tetras along with some bottom dwellers over the years like ottocinclus and peppermint corydoras. This is also my first planted tank and after 4 years my Javafern and chainswords are alive and well without any fertiliser and just some regular substrate.
My daughter’s going to college this fall. Will be sharing an apartment with some friends. Plan to set up a tank for her. Like a piece of home. Need a tank that’s simple enough to care for. Was thinking betta but she’s partial to dwarf gourami. Like the look of this tank but…Maybe I won’t spend quite so much. Thought this tank would be worth it but after yours and other reviews….
@@angiebear8727 it's a big thing! I think more congrats needs to go out to parents when their kids make it to trade schools/ college. Also a dorm room tank sounds pretty amazing!
I heard that Betta is constantly hiding because the pump is too powerful and they don’t like that strong flow. I have the Mega version and I love it! Wish the flow can be adjusted and the chamber in the back is not build “inside” of the tank, cuz it takes space in the middle and I can hardly put my spider wood in it
Great review thanks. Just bought a couple of the Flex 9 tanks to house a couple of Bettas and perhaps some other small tank mates, clean up crew down the road. I am aware I may have to adjust the flow rate and may purchase mini spraybars off of Etsy. Going low tech planted tanks with some some small pcs of driftwood and dragon stone. Using CaribSea super natural peace river fine size gravel. Phoenix water has high tds so LFS recommends using just RO water and Brightwell Aquatics MicrōBacter7 ( not a lot of reviews for this) for starting tank and to add Betta right away to add as the ammonia source from fish. They said no need to wait for tank to cycle with such a small 1 fish bio load with this product. Does this sound safe? Was going to buy the master test kit but they suggested to just test for ammonia and nitrate levels and recommended separate kits for those. Is there need for PH buffer with Ro water? Have watched too many videos and more confused than ever.
So posted this same info on Planted tank forum and they advised do not follow these instructions. They highly recommended doing fishless cycling of tank and did not recommend the product referenced.
I've had the 15 gal for a couple of months now. The filtration capacity is awesome. You can easily keep more fish than is recommended for a tank its size. I added an air pump to the filtration system to boost its capacity even more - one air outlet goes to am air stone in chamber 1 to add circulation and boost the oxygen content of the water entering the sponge/ceramic media (for biological filtration). Another air outlet goes to an air diffuser installed inline after the pump, injecting air into the water outlet. So far my fish seem happy, but I'm having mixed results with my plants...the water may be TOO clean for the plants. I use fluval's plant media gravel and add a shot of liquid fertilizer every now and then...we'll see if they keep over the long term! My least favorite thing is the light. The color settings are a gimmick at best and lethal to the fish at worst. I've lost a few tetras to stress messing with the disco settings of this tank lol :(
I just bought a 9 gallon flex on sale for 105. Looking around for ideas on scaping before I start setting it up for my little female placate betta. Downsizing from a 40B and rehoming all the fish except the betta. I don't enjoy large water changes . It's been more time consuming than my other 10 gallon that has 3 amano shrimp in it.
I had a Fluval filter in the 90s, it produced a powerful current. Pretty sure it was what killed my fish. Read another review for this saying the current was too intense in these
Cool video! I don't have a fluval flex, but I do have one of those lifegard ones with the slanted front panels, and I find that it has pretty much the same issues and benefits, with the high flow and the divider line and stuff. Gotta admit my divider has never fully come unglued, but it does bow all over the place and I've definitely been concerned about it.
Modded mine to air driven for my sparkling gourami breeding pair. Probably worth the pain of front glass cleaning for the mega flex, but I wouldn't buy a smaller one again I think.
I love the tank but I’ll be definitely doing a lot of modifications , The hardest part is trying to figure out how to keep the LEDs cool underneath that plastic hood because I like strong lights
Shout out to Bentley for saving my planted aquarium nutrient imbalance 🙏 ( got the info from a previous vid just deciding to share now 😄) Thumbs up from NY 👍
I just bought this tank for chili rasboras but after seeing the intake size and the flow I’m a bit worried. I’m also thinking about removing the hood and using the nano 3.0 (I already have one).
I have the 15 gallon tank and added fish today and now the water is not moving from the intake through the filter. Is this common? I’m wondering if I displaced something when I put the bag of fish in. Can I just buy a new filter or should I clean it? Thanks for any suggestions!
I had a full carpet of monte carlo in mine. Have had it for 3 years, I think, but I got tired of the carpet and pulled it out in August. Also, I did try to keep a plakat betta in mine - one male, who didn't live more than a year, and then a female who also lived only about 8 months, so no - the flow is too much for bettas & stresses them too much.
@@BentleyPascoe 🤣🤣 says the master aquatic horticulturalist! Honestly, I have no clue. The Monte Carlo I got was Tropica 123 grow pots, and I used the Tropica Premium Nutrition ferts. That is all, nothing special.
