Fluval Flex 9 & 15 US Gal. Aquarium 

Is the waterflow not too fast for them?

How do you close it???

@@jesintajesinta plastic + glue

Joe, excellent ! Hope they enjoy the hobby.

Thinking of picking this up for my betta fish! It would be perfect for some aqua scraping and just the features of this tank are just amazing

The high cost is due to the light and built in filter. Most LED lights that can grow live plants cost twice as much as the tanks they are attached to. This filter is better than any hang on the back filter rated for this sized tank. With the filter being modifiable as well I think this is actually a good deal. A 10 gallon runs about 15-20 us dollars and a comparable light is about 50-80 a good quality filter from fluval would be 30 to 40 you already surpassed the cost of this unit by buying everything separately and it won't have the seamless astetic this tank offers.

Im from the future, they now have 32 gal version for saltwater, it comes with saltwater led light and a compartment specific for protein skimmer, that is really the only difference though.

I traveled back in time to tell you Fluval just released a recall on the 20 gal tanks.

Brian Lagos lightning stimulates breeding

@@animated9714 No, disco lights simulate stress only. There's no red only light in real life.

@Fisticuffs Guilde red? Lol

I’m looking into purchasing this exact one. Did it come with all the parts needed?

QuantumDeath I own one and really like it too. However, the first thing I was doing was some modification to the filter! All that space and still only the tiniest little piece of effective biological filtration is pathetic or laughable, I can't decide. No offence to Fluval though, I have modified all my filters in all my aquariums to achive pristine water quality. There is pretty much not a single built-in aquarium filter on the market that is above the bare minimum standard and many that are far worse than this one. This filter actually reach a minimum standard as it is, so fishes can actually live fairly good life in it as long as it is lightly stocked.

Daniel H so what kind of changes did you make and how I think I would like to do the same or something similar .

@@jettrack1 I have blocked most of the bottom intakes to make an efficient skimmer effect when most of the water go into the first filter chamber through the top intake. I glued some plastic strips so I can put a coarse spunge directly under that intake. Then I blocked/glued most of the slits where the water goes from the first to the second chamber, so the water have to go from top to bottom in that compartment, rather than sideways. Then I have from bottom to top in the second compartment a plastic grid to act as a bottom part if the second compartment. About a kilo (or two pounds) of biomedia on top of that, then a polishing filter pad and on top I put the cut off top part of the fine filter pad that come with the aquarium. So the water will go from fine pad, polishing pad, biomedia and through the plastic grid in the second compartment. The third I done nothing too, except I have the heater in the first instead of the last compartment to minimize the risk that the waterline will come too low on the heater. And also, I have an airstone in the first compartment to have a great movement of water around the heater. I hope you understand how it is configurated from my description. I think I have about ten time the amount of biomedia in it now, and still, the water is filtered more efficiently mechanically. I don't use charcoal, except after the cure if I have to medicate an aquarium, I would just put it under the polishing pad for a day or so if I have to medicate that tank.

Daniel H Thank you for your response! I can see you are very passionate. Im trying to figure out what kind of fish/ setup and shrimp I can do in a small tank like 10- 15 gallons to start off. I’m thinking guppy’s for now and I’m trying to make it a low matience tank. After I get a hang of the hobby I’m planing on getting in too breeding shrimp and hopefully selling them for fun. Do you have any experience with cherry shrimp or something similar. I’d love any advice!

@@jettrack1 This tank is very good for guppies or Endlers, but I think most of the fry from shrimps would end up in the filter. I have no experience with shrimps, except I have some Amano shrimps, but they don't breed in fresh water.

Kae Hume when I got one and that is exactly what I did lol

Yes it certainly will!

The tetras die too easily in this tank, some killed their selves. NO tetras!

Yeah that a bad design. No heater either. Top Fins and everybody else includes a heater in their all in one system.

@@fishmanhype6304 he literally said the heater goes into the back dude

@@LessTalkingMoreFishing I meant no included heater

We hope you continue to enjoy your new aquarium! 😊

We would advise to ensure that the pump is sitting on the bottom of its compartment.

Allen, actually has no real effect on the fish, they have after all evolved in conditions where drastic weather and lighting changes do take place. In any case, the option is yours, you are certainly not obliged to engage the effects.

Allen Johnson was it the smaller 9 gallon tank that was on sale?

