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New Fluval Nano Aquariums – the Chi

Fluval Chi DisplayWith the holidays upon us I decided to say a few words about some exciting new nano tank kits coming to us from Fluval. Not long ago we introduced you to the Fluval Edge aquarium, the unique nano aquarium from Hagen with the Frank Lloyd Wright-like design.  Hagen has developed a whole series of Fluval aquariums over the last several months to complement the Edge tank, the first of which is the Fluval Chi. Hitting the market earlier this summer, the Fluval Chi is another unique aquarium, designed to radiate positive energy (“chi” is roughly translated as energy in Chinese). 

This little tank has a very cool look, with its open top and rimless glass design.  Currently available in a 5 gallon size, the filtration system is smartly configured within the focal point waterfall/fountain feature of the tank.  The waterfall box almost seems to float on top of the water and houses 2-stage filtration system of the tank, as well as the brilliant LED lighting system.  The waterfall box draws water from the bottom, passing through biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration, then spills out the top and trickles back in the aquarium over the outside of the Fluval Chi Fountain Detailbox, minimizing splash and noise. The lighting is a cool as the tank’s design, with integrated LED lights that shine both down into the aquarium to illuminate the tank, as well as upwards to illuminate the waterfall above.  This gives a stunning night-time light effect in a dark room, as the rippling water casts a soothing light display on the ceiling. The Fluval Chi has a number of accessories available, including multiple plant, rock, and combo decor so you can customize.

Check back soon, I’ll be following this blog with the next of Fluval’s awesome little tanks as they become available.  The Fluval EBI, Flora, and Spec will be here before Christmas.

Until then, please let me know if you have any questions about these set-ups! They’re on my holiday wish list and they’d make a great gift for the aquarium enthisiast in your life!

Dave

Photos by of Fluval/Hagen

8 comments

  1. avatar
    Fish parent to be

    Dear Fish Gods,

    I need some advice, I am fairly new to being a fish parent. In my past I have had and kept a 15 gal freshwater tank and things were good. I however was not impressed with my waterfall type filter. It worked fine, but in my opinion it lost alot of water due to evaporation, I was always filling it up. : (

    Now I am attempting to be a fish parent again, I just bought a 28 gal. tank and It did not come with all the stuff. (great!!! get to pick myself) But I don’t know what to choose. I am looking at hanging canister filters, because (I figure less evaportation right???) I am also stuggling on what brand the hot magum is more in my price range. But the enheim looks good but expensive.

    Any advice out there for a stuggling soul?

    Thanks

  2. avatar

    You probably get a little less evaporation using a canister filter vs. a power filter, but I don’t think that it is a major factor. If you keep a lid or canopy on your aquarium, the evaporation can be kept down, tank placement also plays a role in evaporation along with temperature. Avoid drafty areas, and hot areas. If you wan’t to use a hang on filter as the only filter source, the Hot Magnum pro would be a better choice, it has biowheels for a complete system (this and the standard Hot Magnum are all we offer in a hang on canister) Hang on power filters will be more economical that traditional canister filters, both will do a good job, you sacrifice some flexibility with a power filter, as well being a little more noisy.

  3. avatar

    hello i bought a fluval chi fish tank 2 months ago and have lost 2 fish one a weather loach and today a minow what shall i do to avoid this happeing i am sooo unhappy thank you

  4. avatar

    Hi Naomi, Sorrry to hear about your fish. The open design and small size of the Fluval Chi limit the types of fish that can be housed in one. Unfortunately, loaches are notorious for escaping even lidded aquariums. Fish prone to jumping and escaping from an aquarium are probably not the best choice as they can easily make their way out of the tank. Also be sure that the tank isn’t in a location where skittish fish might get scared, places with a lot of movement or activity can cause skittish fish to jump. You may be able to fashion a lid by cutting a piece of plexiglass or acrylic to fit. There are many small fish that will do well in the tank as it is, please let us know if you have fish in mind that you might like to put in the tank, we may be able to help you avoid another loss.

  5. avatar

    Ok, so we have had the Chi for a few months now, and every now and then we are unable to sleep because of a strange squeaking sound that only occurs at night, some times louder, other times just loud enough to hear it. It is very annoying and costing my boyfriend and I to loose what little time we have to sleep, both of us working two jobs…

  6. avatar

    sounds like it may be the impeller? you may want to dismantle it to be sure there is nothing in the housing of the pump.

  7. avatar

    I know this is a really old thread, but in response to Bobby from December 1, 2012. I had the same issue… until I realized it wasn’t the tank, it was my African Dwarf frog singing. If you have/had a dwarf frog, he might be causing the noise. You may want to move the tank from the bedroom. I’m sure you’ve figured this out after 4 years, but if anyone new sees this post, they might have an answer now. 🙂

  8. avatar

    Thanks for sharing your experience, Kimberly! The frogs’ singing is certainly an unusual sound. 🙂

About Dave Acland

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After graduating from Coastal Carolina University with a BS in Marine Science in 1996, I started my professional career in 1997 as an aquarist at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, SC. This was an amazing experience, in which I gained invaluable hands on training in exhibit design and construction, as well as husbandry skills for a wide range of animals. In 2000 I started working at That Fish Place as one of the staff Marine Biologists, with the responsibility of maintaining one of the largest retail fish holding systems in the world. I presently hold the position of Director of Aquatic Science, where I oversee the operation of our 35,000 gallon retail aquarium systems, and provide technical support for our mail-order and retail store customer service staff. As an aquatic product specialist, I also provide support for our purchasing and marketing departments, as well as contribute web content and analysis. As a Hobbyist I acquired my love of aquariums from my father who was keeping a large aquarium in early 70’s, and set up my first aquarium when I was 12 years old. I have now been keeping aquariums for over 35 years, and through this time have kept more aquariums and types of fish than I can remember. I set up my first Saltwater aquarium in 1992, which led me down the path I still follow today.