Coral Creations Fluval M90 AIO build

Ignitros

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Hello,

Just wanted to post about my new build. Just got back into the hobby and started a personal tank to go along with my new coral business. Thought that I would post some pics and update it's progress as I go. I started by going with basic equipment and I plan to upgrade as funds become available.

It's a Fluval M90 AIO tank. It measures 36" width x 16" height x 16 " depth with the filter section. Tank only is 36" width x 16" height x 12" depth. I've filled it with 40 lbs of Walt Smith Reef Rock 2.1 and 40 lbs of Caribsea Fiji Pink sand. I have a Jebao DP4 doser going with kalkwasser and Triton method Core7 additives. At some point I'll change to 2 part but for now kalkwasser seems easier with the equipment I have. I have one filter chamber dedicated to chaeto with a chaetomax fuge light on it for 12 hours alternating schedule. I also have a dedicated chamber for media filtration, carbon and gfo for now. One chamber for the Fluval skimmer and a small return pump for the last chamber. I also have the Seneye Reef Monitor to keep me in the loop on some stats.

Planned upgrades are a pair of Maxspect Gyre XF230 dialed down, Kessil AP700 light to replace the pair of Fluval Reef 2.0 lights. Maxspect Turbine duo td6k return pump to handle the return as well as the media filters. Thinking about a Tunze 9004 DC skimmer and still debating whether I should run an Apex system. That might come in handy if I upgrade to a larger tank at some point.

It's been about 3 months since I started the cycle and I've got currently a Yellow Watchman Goby, a Diamond Watchman Goby, red skunk cleaner shrimp some margarita snails, hermit crabs, nassarius snails for livestock.

For corals it's pretty bare. Just a Duncan and a pair of mushrooms.

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How's this tank coming? Any helpful tips I to have this tank 3 days in so far
15238081122723925254612251584759.jpg
 
How's this tank coming? Any helpful tips I to have this tank 3 days in so far
15238081122723925254612251584759.jpg
I love the tank.... I'll actually be doing a video update and have an upgrade and DIY series getting started on our YouTube channel at Coral Creations very soon. I'll get you a few pics and write an update in here later today. Maybe some of the difficulties I've had will help you out.
 
I love the tank.... I'll actually be doing a video update and have an upgrade and DIY series getting started on our YouTube channel at Coral Creations very soon. I'll get you a few pics and write an update in here later today. Maybe some of the difficulties I've had will help you out.
Awesome I appreciate it
 
Okay... So I have an update.

Sorry for the messy tank... Haven't cleaned it up in about a week. Been super busy with work and family.


Equipment to date:
Fluval M90 tank and stand
(2) Fluval Reef 2.0 lights and WiFi controller (Kessil AP700 will replace them)
Fluval return pump (the one that came with it)(now running a Somatic UF-1 media filter)
Fluval wavemaker (the one that came with it)(Soon to be replaced with a pair of Maxspect Gyre XF-230)
Jebao DCW-2000 handling the return duties (will be replaced by a Maxspect Turbine Duo 6k)
Innovative Marine ChaetoMax light for fuge
Fluval Skimmer (the one that came with it)(will be replaced by a Tunze 9004 DC)
Innovative Marine Minimax filter Only used as particulate filter running BRS ROX .8 carbon media
Fluval Aqua Clear foam blocks for mechanical filtration in overflow box
Jebao DP4 doser with DIY Voss water containers (will be replaced by Skimz DLC4 on order from BRS)
Cobalt Neotherm 150watt heater

Livestock and corals so far:
Cleaner shrimp
Yellow watchman goby (female so she's not really yellow)
Japanese pistol shrimp (paired with the yellow watchman)
Diamond watchman goby (the reason I need so much mechanical filtration)
4 Elephant ear mushrooms ( started with 1)
3 Duncan heads (started with 1)
Neon green fungia plate

I have set up the tank to run a foam block mechanical filtration in the overflow as well as the Cobalt heater, 2nd chamber is the refugium full of chaetomorpha and the Chaetomax light on the back glass lengthwise, 3rd chamber is the Fluval Skimmer set for wet skimming and the IM MiniMax filter, 4th chamber is the Jebao DCW-2000 return pump and the Somatic UF-1 carbon filter for polishing the water before its returned to the tank.



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IMG_1308.jpg IMG_1309.jpg IMG_1310.jpg IMG_1311.jpg IMG_1312.jpg IMG_1315.jpg IMG_1314.jpg IMG_1318.jpg IMG_1319.jpg IMG_1313.jpg IMG_1316.jpg IMG_1317.jpg
 
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Are are you liking the chaetomax? I have one coming Friday along with some chaeto from unique corals
 

  • Okay... So I have an update.

    Sorry for the messy tank... Haven't cleaned it up in about a week. Been super busy with work and family.