@@BentleyPascoe montle carlo also carpeted in mine no co2. they liked light max light intensity, no overhead obstruction, and about 7-8 hours of of photoperiod. more than that i got algae. they really need root tabs and liquids ferts. would i let monto carlo carpet again? Nope! it just traps way to much mulm, decaying food and fishwaste. you have no idea until you move the plant around or remove it
Yikes!…Is the silicone issue only within the filter chamber?…any issues with leaks from the tank? I have a year with the Mega Flex 32G…beautiful tank, hard to find locally, but yeah that curved front creates distortion when trying to decorate. The pump might be the same as the 15 G as it seems the outflow is kinda weak for this larger tank.
Very much agree with your review Bentley! I put sponges on the outflow, it did the trick nicely. Also, I think those dams you described actually come in the box now - mind you, they're still too big! I found full-grown Phoenix rasbora in the back section before I got a proper guard! A very nice tank overall though!
hi! im relatively new to the hobby, and i have this exact tank! i think its great, but i really struggle to understand the filter, as i never know if its on/off, the nozzles have little drizzles of water but other than that im nervous. i cant see this heavy flow you are talking about 😥 as i said, im new to the hobby and may be just nervous, but is there anyway to check whether its on? thanks!! i love your channel :)
There is a small sponge in the intake of the pump. Make sure you clean that and the main sponge out. Usually when you get low flow it's because those are clogged up and it's inhibiting the water moving through the pump.
@@BentleyPascoe thank you so so much!! this has completely saved my tank, i cleared it and my ammonia levels have gone from a solid 0.5 to 0 straight away,, youre a life saver!
The biggest problem I have with it - the filter system wastes a ton of volume and steals a significant amount of swimming space. I don't care about the flow being excessive - it's easy to mod with a sponge
Hi. I have a Fluval 32 reef with the LED lights using the smart app. Of course the app is connected to my phone, what happens if I leave on vacation using the Pro settings to turn on and off my tank. If power goes out, will the lights turn back on? I will only be gone a week, and I do have someone keeping an eye on it, but they are not tech savvy enough to expect them to use the app. Any suggestions on what I should do? Thanks. Love your vids by the way.
Once the light gets power back, it assumes it is 0 hour (midnight) and runs it's program from there. So yes, but the timing may end up weird until you can sync it back with your phone
If room is not an issue 32.5 (28/29 after all the 💩is added) is the one. I can only have one tank (and not pay alimony) and that’s it. Ps. 40gal would have been nice for me.
Some of us polish our tanks all the time..lol..I don’t like tanks that come with a filter..my 5g got infested with snails..it need cleaning out twice a week because they blocked it up..I got a very small HOB that works like a charm..question what small rainbows do you think for a 55g with 6 larger rainbows..they live right now with very small endlers….and a large angel..I’ve had threadfins..but I’d like something small and easy to keep..
You could look at other pseudomugils like luminatus or furcata, but you can also do smaller species of Melanotaenia like praecox, maccullochi or rubrivitatta. Another option which I've suggested a lot lately is to check out some Rhads (Rhadinocentrus Ornatus). Those will be an online purchase, but they're a really amazing smaller rainbow
Hey I have a 5 gallon top fin colorflow tank but it has noise so I’m thinking about moving to the fluval flex 9 gallon. Is it silent? Because I want to keep it in my office. Thank you
i had this tank the filter never seemed to work properly the tank was always filthy looking the filter seemed to be useless and small cory catfish kept getting into the chambers
Your baby guppies are in the back chamber right now. I can't get them out without moving the tank. I would like it better without the back chamber. I've already gotten rid of the lid and added a better light. I agree it's a nice tank for someone just getting into the hobby. It makes a nice display tank for nano fish. I would NOT buy it again. I'd rather get a dollar per gallon tank and fit it the way I prefer for whatever fish I want to keep in the tank.
never been happy with the flex. i've removed from mine the back plastic and added an hang on back filter and light. still don't like the curved glass at all
I will say that I try very hard not to nay-say these kinds of all in ones. Especially for beginners. Would I get one for me? Nah. Not my thing. Too small for my projects.
Actually the tank has very little flow. Betta's do fine in these tanks, flow is fine for them. The biologists say to chase them around to exercise the fatty part. You are completely wrong about flow, this tank, and bettas all together. The tank has a flow problem in which the water does not flow throigh the middle channel fast enough. I do not know who taught you about flow. Boo!
I have the 15 gallon tank and added fish today and now the water is not moving from the intake through the filter. Is this common? I’m wondering if I displaced something when I put the bag of fish in. Can I just buy a new filter or should I clean it? Thanks for any suggestions!
I just bought the 9 gallon as Im just getting back into the hobby also.....also just bought a whole bunch of modification parts such as a clear hood and a much better light to put above the tank....going with the basic easier to grow plants so I can start learning about them...yes, Im a novice with plants so going with forgiving specimans.
As far as the divider, may end up attempting to remove it in the future for low tech when I feel confident enough to do it.
Fluval is Fluval. One of the most reliable companies ever since I can remember....the flex tanks are beautiful and love that there are no rims on this.....will probably jump to the mega flex as I brush the rust off of my fish keeping skills. Lol.
