FLUVAL M60 - BB RE BUILD

[Coral_Monster]

So after years of lurking, I’ve decided to take you on my tank rebuild journey. And hopefully hold me a bit more accountable to take care of my tank.

-FLUVAL M60
-2 AI NANO Lights
-Power heads are the cheapo ones on amazon but get the job done-ish

Little back story. I had my first tank 60g cube, way too large. Downsized into a 29g long, sprang a leak and moved everything into this Fluval M60 I found on CL at the time for crazy cheap. (Found out the guy went to reefapaloza and won a beautiful 90g rimless tank.)

Old 29g long

Old 29g long


But this is where we are now, I got this itch to remove my sand. I have no fish. Never was really into fish as I was into the coral. Didn’t know where to begin, mistakes were made. Siphons were purchased and after about an hour and a half of wondering what did I do, I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I really wanted to get all the garbage water that got caught in the back filter system but decided just to let the new water kind of “filter” the bad out. It started out hazy, and now it’s looks great. And not to much sand, thankfully the new siphon I purchased is helpful in the department.

Also thinking about removing the algae from the glass. It was once hidden under all the sand, but now that it’s super exposed I think it’s got to go.

I don’t really plan on purchasing any other equipment for a bit since I have a while to wait for my dry rock and the new water to cycle.

On the list though will be the Hanna electronic testers. I won’t lie, I suck at testing my water.

And a Mp10 or the Ai Nero 5

until next time

 

[sixty_reefer]

Good start buddy, looking forward to see it wet.
What’s the purple thing in the back wall?

 

[Coral_Monster]

Good start buddy, looking forward to see it wet.
What’s the purple thing in the back wall?

I believe that would be coralline, it’s been there for a while now but it is encrusted onto the wall.

 

[sixty_reefer]

I believe that would be coralline, it’s been there for a while now but it is encrusted onto the wall.

Just asking as it looks a bit like it could also be dead gsp coral, it looks to uniform to be coralline, if it is indeed gsp this could create some problems wile cycling the tank. Probably worth asking the previous owner if you still have his contact.

 

[Coral_Monster]

Just asking as it looks a bit like it could also be dead gsp coral, it looks to uniform to be coralline, if it is indeed gsp this could create some problems wile cycling the tank. Probably worth asking the previous owner if you still have his contact.

previous owner had the wall super clean, his tanks looks OCD clean.

this transformed during my time with the tank. Never saw gsptry And make a jump for the wall. My older powerheads also turned purple.

 

[Coral_Monster]

Not looking too bad, figured it would take a few water change cycles to get the tank as clear as I would like considering how bad the rear filters were from cleaning out the sand initially. Let’s just say I learned from my mistakes on removing the sand from this tank. Media filters, active carbon, and carbon balls in the back to help filter out remaining crap.

 

[Coral_Monster]

While the tank cycles I will more than likely do minimal lighting to lower the chances of a great algae bloom. Which means no pictures or updates

- noticed some condensation on the bottom of the tank. My apartment is quiet warm and the colder water and any gaps between the glass and stand would definitely create a little “sweat”

Highly considering painting the bottom white to give it a more natural sand look and to no longer see this humid moisture between the tank and stand.


No there isn’t a leak, or a creep, or anything of that nature. Really hoping it goes away in the next few days - if not I think I will transfer the water into containers, paint the bottom of the tank white, and reset all the rock.

We will see.
Until next time

 

[Coral_Monster]

Here are a few update pics to show the water clearing up big time, the purple rock is the only rock I kept from my old setup. It has a bunch of mushrooms hopefully still clinging to life -

I added the frag rack super early to help hold the rock it’s above - don’t think if it fell it would do too much damage, but I don’t want to risk it. Eventually coral will encrust and naturally keep the rocks together.

Lights are on only for photos, they will remain off for a couple weeks. Then I will slowly turn them on longer and longer through the day. I want to minimize algae blooms

 

[Coral_Monster]

Oh, so I purchased a RODI filter a few years back. Living in Florida, we have terrible water quality coming out of the tap. But unfortunately the filters are old and needs to be replaced.

Lucky’s our local grocery store has a great RO system. And it’s super cheap. Don’t worry I’ve tested the water. Comparable if not better than the RO water from the LFS

 

[Coral_Monster]

Still waiting...

on the bright side starboard was ordered, and should be here tomorrow.

 

[Coral_Monster]

Starboard - PVC board whatever we are calling it. Was put in today, had to make a small adjustment to cut the size down an inch or so.

Also cleaned the back wall. I started to get paranoid about whatever it was dying and messing my tank up before it even restarted.

And I added the plastic lid, I have a bunch of cats. And their hair makes it just about every where.