Lagoon gets an upgrade: IM NUVO EXT 100

[sugar]

It's happening.

Back in May of this year I started up my IM Lagoon 25 AIO after taking a 4-year break. I really only had the Lagoon running for ~3 years at that time, so I'm not necessarily new to the hobby, but I still have myself a lot to learn. I love an easy-mode, mixed softy and LPS dominated reef with select (easy) SPS, a variety of inverts, and more recently have been trying Caulerpa in the display (loving so far!). I'll post more below on current and planned stocking.

I've always wanted a bigger system; something I can have long-term, and if well-kept should last years and years. I am finally in a place in life where it's feasible to upgrade to my dream *big-girl* system. After much thought, I decided to stick with Innovative Marine.

Cutting to the chase, here is what I have so far (more to come):

Tank, Stand and Sump

• Innovative Marine NUVO EXT 100 Complete Reef System -- arriving December?? IT'S HERE
  • Dimensions: 47.3" x 23.6" x 19.7" (approx. 100 gallons)
  • APS Stand (white)
  • RFS39 Sump (57 gallons)

Return Pump

• MightyJet XL 2,656 GPH DC Submersible Return Pump (stock pump)

Skimmer

• Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite

Wavemakers

• Jebao PP-4 x2 (don't hate! Lol. They're on the Lagoon, and I've always liked them, but realize they may not be enough or work with the glass of the EXT glass anyways, but I'll try it but otherwise may try a gyre??)

Light

• AI Primes x2 (Lagoon)
• ???

Heater

• IM Helio PTC Smart Heater Controller and Titanium Element 100W (Lagoon)
• IM Helio PTC Titanium Element 350W

Rock

• Live rock - 20 lbs. (Lagoon)
• Marco ReefSaver Foundation Rock (Flat Bottom) - 10 lbs.
• Marco ReefSaver Rock - 10 lbs.
• CaribSea Moani Dry Life Rock - 50 lbs.

Sand

• CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef - 4x 20 lbs.
• CaribSea Special Grade dry sand - 40 lbs.

Media Cups

• Seachem Matrix
• Cover with filter pad
• ???

Filtration/Media (on hand/as needed)

• GAC
• Seachem Matrix
• Filter pads/floss
• Poly-Filter
• ChemiPure
• ChemiPure Elite
• ChemiPure Blue

Controller

• Neptune APEX A3 (Lagoon)
  • pH
  • Temperature
  • ORP
  • LD-2 leak detection floor sensor
  • MOS level sensor in ATO reservoir

Testing

• Vertex Refractometer
• API test kits: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH
• Hanna checkers: nitrate HR, phosphate ULR
• Salifert kits: alkalinity and calcium
• Seachem MultiTest Iodine & Iodide

Additives, Supplements and Dosing

• ESV B-Ionic 2-Part
• American Marine Selcon
• Seachem Prime
• Seachem Iodine
• Brightwell:
  • MicroBacter7, MicroBacter Clean, NeoPhos, NeoNitro, CoralAmino and PhytoChrom

Accessories

• Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget CustomCradle Universal Magnetic Probe Holder XL

Still Needed...

• Magnetic algae scraper for 15 mm glass
  • Flipper? Tunze? Other??
• More Seachem Matrix (for media cups)
• Pond liner for cabinet (under sump)
• Long hose for water changes
  • Python?
• ATO reservoir (~15 gallons)
• Upgrade RODI unit? Currently: SpectraPure CSPDI MF 90 4-stage
  • Need a 200-300 GPD 5-stage?
• Mesh lid
  • Innovative Marine DIY SafeScreen™ Aquarium Mesh Screen Lid??
• Water storage
  • Rubbermaid Brute?
• Light upgrade!
  • Aquatic Life 48" LED/T5HO Hybrid to pair with Primes??