Love your tank!
Appreciate the honest review Bentley. Glad you’ve enjoyed it over the years. You’ve made me seriously consider it.
Good honest review. Just bought one letting it break in. I have done saltwater with snow flake eel, puffers, blah blah blah. Just wanted something with tetras to amuse me and the cats when not home.
I am starting the aquarium hobby again, I bought Fluval 15 gl. and I plan to place a CO2. In the grids I will be placing a fine mesh glued to prevent the shrimp from leaving. An appropriate piece of furniture with a tray, etc. etc, thanks for your video
Love my Flex 15. I have done some mods to it for my betta to reduce the flow somewhat. I am now cycling another one for a shrimp tank. Lots of awesome mods on Etsy!
Did you poke holes in the rubber hose to help reduce flow? Lol that’s what I did
@@xxdclawzxx I didn’t. But i had purchased an adjustable flow bar off etsy that had a “relief valve” that’s in the filter compartment. So as it restricts the flow out the front the extra water gets recirculated into the back to keep it from getting stagnant. I have now upgraded to the Flex 32.5 with the same thing.
I have used the “poke holes” method on my Spec V though since I can’t find a similar etsy mod for that tank. It works well just start with a few holes - you can always add more
I have the Flex 57 and Mega Flex, both have been great. Crystal clear water from stock filtration too. I love the design and the fact you can hide all the equipment in the back.
I have a Flex 15 gallon that I mod with a few parts off of a Etsy shop. It made it perfect for my larger finned male betta and his corycat friends. I have to say I love the ease of the setup and I even replaced the light with a Aquasky 2.0 (I just wanted to have a Bluetooth light that matched my mega flex still sticking with the java ferns, crypts and anubias in this tank). The inlet covers also were covered with a snorkle on the bottom one and a tighter grid on the top incase I ever wanted to add shrimp or a micro school to the tank. I absolutely love it and I think the newer models do better with that seal between the back compartments and the front. Fluval has taken a lot of feedback over the years to make this one better. I do still wish for a speed control on the pump but the low flow spraybar is doing the trick for now.
I'm seriously looking into the 9 or 15 gal for a betta and possibly a few peaceful tank mates. I'd need something to lessen or dampen the water flow and you mentioned a mod from Etsy? Could you tell me what it's called so I can look it up?
Thank you for the thorough video. I'm planning to purchase a similar aquarium, and all the information in the clip is incredibly helpful!
I have a fluval spec which has been running for a few years with a betta and a bunch of crypts in it. Never had a problem with it, it's been solid.
Good to know I just set up one myself and so far I'm really loving it 💪♥️😎🌿🐟🌿
I just added a flow control valve to the pump output tube and adjusted to my desired flow. Works fine.
Bought in January 2022 to get me back into hobby after a 3 year hiatus. It is so pretty. But I immediately upgraded it. LOL. Already have lid off, Fluval plant 3.0 up, a bunch of upgrades from LidPropz on Etsy,n and upgraded media. But still, even with all of the upgrades, I really love it. It’s just a nice, nice tank. I can’t have a larger tank due to landlord rules, and it gives the illusion of being a lot bigger than it is. I have 5 guppies, 2 endlers, 2 dwarf gourami (the third died last night), and a handful of cherry shrimp. Got a decent aqua scape going with basic plants that will be upgraded (of course) now that I have the upgraded light. I recommend it!
Yet again you have knocked it out of the park with a honest review, Thanks.
I bought the 9 and 15 gallon (used) and removed the filter baffles to use sponge filters in it,and made my own clear lids so I could use the lights I prefer(provides far better coverage in the tank with no issues of moisture getting into the light housing).
I’d love to do this mod with a 32 gallon but with larger tanks I prefer a large sponge filter as emergency/backup only so I’d like to find some method for filtration similar to a hob.Cant see setting a hob on this thin glass frame,though.
😂 I digress!
Thank you for the review.
Love your content.
Love this review! Honest and not patronising at all, I'm a beginner and iv had to skip a few TH-camrs as all they do is say beginners are stupid?! So thanks for the informative and to the point review!
Thanks mate, I've had my fluval flex for 4 months now and I love it, I agree with what you said about the pump I did replace mine after 3 months, must of been faulty , thanks for the video I learnt something's 😁
Welp, this review has decided my Christmas present this year.
I have a 8.9g flex lol. That's how old mine is!😂 it was my first tank that brought me back into the hobby as well. So it been maybe 8/9 yrs since I set it up and is still my all-time favorite tank. I've never had a problem with mine. I haven't had to replace anything on mine! 10 out of 10, would reqimend
I have the 15 and 32. The biggest drawback for me is cleaning the filters. I can make a mess in the tank. I love the look and how different it is from a standard tank. I had the light fail on the 15 and fluval covered it with very good service. It's also super quiet.
My 9 gallon Flex is on my nightstand, and it is SILENT! I love it!
I don't say this that often. Excellent Review. You gave us everything in detail what we needed to know.
