IM 170 INT tank build

[DmitryB]

Sweet tank! May I ask what the inside dimensions are from front to back? It looks like the overflow is the whole back wall, and with the middle center sticking out more...

Sorry for this very late response and you may already have your answer. The display space is 26.5 by 59. The overflow is the entire back, which is both nice because it gets all that water moving, but takes up more space. it sticks out a bit more in the center where the plumbing is.

 

[X-37B]

Sorry for this very late response and you may already have your answer. The display space is 26.5 by 59. The overflow is the entire back, which is both nice because it gets all that water moving, but takes up more space. it sticks out a bit more in the center where the plumbing is.

Display interior is 57.5". Glass is 3/4".

 

[DmitryB]

looking to buy this exact tank. can you share how much room you have in the front of the sump between it and the doors ? Trying to figure out where to cram all the electronics and dosing vessels. Figured I could rig up a shelf of some sort in there.

The space is almost 8''. Just a few bars short of 8. You can definitely build a shelf/stand in there, though it would likely have to stand on the bottom of the stand itself. I asked IM about drilling anything and a) they discourage it and b) there's not much to drill into, tbh. You can buy some resistance locks from IM and attach some things by placing them into the vertical or horizontal braces, which if you're creative will give you some possible points of attachment.

 

[mtealeaves]

The space is almost 8''. Just a few bars short of 8. You can definitely build a shelf/stand in there, though it would likely have to stand on the bottom of the stand itself. I asked IM about drilling anything and a) they discourage it and b) there's not much to drill into, tbh. You can buy some resistance locks from IM and attach some things by placing them into the vertical or horizontal braces, which if you're creative will give you some possible points of attachment.

Thanks for the info. I have this tank on order now. That almost 8" means I can put some gallon sized dosing containers there In front of the sump. For electronics I guess I'll do like everyone else seems to do and buy a cabinet to sit next to the stand. I don't like this look but on the positive side it will remove any issues with humidity

 

[DmitryB]

Thanks for the info. I have this tank on order now. That almost 8" means I can put some gallon sized dosing containers there In front of the sump. For electronics I guess I'll do like everyone else seems to do and buy a cabinet to sit next to the stand. I don't like this look but on the positive side it will remove any issues with humidity

Yeah I do wish IM made smaller - or at least gave an option for a smaller - sump. But it is what it is. I have put a 10 gallon ATO reservoir in that spot. And there is room for a UV if I was going to put that on the bottom. There is a bit of room for stuff. Dosers probably would fit. But it's a struggle! You're right though about humidity being removed! (And yes, I did buy a cabinet.)

 

[Rocks reef]

@DmitryB
Hey, let’s figure out your micro bubbles!

 

[DmitryB]

@DmitryB
Hey, let’s figure out your micro bubbles!

Yes please!! Someone in the other thread suggested it could be the protein skimmer? Which maybe? But that's in the sump and the bubbles would travel through the refugium to the return chamber (which has a lot of live rock) and back into the tank. And there's a foam pad between refugium and the return chamber. So I don't think it's the protein skimmer. (And I even lowered the ReefWave gyre to minimize water surface agitation thinking that's what was causing it.)

 

[Rocks reef]

Can you take a picture of the compartment your skimmer is in? You'd be surprised how far those micro bubbles can travel

 

[DmitryB]

Can you take a picture of the compartment your skimmer is in? You'd be surprised how far those micro bubbles can travel

I took a video.

 

[dmiller212]

Just read through this thread!
So exciting and can't wait to see what you do with it!
Very interested in the INT 170 or 200, so glad to see all this.
Did you have a moving crew to bring the tank in?

 

[Mermaidman714]

Once upon a time I had a nice 72 gallon bow tank with some amazing fish (I especially loved my lion and a clownfish pair that ignored an anemone and lived in a soft coral that after a few weeks of freaking out changed its mind and kindly allowed them to squat), corals, clams, anemone, live rock, sand. Metal halides were all the rage. And then I moved and had to break it down and sell everything. Now I'm in a bigger space and had the urge to re-start. First I thought "I'll set up something small, like 30 gallons." Then I thought "Ok maybe 55..." A day later: "70 or so will be fine." Tick tock. "Why not 120!" Tick tock. "Oh look this 170 from Innovative Marine would just fit in this space." So here I am, setting up a 170 from IM even though it's fighting for space with my computer/work desk. But I'll make it work.

