IM EXT 75 Build Thread

[hllb]

Some photos from today

 

[tsharpe291]

looking good

 

[hllb]

Here’s the main damage from the move. I’m also going through a mini cycle but it’s already stabilizing.

My green monti is 90% dead (it was much too large to transport in water, I broke off probably at least 50% of it). The edges seem ok so it may recover.

The tips of my digitata weren’t underwater during transport so they’ve died. The base and shorter tips seem fine, plus 3 frags I have.

And you can see where all the coralline was that died off because I transported bare rock out of water.

 

[hllb]

I ordered a small cabinet from Wayfair to fix up my water station. It’s a great little cabinet with a quartz countertop!

 

[sd_tom]

What's the distance to the wall and is that as tight as it can be - i assume the return valves set the closest you can get to the wall? Looking at this tank as well but if the tank is 6" from the wall, it is odd in the space we have. if it was 4" from the wall it would be ok.

 

[mjszos]

Sorry for the losses during the move, but overall coming along great! I'm here for the journey, I love these IM tanks.

 

[hllb]

What's the distance to the wall and is that as tight as it can be - i assume the return valves set the closest you can get to the wall? Looking at this tank as well but if the tank is 6" from the wall, it is odd in the space we have. if it was 4" from the wall it would be ok.

I have mine about 10” from the wall to the back of tank (6” from the back of the overflow). The plumbing sticks out farther than the overflow so the closest you could get would be about 5”. I like this distance because I have space to work if I need to. I did see someone who built a shelf that would hide all the plumbing and cords from view

 

[hllb]

Sorry for the losses during the move, but overall coming along great! I'm here for the journey, I love these IM tanks.

I’m very happy with it so far! I’m not too concerned about the losses. My monti was a prolific grower so if part of it survives (so far still alive) it’ll grow over the dead parts.

 

[DustinDec]

I almost bought the 4' version of that tank, and by "almost," I mean I hit the checkout page multiple times, nearly convincing myself to pull the trigger. My biggest reason for not going with it was the lack of cabinet space. That said, it looks great, and you could probably solve the storage issue by cutting a board with magnets that attach to a wall-mounted bracket. Just paint it to match the stand—most hardware stores can do a paint match for you.

What’s the smaller tank you got? I see it’s an IM, is it the 15-gallon NUVO Fusion AIO Cube Aquarium? Did you buy a separate stand?

I’m thinking about getting one as an observation tank for incoming coral and possibly housing a BTA with a couple of clownfish. My plan would be to have rock, a Nero 3, a Prime 16, etc., while keeping the coral frags in a magnetic holder on the glass, away from the BTA.

Definitely interested in your thoughts on how you've liked it!

 

[hllb]

I almost bought the 4' version of that tank, and by "almost," I mean I hit the checkout page multiple times, nearly convincing myself to pull the trigger. My biggest reason for not going with it was the lack of cabinet space. That said, it looks great, and you could probably solve the storage issue by cutting a board with magnets that attach to a wall-mounted bracket. Just paint it to match the stand—most hardware stores can do a paint match for you.

What’s the smaller tank you got? I see it’s an IM, is it the 15-gallon NUVO Fusion AIO Cube Aquarium? Did you buy a separate stand?

I’m thinking about getting one as an observation tank for incoming coral and possibly housing a BTA with a couple of clownfish. My plan would be to have rock, a Nero 3, a Prime 16, etc., while keeping the coral frags in a magnetic holder on the glass, away from the BTA.

Definitely interested in your thoughts on how you've liked it!

Yes, I have the 15g IM tank. I got a JBJ Cubey 15 stand for it. The stand is decent but the directions are trash I did put a Mighty Jet 326 in the tank - the pump it came with didn’t have a feed mode which I found annoying. Seemed like a decent pump though.

And yes, no space in the stand if the big tank is disappointing. I like the big size of the sump, but more storage would’ve been good. That’s probably the only disappointment with the tank. Everything else is great.

 

[Arkayology]

Nice tank! I wish mine had the leveling feet.

 

[hllb]

The lighting was great today so I got some nice shots. I need to rehome some of these frags though! I don’t ship though, so don’t ask unless you’re in SE Michigan

My green monti looks like he’ll recover just fine. I expect he’ll grow over the dead skeleton in about a year.

 

[hllb]

Thought I’d give an update on my big monti. It’s doing pretty well and some of the parts that seemed completely dead and had algae growing on it is actually coming back!

 

[yOyOYoo]

The tank is looking very nice! I am cycling my IM 75 INT currently and seeing these pictures makes me wish I went with the EXT instead! What kind of power heads are you using in the tank and how are you setting up the sump?

 

[hllb]

The tank is looking very nice! I am cycling my IM 75 INT currently and seeing these pictures makes me wish I went with the EXT instead! What kind of power heads are you using in the tank and how are you setting up the sump?

I have two Nero 5’s, one on each end. The sump is just as-is with a skimmer in the middle chamber. I’m using the MJ return pump and doing filter floss.

 

[yOyOYoo]

Do you like the Nero 5s? I’m thinking of getting the same ones. Which skimmer are you using it and would you recommend it?

In my sump I was thinking of adding a Red Sea NanoMat in the first 4” slot.

 

[hllb]

Do you like the Nero 5s? I’m thinking of getting the same ones. Which skimmer are you using it and would you recommend it?

In my sump I was thinking of adding a Red Sea NanoMat in the first 4” slot.

I do like the Neros. They’re good. For skimmer I have a bubble magus curve 5 elite that works great.

 

[Anna K]

What an awesome build thread to follow, and seeing your cap come back to life is amazing! You should go post it in the bleached recovery thread that was created yesterday. I think you could give a lot of people hope by seeing it! Also love the little stand from wayfair. It looks super nice and clean with everything else! :D

 

[hllb]

What an awesome build thread to follow, and seeing your cap come back to life is amazing! You should go post it in the bleached recovery thread that was created yesterday. I think you could give a lot of people hope by seeing it! Also love the little stand from wayfair. It looks super nice and clean with everything else! :D

Oh, I'll have to go check out that thread!

 

[gfhughes]

What are you using for an ATO reservoir and how long does it last?
What lights and arm kit is that?
Do you have a link for the mat you used under the sump and behind the tank?