I got one for a blue shrimp tank/ quarentine. Now it houses a dozen pseudomugil furcatas and 1 apistogramma cacatuoides. My plants are several species of buce and anubias. I love it
Great review! I've had my 9 gallon running just over 3 weeks now with a couple anubias attached to a driftwood stump, and something like 9 individual "octopus" plants(a lot came in the tiny bundle from the fish store!), along with a whole 20lb bag of eco-complete as substrate. It reaches 5" deep in some places. I have 6 tetras total, 3 embers and 3 black emperors. Hoping to add my betta Nikolai very soon as well... also want to get the "bag of bugs" from Phillips Fish Works to try getting a nice little ecosystem going. From Etsy, I got the low flow filter nozzle, and the intake replacement sponge boxes. Both have worked amazingly well. Also got the little stands to hold up the lid... lifesaver when doing maintenance! Another cool gadget, which isn't specific to this tank, is an awesome 3d printed holder set specifically made for the api freshwater master test kit + KH and GH kit. Holds all the test tubes, holders on the opposite side for holding them upside down for drying, a slot for the book with the colors to go, and helpful notes engraved in front of each test tube slot to remind you how many drops for each test. The one thing I must say though, is that I did buy the magnetic algae scraper at Walmart, and it does indeed work perfectly fine on the bowed front of the flex 9. Not sure if they're usually bigger, causing a problem(mine is only about 3"x1.5"), but mine holds on and gets everything off the inside glass just fine. Love your videos, even though this is an older one!
I just used my turkey baster to rescue some platty fry from the back. I do have a problem with pellets getting sucked in and staying at the bottom of the first chamber and causing cloudy water
This pump is indeed very powerful and unadjustable. I actually bought a replacement pump from the Flex 9 and found it much better speed for the tank. You could also add a hose barb valve in the back chamber between the outlet and pump to adjust flow.
Been running mine for almost 3 years now and it’s been a great tank to learn plants on. Grown many of the Java ferns, anubias, some swords, and currently have a bunch of rotala hra in it.Tore it apart and messed with the equipment 4 times after issues I caused over those years. But learned more each time and now basically stock again with a Co2 bell I got for free that’s fits in the filter chamber. And is probably my nicest looking scape/ tank.
I had an old pre-filter for the Fluval Edge (which ended up being a pita). I still see them for ~$4 in the pet shops if you don't have one. I cut it in half top-to-bottom. Each piece fits perfectly under the intake covers on my Flex.
I got back into the hobby after a few years away with the mega flex... best investment ever... i have grown 2 giant apongeton plants in the 32... got the wife a 15 for christmas last year and have grown swords and crypts taller than the tank... cut off multiple times... the new 15's come with the grates since at least last year... you still need to cut some filter foam for behind those... flow control i use is an intake filter over one nozzle with the other
My flex15 is in the perfect zone. I just clean the filter and do a 25% water change every two weeks. Very little algae growth. I use CO2 injection and I cut a chunk out of the middle of the hood, removed the stock light and added the Fluval Plant 3.0 light. That's it, no other mods. I have shrimp, Zebra Danios, a few Neon Tetras and 2 Golden Algae eaters. Love this tank.
whoah cut a chuck? you can glue the light directly the middle of the hood. thats what i did clean looking very little work, no cutting anything
Looking into this kit so thank you! This has been very informative. : )
I have 2 flex 15, I liked the shape. Not long after buying I took out the back filter system, added a sponge filter. The flow was to strong for my betta. Funny on the box it says great for a betta tank.
Less than a year of purchase my light quit working. Other than the shape, I would not buy again. But to be fair to fluval, it was a starter into the hobby. Just found Ithat I really love fish keeing and want to customize my own tank.
Thank you for the great review. I like the look of it and always catch myself eyeballing it. Sounds like it is worth it.
I love the flex. One of the best tanks i've ever owned. Hoping to pick up the larger one soon too. The filtration is really powerful for the size of tank so you can get away with some overstocking. I managed to grow a full carpet of Marsilea Crenata with the stock light too which looked fantastic.
Crenata is a good idea!
@@BentleyPascoe Totally agree with your comments on the intake btw. Clip on vents from ebay are a must! My kuhli loaches used to slip through the gaps before they got chunky, now they just climb over the top if i fill the water too high 😂 I actually found 2 baby rosy tetras about half an inch long in the back compartment that had somehow survived from fry. Couldn't believe my eyes.
I think most fish deal with a fast flow in time..my fan tail guppies went all over the tank for a day..I put a canister filter for a 100g tank on a 36g..now they swim in the flow..I put a fast flow in my shrimp tank and they have no problem..my beta fish was also fine with a fast flow tank..I also overstock sometimes..
