IM 30G L Build

[CodyRVA]

Mapping out some ideas for an Innovative Marine 30G Long. This tank was purchased a few years ago before I got out of the hobby. I'm debating a come back. Not sure if I'm actually going to build this yet, I'm 50/50 right now, but leaning towards going for it. The mapping is subject to change. Since this is a small system, I'm trying to be mindful of space, thus most of the equipment was selected accordingly. I'm also doing this build on a budget so some equipment is not "high end." I chose not to skimp on the skimmer. Rolling the dice on the lights. I haven't purchased anything yet so again, this might change, but this is where I am. Let me know what y'all think!

Tank
Innovative Marine 30G Long (rimless: 36 In. long X 15 In. deep & 13 In. tall)

Stand
Custom build (has not been built yet)

Lights
NICREW 50W (2x) with controller (have not purchased)

Skimmer
Aquamaxx WS-1 In-Sump

Return Pump
Orlushy DC-4000 (have not purchased)

Sump
Aqueon 10G

Build Receipts
Replacement back panel plate glass (35-7/16 X 13 X 3/8): $90
1 x Prodigy M Slimline Overflow Box - Eshopps: $195
20lbs Reef Saver Aquarium Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks: $60
5lbs Reef Saver Shelf Aquarium Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks: $30
200 Watt STE Series Titanium Heater - Finnex: $95
5 Stage RO/DI Replacement Filter Kit - BRS: $48
75 GPD Reverse Osmosis Membrane - Dow Filmtec: $36
WS-1 In-Sump Protein Skimmer - Aquamaxx: $119
Aqueon 10G: $15
Sea Salt Mix 150 Gallon (Box) - Aquaforest: $55
Neoprene: $20
Tools for tank rebuild: $109
Stand Materials: $300
Sand: $30
Refractometer: $18

Total Current Cost: $1,190

Expected Additional Costs
NICREW HyperReef Light Controller: $45
NICREW 50 Watts Aquarium LED Reef Light 2X: $210
Sump Baffles: $75
Orlushy DC-4000: $70
Plumbing: $110
Test Kits: $?
BRS Mini Reactor w/ Sicce Pump: $75

Total Expected Cost: $1,813

 

[JoJosReef]

I suggest Noopsych K7 Mini lights (60W). Excellent spectrum and I like them more than AI Primes. 2 or 3 would work great over that tank--works great of my 40gL AIO!

 

[CodyRVA]

I suggest Noopsych K7 Mini lights (60W). Excellent spectrum and I like them more than AI Primes. 2 or 3 would work great over that tank--works great of my 40gL AIO!

Thanks, I'll give them a look. Where do you recommend purchasing from?

 

[AJQ69]

Thanks, I'll give them a look. Where do you recommend purchasing from?

You can get it directly from their website, also keep an eye on the selling forum, there is always a chance of hitting gold

 

[JoJosReef]

Thanks, I'll give them a look. Where do you recommend purchasing from?

Definitely from the Noopsyche website, not 3rd party vendors. They have a distributor here @Zach B in case you go with these, and I recommend PMing Zach if you put in an order. Worth shopping around, but these are very good lights that give nice spectrum and PAR. App leaves a bit to be desired and WIFI connectivity is iffy--I use the AP mode in any case, set it and forget it.

 

[kevgib67]

 

[CodyRVA]

Definitely from the Noopsyche website, not 3rd party vendors. They have a distributor here @Zach B in case you go with these, and I recommend PMing Zach if you put in an order. Worth shopping around, but these are very good lights that give nice spectrum and PAR. App leaves a bit to be desired and WIFI connectivity is iffy--I use the AP mode in any case, set it and forget it.

Going back and forth on wattage for this tank. It's 36 inches long, but only 13 inches tall, 15 inches deep. So, very shallow, but kind of wide by comparison. I plan on making this SPS dominant, but it would be nice to add some LPS or Zoas on the sandbed, so I don't want to go scorched Earth either. With the Noopsyche I'm guessing I'll need 2 units at 60w. If I go with the NICREW I keep going back and forth between 2 50w or 2 100w - trying to consider coverage for the full length of the tank. I'm a T5 guy, have never ran LEDs so this is a new aspect of the hobby for me. Any thoughts?