Stock list! Let's look at what I currently have in the Lagoon:

Fish
Two ocellaris clowns (both ~1 inch)
Bicolor blenny (~2.5 inch)
Green clown goby (~1 inch; or smaller, he's very tiny)
Yellow watchman goby (~2 inch)
Pink-streaked wrasse (~1 inch)

Inverts
Cleaner shrimp x1
Peppermint shrimp x1
Tiger pistol shrimp x1
Emerald crab x1
Blue-legged hermit crabs x4
Fighting conch x1
Astrea snails x3
Trochus snail x1
Bumblebee snail x1
Nassarius snail x1
Cerith snail x1
Mini-maxi carpet anemone x1
Stomatella, collonista, small sponges, and other random little hitchhikers

Soft Corals
Toadstools x3
Finger leather x1
GSP
Xenia
Blue pineapple tree
Clove polyps
Mushrooms x7
Cabbage leather x1
Purple photosynthetic gorgonian
Palys & Zoas
- Sunny D
- Pink Constellation
- Rainbow Orange
- Armor of God
- Gobstopper
- Cherry Charms
- Vamps in Drag
- Pacman
- RR Space Chaos
- Magician
- Pink Diamond
- Misc. green zoa

LPS
Duncan
Hammer x2
Alveopora
Blasto
Acan

SPS
Stylo
Monticap

Macro
Caulerpa prolifera

It's still way early, but what's more fun than thinking about new fish?!?!?! NOTHING. I'll list some of my wanted fish, and I would love your input on what's good or if you have suggestions for substitutions. I'm especially keen on learning what order would be best for adding these (or similar) fishies.

Fish Wish List
(Current fish again: Ocellaris clowns x2, bicolor blenny x1, green clown goby x1, yellow watchman goby x1, pink-streaked wrasse x1)
- Dwarf angelfish x1 (Coral Beauty?)
- Melanurus wrasse x1 (Haven't owned yet, but I'd like something for pest control... but is there a safer option for my lil CUC?)
- Fairy/flasher wrasse x1
- One-spot foxface x1
- Kole/tomini/bristletooth tang x1
- Dottyback/gramma x1 (only if there's room/compatibility; the above are be preferred)

Thanks all!!! Looking forward to the journey.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Take your time. Enjoy what you have now.

I had 600g of saltwater in my house at one point (4 tanks and 2 big sump/refugiums. Now I've downsized to a couple of 40g AIO tanks. A 40g breeder and a 40g cube I built myself. The breeder has mostly wild collected stuff from snorkeling in the Florida Keys and local SW Florida beach walks (including one small 3" mantis shrimp). The other tank is mostly corals (40% sps, 40% lps & 20% softies) and a handful of anemones (no fish at all). I've found these tanks super easy to care fore after a 6 month maturing.

Good luck on your adventure.

 

[sugar]

Take your time. Enjoy what you have now.

I had 600g of saltwater in my house at one point (4 tanks and 2 big sump/refugiums. Now I've downsized to a couple of 40g AIO tanks. A 40g breeder and a 40g cube I built myself. The breeder has mostly wild collected stuff from snorkeling in the Florida Keys and local SW Florida beach walks (including one small 3" mantis shrimp). The other tank is mostly corals (40% sps, 40% lps & 20% softies) and a handful of anemones (no fish at all). I've found these tanks super easy to care fore after a 6 month maturing.

Good luck on your adventure.

This is the goal! Something easy to care for. I don't want anything to get too complicated, and have a stable, simple system that remains healthy (and for me to enjoy) for a long time. I only plan on having the one system, I applaud you for managing more than one! It is a labor of love

 

[sugar]

Tank has landed!

I was NOT expecting to receive it so far. Thank you Aquarium Depot (Canada)! Everything was packed really well, and I appreciate their patience and guidance as I navigated this exciting yet stressful purchase and delivery!

I will get some photos and post a proper update soon.

 

[crabgrass]

Following along. I get my 100 INT Tuesday. I am moving from an IM 20 to 100 as well, and interested to see how both of ours progress.

