Help! Fluval M40 or M60?

S

Shotcaller

New member
Looking for advice... I'm getting back into the hobby and have been doing some research and shopping. I think I've settled on either the Fluval M40 or M60. My LFS has the M40 with everything (AIO tank, stand, light) for $450... or I can get the M60 (AIO tank, stand, NO LIGHT) for $429.

I would welcome your thoughts and suggestions!
 
I assume everyone upgrades their lighting down the road anyway, so that doesn't factor in to me.

Honestly, I'd go with the M60, which is still only 24 gallons, versus the M40 which is only 14 gallons and is too small to do too much with (1-2 fish in 14g, some corals here or there).
 
thelawnwrangler said:
both come with lights - they broke up the kit? Is it coming with the protein skimmer and powerhead or they strip that as well?

I would go M60 - 10g extra water volume and not a huge increase in footprint. Gives you an extra back chamber.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...OUBn-5HZq4VbAQyeZ0Bhsm-s7fgDW6DopyhoCrGDw_wcB
Click to expand...

Two different stores - one has the M40 with light, and one has the M60 without light. Everything else though. I'm going to see if I can get the M60 for $500 out the door, with a light. Unless anyone has a light for it that they recommend, for a similar cost.
 
It might be a good deal to get a different light- the experts here has said it is weak, but my preference are easy cheaper coral. So far my Zoas and Euphyilla seem happy (only a week in)

My compliant on the light is this- there is 1 button- you push it for whites, again for black or whatever they call moonlight, and again for off. You hold the button to increase or decrease intensity, but when you hear people here say 50% or 75% you will never know on these lights because it doesn't tell you what intensity you are at.

The one button means I can't control moonlight and sunlight cycles independently with a timer.
 
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If they have the units in stock check the back sump as well (I think moreso for M60) - they have started flipping the baffle so that the water has to snake through the sump aka it enters the 1st chamber, and hast to go through the bottom to get to the 2nd chamber, and then over the top for 3rd. The earlier models us to all drain at the top into the next chamber and in theory created questionable flow in the lower area of the sump.

Intank media basket just made a basket for this model that will fix the old design for $69
 
thelawnwrangler said:
If they have the units in stock check the back sump as well (I think moreso for M60) - they have started flipping the baffle so that the water has to snake through the sump aka it enters the 1st chamber, and hast to go through the bottom to get to the 2nd chamber, and then over the top for 3rd. The earlier models us to all drain at the top into the next chamber and in theory created questionable flow in the lower area of the sump.

Intank media basket just made a basket for this model that will fix the old design for $69
Click to expand...

Yes, I had read about the baffle issue. I saw several mods online that people were doing to correct it, most seemed fairly simple. Thanks!
 
thelawnwrangler said:
It might be a good deal to get a different light- the experts here has said it is weak, but my preference are easy cheaper coral. So far my Zoas and Euphyilla seem happy (only a week in)

My compliant on the light is this- there is 1 button- you push it for whites, again for black or whatever they call moonlight, and again for off. You hold the button to increase or decrease intensity, but when you hear people here say 50% or 75% you will never know on these lights because it doesn't tell you what intensity you are at.

The one button means I can't control moonlight and sunlight cycles independently with a timer.
Click to expand...

Yes - I was thinking about that - independent control on the light would be nice. However, it just depends on the cost for me. I only plan to keep very simple stuff, mushrooms and polyps, and if the stock light is adequate, I will probably just go with it.
 
I would do the M60. Even without the light you aren't losing anything. I've heard the light isn't very good and you'd probably want to upgrade down the road.
 
thelawnwrangler said:
If they have the units in stock check the back sump as well (I think moreso for M60) - they have started flipping the baffle so that the water has to snake through the sump aka it enters the 1st chamber, and hast to go through the bottom to get to the 2nd chamber, and then over the top for 3rd. The earlier models us to all drain at the top into the next chamber and in theory created questionable flow in the lower area of the sump.

Intank media basket just made a basket for this model that will fix the old design for $69
Click to expand...

Too bad the media basket is this expensive. It looks awesome, just hard to come to terms with the price.

Sorry to derail the thread, just had to mention that!
 
Shotcaller said:
Yes, I had read about the baffle issue. I saw several mods online that people were doing to correct it, most seemed fairly simple. Thanks!
Click to expand...

might not be an issue my M90 came the new way from the factory

overall I really like the tank, but I am a newbie so I don't know what I don't know.

there is another M60 user on here that has a good build thread if you want me to link. He as well is pretty satisfied with the tank.

Lighting wise- I think you will have no problem with the easy stuff- like I said just with 2-4 weeks of experience I am happy with how my corals look. Also the manual lighting aspect I just flip it on before work and go black light when I get home. With the easy stuff not sure you need such a scientific approach- guess we will see. If I go on vacation I will just flip it on the timer and not run a moonlight schedule.
 
zak.payne said:
Too bad the media basket is this expensive. It looks awesome, just hard to come to terms with the price.

Sorry to derail the thread, just had to mention that!
Click to expand...

the in tank basket guy is absolutely awesome and has even had some correspondence with me back and fourth. I was disappointed in the price a little, but absolutely will do business with him (he has earned it in my mind).
 
Shotcaller said:
Yes, I had read about the baffle issue. I saw several mods online that people were doing to correct it, most seemed fairly simple. Thanks!
Click to expand...

As of the 2015 and later models, the baffles have been corrected so you don't need to mod anything. I just got my M60 a few months back and it was correct.
 
Shotcaller said:
Awesome - thanks! How are you liking the tank?
Click to expand...

So far I love it! I just finished my cycle a few weeks back and have just a few fish (a firefish and 2 Bangaii Cardinals). The build quality is great and I think the frosted lines give the tank and extra look of being "fancy". I plan to do my first water change this weekend, so I'm curious how the water change feature goes. I'll be sure to post on my build thread how it goes..
 
zak.payne said:
So far I love it! I just finished my cycle a few weeks back and have just a few fish (a firefish and 2 Bangaii Cardinals). The build quality is great and I think the frosted lines give the tank and extra look of being "fancy". I plan to do my first water change this weekend, so I'm curious how the water change feature goes. I'll be sure to post on my build thread how it goes..
Click to expand...

I haven't used the water change feature I keep my wires in there so no water for me lol
 
I run a hose attached to the water change feature so water can never access the cabinet itself.

I have a screen that is recessed in my tank. I love it. Keeps the clean lines of the tank and the fish in the tank. Lol.
 
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