Noopsyche K7 Mini 60W APP wifi control

Noo-Psyche K7 Mini is an Brand New Marine Aquarium coral light with Smart App WiFi Control. Category: Pet light for aquarium reef illumination Size: Φ116*55 mm Weight: 0.35 Kg Power: 60 W Voltage: 100-240V 50/60Hz 1.5A Warranty: one year

noopsychereeflight.com

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[JoJosReef]

Going back and forth on wattage for this tank. It's 36 inches long, but only 13 inches tall, 15 inches deep. So, very shallow, but kind of wide by comparison. I plan on making this SPS dominant, but it would be nice to add some LPS or Zoas on the sandbed, so I don't want to go scorched Earth either. With the Noopsyche I'm guessing I'll need 2 units at 60w. If I go with the NICREW I keep going back and forth between 2 50w or 2 100w - trying to consider coverage for the full length of the tank. I'm a T5 guy, have never ran LEDs so this is a new aspect of the hobby for me. Any thoughts?

Noopsyche K7 Mini 60W APP wifi control

Noo-Psyche K7 Mini is an Brand New Marine Aquarium coral light with Smart App WiFi Control. Category: Pet light for aquarium reef illumination Size: Φ116*55 mm Weight: 0.35 Kg Power: 60 W Voltage: 100-240V 50/60Hz 1.5A Warranty: one year

noopsychereeflight.com

My tank has 3 Noop minis. I have an SPS island in the middle doing really well, hitting 300-350 par on the top of the rocks at ~50% intensity on blues/purples and 35% intensity on whites at peak (i use a saxby-type schedule, so peaks and troughs throughout the day). Nems on the left, RFAs and a few SPS on the right (pavona, cyphastrea) and sand bed is full of meat corals, a few euphyllia, a plate, zoas and other random stuff (a few toadstools and pink nepthea). I'm quite happy with 3. 2 would work depending on where your corals are places--mine has 3 "islands" each under a Noop.

 

[CodyRVA]

My tank has 3 Noop minis. I have an SPS island in the middle doing really well, hitting 300-350 par on the top of the rocks at ~50% intensity on blues/purples and 35% intensity on whites at peak (i use a saxby-type schedule, so peaks and troughs throughout the day). Nems on the left, RFAs and a few SPS on the right (pavona, cyphastrea) and sand bed is full of meat corals, a few euphyllia, a plate, zoas and other random stuff (a few toadstools and pink nepthea). I'm quite happy with 3. 2 would work depending on where your corals are places--mine has 3 "islands" each under a Noop.

What are the dimensions of your tank?

 

[JoJosReef]

IM 40gL AIO. Display space is 35.4"L x 15.3"W x 13"H

Shop | Innovative Marine Products

Shop Now | Innovative Marine's Official Store | Free Shipping on all orders* | NUVO aquariums and saltwater reef supplies.

www.innovative-marine.com

 

[CodyRVA]

Wellllppp…

 

[CodyRVA]

I decided to source a piece of glass for the back panel of the tank. I’ll definitely have to redo the silicone on the entire inside of the tank, hoping the edges between the rest of the panels are still good after I remove the broken panel. I’m also ditching the built in acrylic panel/overflow and will be using an internal overflow; potentially an Eschopps Prodigy M.

Step 1: remove the bottom mat. I don’t think I can save it when I remove the back panel, so I’m starting from scratch.

Step 2: break the silicone seal and remove the back panel. As you can see in the pic, the glass is absolutely broken the entire length of the panel.

 

[CodyRVA]

Silicone removed, need to clean the edges & corners still, taped for my sanity. Replacement back plate glass on order. Next step is to drill the new panel and silicone this thing.

 

[CodyRVA]

Tank drilled.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Tank drilled.

I will tell you.... unlike many, you are well prepared. You have the correct tape and all surfaces are clean and free of silicone. With that, you are merely look at using a clean cloth and cleaning the surfaces well with rubbing alcohol.
Using AQUARIUM SEALANT (either aqueon or Marineland brand)- apply a generous bead into corner. Wet your finger and smooth it out uniformly starting from bottom and and run wet finger to the top (you can also use a popsicle stick)
Once done, allow to dry for at least 24 (i like 36 hours) hours then cold water test for a full 24 hours. If no leak- get ready to restart tank.

 

[CodyRVA]

Water testing edge seams, all looking good, no leaks. Assuming no leaks are found, I'll proceed with adding interior seams to the tank.

 

[CodyRVA]

Interior seams done, waiting to cure for another water test.

 

[CodyRVA]

Starting on the stand this weekend. Picked up some sand from BRS: 40lbs of Special Grade Arag-Alive! Reef Sand; looking for roughly a 1-2 inch bed.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Starting on the stand this weekend. Picked up some sand from BRS: 40lbs of Special Grade Arag-Alive! Reef Sand; looking for roughly a 1-2 inch bed.

Best of luck with the stand!