IM Nuvo 100 EXT complete build

[KStatefan]

You can see the Sicce fittings I have in the photo. It’s not clear to me what is measured ID vs OD. But the one pictured on the mighty jet is the size I need without an additional adapter unless there’s another I managed to lose some how

OK

I thought on mine the tubing fitting was 3/4" and 1" but i might be mixed up on what came with my 3.0 instead of the 7.0.

I would just get an insert fitting that glued in or had pipe threads

 

[turbo2oh]

It’s finally happening, tank setup is underway!

Had a bit of a hiccup… some of the rockwork collapsed while I was moving it into the tank. Not ideal, but nothing a little epoxy and patience can’t fix.


Once the tank’s fully filled, I’ll need to decide where to mount all the electronics. My original plan was to run all the cables and water lines through conduit to a nearby closet. But now I’m thinking it might make more sense to mount a board with the Apex, heater controller, and other gear directly behind the tank, less mess, no extension cords.

Curious how others have tackled this, especially those with remote fish rooms. Do you centralize everything in a closet, or keep core electronics close to the display tank?

 

[KStatefan]

I started with everything in the room behind my tank but have moved the pump controllers to the tank. Was a pain to fish wires through the wall evertime I wanted to do a deep clean on a pump.

 

[turbo2oh]

makes sense. I’m looking at one of the Adaptive Reef controller boards. Don’t have a ton of clearance back there so I’d need something compact. Can’t reuse my old cabinet storage.

 

[turbo2oh]

Behind tank

 

[JumboShrimp]

Nice progress! An IM 100 EXT seems like a great choice. Enjoy it!

 

[turbo2oh]

The tank is officially full!

• Return pump is running smoothly (mighty jet for now)
• Heaters are online
• Cycle is underway. I dosed Microbacter Start XLM and QuickCycl today to kick things off.

I’ll begin testing tomorrow to track ammonia and nitrite. Excited to see this come to life (kinda).

Let me know if anyone has cycling tips with this combo.

 

[turbo2oh]

One outstanding decision I still need to make is lighting.

I’m leaning toward going with a single Kessil AP9X, but in the meantime I might set up my old Kessil A360WE with a 24” Aquatic Life T5 hybrid just to keep things moving?

Also thinking about pausing spending for a bit while I let the cycle run and assess next steps.

Should I be good to go with a a AP9X on a 4-foot tank for spread and PAR? I’m probably going to do a mixed reef. Light on the SPS if at all.

 

[PR_nano]

Following along, really like this tank. You could go with the 9x but that is the maximum coverage so expect shadows and par drop on the corners. You could do SPS towards the middle or below the led pucks and LPS towards the corners. If you’re trying to reduce cost maybe get a second 360we.

 

[initial_reefer]

One outstanding decision I still need to make is lighting.

I’m leaning toward going with a single Kessil AP9X, but in the meantime I might set up my old Kessil A360WE with a 24” Aquatic Life T5 hybrid just to keep things moving?

Also thinking about pausing spending for a bit while I let the cycle run and assess next steps.

Should I be good to go with a a AP9X on a 4-foot tank for spread and PAR? I’m probably going to do a mixed reef. Light on the SPS if at all.

I vote new 36 inch t5 hybrid and another a360. If you wanted to spend more money 2x reefi 2.1.

 

[turbo2oh]

The tank’s been up and running for a few days now, cycle still underway using Microbacter Start XLM and QuickCycle.

• Day 1: Dosed both XLM and QuickCycle per instructions
• Day 2: Ammonia present but low, no noticeable nitrites
• Day 3: Still reading minimal ammonia, nitrite.
• Day 4: Similar levels minimal nitrate as well, so I added a small top-off of both ammonia and XLM
• Day 5: Didn’t test, but added the last of the XLM and a bit more QuickCycle (ammonia still low)

other progress:

• Apex partially set up – sensors connected, temp/pH/salinity probes being calibrated soon
• USB stick-on lights installed under the stand above the sump – really helpful for working in the sump area
• Adaptive Reef Deluxe Controller Board ordered – looking forward to cleaning up the wiring and layout
• Ran nice furniture grade PVC as a conduit between the fish room closet and the tank nook

 

[turbo2oh]

I’m finally getting a significant reading on nitrite and nitrate so hopefully getting close to wrapping up the cycle.

Also trying to finalize my decision on lighting

Option 1: Kessil AP9X

Option 2: Existing 24” Aquatic Life T5 hybrid fixture + new Kessil A360X + existing Kessil A360WE

Option 3: Upgrade to 36” Aquatic Life T5 hybrid fixture + Kessil A360X + existing A360WE

 

[turbo2oh]

Quick update:

• I finished mounting all my gear onto the Adaptive Reef Deluxe Control Board: Apex, EB8, Inkbird, and the MightyJet controller are all cleanly set up and running.
• Ammonia is now 0
• Nitrite is still around 2
• Nitrate is about 10

I haven’t retested yet today, butI’m planning a 30% water change soon, and even though nitrite isn’t at zero yet, I’m considering adding a hardy first fish like a clownfish right after the water change.