Here is my initial build thread for what I am thinking/doing

Build Thread - Keith's IM 100 INT

After literally 100's of hours of internal debate and negotiations with my wife, I am going to start a new IM 100 INT build. I currently have a IM 20 Abyss Drop-off tank, and while I thought it would be an "easy and cheap" option, I have realized over the last 18 months that keeping a small...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[crabgrass]

When you get the stand sump setup, I am curious about how much room you have on the left and right hand side of the sump.

 

[sugar]

Following along. I get my 100 INT Tuesday. I am moving from an IM 20 to 100 as well, and interested to see how both of ours progress.

Here is my initial build thread for what I am thinking/doing

Build Thread - Keith's IM 100 INT

After literally 100's of hours of internal debate and negotiations with my wife, I am going to start a new IM 100 INT build. I currently have a IM 20 Abyss Drop-off tank, and while I thought it would be an "easy and cheap" option, I have realized over the last 18 months that keeping a small...

www.reef2reef.com

I will be eagerly following along!! Thanks for posting!

 

[sugar]

When you get the stand sump setup, I am curious about how much room you have on the left and right hand side of the sump.

If I were to place a bet I would guess probably an inch or two on the sides, but we'll see when it's up!

 

[sugar]

I wish I had taken a photo of the entire palleted delivery, with the sump and flat-packed APS stand and skimmer in the picture - this looked MASSIVE.

Delivery fella was able to get the pallet in the garage, for which I am extremely grateful.

For anyone else in a similar boat, receiving a large tank by delivery, YMMV. I was told by IM and by Aquarium Depot that I simply must open and inspect the tank. I was also told on the phone by the delivery company that this will be OK. When the delivery fella arrived, he was having absolutely none of it. He was extremely defensive (I get it, I can only imagine the people they deal with daily), but he asserted immediately that it was NOT his job to uncrate anything, and he will NOT be waiting around for me to do so. In his defense, upon first look, it did appear as though it may take a while. I told him I cannot accept it otherwise, and was advised not to, and he told me I can tell the manufacturer that the contents are fine, the outside packaging is undamaged, and repeated it's not his job to do this and I'll be taking the package as-is and that's that. He went on to say he was extremely busy and did not have the time to be doing this.

We got to talking and he softened up. Once the pallet was in the garage, he asked which box had the aquarium, and started cutting the shrinkwrap. Lol. In about 60 seconds, we had the top of the wooden crate off and took a look at the aquarium.

It was really no problem getting into the crate! All I needed was a flathead screwdriver to pry up and straighten the metal tabs, and maybe a knife to get through some plastic. There is a video by IM on YouTube that demonstrates how to do this!

"It's beautiful," he says.

And it really was. We both stood and looked at it for a minute. Goes to show, even for people who are not in the hobby, the build quality and appearance of these tanks is really impressive. Bravo, IM.

He stayed for a few minutes and chatted about his hobby (RC airplanes), and wished me the best.

 

[sugar]

Small update!

Tank has been moved in the house. This was the biggest physical and mental hurdle for me, I think. Now that it's in the house (safely), I can finally take a breath and really get excited about this.

Please pardon the walls and floors! We will have to get those done before actually starting the build.

My boyfriend and I just hand-bombed it! We carried it from the attached garage, through the door, down five stairs, and onto a dolly in the basement. No problems. I just had to go down the stairs first (backwards) so I could use more of my leg strength. My back is shoddy so it worked out better that way. It is definitely not light. We had a hand truck and his neighbor on standby if we needed to go Plan B or Plan C.

Unfortunately, since we need to do some work in the basement (where the tank will be), it will be a while before this build really kicks off! In the meantime, I need to get the "Still Needed" items from my first post. I figure another $2k CAD (not including livestock) will get us there I'll be jumping on any Boxing Day deals!