Have this tank about 4 months and I like it a lot. What I don’t like is that pump. It was very fast at the beginning and now has slowed some but it’s quite noisy. I’ve got 5 white tips and 3 bandit Corey’s so flow not an issue. I prepped it according to Father Fish principles as an experiment and my random selection of plants has thrived, apart from the floating plants. Not enough light or real estate mebbe. I also have mystery snails. I’ve always had snails and I like them a lot. One snuck in with a plant and now there are many. They don’t eat the plants at all. However, I think this might be why the pump has slowed and is noisy!! I need to investigate but getting the pump out looks tricky.
The pump's actually relatively easy to remove. You just have to unscrew it from the front outlets and then you can pull it up with its tube. Usually what happens when you're getting slow flow: the pump has a small sponge That's in front of its intake and that's been plugged up. So if you just pull out the sponge and clean it out you'll get back to normal flow.
Thanks for the tip about the silicon and the back chamber. Love this tank so much. My starter as well and set up for two years so far. I glued a Fluval Nano Plant light under the hood to address the plant growth issues you noted.
Nice tank,I picked mine up used at a thrift store with stand and a five gallon tank for less then the five gallon when they are having a dollar a gallon sale.
My son is saving up for one. He really loves the look and the all in one ready to go set up. He's going to check out your video later. Lots of good info, Bently, thanks.
👍❤👍
Good review, thanks!
I own this tank and love it. You have low key helped me with the knowledge you have dropped in other places. Particularly that blue light is a huge factor in algae even when other things seem balanced. The stock Fluval light come with colored LED that comes on automatically when using a timer. The default light color is blue. It causes a huge amount of algae if you are not looking to grow it such as you are. I modded my tank like others with the fluval nano light in the middle and stock light moved to back. I stopped using the back light even though I want to and then turned nano light blue light output to 3% power.(your suggestion) (also don't dose phosphorus). The decline in algae was drastic! (1 nerite snail in the tank to clean up the rest)
Also I don't use the stock filter setup. I bought the mods from ebay/etsy. The filter racks (inTank Media basket pricey but worth the one time investment) and some 3d printed mods. The out flow cover for the top (I used aquarium silicone to do a smooth seal of the bottom intake before the tank was setup) and different water outflow nozzle. The outflow is the same but distributed so its not rushing out from the same hole. Fish don't get blown around. Chili rasboras can swim freely of current!
The pump died after about 2 years. Bought a pump that has the same GPH specs replacement on ebay for cheaper than buying the a fluval replacement would be.
The after market mods on the tank cost to probably around $300 usd at time of purchase ( the tanks were 100$ when I bought mine).
I would say WORTH IT. I don't need to buy things like filter replacements or carbon etc. Maintenance can be a breeze.
Last thing. The stock lights worked damn great for java fern ( the lights do have intensity setting I always had them on max), amazon swords, monte carlo (carpeted no c02), staurogyne repens, and floating plants
PS: I highly recommend putting in an airstone with this tank.
How ?
I have always liked the look of the flex, and probably will get myself one at some point (maybe the megaflex?). As of now I am still a student and budget trumps style points. Cheap all-glass tanks, camping foam mats, air, and old-school box filters are how I afforded my fish rack.
I have a 15 gallon Flex which I haven’t set up yet as the room it’s going into needs to be painted first. I also have a 9 gallon Flex I was intending to put some baby platys or my new male betta into, but once you pointed out the flow of the filter might be too much, I’m rethinking what to put in there, so thank you for that. :)
I put small intake sponge filters (cable tied) to the two output flow nozzles. About $6. Perfect for bettas.
I had a 9 gallon Flex. I called it my guppy production machine. I had a trio of large known babyeating showguppys in the tank and allmost all the fry survived, because they hid in the back chamber. So there was no need to take the mothers out to a separate tank when they gave birth.
I made a white polishing pad that blocked and secured the access to the middle sponge chamber. Then I just harvested the fry with a hose😆 In 9 months I got over 600 fry😁
When I got it, I immeadiatly tossed out the original pump. It is a constant tornado with the 9 gallon! With an adjustable Eheim CompactOn 300, you can have anything from rosetail Bettas to fish that like good flow. The pump is also higher quality and much less noicy.
My main gripe with the Flex is the very thin glass. So there is not much silicone in the seals. When the tank was 3 years old, I did not trust the seals anymore, so I sold it.
In debating getting this. But I've chillinrasboras and ADF. What I've seen now though om Amazon is a flow control for it and different covers for where waters sacked in, one a pre filter cover. I've spare lights so guess I could change the light to a better one for the plants. I don't know if half and half. I've 7 tanks so don't want issues cleaning glass at front either as I like front glass to be clean. You can buy these with heaters now also.
I'm thinking about getting one for a nano tank. I think I'd remove the filter and put an internal filter in, but I guess at that point I might as well piece together my own setup.
I liked the flex 15 even though the light was not good. I retrofitted an Aquasky in it's place. Now I also have a flex 32. I guess that means I would recommend either one.
