First tank, IM fusion 40

[nlutfi]

Hi,
I'm setting up my first reef tank and thought I'd post here and get everyone's input and advice as I go.
Here is my current equipment list:
IM fusion mini 40
Custom built stand
AI hydra 26 (any tips on settings for this light? also how the lunar feature works.)
Aqami KPS powerhead/wavemaker
Ice cap ATO
Tunze 9004 skimmer
Aqua gadget custom caddy, came with filter floss, gfo and carbon
Finnex HMA-S 150 heater
Ink Bird temp controller
30lb Caribsea Fiji pink live sand
20lbs reef saver dry rock + 5-10lbs live rock from lfs
Red Sea marine care test kit
LED refractometer

Let me know what you guys think of the setup so far. Should be getting it filled up and cycling this weekend. Here are some pics of my progress so far and my first aquascape attempt! Thanks in advance!

 

[Ranjib]

Welcome to reef2reef. Love these tanks. I think you have very good equipment lineup. Any stocking plans?

 

[Jvesche20]

Welcome looks great cant wait to see what it looks like with fish and coral

 

[nlutfi]

Thanks guys! As far as stocking no real plans yet, I'd like to add a pair of clowns and BTA at some point. Other then that not sure really yet, any opinions?

 

[SPR1968]

I like the rock work design and the tank looks great

And welcome to R2R!

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks guys! As far as stocking no real plans yet, I'd like to add a pair of clowns and BTA at some point. Other then that not sure really yet, any opinions?

you have any preference? like mixed reef or softy only or sps heavy? Is this your first tank ?

 

[theatrus]

Want to hop in and say that I love the stand finish

 

[Ranjib]

sorry.. i just noticed this is your first tank , in the first post, my apologies.

Start with some easy to keep softies. like zoas. leather, gsp or xenia or palythoas. Keep gsp of xenia like softies in a separate rock, they are invasive. There are lots of beginner-friendly softies. Ricordia, euphylia (hammer, torch, frogspawn) are next steup up (after few months).. then acan, bubble , monti cap or digitata. and then acros.. that almost 1 year

Start with bottom, and leave the premium high flow , high light spot for last. consider the growth rate and aggressiveness of corals as you introduce them.
I'll highly recommend adding a wrasse for pest control (probably the last fish)

 

[nlutfi]

Thanks everyone! Yeah I'm planning a mixed reef for sure. Thanks for all the tips ranjib, can I ask why add the wrasse last? And does anyone have any tips on settings for my Hydra 26 and how the lunar setting works?

 

[Ranjib]

Thanks everyone! Yeah I'm planning a mixed reef for sure. Thanks for all the tips ranjib, can I ask why add the wrasse last? And does anyone have any tips on settings for my Hydra 26 and how the lunar setting works?

They are bullies and territorial , unless you are introducing a bigger bully (like a larger damsel) it’s safer to introduce them at the end . Does that make sense ?

 

[nlutfi]

For sure makes sense thank you.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Welcome to the IM40 club. Looks like you're off to a great start

 

[Mouse84]

Looking good

 

[nlutfi]

Thanks everyone!

 

[nlutfi]

Tank is fill and equipment is all up and running! Still cloudy but here is some updated pics!

 

[nlutfi]

Should I be running my skimmer right now as the tank cycles? Or is it better to wait until i start adding fish/corals?

 

[theatrus]

Should I be running my skimmer right now as the tank cycles? Or is it better to wait until i start adding fish/corals?

Very early on, its not going to be active or reliably tuned. I'd run it a few weeks in however.

 

[Jvesche20]

Very early on, its not going to be active or reliably tuned. I'd run it a few weeks in however.

I agree with this. When it comes to skimmers if it’s new from the factor they usually say run on max setting for 4 weeks because sometimes there’s left over things from when the party were made in the factory. I would start using it now just so you can break it in.

 

[nlutfi]

Sounds good I will for sure just let it run. It's been kind of inconsistent with foaming but from what I've read that seems to be normal in the beginning. Does anyone have experience with the ice cap ATO? After setting it up last night it wants to fill past the water level sensor and to the over fill sensor causing the alarm to sound and I have to reset it. But when I manually move it it seems to work fine.

 

[nlutfi]

Here are some updated pics after the water cleared. Let me know what you guys think of the aquascape! Currently running Saxby's light settings on the hydra 26. Also unsure of the aqamai wave maker, not sure if it will have enough flow but I guess we'll see!