The biggest item will be new lights. I am still thinking of doing the Aquatic Life T5HO/LED Hybrid, unless someone can convince me otherwise! I am not loving the disco-effect of the Primes (though I still love them), but want to utilize them. The most economical light upgrade would be... just get another Prime, which isn't off the table. But, I do want to try out the T5HO + LED combo! If I can get a deal on the hybrid, that will be that!!

But, for now:


This sump is BIG.


The first time the boyfriend saw the tank (it was boxed up again). He said the glass really is very thick!


Flat-packed stand, the sump, the return pump and media cups.


Little bit of condensation from the temperature difference but cleared right up.

 

[FitCoral09]

I am doing an IM 20 gallon fusion for about a year or two more and then this is the tank I want to get. Following! Excited to see this build.

 

[sugar]

I am doing an IM 20 gallon fusion for about a year or two more and then this is the tank I want to get. Following! Excited to see this build.

I love seeing other IM builds!!

Just waiting to see if I can jump on any Boxing Day sales now. I have quite a list of things to get!!

 

[kevgib67]

And we are off to the races! Looks like you’re ready to get this moving, following.

 

[Fishy Guy]

Looks like the start of a really good build!

 

[Mkreefer42]

Awesome, cant wait to see your build!

 

[sugar]

Christmas and Boxing Day have come and gone, but here are some things I am expecting to arrive!!

- Aquatic Life 48" T5HO/LED Hybrid Light Fixture; I'll be adding my two AI Primes
- Aquatic Life Wall Mount Suspension Fixtures
- AI Prime Hanging Kit x2
- ATI Bulbs 48" 54W (starting out with Blue Plus x2, Coral Plus x1, Actinic x1)
- Seachem Ammonia Alert
- Innovative Marine Auqa Gadget Hydrofill 15g Reservoir for my ATO
- Reagents for my Hanna nitrate and phosphate
- Seachem Matrix
- Mag-Float (large) and replacement scraper blades (I like Mag-Floats!)
- Innovative Marine SafeScreen Mesh Lid 48x24 kit (wish me luck)
- CoralRx to have on hand
- Salifert kits for Mag, and replacement Alk & Calc
- Kamoer ATO One SE 2 (see how this works! Seems similar to my AutoAqua Smart Micro, which I love, but with a second sensor)
- Python 25ft
- InTank Bonded Poly Filter Floss
- Neptune FMM with 2x floor sensors and a 15-inch Level Sensor to add to my Apex
- Hikari Seaweed Extreme Small Pellet and some nori!

Still need to get:
- Brute container.. 32g?
- Some cable management stuff
- Ikea cabinet. I'm eyeing a wall-mounted Besta cabinet in high-gloss white that I think would look sharp and is a good size to hold lots of stuff (and attempt a controller board/station)

I reached out to Aquatic Life and they have been great to deal with. The mount for the fixture does not come with the extension brackets, which I believe newer mounts do include now. I will need these brackets in order to send out the fixture far enough from the wall to center over my tank, and I am able to get these through AL, which I am very happy about! In fact, I need to email them back right now!

The tank is still sitting in the basement! Just aching to get it set up.

Oh, I also picked up two buckets of Red Sea Blue (probably should have gotten a third while I was at my LFS), and some LRS Reef Frenzy Nano and Herbivore. The whole tank loves LRS.

The little 25g Lagoon is chugging along. Here is a quick snap with dirty glass! Still very young and not filled in yet

 

[Fishy Guy]

Happy New Year! Any updates?

 

[Naekuh]

LOL this has to be the fastest complete job ive seen so far.

From getting the tank in crate, to a finished setup in a span of 1 month.

Here im on month 3 and i just finally got the aquascape in.

 

[fishface NJ]

Best of luck! I am happy for you

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

finish the remodel yet to get the tank going?
As far as cabinets for some controls, check bathroom floor cabinets. shallow depth with good height. I added a picture of the one I found to my thread. Just mounted the shelf as a wall for the controls and a quick cutout for the hub switches.