    Equipment to date:
    Fluval M90 tank and stand
    (2) Fluval Reef 2.0 lights and WiFi controller (Kessil AP700 will replace them)
    Fluval return pump (the one that came with it)(now running a Somatic UF-1 media filter)
    Fluval wavemaker (the one that came with it)(Soon to be replaced with a pair of Maxspect Gyre XF-230)
    Jebao DCW-2000 handling the return duties (will be replaced by a Maxspect Turbine Duo 6k)
    Innovative Marine ChaetoMax light for fuge
    Fluval Skimmer (the one that came with it)(will be replaced by a Tunze 9004 DC)
    Innovative Marine Minimax filter Only used as particulate filter running BRS ROX .8 carbon media
    Fluval Aqua Clear foam blocks for mechanical filtration in overflow box
    Jebao DP4 doser with DIY Voss water containers (will be replaced by Skimz DLC4 on order from BRS)
    Cobalt Neotherm 150watt heater

    Livestock and corals so far:
    Cleaner shrimp
    Yellow watchman goby (female so she's not really yellow)
    Japanese pistol shrimp (paired with the yellow watchman)
    Diamond watchman goby (the reason I need so much mechanical filtration)
    4 Elephant ear mushrooms ( started with 1)
    3 Duncan heads (started with 1)
    Neon green fungia plate

    I have set up the tank to run a foam block mechanical filtration in the overflow as well as the Cobalt heater, 2nd chamber is the refugium full of chaetomorpha and the Chaetomax light on the back glass lengthwise, 3rd chamber is the Fluval Skimmer set for wet skimming and the IM MiniMax filter, 4th chamber is the Jebao DCW-2000 return pump and the Somatic UF-1 carbon filter for polishing the water before its returned to the tank.



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    IMG_1308.jpg IMG_1309.jpg IMG_1310.jpg IMG_1311.jpg IMG_1312.jpg IMG_1315.jpg IMG_1314.jpg IMG_1318.jpg IMG_1319.jpg IMG_1313.jpg IMG_1316.jpg IMG_1317.jpg
    Very nice I will definitely follow suit with some of this!
 
Okay... So I have an update.

Sorry for the messy tank... Haven't cleaned it up in about a week. Been super busy with work and family.


Equipment to date:
Fluval M90 tank and stand
(2) Fluval Reef 2.0 lights and WiFi controller (Kessil AP700 will replace them)
Fluval return pump (the one that came with it)(now running a Somatic UF-1 media filter)
Fluval wavemaker (the one that came with it)(Soon to be replaced with a pair of Maxspect Gyre XF-230)
Jebao DCW-2000 handling the return duties (will be replaced by a Maxspect Turbine Duo 6k)
Innovative Marine ChaetoMax light for fuge
Fluval Skimmer (the one that came with it)(will be replaced by a Tunze 9004 DC)
Innovative Marine Minimax filter Only used as particulate filter running BRS ROX .8 carbon media
Fluval Aqua Clear foam blocks for mechanical filtration in overflow box
Jebao DP4 doser with DIY Voss water containers (will be replaced by Skimz DLC4 on order from BRS)
Cobalt Neotherm 150watt heater

Livestock and corals so far:
Cleaner shrimp
Yellow watchman goby (female so she's not really yellow)
Japanese pistol shrimp (paired with the yellow watchman)
Diamond watchman goby (the reason I need so much mechanical filtration)
4 Elephant ear mushrooms ( started with 1)
3 Duncan heads (started with 1)
Neon green fungia plate

I have set up the tank to run a foam block mechanical filtration in the overflow as well as the Cobalt heater, 2nd chamber is the refugium full of chaetomorpha and the Chaetomax light on the back glass lengthwise, 3rd chamber is the Fluval Skimmer set for wet skimming and the IM MiniMax filter, 4th chamber is the Jebao DCW-2000 return pump and the Somatic UF-1 carbon filter for polishing the water before its returned to the tank.



IMG_1310.jpg
IMG_1308.jpg IMG_1309.jpg IMG_1310.jpg IMG_1311.jpg IMG_1312.jpg IMG_1315.jpg IMG_1314.jpg IMG_1318.jpg IMG_1319.jpg IMG_1313.jpg IMG_1316.jpg IMG_1317.jpg
Also did your tank come with 2 lights or was it a special order?
 
Also did your tank come with 2 lights or was it a special order?

It only came with one but had an issue so Fluval sent a replacement. I was able to have the first one fixed and decided to use both since they didn't ask me to send the broken one back. Pretty awesome customer service if you ask me.
 
Are are you liking the chaetomax? I have one coming Friday along with some chaeto from unique corals

I'm really liking it so far! Great chaeto growth and the size fits perfectly. Was considering a Kessil H80 but chose the Chaetomax because it could be mounted on the glass and the price was half the Kessil.
 
A great tank.

The M90 was my first reef tank and I had it set up for a year. Learnt loads and then upgraded to a reefer 450.

Looking good, enjoy

Paul
 
I figured I would post an updated pic of the Jebao DP4 dosing pump now that it's all set up and working. It was actually really easy to setup and calibrate. One pump head was bad right out of the box but luckily it came with a replacement. I contacted Amazon and they are sending a replacement. Working perfectly since.

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I have a new update to the Build! We still haven't added the Maxspect Gyre XF230's yet. Still trying to decide between the GHL Profilux, Neptune Apex and eKoral Pro controllers.

We added a few new corals... A nice frogspawn, kenya tree and a pavona frondifera and 2 new monti's. I also added an arch to add some real estate for more corals. I just ordered a 50 pack of corals from @EyeCatchingCoral to add to the tank so we shall see what we get from them and do a full unboxing on our Coral Creations YouTube Channel.


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I have a few new items we've added recently and a move to update on as well. I will have some pics and a detailed description coming soon!!!

New Tunze 9004 DC skimmer, AquaMesh filters and SB Reef Pro 32" Timer light added!
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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