The goal is rock, sand, fish (including a couple of tangs, which I could never get with my old 72 gallon), corals (LPS's and SPS's) and a clam or two. And who knows what else!

The tank itself is being made and estimate delivery is end of July/early August. Such a long wait. In the meantime I got some prepping to do and a lot (!!!) of expensive (!!!) equipment to acquire. (List below). Some of the equipment I will not need for a while, but I feel better knowing it's sitting here ready.

I will have to reinforce the floors. My crawl space is pretty gross (I live on the first floor of a two story condo, so it's not my private crawl space), so when that work happens I apologize advance for how gross it is down there.) These two post jacks will work and future proof my inevitable upgrade.

RO/DI is already running with some hiccups. We have well water which is not clean. Maybe it was just taking time breaking in, but finally getting fully filtered water filling a 40 gallon Brute where I'll cure/cook LifeRock. The only place to set this new work-station up is in my guest bathroom. I guess from now on, no overnight guests. The hand held shower is what has the necessary plumbing attachments. And it's safer in case it overflows! I need to trim the hoses.

Expecting a huge delivery from BRS tomorrow with LifeRock and lighting and I don't even remember, but it's coming. Below is the list of items I've purchased or plan to purchase. Please let me know what ya'll think, what else do I need. (I know I need more water flow, for example.)

Ok so here is the list of stuff for the tank I'm acquiring/already acquired:

Display Aquarium
Innovative Marine NUVO 170 INT
59" x 30" x 21.7"

Stand

• NUVO APS stand

Sump

• NUVO RFS50 acrylic - 74 gallons

Salt

• Coral Pro

Refractometer

• Milwaukee digital MA 887

Test kit

• RedSea Marine Care (this is for the basic stuff I will need for cycling)

Return Pump
(I have both, which do I actually run and which keep as back up?)

• MightyJet XL - 2656 GPH DC

or

• VarioS-10

Water Flow
(I want to have a few smaller pumps around the tank vs. just a couple powerful ones, although I guess maybe one powerful one may be a good idea)

• ReefWave 25
• ReefWave 45
• VorTech MP40
• More??

Maintenance Pump

• Sicce Ultra Zero Utility Pump

Skimmer

• Reef Octopus 200 INT

Filters

• N-Clear M Fleece Filter Roller
• Activated Carbon
• GFO

Refugium (with actual live sand and cheato)

• TBD (likely Auqa Gadget ChaetoMax LED 18 Watt)

UV Sterilizer

• TBD

Lights

• Hydra Edge 44 x 2 mounted on tank

Heater

• IM Helio 700 watt (350w x 2) with controller

RO/DI

• BSR 4 stage

ATO

• 16 gallon Advanced Acrylic container
• Nature Dimensions Dual Sensor Advanced Refill Logic

Controller

• Apex A3 Pro

Food

• Frozen
• Brine Shrimp hatchery for fresh wriggly delivery
• Flakes/Pellets

Good luck with your 170 that’s a BIG tank

 

[DmitryB]

Good luck with your 170 that’s a BIG tank

I should have gone bigger!!!!

 

[tritonpower]

It looks like the bubbles are coming from your protein skimmer. Either turn the pump down one or left hand turn the return nozzle on the skimmer to lower the skimmer bubble some. Looking good so far. I am waiting for my EXT 100 to come and setup in the garage. Fun times!

 

[DmitryB]

It looks like the bubbles are coming from your protein skimmer. Either turn the pump down one or left hand turn the return nozzle on the skimmer to lower the skimmer bubble some. Looking good so far. I am waiting for my EXT 100 to come and setup in the garage. Fun times!

Thanks! The pump has been on the lowest setting for a while. So I should open the valve a bit? Lower the bubbles level in the skimmer?

 

[tritonpower]

Thanks! The pump has been on the lowest setting for a while. So I should open the valve a bit? Lower the bubbles level in the skimmer?

The bubbles should be up to the bottom of the cup/top of the neck of the cup. If higher then that then you will tend to get excessive/wet skimate. If the bubbles are coming out of your return of the skimmer, that might not be your issue. You will have to play with it and trial/error.