Nick, please have a look on this Fluval Aqautics RU-vid production posted on Nov. 30, 2017 on this subject: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9uim8JE0-IM.html

Oliver, totally right! The filtration area is significant and the curve from top to bottom comes across very nicely.

Bryan the effect is optional, if your fish seem to be nervous then simply don't engage the effect. We have not seen this to be the case in our aquariums.

logang!!

Hi there, I have just found some babies swimming behind the grills, will they be safe and eventually join the main tank or do I need to take some action? Thanks, Jez

Hi mate, Did you get it ? were you happy ?

Shaker4x4 well i guess you wasted your energy typing cos clearly no one was or is interested in your opinion... Lol

Tyler, thanks for the input here. For the 9 gallon Flex you can use Aqua Clear 30 sponges to wedge between back and front of filter, effectively blocking the grills from the inside and for the 15 gallon it is AC model 70 foam blocks. We are really happy with how well the included LED's in this lighting system are contributing to plant growth, note that we used Fluval CO2 systems.

Fluval Aquatics I tried the smaller sponges, but didn't want to have to reach down there to grab it, so I opted for the cut-down 110 sponge. plants are thriving, mostly crypts and H. polysperma, under the lights, I used Fluval Stratum, and Seachem Excel instead of a co2 system, as well as Flourish tabs, and occaisionally Flourish liquid.

All filters use a grills at their inlet, this is not unique to the Flex aquariums that employ an integrated filter and as such is not an oversight. If the fish are small enough to enter the grill then it is possible to block the grills off with foam blocks from within the filter. The Flex is safe for fish in that they cannot get to the pump compartment.

Thanks, Niko! 👍

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing! 😊

All Flex Aquarium models come equipped with a full cover. There is a convenient feeding slot.

You can buy a cover for the feeding slot on Etsy for under 10 dollars.

There is no problem installing the heater in the rear filter compartment as it no longer changes with evaporation thanks to the bottom inlet grill, there are two inlets on the Flex, one at the top the other nearer the bottom, no risk of running dry.

Fluval Aquatics didn't know that. Thanks for the info :)

Hi Caroline, thank you for your comment! We are sorry to hear that you are having some trouble with your LED. We offer an extended warranty on this product. Please contact our customer service team who will be glad to assist you. 😊 fluvalaquatics.com/us/contact-us/

In order to prevent very small fish or invertebrates from swimming through the inlet grills, top and bottom on the Fluval Flex you can use foam blocks. On the 9 gallon version you can use AquaClear 30 filter foam blocks fitted into the back filter compartment so they are pinned against the grill and the rear aquarium glass. For the 15 gallon Flex you can use Aqua Clear 70 filter foam blocks, note that on the 15 gallon a small slit has to be in the foam block to allow it to slide over a rear supporting strut. Make sure to rinse the foam blocks at least twice a month to ensure they do not plug up and obstruct water flow through the filter.

Hello! We do not sell covers for the feeding holes, but there are many available online! 👍

just put a little tape 🤷‍♂

We hope you enjoy your new aquarium! 😊

Hi there! The filtration system included with a Flex aquarium is built into the kit. It can't be sold separately!

Hi there! The remote doesn't have a timer, but the LED itself is compatible with timers - you can simply choose when you want the lights to turn on and off!

Steven, you can always locate your hoses for CO2 through the raised portion of the back of the canopy designed for passing electrical cords through and locate your CO2 diffuser in the input or output compartments of the back filter.

Fluval Aquatics I was gonna try that but I'll probably lose 25% or more of the dissolved co2 because the diffuser won't be in the front with the plants. I'm gonna have to wait for the cycle and test out some ways of doing it. so far I'm pleased with how it turned out

Fluval Aquatics there is also a cut out on the cover on the intake side. I tried looking it up but couldn't find what it's for or what it could be for in the future if fluval is coming out with something

Steven there is an opening at the front that is intended for feeding.

Fluval Aquatics I was talking about the back left. I was told from my LFS it's probably for a skimmer if I wanted to make it a salt tank

Yes the volume reported does include the volume used by the filter as it should as it is part of the volume, the swimming space is slightly.

