First reef: IM Nuvo 50 Lagoon AIO

jtlmnop

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I am finally ready to start this reef, after months of planning(and over a year of research)!

I received the tank and stand a few days ago. I have 75 gallons of RODI in Brute cans, and about to mix the salt water. Working on my scape, and I'm just about there. Should be setting up, adding rock/sand, and filling the tank this weekend! Will do a fishless cycle with Dr. Tim's One-and-Only w/ammonia.

I am planning for this to be a mixed reef, with mostly soft and LPS coral. Looking at leathers, hammers, torches, duncans, etc.

I'll start posting more pics of the set up in a few days, but wanted to kick off this build thread and see if anyone has opinions on equipment, stocking plan, or general advice for a first time reefer.

Equipment:
IM Nuvo 50 Lagoon AIO
IM Stand
IM media basket with floss/carbon/gfo, adding Marinepure gems and rubble
Aqamai LRM 100w LED w/mounting arm
2 - Aqamai KPS wave pumps
40-45 lbs of Marco dry rock
IM mid-sized protein skimmer
IM Hydrofill ATO
Hygger 200w heater w/digital thermometer
eHeim 200w heater for mixing station/backup
Inkbird controller for heater
Red Sea test kits
Hanna salinity probe
Extra pumps(Vivosun and Marineland) for mixing station, water changes, etc.

Planned livestock over 6 months:
2 - Clowns(Ocellaris or Darwin)
Variety of snails and scarlet hermits for CUC
Yellow Watchman Goby and Tiger Pistol
Dwarf Angel(Coral Beauty or Flame)
Possible Long Nose Hawkfish
And I would eventually like to add a Mandarine Dragonette

Coral will come later.

Looking forward to any advise or feedback this group can provide. I have learned so much just by browsing the posts and reading comments from all of you, but I still have so much more to learn!


Thanks!

44050759-EFBC-4E1F-9197-C2C60D5A4938.jpeg 09F9B2A0-4619-4EC6-880F-7AF89B1A7B9C.jpeg
 

bob salzlein

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I am finally ready to start this reef, after months of planning(and over a year of research)!

I received the tank and stand a few days ago. I have 75 gallons of RODI in Brute cans, and about to mix the salt water. Working on my scape, and I'm just about there. Should be setting up, adding rock/sand, and filling the tank this weekend! Will do a fishless cycle with Dr. Tim's One-and-Only w/ammonia.

I am planning for this to be a mixed reef, with mostly soft and LPS coral. Looking at leathers, hammers, torches, duncans, etc.

I'll start posting more pics of the set up in a few days, but wanted to kick off this build thread and see if anyone has opinions on equipment, stocking plan, or general advice for a first time reefer.

Equipment:
IM Nuvo 50 Lagoon AIO
IM Stand
IM media basket with floss/carbon/gfo, adding Marinepure gems and rubble
Aqamai LRM 100w LED w/mounting arm
2 - Aqamai KPS wave pumps
40-45 lbs of Marco dry rock
IM mid-sized protein skimmer
IM Hydrofill ATO
Hygger 200w heater w/digital thermometer
eHeim 200w heater for mixing station/backup
Inkbird controller for heater
Red Sea test kits
Hanna salinity probe
Extra pumps(Vivosun and Marineland) for mixing station, water changes, etc.

Planned livestock over 6 months:
2 - Clowns(Ocellaris or Darwin)
Variety of snails and scarlet hermits for CUC
Yellow Watchman Goby and Tiger Pistol
Dwarf Angel(Coral Beauty or Flame)
Possible Long Nose Hawkfish
And I would eventually like to add a Mandarine Dragonette

Coral will come later.

Looking forward to any advise or feedback this group can provide. I have learned so much just by browsing the posts and reading comments from all of you, but I still have so much more to learn!


Thanks!

44050759-EFBC-4E1F-9197-C2C60D5A4938.jpeg 09F9B2A0-4619-4EC6-880F-7AF89B1A7B9C.jpeg
Nice build, can't wait to see it finished. If you need more flow, you can swap out that stock pump for one of the Hydor Seltz DC adjustable pumps, fits nicely.
 
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jtlmnop

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Nice build, can't wait to see it finished. If you need more flow, you can swap out that stock pump for one of the Hydor Seltz DC adjustable pumps, fits nicely.
Thanks! And thanks for the suggestion. I have read that the MightyJet pumps are not as mighty as the name would suggest, but figured I would get it up and running and see how it goes.
 

bob salzlein

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Thanks! And thanks for the suggestion. I have read that the MightyJet pumps are not as mighty as the name would suggest, but figured I would get it up and running and see how it goes.
Yes, the Seltz are stronger and smaller footprint.
 
