Hello Everyone,
I purchased the Evolve 8 a few weeks ago because the design is much more aesthetically pleasing compared to most of the nano-tanks out there. I really like how the sump and filter pad is hidden behind the tank. However, I did notice that the sump is INCREDIBLY LOUD!!! However, I found a very easy fix for this that I wanted to share with everyone. If you are incredibly OCD like me and don't like the loud buzzing this tank makes, follow the instructions below to eliminate the pump sound.
Step 1
Go to Lowes and buy the pond pump filter below (I picked it up for under $12.00):
Smart Pond Water Garden Replacement FilterStep 2
Pull the sump out of your tank and remove the suction cups on the bottom
Step 3
Take the black foam piece out of the Garden Replacement filter and wrap it all around the sump. (You can use the blue piece instead, but the black one will let more water into the sump)
Step 4
Place the now foam covered sump back into its compartment in the Evolve tank. The sump may start making some noises at first, when it starts to prime itself, but after a few seconds the buzzing should go away and you'll be left with a dramatically more tolerable low level humming noise (about the same as you'd experience on a normal canister or cascade filter).
Step 5
Enjoy your beautiful AND QUIET Aqueon Evolve nano tank!!!!
I'm sure this technique will work on all of the Aqueon models. You can always trim off some of the black foam to get it to fit into the smaller compartments in the Aqueon Evolve 4 and 2. The Garden Replacement Filter is HUGE compared to the sump so don't worry if you make a mistake. You'll have a lot of material to work with. Hope this helps!
I've just set up my Aqueon Evolve 8 on my desk in my office, and I am thrilled with it so far. It is somewhat less than 8 gallons, but there is ample room for 6-7 small fish. I have read several complaints about the pump being noisy, but mine makes almost no sound at all just a low hum that is easily ignored in an office environment. I love that all the "ugly" parts, like the filter and pump, are hidden in the black compartment so it looks really nice on my desk. There was also ample room to add a heater so I can keep tropical fish. My only complaint is that the lid doesn't sit very securely on the top of the tank; it is easy to knock in if you are messing with it much, but that is only a minor problem. I definitely recommend the Aqueon Evolve 8 to anyone looking for a small and attractive aquarium.
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1. as many have stated, 8 gallons it is not, calculations put it at 5 usable. Inside tank dimensions are: W 11 3/8, D 8 3/4, H 11 5/8
2. as many have stated, but to the contrary, mine (the stock pump) is NOT loud, it is quite quiet. The bubbler is 10 times louder. The only thing I can think of is if people are positioning the pump touching a wall, then the vibrations may get amplified. Mine is in the center on the bottom.
3. * does not include heater or bubbler. BTW, the pump, heater, and bubbler fit in that sump area quite nicely (ie snug, but doable)
4. It's a good looking little unit. Once I'm moved into my new place I will be purchasing another for a small saltwater tank :)
**Edit: so after 6 months or so the pump did end up getting LOUD, real loud, tiny machine gun loud. Replaced it with Ehiem 300. The output diameter is bigger, but it was an easy fix, the stock hose size fits snug into the hose that comes off the new pump (hose bought at hardware store). I was worried about to much flow (currently housing a beta) so I drilled a small hole in the side of the hose to relieve some pressure, which just feeds back into the sump area. Still a great tank, working on creating space for another one.
Read Best Reviews of Aqueon AQE17102 Evolve Desk Top Aquariums Tank, 8-Gallon Here
I just put it together and it seems like a nice aquarium kit. It includes the light, air pump, and filter. No heater is included, but the instructions advise buying the Aqueon miniheater which has suction cups and can be put in the back box, along with the submersible pump, which also has suction cups.
I'm unsure if the filter will be adequate, since it's just powered by the air pump flowing water through the filter cartridge. I'll add to this review if there's a problem.
The instructions for assembling the filter apparatus were inadequate, but it wasn't difficult to figure out.
The kit also included a small fish food sample and some water conditioner.
***
August 14, 2012. The light seems to have dimmed somewhat over time.
Also, I bought the recommended Aqueon miniheater, but I think it's better for a 10 gallon tank. It kept raising the temperature to 84 degrees F, which is a bit higher than the recommended temperature range for tropical freshwater fish.
Another problem is that the tank warped a bit after water was in it for a while. The lid no longer snap fits on it.
***
October 26. Part of the LED light went dark and part started flickering. Had to switch the light.
***
November 12. The company replaced the lamp for me at no cost, including shipping.
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I got this tank after researching a nice tank between 5 and 10 gallons for my betta. After a bit of poking around, I decided this would be the best choice.
This tank isn't cheap you could get a rectangular 10 gallon setup with heater, light, and filter for far less than you're going to pay for the Evolve 8. What you are paying for is the aesthetics of the tank itself.
The filter is integrated in the tank behind a black panel. There is also a lot of space in the back designed to fit a heater, and the light is an attractive shape and lights the tank very well. The result is an attractive display space with nothing but the display.
The LED light included is good enough to grow low and medium light plants, making it ideal for a planted tank. It can also support a miniature reef aquarium do an image search for this aquarium and you'll see all the possibilities.
The filter is fairly quiet. It was quieter when I first got it, but it's not too bad now. The current from the filter is adjustable, but is still very strong. I had to resort to creating a filter baffle because it was making the tank uncomfortable for my betta.
The size is also nice. 8 gallons is enough for one small school of fish, makes a comfortable home for a betta, or may even be a mini community tank for solitary species of fish.
All in all, I'm very, very happy with my purchase.
UPDATE: I have had this tank now for about 5 months and I'm still incredibly pleased. There was a clicking noise for a little while coming from the pump, but disassembling it and scrubbing it with a toothbrush quickly fixed the problem. I LOVE this tank! Very attractive, very sturdy, very nice.
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I received the unit and plugged everything in and it worked well! For about a month. Then one light appeared to only turn on 1/2 way, then both lights a week or so later. A couple days after that, the light would no longer turn on. When power was cycled, it started to turn on, then went off. I assume that the ballast blew out.