I have pogostemon helferi growing in my flex 15 looks amazing! My Ludwigia repens is super pink towards the tops of the stems now. It’s been running a year and a half now virtually no algae definitely my most successful tank. Also mine is the updated version they actually made a piece that clips on to the intake slots and you can trim some sponge to size and clip it on with the sponge inside and it keeps everything out! I didn’t do a great job of explaining that 😂
Ah! I wish I had those clip ons when I first was using this tank
I have a Flex 9 as an office tank. Pogo octopus, lymnophila sessiliflora, crypts all doing well. I have 7 male endlers and some ramhorns. I did add a prefilter sponge to one of the outflows. Nice looking tank in an office environment. But I don’t think I’d buy another.
I always appreciate hearing all the pros and cons of these aquariums!! Personally I think I definitely want one or maybe the megaflex 😁 it's definitely the price point that would hold me back unless I ever get lucky enough to find a used one again 😂😂
I love the way you have your setup 🙏 even with the Blackbeard algae 😂💪💚
Only recently was out fortunate enough to find two Fluval specs on Facebook marketplace for a really great price. It was the first time of ever having a Fluval all in one type tank so far I'm really loving the one I just set up 💚
Thank you always Bentley for taking time sit down and discuss and share your experience!!
Another great video!!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving 🙏🦃🌿🐟🌿💚
I was thinking of doing a nano tank for a Betta, in a Fluval Flex. Thank you about discussing the flow the water pump it has. I think I will get some other small all-in-one package kit for a Betta Nano tank setup.
I have a great solution for the flow as I have a Betta in all of my tanks , so I just get the FLUVAL spray bar kit and it was easily the best of both worlds. Clean water and the lazy Betta is going to let you know when you have the bar pointing in the right direction . I have it connected using the grey rubber elbow , remove the dual spray outlet and the connections are not advertised as I was looking for a simple fix and PETSMART had it $20 - and the material is very easy to cut ( bread knife 🤫 ) very easy to get the fit perfect
Yeah I've had mine for about 4 years now and I love it, I got it when I was almost 12 and I'm almost 16 now. Can I ask where you got the replacement light though mine is still in great condition but I'd like to know where I can get another just in case. I've never had one issue with the back divider coming loose and I find it very easy to clean with an old credit card which scrapes all algae and debris off without hassle. My only complaint is that when I got it the suction cups on the bottom of the pump didn't reach the bottom of the aquarium, so instead it would vibrate against the glass but all I did was use a small piece of foam to put between it and the problem was solved. The only other complaint I have is that the back compartments are really annoying to clean, usually I just try and get a siphon down there. But no I do love it, the build quality is fantastic, it's really low maintenance, I've kept cardinal and neon tetras along with some bottom dwellers over the years like ottocinclus and peppermint corydoras. This is also my first planted tank and after 4 years my Javafern and chainswords are alive and well without any fertiliser and just some regular substrate.
I got my replacement direct from Fluval, they have a small store in their site where you can buy parts
Just got a flex a few weeks ago. I appreciate the honest feedback. I love the look of this tank. I’m using it for a pair of midnight rams.
you can either get an adjustable pump or you can find a nozzle on etsy to changes the flow making it more gentle. Very easy fix imo.
Yes, but part of the point is not needing to modify an all in one for the review purpose. Yes, lots of awesome Etsy options out there
My daughter’s going to college this fall. Will be sharing an apartment with some friends. Plan to set up a tank for her. Like a piece of home. Need a tank that’s simple enough to care for. Was thinking betta but she’s partial to dwarf gourami. Like the look of this tank but…Maybe I won’t spend quite so much. Thought this tank would be worth it but after yours and other reviews….
Congrats on having her get to college!
@@BentleyPascoe Ty. She’s the baby yet the first to go to college. I’m so proud of her.
@@angiebear8727 it's a big thing! I think more congrats needs to go out to parents when their kids make it to trade schools/ college. Also a dorm room tank sounds pretty amazing!
I heard that Betta is constantly hiding because the pump is too powerful and they don’t like that strong flow. I have the Mega version and I love it! Wish the flow can be adjusted and the chamber in the back is not build “inside” of the tank, cuz it takes space in the middle and I can hardly put my spider wood in it
Great review thanks. Just bought a couple of the Flex 9 tanks to house a couple of Bettas and perhaps some other small tank mates, clean up crew down the road. I am aware I may have to adjust the flow rate and may purchase mini spraybars off of Etsy. Going low tech planted tanks with some some small pcs of driftwood and dragon stone. Using CaribSea super natural peace river fine size gravel. Phoenix water has high tds so LFS recommends using just RO water and Brightwell Aquatics MicrōBacter7 ( not a lot of reviews for this) for starting tank and to add Betta right away to add as the ammonia source from fish. They said no need to wait for tank to cycle with such a small 1 fish bio load with this product. Does this sound safe? Was going to buy the master test kit but they suggested to just test for ammonia and nitrate levels and recommended separate kits for those. Is there need for PH buffer with Ro water?
Have watched too many videos and more confused than ever.
So posted this same info on Planted tank forum and they advised do not follow these instructions. They highly recommended doing fishless cycling of tank and did not recommend the product referenced.
