IM 40

AndrewB · Jul 3, 2018

As with a lot of things new to me in this hobby, this is my first "build thread" ... since the aquarium is already 6 months old the progress photos won't include unboxing or all the fun gadgets and thingamabobs that go along.

Here's the run down:

IM fusion 40. APS stand.
Ghost skimmer.
Kessil a160 w/ controller
Wavelink
Hydro nano powerhead
IM media basket.

Stocked with 10lbs live sand, 20 dry. Approx 30lbs dry rock, cured myself (no light) for 45 days. Scrubbed then seeded with old snail shells and frag plugs from LFS to begin coraline. I added 10 gallons of nutri-sea water and finished with self mix.

AndrewB · Jul 3, 2018

So that was my first month or so. Begin in March by adding some frags and a few "house warmings" from friends.

A branching hammer with 2 heads. Leather toadstool came over and a red mushroom.

Since then I've added a few zoa frags some xenia I acquired from a friend.

Later anemones and cinnamon clowns were introduced.

AndrewB · Jul 3, 2018

More coral gets added. I'm not exactly sure what the green eyed red frag is... I thought it was a lepto but not sure at all. Seems happy enough. It's a tentacled mess at times and has grown off its disc since I bought it.

The montipora setosa is growing and my zoas seem happy.

I lost 4 fish due to ich (classic, did not qt when I added my flame angel.) Flame went down with a pair of onyx clowns and firefish.

AndrewB · Jul 3, 2018

My reef as it sits currently at 6 months old

NY_Caveman · Jul 3, 2018

AndrewB said:
My reef as it sits currently at 6 months old

Looking good @AndrewB !

Frogg · Jul 29, 2018

How is the skimmer?

AndrewB · Jul 29, 2018

Frogg said:
How is the skimmer?

This is my first time using a skimmer so I have nothing to compare it to. That said, in one word I would say it is "finicky."

It works and its quiet. However, finding the sweet spot for no micro-bubbles in the display but still skimming a fair amount can be tricky but once I found my sweet spot it's been, as the name suggests, "a ghost" hiding in the dark.

I am pleased to see it full of crud. it's easy to clean and reset. I bought mine on Ebay for about $50 and I am very happy with it. Again, nothing to compare to but it seems to be doing its job.