D's Free Fluval Build

[D'sreef]

So I acquired this Fluval flex from a hobbyist who just wanted it out of the way. When I picked it up the tank was covered in hair algae and had 1 piece of live rock, a blue damselfish, and misc small inverts. I cleaned the tank, removed all the hair algae I could during the move, threw two packs of carbon in the back and some purigen. I also cleaned all the equipment it came with which was the stock pump, and a hygger power head. While cleaning the pump I noticed significant signs of wear and rust deposits on the shaft of the impeller, I then replaced it with a 400 gph vivosun pump. I also added a Miofis ATO, and a generic ceramic heater with built in digital controler. I have since bought 21 lbs of dry rock. I found some on Amazon that was really cheap (direct from China), which was kinda scary, but for the price I rolled the dice. When most of it came in I was pleasantly surprised. The rock seems to be the cast off or remnants from some of the better known dry rock suppliers. I speculate this due to some of the texture and color of this base rock. As far as live stock zero so far other than the handful of inverts (worms, small snails, chiton) that survived the move. There is a decent size brittle star about 3 inches in diameter leg tip to leg tip that I have only seen once and not a good enough view to tell the type. I am waiting on one move box of rock to show up and then plan on hard scaping this guy out. I have thrown some food in the tank in hopes of keep most of the inverts kicking. I kept about 50% of the water the tank came with, and replaced the other half as I was refilling it. Now that the water no longer smells like someone lost a fish on the deck of a boat, and is clear I have removed the carbon and purigen. I am looking forward to this build, and hope you will too.

Thanks D

 

[tbrown]

 

[Nano_Man]

 

[D'sreef]

Hard scaping is done, I disturb the sand bed a little

 

[Fish Fan]

Nice score!

 

[D'sreef]

Nice score!

I do agree I am excited

 

[Fish Fan]

I do agree I am excited

I would be too! Looks like that's the 32 gallon Fluval? Again, nice pick up

 

[D'sreef]

I do agree I am excited

I would be too! Looks like that's the 32 gallon Fluval? Again, nice pick up

I believe it's the 32 gallon flex, and I am going to assume it originally was a freshwater tank due to the pump being ate alive by the salt water.

 

[Heathd]

Hard to beat free! I was originally looking at a flex back when getting set up.

 

[Skippy The Meh]

Pretty sweet! What do you plan to put in it?

 

[D'sreef]

Pretty sweet! What do you plan to put in it?

I haven't decided yet, I don't want to block my self in like I did on my 40 by starting with clowns, and then they get so aggressive they don't let other fish survive.

 

[Fish Fan]

I haven't decided yet, I don't want to block my self in like I did on my 40 by starting with clowns, and then they get so aggressive they don't let other fish survive.

Welcome to Reefing 102; add the Clownfish last, not first

Clearly, this is a blank slate, but if it's your secondary tank, consider doing something other than just another reef tank. This size tank would be great to highlight some macro algae. Invertebrate critters that would typically get lost in a larger tank can be the stars of the show in a tank this size. I have for too long been planing a 15 gallon with some Rock Flower Anemone and Sexy Shrimp, which I really need to get going, and I think would also be a great idea for your 32 gallon

 

[tbrown]

Welcome to Reefing 102; add the Clownfish last, not first

Clearly, this is a blank slate, but if it's your secondary tank, consider doing something other than just another reef tank. This size tank would be great to highlight some macro algae. Invertebrate critters that would typically get lost in a larger tank can be the stars of the show in a tank this size. I have for too long been planing a 15 gallon with some Rock Flower Anemone and Sexy Shrimp, which I really need to get going, and I think would also be a great idea for your 32 gallon

FOWLR Predator tank?????

 

[Fish Fan]

FOWLR Predator tank?????

Can you do a Hawkfish in a 32? That would be very cool in my opinion

What fish would you suggest for smaller predator tank?

 

[D'sreef]

I haven't decided yet, I don't want to block my self in like I did on my 40 by starting with clowns, and then they get so aggressive they don't let other fish survive.

Welcome to Reefing 102; add the Clownfish last, not first

Clearly, this is a blank slate, but if it's your secondary tank, consider doing something other than just another reef tank. This size tank would be great to highlight some macro algae. Invertebrate critters that would typically get lost in a larger tank can be the stars of the show in a tank this size. I have for too long been planing a 15 gallon with some Rock Flower Anemone and Sexy Shrimp, which I really need to get going, and I think would also be a great idea for your 32 gallon

This is now tank #4. And 2 of them are blank slates.

 

[tbrown]

Can you do a Hawkfish in a 32? That would be very cool in my opinion

What fish would you suggest for smaller predator tank?

In a small tank like this it would be difficult but it's big enough for a Frogfish or Scorpionfish. Maybe even a Dwarf Lionfish.

 

[tbrown]

This is now tank #4. And 2 of them are blank slates.

Well the 8 needs to be a Nano Goby/Blenny tank.

 

[Fish Fan]

In a small tank like this it would be difficult but it's big enough for a Frogfish or Scorpionfish. Maybe even a Dwarf Lionfish.

Yeah, to me Hawkfish are for 40 gallons and up, and 32 gallons is kind of splitting hairs, but I completely spaced on Frogfish - that would be a nice addition to this tank

Thanks brother!

 

[D'sreef]

This is now tank #4. And 2 of them are blank slates.

Well the 8 needs to be a Nano Goby/Blenny tank.

See that's what I was thinking, some sexy shrimp, a neon goby, and a scooter blenny

 

[tbrown]

See that's what I was thinking, some sexy shrimp, a neon goby, and a scooter blenny

RFAs?