Hi Lisa, yes a small amount of waste may fall back into the filter when removing it for maintenance purposes, this is not a problem. As for the flow rate we do have a video you can watch for easy solutions to distributing current should the fish you have require less movement, here is the link for your convenience: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9uim8JE0-IM.html

Hi Jason! If your Flex remote isn't working anymore, and replacing the battery doesn't resolve the issue, we recommend you contact our customer support team for assistance: fluvalaquatics.com/us/contact-us/

It doesn't! We've tested it with many species, including wild caught Discus, and they had almost no reaction to it at all. Of course, we don't recommend leaving the storm effect on all the time, but for short periods of time there's no problem with it at all. 👌

Hi there, we're sorry to hear about this. Our customer support team will be happy to help you, you can contact them here: fluvalaquatics.com/us/contact-us/

Hi there! The distance between the lower filter intake and the bottom of the aquarium is 5 cm. The T100 is a great choice! 👍

Glad you like it! 😁

Hi Carlos! It's possible something in the aquarium is causing the cloudiness, like an ornament or the substrate. It's also possible you are experiencing a bacterial bloom, especially if the aquarium is new. This video should be helpful: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-X1_fo0JEdds.html

Hi Nash, we are sorry to hear that you are having some trouble. The Flex cover has a groove at the back made to pass your wires through. Please have a look at the back of the cover for this grove and reach out to our customer service team via the link below for further assistance should you need it! 😊 fluvalaquatics.com/us/contact-us/

It would not matter as long as the pump is on the output side and water is pulled through the filter media as in the original design.

Hi BANTA77, the Flex is fine for a Betta. Although there is no flow control on the filtration, all you would need to do is direct the output nozzles upwards and out to direct the current away from the general swimming area.

BANTA77 I hear drilling holes in the the tubing that's connected to the air pump works

BANTA77 you could also put sponges on the output nozzles to slow the flow! I used to do that before I had adjustable flow filters, but when I do get the flex ( hopefully soon!! I'm so excited! ) I may have to do it as well

I have a spec series for my betta which has a very similar filtration unit. I made a spray bar to reduce water pressure with out reducing over all water volume put out by the filter. It works great for my betta and allows for more even water current along my water column for better filtration. Fluval engineers should work this in the design it will make these tanks work far better for the type of stock one typically keeps in a fresh water nano. The extra 3 parts needed to make a spray bar would cost fluval pennies and give them a huge 1 up on competitors if they offered the added utility of a spray bar.

If you mean how will glofish look under blue lighting, we would assume blue glofish should look more intense in color.

Highly unlikely. If you are concerned or have a species that is known to jump frequently then you can elect to put a small piece of black plastic over the hole, a small piece of transparent tape would make for "flexible hinge".

The 15 and 32.5 gallon versions do come with a skimmer cut out, suitable for marine tank use. The build materials are not the reason.

@@fluval Awesome. I'll be more than likely getting a couple 15gs for anemones that are stinging other coral & a couple inverts. Skimmer wouldn't be an issue as I usually shiftmake my own skimmers using small powerheads.

Hi David, Flex aquarium kits are suitable for use with both freshwater and saltwater!

Hello, great questions! Normally algae will not form in the back compartment of the filter as the backwall prevents the light from illuminating the sump of the aquarium. If you do get slight algae production, it is easily removed with an algae sponge. 😊

Hi Mike, it does not light up. 😊

Way too much for what you get.

I live in the united kingdom and I got my fluval flex for £99 pounds that's UK sterling they are a very nice tank I am going to buy the bigger model

Tropical Freshwater Abodes got my flex 15 for 140$ CND

Tropical Freshwater Abodes iiiiiiii

Tropical Freshwater Abodes $150 US starting

Hi there, we're sorry to hear about this. Flex aquariums are equipped with 2 year warranties, so we encourage you to return the the unit to the retailer from which you purchased it or to contact our customer support team for assistance!

@@fluval I’ll contact customer service because I cannot return the whole unit since I have fish and plants in it already.

It's been a while so we're not entirely sure, but we think it's Manten stone - or at least something like it!

It comes out, it’s attached with suction cups. Just make sure non of the suction cups get stuck on he floor

Hi there! We suggest either Fluval M or T Series heaters for Flex aquariums. For the Flex 9, the 50W models would be suitable, and for the Flex 15, the slightly larger 100W models are recommended! 👍

Hi there! That sponge indeed exists to help prevent debris from reaching the impeller. You can safely remove it if you don't want to use it!

Hi Donna, the Flex aquarium should be filled to the honeycomb markings around the top rim of the aquarium.

@@fluval Ok thank you 😊