A second build thread, because well let’s face it... I'm addicted. After the ups and downs of my first tank, I definitely have the bug for multiple systems. That being said, I do not have the space (or budget) to go larger so I'm going to try my hand at a nano.
FTS 12/14/18
I have been toying with this build for about 4 months now. I told myself I would reward myself for getting a new job with a tank for my home office. I decided after some hard decisions to go with the IM Lagoon 25. I was torn between this, a Nuvo 20, and the Cobalt Aquatics 26. Well my first interview for the new job was on May 4th and it went exceedingly well… I started to shop around at that time. By the time the second interview rolled around I went ahead and purchased the tank, I convinced myself that even if I didn’t get the job I would need some cheering up and a new tank would be the solution!
As luck would have it, I accepting the new job as of Friday 7/08. I have a lot of the build planned out at this time but nothing is wet and hardly anything is unpacked. I figured I can keep you all on the ropes this time by stringing out the updates and providing weekly progress shots. My vision for the tank is a lower maintenance tank than my 93 Cube, all zoa’s and mushrooms, a couple designer clowns and a few other unique fish that have not made their way into any of my other systems. With the lagoon tank being only 11 inches tall I can go with some lower power lights that wont need to penetrate too deep, as well as aiming for only zoa’s and shrooms I can keep the water a little dirtier.
That all being said this is how the build stands today:
Some notes to call out, the biggest decision for me was the lighting. Toiling over what strength to go with, what is really necessary for my intended vision, and what do I already have on hand. I currently have a coral QT with the 2 A80’s already in my basement going unused. Using my local reef clubs PAR meter, and copious amounts of research I decided the A80’s will be powerful enough for a zoa/shroom garden. There are NUMEROUS accounts of an A80 being powerful enough in an IM 10 to grow SPS and even a small clam. The 25 is almost two of these slapped together. In all honesty the IM 20 is exactly two of these together, same dimensions. But I wanted the extra gallons and lower profile so I went with the 25. The 25 is an inch shorter, and about 6 inches wider than the 20 (2x10) so the A80’s will have to make up some additional spread but not have to penetrate as far. With allowing room along the edges for cleaning the glass I’m confident the coverage will fit my needs.
After fighting daily with my Apex ATK I have decided to try the ever loved Tunze 3155. I had originally planned on using this in my 93 build however the new and shiny ATK drew my eye. Shame on me. I am hoping the 3155 does not let me down and is easier to maintain.
Circulation was another sticking point for me, I felt a Vortech MP10 is the standard pump for any of the 20+ gallon Nuvo’s however I wanted to try something new and with my circulation needs I do not need to blast the flow. Gyre pumps have interested me from the start so I’m going to try it on a smaller scale before buying in for any larger future builds.
Heating was probably the easiest equipment choice for me, neotherms will be my choice for any tank small enough to be heated by one of them.
Rock and Sand will be Marco’s rocks and Fiji pink sand. I made a very detailed post regarding my rock here. I wanted to have the option of a sand goby / shrimp pair so I’m going with sand that’s a bit finer than the Hawaiian black in my first build.
Open items that still need to be decided (feel free to chime in with options) :
· Stand/Stand design
· Skimmer choices
· Livestock (nano friendly)
· Return pump/random flow returns
· Chemical filtration
Happy Reefing everyone! I’ll be updating this bad boy as we go and stuff gets unpacked.
FTS 12/14/18
I have been toying with this build for about 4 months now. I told myself I would reward myself for getting a new job with a tank for my home office. I decided after some hard decisions to go with the IM Lagoon 25. I was torn between this, a Nuvo 20, and the Cobalt Aquatics 26. Well my first interview for the new job was on May 4th and it went exceedingly well… I started to shop around at that time. By the time the second interview rolled around I went ahead and purchased the tank, I convinced myself that even if I didn’t get the job I would need some cheering up and a new tank would be the solution!
As luck would have it, I accepting the new job as of Friday 7/08. I have a lot of the build planned out at this time but nothing is wet and hardly anything is unpacked. I figured I can keep you all on the ropes this time by stringing out the updates and providing weekly progress shots. My vision for the tank is a lower maintenance tank than my 93 Cube, all zoa’s and mushrooms, a couple designer clowns and a few other unique fish that have not made their way into any of my other systems. With the lagoon tank being only 11 inches tall I can go with some lower power lights that wont need to penetrate too deep, as well as aiming for only zoa’s and shrooms I can keep the water a little dirtier.
That all being said this is how the build stands today:
- Display tank: IM 25 Lagoon 23.62” x19.68” (Display 23.62” x16.88”)
- Glass or Acrylic: Low Iron Glass
- Stand: DIY (not sure yet)
- Sump: Built-in
- Protein skimmer: None to start possibly Eshopps Nano or IceCap K2
- Filtration: InTank media baskets with floss, chemi-pure blue, and marineland biomedia
- Return pump: stock
- Water circulation: IceCap 1K Gyre
- Lighting (display): Kessil A80 x2
- Auto top-off: Tunze 3155
- Heating: Cobalt Neo-Therm 100W (or 2X 75W)
- System control: Kessil Spectral Controller, Inkbird Heater controller(s)
Some notes to call out, the biggest decision for me was the lighting. Toiling over what strength to go with, what is really necessary for my intended vision, and what do I already have on hand. I currently have a coral QT with the 2 A80’s already in my basement going unused. Using my local reef clubs PAR meter, and copious amounts of research I decided the A80’s will be powerful enough for a zoa/shroom garden. There are NUMEROUS accounts of an A80 being powerful enough in an IM 10 to grow SPS and even a small clam. The 25 is almost two of these slapped together. In all honesty the IM 20 is exactly two of these together, same dimensions. But I wanted the extra gallons and lower profile so I went with the 25. The 25 is an inch shorter, and about 6 inches wider than the 20 (2x10) so the A80’s will have to make up some additional spread but not have to penetrate as far. With allowing room along the edges for cleaning the glass I’m confident the coverage will fit my needs.
After fighting daily with my Apex ATK I have decided to try the ever loved Tunze 3155. I had originally planned on using this in my 93 build however the new and shiny ATK drew my eye. Shame on me. I am hoping the 3155 does not let me down and is easier to maintain.
Circulation was another sticking point for me, I felt a Vortech MP10 is the standard pump for any of the 20+ gallon Nuvo’s however I wanted to try something new and with my circulation needs I do not need to blast the flow. Gyre pumps have interested me from the start so I’m going to try it on a smaller scale before buying in for any larger future builds.
Heating was probably the easiest equipment choice for me, neotherms will be my choice for any tank small enough to be heated by one of them.
Rock and Sand will be Marco’s rocks and Fiji pink sand. I made a very detailed post regarding my rock here. I wanted to have the option of a sand goby / shrimp pair so I’m going with sand that’s a bit finer than the Hawaiian black in my first build.
Open items that still need to be decided (feel free to chime in with options) :
· Stand/Stand design
· Skimmer choices
· Livestock (nano friendly)
· Return pump/random flow returns
· Chemical filtration
Happy Reefing everyone! I’ll be updating this bad boy as we go and stuff gets unpacked.
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