IM EXT75 Build as I Go

[ChrisTheFloridaMan]

This will be my build thread for my Innovative Marine EXT 75 (white) that I just received today.

I'll document my progress of assembly + set up, and any tweaks (possible plumbing tweaking to reduce wall offset, etc).

Currently, I have a IM 20 10 AIO and once my EXT75 is setup and cycled, I'll be bringing the livestock over. I'll also maintain this post as a master thread of modifications (including links to replies for quick access) and equipment

Equipment​

IM EXT 75 Complete Reef System (link) - includes tank, stand, sump
2x Prime 16HD Lights on flex arm mounts (white - link) - went this route since I already had one from my IM 10AIO...
Helio 400 watt heater system (link)

Livestock (all in IM 10AIO currently)​

2x storm clowns
1x pink feather duster
2x blue eyed hermits
1x flame scallop
1x scarlet cleaner shrimp
Misc snails (number dropping due to hermits)

Corals​

Beats me! Maybe ya'll can help me identify haha
Couple zoas, unknown torch and others that I dont know

Future Plans/Equip (ranked)​

Modification after assembly to pump return lines to bring in line with overflow and reduce wall clearance
Wifi powerstrip (I'm big into Alexa at the house and would love an "Alexa, feed the fish" to kill my pump and other items etc...)
Custom rockscape - currently researching
ATO w/ cabinet (assuming will need)
Jump2K Gyre flow pump
Protein skimmer

Future Livestock/Corals Wishlist (not ranked)​

Holy Grail torch or similar
Azure damsel (wife likes these and voiced wanting some)
Shrimp/goby pair
Would love some horses but probably wont work out due to flow requirements on coral

INSPIRATION​

This is what I am struggling with now the most... I live in South Florida and used to work as a divemaster and miss it a lot. My favorite part was just sinking down and watching the reef and corals. I want to have something nice to look at and try to maintain natural, but doesnt have to be. I dont really want a ton of frags just all over, either. My plan is to have tank in living room near where I can sit in the lazyboy and relax after kids go to bed, or while they watch TV, and admire the tank.

I'm open to all the suggestions!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Congratulations on your jump from the 20 to the 75!

(How long have you had the Flame Scallop-- I hear they can be difficult to keep alive, longterm?)

 

[ChrisTheFloridaMan]

Ive only had the scallop for maybe 2-3 months? I tucked it up into my cave and I guess he liked it because he hasnt moved anywhere... I cant even see it really, except sometimes his feathers sticking out the other side

 

[ChrisTheFloridaMan]

Got to work on assembling the stand last night. My son helped me in the garage with breaking open the crates and plastic wrap. I work as a program manager for a company that manufactures VVIP seats for private Boeing/Airbus jets (head of state, billionaires, etc...). The way IM crates their stuff is really nice, I'd say even nicer than how we crate our seats ($40k to $250k per, for example).. Kudos to them for sure.

Anyway, had to break the sump crate open to be able to lift off the top of the stand crate by myself. Brought stand boxes inside and my son "helped" me build. Overall no issues, except I wish the instructions were a little more clear on orientation of the door side panels and how to lay pieces out. I do a lot of LEGO building + also assembly work at my job and this was still not clear to me (I like to think I'm pretty good at interpreting the drawings). Ended up getting put together.

I def miscalculated the overall size. Im not disappointed, but I def didnt realize the footprint it would take up. I had placed the tank where I was originally wanting it, but its just too large. Also, probably shouldnt put it right next to TV. I did decide I'm not going to use the lower level stand, even though I love that feature. It would just be too high. I think I need to loosen the stand and get things more level/plumb, which is weird, because where the tank will NOW go the stand sits without any wobble. In the location of photos, it wobbles. So, must be the floor/tiles? Not sure. Had to also do some tweaking on the doors and hinges because it was binding on opening, but now everything is ok.

Wife came home after work (I was relaxing watching tv in bed) and she gave me the look - but it was expected after I saw how big it was myself. I wasnt told to send it back, but I def echo her "its big" comment.

Today I'll move to the new spot and get to work on the sump inside the stand. I just ordered some caulking tape (from this thread here) + a wifi outlet strip for inside that comes tonight, so should be able to seal the compartment up well.

Man... still getting over the footprint. Def recommend going somewhere and seeing in person (closest vendor I could find was Orlando ~2 hours away and never got up there to see if they had any on display

Son helping to tear the plastic open

Son helping me build the stand, fortunately we lost no parts and no cuts to fingers from the measuring tape. We had some good lessons on how to use a measuring tape and a bubble level

Original tank location I wanted, some photos with and without the lower leveling stand. Believe I'll be going without it, as is just too high up in my opinion. Where its moving to is still near the sofa and I'll be making that my new spot so I can watch the tank while relaxing The photos dont really give a good idea of the height savings, but is around 5"

This is where Im now planning to move the tank to. It will cover some switches we use (more so than the current spot), but my understanding is with the existing plumbing itll stand off the wall ~6 inches, so thats plenty to get hand back and activate.

 

[Liam's tank]

Following, this is the exact tank that I'm looking to upgrade to!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Keep the photos coming!

 

[ChrisTheFloridaMan]

Went home at lunch to discuss with the wife tank placement. We both echo that we wish wasnt so deep from front to back. Oh well.. We agreed we like the NO LIFTING STAND and also with it in the shown location here. I even asked ChatGPT to give me feedback on arrangements and it crapped all over my rug lol.

Tonight I will bring in the sump. Well, I may just unbox and leave in garage and fill it up with tap water to leak test it. And need to figure out how to move the tank itself in.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Alternative idea: Put the TV on a swing arm mount where the corner brown chair is. Slide the entertainment center all the way to the right on the wall where it is now. Pull the tank to the open space you'll make on the main wall. TV, tank, entertainment center.

 

[czhao1009]

Went home at lunch to discuss with the wife tank placement. We both echo that we wish wasnt so deep from front to back. Oh well.. We agreed we like the NO LIFTING STAND and also with it in the shown location here. I even asked ChatGPT to give me feedback on arrangements and it crapped all over my rug lol.

Tonight I will bring in the sump. Well, I may just unbox and leave in garage and fill it up with tap water to leak test it. And need to figure out how to move the tank itself in.

I like this location. You can view it from 3 sides vs just 2 sides if it's next to the TV, plus the light will make watching TV a bit difficult at night

Baby is gonna have a great view while eating haha.