Here’s what I have on my to todo list

1. Continue with new batch of saltwater for post-cycle water change (20–30%)
2. Determine if breaker in breaker box needs to be upgraded to higher capacity and/or GFCI
3. Set up Neptune DOS
4. Set up Neptune Apex outlet assignments in the mobile app
5. Install the 24-inch T5 hybrid fixture
6. Decide on additional/replacement lighting purchase
7. Trim the baseboard so it can be reinstalled
8. get a fish!

 

[turbo2oh]

Reef Tank Progress – Cycle Complete + First Fish Added


Quick milestone update for those following along:

• Cycle is officially complete. Ammonia and nitrite are both at zero, and nitrate is steady around 5 ppm.
• Performed a 30% water change and everything is holding stable.
• Added two clownfish. Both are active, eating well
• Installed the temporary 24” T5 hybrid fixture to bridge the gap while I finalize long-term lighting plans. I’ve only been running the T5’s so far and been leaving the Kessil off.
• Neptune Apex is running smoothly and I’ve wrapped up outlet labeling and cable organization on the Adaptive Reef control board.

Next on the list: setting up the Neptune DOS and tackling some general cleanup around the system.

I’m trying to decide between automatic water changes and manual water changes for the DOS. Leaning towards manual with one of the feed buttons for now.

Also any thoughts on adding another fish or two at this point? I’m starting to think through my stocking list. The only two fish I want for sure are a Midas blenny and a mandarin down the road.

 

[turbo2oh]

Quick update on the tank:


I’m now up to four fish total. In addition to the original two clownfish, I’ve added a royal gramma and a tailspot blenny. Everyone seems to be getting along really well so far. The tailspot doesn’t seem to be able to snag food from the water column well though, even with the pump off. I even managed to snap a photo that caught all four in the same frame, which felt like a small win.


Just added my first corals yesterday, all from Top Shelf Aquatics. I picked up two duncans, some clove polyps, and a bicolor hammer. They’re still acclimating to the light, so I’ve just got them resting on the sandbed for now. Planning to glue the frags in place in a few days once I get a better sense of how they’re responding and where they’ll look best.


I’ve been running manual water changes using the Neptune DOS, and it’s working well. Lighting is still the temporary 24” fixture I mentioned before. No major changes there yet.

One thing I’ve been thinking about is switching salt. I’ve been using Tropic Marin Pro Reef, which I know runs a little low on alkalinity and not especially high on calcium either. My last test showed alkalinity down at 5.8, which seemed pretty low given how lightly stocked the tank is. I dosed some BRS Soda Ash to bring it up, but I’m wondering if it’s worth switching to something like Nyos or another salt that aligns more closely with the current best practice ranges. Curious to hear if others using Tropic Marin find they need to regularly adjust alk and calcium after mixing or if something else might be going on.

 

[turbo2oh]

All is going well. Still having to dose to keep alkalinity up which seems a little odd. Planning to add some anthias after an upcoming trip.

 

[turbo2oh]

I ordered 4 juvenile disbar anthias and skunk cleaner shrimp. Excited to get a little bit more activity in the tank! They should arrive early next week. Any suggestions on auto feeding the anthias? I have the Neptune AFS but haven’t been using it.

 

[turbo2oh]

Quick update on the tank. I added both a Midas Blenny and a Spot Flasher Wrasse yesterday. The Midas Blenny is still hiding, while the Spot Flasher Wrasse has been very active. A Yellow Eyed Spotted Kole Tang arrives tomorrow.

Current and near term fish stocking
• 4x Dispar Anthias
• 2x Clownfish
• Royal Gramma
• Tailspot Blenny
• Midas Blenny
• Spot Flasher Wrasse
• Yellow Eyed Spotted Kole Tang

I have expanded the cleanup crew with more copepods, more ceriths, more nassarius, three Mexican turbos, a skunk cleaner shrimp, and a couple of Pitho crabs.

The rainbow bubble tip anemone has split from three into five, and the porcelain crab has settled in among them for about a week.

Coral additions include multiple torches and hammers, two Montipora caps, an acan, a large toadstool, and an ultra rockflower anemone.

I have had a bit of an ulva takeover. It has been spreading across large areas of the rockwork, and I am hoping the Pitho crabs, the turbo snails, and the new tang will help get it under control as the tank matures.

Video is included below.
View attachment 20251204_182858_BA7E1821-FF9F-4620-9468-E7A82A8A71FA.mov

 

[JumboShrimp]

I like the two rock structures-- it looks like Roman ruins.

 

[turbo2oh]

Also I did invest in the Avast plank for auto feeding and it was able to keep things going and the anthias alive for 8 days while we were on vacation.