I've had the 15 gal for a couple of months now. The filtration capacity is awesome. You can easily keep more fish than is recommended for a tank its size. I added an air pump to the filtration system to boost its capacity even more - one air outlet goes to am air stone in chamber 1 to add circulation and boost the oxygen content of the water entering the sponge/ceramic media (for biological filtration). Another air outlet goes to an air diffuser installed inline after the pump, injecting air into the water outlet. So far my fish seem happy, but I'm having mixed results with my plants...the water may be TOO clean for the plants. I use fluval's plant media gravel and add a shot of liquid fertilizer every now and then...we'll see if they keep over the long term! My least favorite thing is the light. The color settings are a gimmick at best and lethal to the fish at worst. I've lost a few tetras to stress messing with the disco settings of this tank lol :(
I just bought a 9 gallon flex on sale for 105. Looking around for ideas on scaping before I start setting it up for my little female placate betta. Downsizing from a 40B and rehoming all the fish except the betta. I don't enjoy large water changes . It's been more time consuming than my other 10 gallon that has 3 amano shrimp in it.
I like the flax
I had a Fluval filter in the 90s, it produced a powerful current. Pretty sure it was what killed my fish. Read another review for this saying the current was too intense in these
Cool video! I don't have a fluval flex, but I do have one of those lifegard ones with the slanted front panels, and I find that it has pretty much the same issues and benefits, with the high flow and the divider line and stuff. Gotta admit my divider has never fully come unglued, but it does bow all over the place and I've definitely been concerned about it.
Modded mine to air driven for my sparkling gourami breeding pair. Probably worth the pain of front glass cleaning for the mega flex, but I wouldn't buy a smaller one again I think.
I love the tank but I’ll be definitely doing a lot of modifications , The hardest part is trying to figure out how to keep the LEDs cool underneath that plastic hood because I like strong lights
I love my 15 gallon.
Shout out to Bentley for saving my planted aquarium nutrient imbalance 🙏 ( got the info from a previous vid just deciding to share now 😄) Thumbs up from NY 👍
Ditto.
can you plz do tour of your fish tanks and show all the rainbows you have?
I just bought this tank for chili rasboras but after seeing the intake size and the flow I’m a bit worried. I’m also thinking about removing the hood and using the nano 3.0 (I already have one).
I have the 15 gallon tank and added fish today and now the water is not moving from the intake through the filter. Is this common? I’m wondering if I displaced something when I put the bag of fish in. Can I just buy a new filter or should I clean it? Thanks for any suggestions!
Clean it, especially the small sponge on the intake of the pump
I had a full carpet of monte carlo in mine. Have had it for 3 years, I think, but I got tired of the carpet and pulled it out in August. Also, I did try to keep a plakat betta in mine - one male, who didn't live more than a year, and then a female who also lived only about 8 months, so no - the flow is too much for bettas & stresses them too much.
I need to learn your magic to get monte Carlo to work under a flex!
@@BentleyPascoe 🤣🤣 says the master aquatic horticulturalist! Honestly, I have no clue. The Monte Carlo I got was Tropica 123 grow pots, and I used the Tropica Premium Nutrition ferts. That is all, nothing special.
@@BentleyPascoe montle carlo also carpeted in mine no co2. they liked light max light intensity, no overhead obstruction, and about 7-8 hours of of photoperiod. more than that i got algae. they really need root tabs and liquids ferts. would i let monto carlo carpet again? Nope! it just traps way to much mulm, decaying food and fishwaste. you have no idea until you move the plant around or remove it
Yikes!…Is the silicone issue only within the filter chamber?…any issues with leaks from the tank?
I have a year with the Mega Flex 32G…beautiful tank, hard to find locally, but yeah that curved front creates distortion when trying to decorate. The pump might be the same as the 15 G as it seems the outflow is kinda weak for this larger tank.
Nine from the tank, it's been rock solid, just that dang divider and knowing me I'm just the unlucky one
Rambling but good.
I may try one.
Wonderful
Bought mine for 100 dollars so can't complain. Couldn't grow stem plants had to rescape with java fern and anubias.
What do you think about running a FLUVAL 107 in one of these? Have the intake in the pump chamber…
Might be way more flow than you need.
Very much agree with your review Bentley! I put sponges on the outflow, it did the trick nicely. Also, I think those dams you described actually come in the box now - mind you, they're still too big! I found full-grown Phoenix rasbora in the back section before I got a proper guard! A very nice tank overall though!
Glass?
Yes, tank is glass, the divider is plastic.
hi! im relatively new to the hobby, and i have this exact tank! i think its great, but i really struggle to understand the filter, as i never know if its on/off, the nozzles have little drizzles of water but other than that im nervous. i cant see this heavy flow you are talking about 😥
as i said, im new to the hobby and may be just nervous, but is there anyway to check whether its on?
thanks!! i love your channel :)
There is a small sponge in the intake of the pump. Make sure you clean that and the main sponge out. Usually when you get low flow it's because those are clogged up and it's inhibiting the water moving through the pump.
