Build Thread - Innovative Marine EXT 200

[bigkat503]

I’ve had a 60 gallon rimless for about a year and got the itch for a bigger tank. Was pretty close to pulling the trigger on and IM 170 INT but ended up going with the 200 INT when I placed the order since it’s really not too much more. The order was placed in early July 2026.

About a month later I had a bit of buyers remotes on the INT whisking I had gotten the EXT so I reached out to Innovative Marine to see if I could change my order and to my surprise the allowed it for a processing fee.

Tank is still a ways out but I have begun sourcing quite a bit of equipment:

Innovative Marine EXT 200 w/ Black Stand
Bashsea Pro 48 Sump + Plumbing parts
Reefmat 1200
Abyzz A200 return
2x Tunze Orca 6105
Kraken lid - has cutouts for the Tunze Orca
2x 500W heater
Hydros Launch
Hydros XP8
Flow Sensor
Leak Rope
Misc. Sensors
2x Straton X (long lead time, may go with a third later)

I have 120 lbs of purple Marco Rock in a brute in the garbage cycling.

Light mount will be made from 8020 which I just ordered yesterday ( designed on 8020 site and actually ordered from Tnutz)

Controller board will be built from 8020 as well and I have the frame of that coming with the light parts. I didn’t really like the of the shelf controller boards and figured the 8020 route would give me the most flexibility.

My current tank has an Apex A3 pro and I decided to give Hydros a shot, I like their build quality and it’s a sleeker look.

While I await the tank to arrive figured I’d get this thread going so see what kind of feedback / suggestions I can get.

 

[MKEnovice]

I'm a noob, best of luck!!

 

[jackreef]

Following along! Just picked up an EXT 170 working on plumbing it now

 

[Florida_Man]

IM200 EXT owner here - Congrats and you will totally enjoy your new tank!

 

[BryanM]

No skimmer?

 

[bigkat503]

Thinking the skimmer will be the Royal Exclusive 200 Lite Deluxe. I have a reef Octo 150 now I may use for a bit.

 

[bigkat503]

IM200 EXT owner here - Congrats and you will totally enjoy your new tank!

Nice! Got a ways to wait still sadly

 

[bigkat503]

Following along! Just picked up an EXT 170 working on plumbing it now

Nice, good luck

 

[bigkat503]

Ordered a Royal Exclusive - Bubble King DeLuxe 200 Light skimmer

 

[Florida_Man]

Nice! Got a ways to wait still sadly

Yeah same with mine - took maybe 2 months to receive but gave me plenty of time to figure out how I was going to move the tank which was not an easy task.

 

[bigkat503]

Yeah I got 4 woods power grip suction cups and have already recruited some folks. Gonna have to play a bit of musical tanks to get the big boy in the place of the current one.

2 months is not bad. I ordered it in July 9th. How much of a heads up did you get from IM when it was ready? Did you get any other sort of updates during the wait?

 

[kevgib67]

Looking forward to seeing your build!

 

[bigkat503]

If anyone has an IM 200INT, I have a brand new Kraken lid for sale. It has two cutouts for the Tunze orcas in the back left and right.

 

[Florida_Man]

Yeah I got 4 woods power grip suction cups and have already recruited some folks. Gonna have to play a bit of musical tanks to get the big boy in the place of the current one.

2 months is not bad. I ordered it in July 9th. How much of a heads up did you get from IM when it was ready? Did you get any other sort of updates during the wait?

Can't remember exactly but I think it was about 3 or 4 weeks I got notification that it was ready for shipping, then another week received notification from the shipper (Roadrunnner Transportation) then another couple of weeks for actual delivery.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[padilla95624]

I ordered a 200 EXT at the end of July and was told it could take 4-6 months!

 

[X-37B]

Took 4 months for my ext 112. My ext 170 said 4-6 months. 3 weeks later it's at the terminal.
I run 2 sea sweeps, Orca was not out yet, running 2 Tunze 6255's.
I run 2 skimmers, LifeReef 28" and a Tunze 9430dc. Geo 818 carx and I dose kalk 24/7.
Good choice on the ext.
My cutrent 170, 2 years old.

 

[bigkat503]

T nuts parts came in today. Built my little 1010 controller board and part of the lights. Forgot to order some hardware for the lights but I like how the controller mount thing came out.

This will go inside the stand next to the sump

 

[bigkat503]

Sump looking good too.

Not sure what to do with chamber #3

Just waiting on the tank and ATI to ship me my Straton X’s - that’s taken awhile, ship day should have been today but they don’t have any update.

Since I’m using generic 8020 for the light mount, I thought I’d share these Straton x light mounts I got from fellow R2R guy. Should come out nice. PM if you want the contact on these Stratton x 8020 mounts

 

[beardedman11]

Following along. I'm really starting to love these larger IM builds and tanks. Buddy got one for a great deal. They seem to be a great upgrade besides the only downside I've is the huge sump and not leaving room under the stand for any extra things. Those bashsea sumps are really nice. I always thought triggers were top of the line until i saw one of those. Killer build so far.