HaleMoana's 75 Gallon Mbuna Build

[HaleMoana]

Well, everyone has been real helpful, so I thought I would start a thread of my own build to share. I have been a saltwater reef guy and haven't had a freshwater tank in about 12 years. And I know a lot has changed, so I will need to lean on you guys for some help!!
(and, no!!!! I did not break down my reef! I still have that running too )
I'll be using an old reef tank for my Mbuna build. Some pics are below. You can see a ton of coraline algae in the tank that I had to work off. I cleaned it as best I could, but there is still some there. I'll give it a few more cleanings, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get it all.

I had an old oak stand which I sanded and painted black to match my room decore. I also polyurethaned the inside to help with any water damage/splashing/clean-up!!


BEFORE (don't mind the messy garage )

AFTER

I'll be using Eco-Complete African Cichlid substrate. I am also considering a DIY 3D rock background with styrofoam and quickrete, but haven't made that decision final yet.

I have an Amiracle SR200B sump which is rated for 125 gallons. I've got some scrubbies on the way from Zenzzo (SWEET!!!) and I also have a Rena XP3, so I should have more than enough filtration!!!

 

[LowCel]

Very nice, I'm looking forward to watching this come together. Did you just use vinegar to clean the overflow or was it a little more difficult than that?

 

[John7429]

Wow, that's some awesome cleaning! lol

 

[LowCel]

Are you planning on painting the wood trim on the tank? It's not a big deal but might look a little nicer if it matches the stand.

 

[HaleMoana]

Are you planning on painting the wood trim on the tank? It's not a big deal but might look a little nicer if it matches the stand.

Yup, I'll be painting the trim black too. Probably just the bottom trim. I have a canopy that will be covering the top trim, so that shouldn't matter.

 

[HaleMoana]

Very nice, I'm looking forward to watching this come together. Did you just use vinegar to clean the overflow or was it a little more difficult than that?

I actually used a diluted mixture of muriatic acid and water to wash the coraline. It took a lot of elbow grease and scrubbing, but I was able to get most of it off. I also used a razor blade where I could. But I didn't want to scrape up the overflow, so I was careful with it. Then I rinsed the heck out of it several times to make sure I got it all out.

Muriatic acid is reef safe, so I know it's freshwater safe too. I wash all my pumps in a diluted muriatic acid mix. It's actually cheaper than vinegar in the long run cause you dilute it to apx 1:10 (acid:water) mix. You can pick it up in any Home Depot gardening section for like 9 bucks.

Be careful with it though. Make sure that you add the acid to the water... and not the other way around. I also wear pvc gloves. If you have an open cut, it will burn.

 

[JakeH]

I like the DIY rock background idea, but will quikrete be too heavy? Seems like it would stress the glass/stand having all that extra weight in the back...

 

[Adam-011]

looks nice
Alot of ppl do the styrofoam covered in quickcrete backgrounds I am building 1 right now. They dont way that much because its a thin layer on the front side. they can displace alot of water tho...

 

[HaleMoana]

looks nice
...they can displace alot of water tho...

That is definitely a concern

 

[HaleMoana]

Well, I just stumbled on a local guy that is getting rid of his 90 gallon reef ready tank. $50... great price.

But, I just spent all that time yesterday scraping and scrubbing out this 75. Is the extra 15 gallons really worth all that extra work? I will have to do the same thing to this 90 cause he just broke it down and it's still dirty with coraline in it.

Most mbuna hang by the bottom half of the tank anyway, right?!?!?! So, is a 6 inch higher tank really worth it? I'm torn!!! WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!?!?!?!??!?!