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jtlmnop

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Stand build, tank filled. I everything seems to be working so far...
 

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jtlmnop

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Tank is up and running. I have the light and wave pumps set up, but still working out the program for both. The Aqamai app is not 100% intuitive, though I do like the functionality in general.

Was able to get my cords and controllers organized in the stand, with plenty of room for ATO reservoir and supplies.

I’m on day 7 of the cycle, and ammonia dropped to 1.2 after 6 days of no movement. I think I slightly overdosed to start, but things seem to be headed in the right direction.

Hoping to add the first fish in a few weeks. We’ll see how the cycle finishes out, and shipping issues should start to calm down after this week. So overnight shipping from TSM shouldn’t be a problem after Jan 1.

Very exciting to see this tank come together.
 

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Subtropic Reefer

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Nice build, can't wait to see it finished. If you need more flow, you can swap out that stock pump for one of the Hydor Seltz DC adjustable pumps, fits nicely.
The new IM tanks come with a controllable mighty jet pump. They move a ton of water and are really nice.
 
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jtlmnop

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The new IM tanks come with a controllable mighty jet pump. They move a ton of water and are really nice.
So far, I like the MightJet pump. With the two Aqamai wave pumps, one on each side facing each other, I seem to be getting quite a bit of flow throughout the tank.
 
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jtlmnop

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Update. The tank cycled in 16 days. Once the cycle was done, I placed my order for 2 Ocellaris Clowns with TSM. Fish delivered today, acclimated and seem to be doing well. They hang around one corner of the tank, but venture out more and more as the day goes on.
 

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navada718

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Thanks! And thanks for the suggestion. I have read that the MightyJet pumps are not as mighty as the name would suggest, but figured I would get it up and running and see how it goes.
Hey, nice build. I recently setup my 50 gal lagoon recently & I highly recommend the Sicce SDC 6.0 return pump. I only run it at 5% & it gets the job done.
 

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Nice set up and I look forward to see your tank grow. After a long debate, I decided on the IM 50 gal lagoon as well and now patiently awaiting for it to be delivered.
 
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jtlmnop

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Nice set up and I look forward to see your tank grow. After a long debate, I decided on the IM 50 gal lagoon as well and now patiently awaiting for it to be delivered.
Thanks! Yeah, I think I looked at about 10 different options between Waterbox, Red Sea, SCA, and Cade. Very happy with my decision. I ordered in Sept and received it in Dec. In reality, it just gave me more time to plan the set up and equipment choices. All good so far!
 

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Thanks! Yeah, I think I looked at about 10 different options between Waterbox, Red Sea, SCA, and Cade. Very happy with my decision. I ordered in Sept and received it in Dec. In reality, it just gave me more time to plan the set up and equipment choices. All good so far!
I'm in the same boat as you were. I ordered it just over a week ago, with the acknowledgement of it not shipping out until mid March. Which gives me time to plan. With it being an AIO, filtration seems pretty straight forward with the options of media baskets, skimmer, and media reactor when i decide to. My main focus is narrowing down flow and lighting. Lighting, i'll have some addition time to decide since I still have a cycle to finish before any lighting really becomes an issue.
 
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jtlmnop

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I'm in the same boat as you were. I ordered it just over a week ago, with the acknowledgement of it not shipping out until mid March. Which gives me time to plan. With it being an AIO, filtration seems pretty straight forward with the options of media baskets, skimmer, and media reactor when i decide to. My main focus is narrowing down flow and lighting. Lighting, i'll have some addition time to decide since I still have a cycle to finish before any lighting really becomes an issue.
Yeah, I debated lighting for a long time. I took a chance on the Aqamai 100w reef led, and it looks great. Should give me all the PAR I need for soft and lps, maybe sps. If not, I’m prepared to get a second unit. Also got 2 of the Aqamai wave makers. With one on each side, and the stock MightyJet, I’m getting great flow.
 
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jtlmnop

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Update:

A bit of adjustment to my aquascape. I realized that the structure on the left had a nice ledge at the bottom that was on the back side. Turned it completely, as that would be a nice spot for some coral. Also added and island in the middle front, and a sloped piece behind that which bridges to two main structures. Again, additional space for future coral.

Starting to see some film algae and spots in the sand, so I have a small CUC arriving from Reefcleaners this week. 6 scarlet hermits, 5 dwarf cerith, 4 nassarius, and 2 trocus.
 

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jtlmnop

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It’s been awhile since I have added to my build thread. So here are some updated pics of my reef. Added the Elegance yesterday, and it really makes the whole tank look fantastic. Thanks to Queen City Corals for another outstanding shipment!
 

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A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 73 37.8%
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  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 13.0%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

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