IM nuvo 20g build!

[Jake_the_reefer]

Overview
So this is going to be my new build thread on a brand new Nuvo Fusion PRO (bundle kit).
I started a build thread on my 14g biocube but due to certain circumstances I had to break down the tank and get rid of it.
I have huge plans for this tank, it will be a mixed reef with zoanthids, mushroom, euphillia and sps. I am going to avoid cutting corners this time around and go with the best options I possibly can avoiding diy (minus the stand).
I am going to update this build as I go. The first update will be the initial setup and equipment selection.

Equipment
Light: AI hydra or 2 ai primes
Return pump: stock return pump with the kit
Powerhead: jebao ow-10 powerhead
Heater: cobalt neotherm 75 watt
Skimmer: undecided may rely on water changes
Dosing pump (for future): jebao 4 head dosing pump
Media: Filter sock and media basket with gfo and brs carbon.

First update will be a separate post immediately after this one.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Stand
So this is the only place I decided to save money and go the diy route. I made the stand with tools I have no idea how to use and large chunks of 2x4 that were very intimidating. I've never made anything before so I was suprised with the outcome!

The beginning where I was having no idea as to what I was doing at all. I decided to then switch to youtube on stand building.

Little marley helping her dad build his stand. We have the frame done and have a flat top made of 1/2 inch plywood.

Perfectly level! All the way around and in all points. Time to paint it.

I decided on limousine leather black oil based paint in 2 layers and a finishing layer of waterproofing agent that slips my mind. Either way salt water beads up nicely on it and doesnt soak in.

All painted up! Looking pretty sleek its weight tested and stable. I can stand on it and rock and the thing doesnt budge like a champ!

The Tank

I threw the tank atop the stand to see if it would look nice and I am surprised with the results. Now Is the time to fill the tank with water. I'm unfortunatley out of salt at the moment so I have to wait for a few days to even get the rodi salty

Tank is full of water so now the full weight is on the stand and luckily it doesnt budge at all! Please ignore the light it is a temporary light just to make it look less boring until I have my ai light on top.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Hardscape
So for the hardscape I decided to go with a handfull of smaller rocks to stack in a sort of double arch style with the middle of the arches being the highest point for sps to grow. I am going to be adding a sand substrate soon I just have to wait for the shipment to come in. I decided on caribsea Fiji pink sand because it's a nice blend of large and small grains and I've had good luck in the past with it.

Misc
Im going to order my light today which will be the ai prime 16hd but I'm not sure if I want to order from bulk reef supply or saltwater aquarium.
The cycle of the tank has started today as well I added the salt to the water, heated it up to temp, added a bottle of bacteria and a raw scallop.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Looking like a nice build. Rock looking good.

i was thinking skip the dosing and skimmer and get a good water chang plan going. If you keeping sps though I would not recommend that and go with at least the doser.

 

[flchamp89]

Off and running. Welcome to the nuvo 20 gang. Looks great. Will be following along.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Looking like a nice build. Rock looking good.

i was thinking skip the dosing and skimmer and get a good water chang plan going. If you keeping sps though I would not recommend that and go with at least the doser.

I always start my tanks with weekly water changes. Both my nanos at this point consume .45 alk per day so weekly water changes dont cut it haha.
I will most likely do water changes for the first few months and see where it gets when I add some sps!

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

So due to an unexpected financial issue arising I canceled my order for my ai prime light. I still plan on getting a prime set up on this tank just not at this moment until I can get my finances sorted.

Stocking
So for this tank I have decided I want to try out a watchman goby and pistol shrimp combo just as something new.
1 yellow watchman goby
1 pistol shrimp
2 percula clownfish (not decided on morph)
Mix of red and blue leg hermits
Nassarius snails
Astrea snails

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Cycle
The tank is well on it's way to being cycled. There is a drop in ammonia and a spike in nitrites now I just have to wait for the nitrites to drop and nitrates to exist

Misc
I finally added sand. I went with the caribsea live sand from chewy.com. I went ahead and added an ai prime 16hd to the tank and am running brs ab+ light setting.
We are entering the ugly phase of the tank as sell. Diatoms are here in full force.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I realize that I never updated this thread. The tank ran for about 2 years before I had something come up that required me to discontinue all of my reefs. The tank became a beautiful mixed reef with a ton of sps corals. For the last year water changes stopped because all trace elements were being dosed automatically. It was a fun build and a beautiful tank. I miss it a lot. I am currently in procces of getting a tank up and running again now

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I realize that I never updated this thread. The tank ran for about 2 years before I had something come up that required me to discontinue all of my reefs. The tank became a beautiful mixed reef with a ton of sps corals. For the last year water changes stopped because all trace elements were being dosed automatically. It was a fun build and a beautiful tank. I miss it a lot. I am currently in procces of getting a tank up and running again now

Tank looked great! Best of luck with the new tank!

 

[steveschuerger]

Very nice looking. Good luck on the new tank!