IM 40 Fusion Build

[spoonspider]

Some background: I grew up working with my dad with freshwater tanks, and had wanted a saltwater tank for a long time. About a year ago, I finally bit the bullet and invested in a basic 10 gallon set up. Just some live rock, a hang on back filter, and a power head. I was immediately hooked. I started off by adding some zoas and other basic corals, but no fish. I found the 10 gallon to be way too small for what I wanted, so I did the same basic set up, but on a 20 long.

20 long was up for about 8 months now, but it was time to upgrade and get a better set up. I toyed with the idea of doing a DIY set up with a 40 breeder for quite some time, but after learning more about Innovative Marine's tanks, decided it was perfect. All in one with plenty of options to customize, and right within my budget.

On to the build.

Equipment:
• Innovative Marine Nuvo 40 Fusion with IM stand
• Sicce Synchra Silent 2.0 Return Pump
• IM Hydrofill Ti ATO Pump and Controller
• InTank Media Basket with chaeto and Chemi-pure
• IM AUQA Gadget Magnafuge LED Refugium light
• SBReefLights Sbox Extreme 16" LED Light
• Tunze 9004 Skimmer
• 35lbs live rock
• 30lbs Carribsea live reef sand mixed with Fiji Pink sand

Livestock:

Fish:
• Frostbite ocellaris clownfish
• Longnose hawkfish
I have a yellow head or blue spot jawfish I'm waiting for my LFS to find that should be added shortly.
The frostbite clownfish originally had a smaller male that was a Black Ice ocellaris, but she beat him up so badly, he had to be removed and placed in my IM 20 Abyss.

Corals:
• Jason Fox Captain Jerk Palys
• Rasta zoas
• Pink zoas
• Bright orange palys
• Two other random zoas
• Red Hot Chili Pepper Montipora
• Neon Duncan's
• Green trumpets
• Red acans
• Orange acans

This tank has been up and running for almost two months now, and is doing really well thus far! The overall quality of the tank

 

[spoonspider]

When I first picked up the tank from my LFS, I couldn't wait to get it home. It was the perfect size, and the glass looked so clear. I set it up almost immediately.

Adding sand and rocks (and making a complete mess!)

I was very happy with how the rockscape came out!

And thus began waiting for the tank to clear up!

 

[spoonspider]

The tank cycled a lot quicker than I expected with the use of some Biospira, feedings, live rock, and live sand. All in all, it took about a week for ammonia and nitrite to disappear, which is faster than my nanos cycled. I added in my Frostbite and Black Ice clownfish about a week later!

Unfortunately, the Black Ice was moved about a week ago. The Frostbite was being so aggressive, she almost ripped his caudal fin completely off. It's possible I happened to get two females, or they just didn't get along, but now he/she's healing up in my IM Abyss Panorama 20, and doing really well!

A few weeks later, and I added all of my corals. Everything had just been moved over in this picture, so they were pretty angry, but they all opened up shortly after.

 

[spoonspider]

Yesterday, I finally decided to add a fish I’ve had planned for the aquarium since the getgo (and wanted for even longer). A longnose hawkfish. He hasn’t shown much aggression, or gone after my CUC as of yet, but he’s being well fed on some LRS Reef Frenzy and will be getting live shrimp treats every so often. He’s super fun to watch perch around, and has to be one of the coolest fish I’ve owned to date!

 

[tupes]

Looks like you are off to a great start. That's a great tank to start with.

 

[spoonspider]

Picked up a few frags today. An ORA Ponape Birdsnest, a pink encrusting monti, some sort of acro, and a new chalice (which is in high light, as that’s where it was at the LFS. It can always be moved if necessary).

 

[reef4beer]

How are you liking the skimmer? Does it fit in the overflow chamber or you replaced one of the sock chambers?

 

[Dsnakes]

Everything looks great. I really like the IM tanks. What heater are you using if you have one?

 

[Thanh386]

Was getting the sicce pump in difficult?

 

[Kjreefer]

Was getting the sicce pump in difficult?

I have a nuvo fusion 40 too and I need to find a heater that fits it. Any suggestions?

 

[chum]

I have a nuvo fusion 40 too and I need to find a heater that fits it. Any suggestions?

not trying to thread hijack but here is what i did for heating and my sicce 2.0 pump.https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/im-fusion-40-build.360090/

 

[spoonspider]

How are you liking the skimmer? Does it fit in the overflow chamber or you replaced one of the sock chambers?

I love it! I replaced one of the sock chambers, and then replaced the other sock chamber with some PolyFilter, chaeto, and ChemiPure. Overall, it's been doing really well. Produces a ton of skimmate, it's quiet, easy to assemble. Really haven't found any issues with it! Took a little bit to get it adjusted correctly, since it's a little harder to see in the back of the tank, but once it's set, it's amazing.

Everything looks great. I really like the IM tanks. What heater are you using if you have one?

I'm actually not using any heater at the moment. I live in FL and the tank stays pretty consistent. I may invest in one before the winter, if I do, it'll probably be one of the Cobalts.

Was getting the sicce pump in difficult?

Not at all, it actually fits just like the stock pump would!

 

[spoonspider]

So, a couple of updates on the tank!

It survived Hurricane Irma last year, after nearly a week with no power, I shockingly didn't lose anything (in any of my tanks). My battery back up pumps died, so I resorted to the manual method of a solo cup and tall pours. Phosphates did go up a bit after that and I entered a very long battle with hair algae (which was expected), but has finally cleared up. I also added a diamond goby and a baby yellow tang (before the tang police come, I do have a larger tank he can be moved into at any time). Tons of new frags have been added, and the previous frags have continued to really grow. I'll post pictures soon!

 

[ranchhand02]

How do you like that light? I am thinking of getting a tank like yours and I have not decided on a light yet

 

[spoonspider]

How do you like that light? I am thinking of getting a tank like yours and I have not decided on a light yet

Sorry for the super delayed reply, but I’ve had it well over a year now, so I can safely say I’ve loved it. It’s grown SPS and LPS really well, as well as had a super slow ramp, which has been crucial for my skittish tang. The color payoff isn’t what you’d get with a Radeon or anything, but you still get some pretty killer growth.