@@BentleyPascoe thank you so so much!! this has completely saved my tank, i cleared it and my ammonia levels have gone from a solid 0.5 to 0 straight away,, youre a life saver!
potentiometer for the pump speed
The biggest problem I have with it - the filter system wastes a ton of volume and steals a significant amount of swimming space. I don't care about the flow being excessive - it's easy to mod with a sponge
Hi. I have a Fluval 32 reef with the LED lights using the smart app. Of course the app is connected to my phone, what happens if I leave on vacation using the Pro settings to turn on and off my tank. If power goes out, will the lights turn back on? I will only be gone a week, and I do have someone keeping an eye on it, but they are not tech savvy enough to expect them to use the app. Any suggestions on what I should do? Thanks. Love your vids by the way.
Once the light gets power back, it assumes it is 0 hour (midnight) and runs it's program from there. So yes, but the timing may end up weird until you can sync it back with your phone
I'm definitely too cheap, so it will always be the half price sale. But good to know you're mostly happy with the flex
If room is not an issue 32.5 (28/29 after all the 💩is added) is the one. I can only have one tank (and not pay alimony) and that’s it.
Ps. 40gal would have been nice for me.
Any way to modify the oomf of pump
If you crowd the first open chamber with sponge it reduces it some, otherwise you can swap the pump out for a smaller pump
@@BentleyPascoe any pump you recommend?
Ive had great success wiith my Flex 32 with c02 with a little help from my buddy Mr.Pascoe
Think it would be good for a pair of apistogramma?
Yep!
Some of us polish our tanks all the time..lol..I don’t like tanks that come with a filter..my 5g got infested with snails..it need cleaning out twice a week because they blocked it up..I got a very small HOB that works like a charm..question what small rainbows do you think for a 55g with 6 larger rainbows..they live right now with very small endlers….and a large angel..I’ve had threadfins..but I’d like something small and easy to keep..
You could look at other pseudomugils like luminatus or furcata, but you can also do smaller species of Melanotaenia like praecox, maccullochi or rubrivitatta. Another option which I've suggested a lot lately is to check out some Rhads (Rhadinocentrus Ornatus). Those will be an online purchase, but they're a really amazing smaller rainbow
Great video... Do you have to use a Fluval heater?.. Can you put any brand heater in it?
You can use any heater. rated for 10-20 gal or is adjustable. Place it in the same chamber as the pump
@@someguy4844 that's cool then..
Can you ajust the flow of the pump?
The stock pump is not adjustable unfortunately
Hey I have a 5 gallon top fin colorflow tank but it has noise so I’m thinking about moving to the fluval flex 9 gallon. Is it silent? Because I want to keep it in my office. Thank you
As long as you keep up on the maintenance and keep your water level tied up, it isn't relatively silent tank
@@BentleyPascoe it’s silent or isn’t? Thanks for your reply
There's one on Facebook right now for a hundred bucks I think I might pick it up and put a couple murder beans in it
i had this tank the filter never seemed to work properly the tank was always filthy looking the filter seemed to be useless and small cory catfish kept getting into the chambers
You think some Cherry barbs would do good in there ? Or better going more nano fish
I think they'd be great, or white clouds
@@BentleyPascoe are they fin nippers or can I add a betta with them a hellboy
@@leo2o915 I've not seen them fin nip
@@BentleyPascoe so how many you think I should try with a bellboy betta
Your baby guppies are in the back chamber right now. I can't get them out without moving the tank. I would like it better without the back chamber. I've already gotten rid of the lid and added a better light. I agree it's a nice tank for someone just getting into the hobby. It makes a nice display tank for nano fish. I would NOT buy it again. I'd rather get a dollar per gallon tank and fit it the way I prefer for whatever fish I want to keep in the tank.
Can totally understand that!
never been happy with the flex. i've removed from mine the back plastic and added an hang on back filter and light. still don't like the curved glass at all
I thought those fish (crossocheilus reticulatus) eat bba... which could be the reason?
They do, they're just lazier as adults and get well fed. If I skipped some feedings they would put it more work on it.
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The white version is cheaper because no one wants it
I have a white one … because it is white. It looks great with the green of the plants and the red fish. Not everyone likes black…☹
I will say that I try very hard not to nay-say these kinds of all in ones. Especially for beginners.
Would I get one for me? Nah. Not my thing. Too small for my projects.
Flex, not ambitious enough for Alyssa 🤣
Actually the tank has very little flow. Betta's do fine in these tanks, flow is fine for them. The biologists say to chase them around to exercise the fatty part.
You are completely wrong about flow, this tank, and bettas all together.
The tank has a flow problem in which the water does not flow throigh the middle channel fast enough.
I do not know who taught you about flow. Boo!
Fluval sells a curved magnetic glass cleaner for these kits.
I have the 15 gallon tank and added fish today and now the water is not moving from the intake through the filter. Is this common? I’m wondering if I displaced something when I put the bag of fish in. Can I just buy a new filter or should I clean it? Thanks for any suggestions!
Clean it and make sure to clean the small sponge on the intake of the pump too