The Quick & Dirty Fluval Edge Review
The Fluval Edge Aquariums get an ‘A’ rating from us and most of its owners, and we highly recommend Fluval Edge Aquariums as unique aquariums that are fun and easy to maintain. That being said, no aquarium or fish tank is without its flaws, and that includes the Fluval Edge. Even though the Fluval Edge is an excellent aquarium for beginners, seasoned fish keepers and everyone in between, the Fluval Edge still has limitations and every person who owns, buys, or plans on buying a Fluval Edge aquarium should understand the limitations of their aquarium set up in order to keep their aquarium and fish happy, healthy, and looking good.
Fluval Edge Aquariums: THE GOOD
- The Fluval Edge has a unique and elegant design and is the world’s first 3D water cube aquarium.
- A floating base design gives the set a very small footprint for easy placement and lends the aquarium a clean, contemporary look.
- Everything you need to set up your aquarium comes with it (except the fish).
- It is a great aquarium for freshwater or saltwater.
- The Fluval Edge comes complete with a powerful and efficient 3 stage filter which remains completely hidden, preserving the striking aquarium design.
- The partially sealed top reduces evaporation for less maintenance and a large, hidden aperture allows oxygen exchange to keep fish healthy.
- It can be filled to the very brim thanks to the glass top, providing high definition viewing from every angle.
- A powerful, retractable halogen lighting system creates a visually stunning display. Two 10 watt bulbs create a bright, directional light source for a beautiful ‘shimmer’ effect across your entire aquatic scene
- A range of Edge cleaning accessories are available, making cleaning and maintenance child’s play!
- It takes only seconds to assemble and the perforated, removable cover effectively dissipates lamp heat, avoids moisture and allows easy access to the filter’s lift out media trays.
Fluval Edge Aquariums: THE DOWNSIDE
- Though it has a stunning design, the only access point into the tank is the opening in the top glass. This creates a couple minor problems. It makes it more difficult to set up decorations and also requires the use of the specially designed Fluval Edge Accessories like the fish net or gravel cleaner.
- The fact that it is only six gallons limits only smaller species living in the Fluval Edge. Though there are still many many different types of fish and invertebrates that can live in the Fluval Edge, you will be limited to smaller species and quantities.
- Species of fish like bettas or cory’s (corydoras) do not usually do well in the Fluval Edge as they need to gulp air from the surface of the water. The Edge’s top glass prevents them from being able to do this if the water level is full. With these fish and other fish that exhibit that behavior, the water level will need to be lowered a little.
- The lighting system doesn’t illuminate the outer edges of the tank too well. The middle of the tank is very bright while the outside is dimmer. Though it is only a very minor problem with the tank design, it can be easily fixed with bigger light bulbs or adding more light bulbs. An upgrade to the lighting is usually the only upgrade made by most Fluval Edge owners.
FLUVAL EDGE AQUARIUM REVIEW SUMMARY:
There are plenty of different aquariums out there, all with good and bad qualities. There is no aquarium that is completely maintenance free, every aquarium will require partial water and filter changes. However, the Fluval Edge is by far one of the easiest to maintain let alone one of the best looking aquariums. The majority of the drawbacks to the Fluval Edge are very easy to work around like by using the specially designed Fluval Edge accessories, or by minor upgrades like the light bulbs. They can be eliminated through good fish selection and reading the Fluval Edge Manual carefully, as well as understanding basic principles of aquarium and fish care. If you are considering purchasing a Fluval Edge Aquarium you will do well to understand both the positives and negatives of the Fluval Edge, and how to eliminate the negatives by setting up your fish tank appropriately.
FLUVAL EDGE REVIEW – SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY…(For those who really don’t like reading:)
If you understand any limitations of the Fluval Edge, which fish are compatible with your Fluval Edge, and how to properly clean and maintain your Fluval Edge , then the Fluval Edge Aquarium is an excellent fish tank for you, and will look great in your home, office, or on a table or stand.
Fluvel heaters
2 out of the 3 I’ve used failed to keep to the so called preset temp of 26 degrees. Yep got up on 2 occassions, fluvel edge became a graveyard for all my now dead plants and part boiled fish. 32 degrees at least.
Put it down to a dodgy heater. Put a standard one in there and gradually restocked. Bought another slimline fluvel heater and 3 days later same thing happened again. Result was boiled fish.
Lovely tanks when set up and all lit up. A real pain to clean especially as the fluvel magnetic cleaner etches the glass and your fluvel nets are worse than useless as the handle is too long.
Didn’t know bettas and corys require surface air until I bought this :/ The user guide even mentions Edge as suitable for them!
Anyway, the betta quickly learned how to find the surface but the cory isn’t quite so bright. He keeps trying to find the air for 5-10 seconds at a time, but just keeps purposefully avoiding the opening. He scouts _everywhere_ except the opening.
And yet, he remains active and seems to be generally OK.
I quote for above The downsides… ”The lighting system doesn’t illuminate the outer edges of the tank too well. The middle of the tank is very bright while the outside is dimmer. Though it is only a very minor problem with the tank design, it can be easily fixed with bigger light bulbs or adding more light bulbs. An upgrade to the lighting is usually the only upgrade made by most Fluval Edge owners”.
The intensions of the Fluval Edge is to give a shimmering effect from the lighting. It is not designed to light up completely. Which in my opinion is a good thing, as it does what its designed too and lookis nothing like anything else we have seen out there. 10/10 for me.
Need Help Rec. Fluval Edge for Cristmas. The Aqua Clear Power Filter was missing the mesh baf and locking clip. It saya to transfer the BioMax into the the mesh bag. inthe instructions for filter inserts. Did not rec. in the box went to store cannot purchase this item at the store.Do I need this item for the filter to work? Its a Aqua Clear Filter 20. that comes in the box with the Fluval Edge. Tryed to cal Fluval cannot get through. PLS help Thanks
Had our Fluval edge tank 14 months with no probs when suddenly both bulbs started to fall out due to the design, the bulbs are starting to corrode due to condensation over time. Flaw in the design !
I own a fluval edge tank, it was my first tank and think its great. I find nothing wrong with it and think it looks rather pretty when decorated right.