Shotcaller's new Fluval M60 Build

[Shotcaller]

So, I've been out of the hobby for about 7 years or so. I've successfully kept several fresh and saltwater tanks in the past, but got out of it after my last tank - a 55 gallon salt, shattered and exploded all over my living room. After that, I sold off all my tanks and equipment and got busy with other things in life.

And now, partly due to my daughter's interest and a couple recent visits with her to the LFS, I've decided to get back to it with another salt tank.

I started doing some research, and decided on a Fluval M60 AIO. I chose it for a couple reasons - I wanted to go a little smaller this time, I liked the look of the tank, and I liked that it had pretty much everything I needed to get going, and the price was decent too. I intend to go with stock that I know worked well for me in the past, lots of liverock, and just a few hearty corals.

We brought the tank home this weekend and have it set up now, still dry. I purchased it without the Fluval Sea light, and ordered a Current Orbit Marine 24" LED for it instead. I chose that light because of reviews I read online, and for the fact that it is fully programmable for a 24 hour cycle. The light came in last night, and now it's time to add water and leak test the tank.

I'm excited to get back into this, and wanted to create a build thread to keep track of my progress.

Here are a couple shots of the empty tank...

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[mgoulding]

Following along

 

[Shotcaller]

It's been a few weeks now, time for an update...

Tank was filled, seeded with live sand and about 7 pounds of liverock. About a week later, I added 15 pounds of dead rock. I messed with the aquascaping a couple times, and probably will more, but I've let it sit now for about two weeks, just letting it go. This past week the yellow/brown algae started blooming like crazy, and started giving off air bubbles. The cycle is moving along! I will test levels this week and possibly add a small cleanup crew.

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[Shotcaller]

First inhabitants are in... 4 astrea snails and 2 tiger trochus snails added a week ago. Put the first fish in this weekend, a black blenny.

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[Shotcaller]

First fish! Black Combtooth Blenny...

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[Shotcaller]

Hi everyone - I need stocking suggestions!!! Tank has been up and running for 2 months now and everything is going well. Black Blenny has been in the tank for about 3 weeks now along with 4 astrea snails, 2 zebra trochus snails, and a blue legged hermit that hitchhiked in on something. Tons of amphipods and copepods on the tank walls. I also have a bit of caulerpa in the tank (I know the arguments for and against this, and I have had it in past tanks. I plan to keep it in check as much as possible, I do like how it looks in the tank though).

Anyway - it is time to add some new tank inhabitants and I am open to suggestions. I am thinking about a shrimp/goby pair, maybe an oscellaris pair, something else small and hardy with bright colors.