IM Nuvo 25 Build Thread

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

I was originally going to go with the IM Nuvo 20L, but found an amazing deal on a IM Nuvo 25 Lagoon that was too good to pass up! I spent the last week cleaning everything up and figuring out what other items I needed/wanted to get it up and running.

Current Parts List:
IM Nuvo 25 Lagoon Tank and Stand
AI Hydra 32 Light
Mightyjet 326 return pump
IM Helio 100W Heater
AI Nero 3 WaveMaker
Aqua Duetto2 ATO
Intank Media Baskets and potentially Refugium down the road.

Planned Stock List:
1 Firefish
1 Pink Spot Watchman Goby
1 Randall's Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp
2 Porcelain Anemone Crabs
2 Chocolate Clownfish
Various Cleanup Crew
Eventually some beginner friendly corals

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

Played around with aquascaping last night. I kinda wish I had ordered some of the Carib Sea shapes instead of just the 40 pound box. The bigger rocks chunks were hard to configure in a way that didn't feel like it would take up the whole tank. I'm pretty sure this will be the final setup once the glue/epoxy gets here, though.

 

[ShaunMc]

Welcome. Best of luck. I do recommend the "Bubble Magus MiniQ" when needed down the road. You will probably get better nutrient export from this than the smaller fuge.

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

Welcome. Best of luck. I do recommend the "Bubble Magus MiniQ" when needed down the road. You will probably get better nutrient export from this than the smaller fuge.

Thank you! It's on my potential parts list along with the Tunze DOC 9001. I was mostly waiting till after the cycle and biome additions to get a feel for where the tank might need the extra help.

 

[kevgib67]

Love the rock scape, following.

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

Love the rock scape, following.

Thank you! I really struggled with it and worry that it's not enough pounds of rock for the tank, but all the other configurations just felt like there was no room left for fish or corals.

 

[kevgib67]

Thank you! I really struggled with it and worry that it's not enough pounds of rock for the tank, but all the other configurations just felt like there was no room left for fish or corals.

I really like it and it leaves some room in the sand bed for acans, Scolys, etc. you can also add a small island or islands for a zoa garden or gsp garden, I have both. Looking forward to seeing life in there!

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

Filtering some RODI this morning and I definitely understand why people make a huge batch in a Brute Trashcan now! While I guard the water hoses from little toddler hands I've used the time to work on designing the pages I want to include in my Aquarium Log Book.

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

It's been a busy week. I had difficulty getting the rocks to stick together well enough to move into the tank, so in the meantime I got everything for the 80/20 QT setup and organized all the cords in the cabinet. Finally the glue set up enough to move the rocks and I got them, sand, and water added to the tank. Getting the flow on the pump and the water level figured out was definitely a learning curve, but everything is running smoothly now! This evening my 9 year old helped me dose the ammonia chloride and the Fritzyme turbo start to get our cycle started. Tomorrow's goals are to setup the ATO and finish the layouts on my aquarium logbook. If anyone wants to give advice on what level to put the ATO sensor at. Please chime in!

 

[jabberwock]

My only advice is to check out my IM 25 build thread, and skip the clown fish...

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

This week was a bit of a holding pattern waiting on the tank to cycle and getting everything for the QT tank setup. I took a road trip to pick up the first couple fish which was a bit of a disappointment. I ended up changing up the plan a smidgen since they didn't have most of the options they claimed they did. I brought home the planned Firefish, but traded out the spotted Watchman Goby for the yellow rose goby. The QT tank is comically big with just the 2 of them in there, especially the Rose Goby who my son has nicknamed Tiny Rose because of his miniature stature. Since it likely won't get bigger than 2 inches I'm considering adding a 5th fish to the stock list. There's a Pearly Dartfish available from where I'm likely going to get the Chocolate Clownfish that seems intriguing. I did find this neat little container at Marshalls that is meant for storing berries, but I'm thinking will be perfect for dips.

 

[Johnd651]

This week was a bit of a holding pattern waiting on the tank to cycle and getting everything for the QT tank setup. I took a road trip to pick up the first couple fish which was a bit of a disappointment. I ended up changing up the plan a smidgen since they didn't have most of the options they claimed they did. I brought home the planned Firefish, but traded out the spotted Watchman Goby for the yellow rose goby. The QT tank is comically big with just the 2 of them in there, especially the Rose Goby who my son has nicknamed Tiny Rose because of his miniature stature. Since it likely won't get bigger than 2 inches I'm considering adding a 5th fish to the stock list. There's a Pearly Dartfish available from where I'm likely going to get the Chocolate Clownfish that seems intriguing. I did find this neat little container at Marshalls that is meant for storing berries, but I'm thinking will be perfect for dips.

That strawberry container is genius. And I like the dual compartment.

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

That strawberry container is genius. And I like the dual compartment.

It's pretty cool, and the inner basket floats so I could use it as an isolation box as well!

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

It's been a discouraging weekend. Both of my fish died in the QT and for some reason the Ammonia and Nitrite both seem to be creeping up again in the display tank.

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

Alrighty! So we're still plugging along. I decided to order some replacements for the fish that died prequarantined from Dr. Reef, while the clownfish I had ordered are QTing with me. They arrived a week ago and are doing great! I had ordered Chocolate Clownfish, but I'm almost positive the ones that were sent are Mochas. They're still pretty adorable though! They've been getting along great and seem like they're starting to show signs of paring up. They're much more active than the previous fish which gives me hope that they'll make it through QT alright.
On another note, I have another bottle of Fritz Turbostart coming to see if that will help get the ammonia and Nitrite down, since they've pretty consistently been around 0.25 ppm except for Saturday evening when I did a 5 gallon water change when they did show 0. My live rock is starting to look a little dusty though, so I'm waiting to see if it's some Algae growth to support an initial CUC.

 

[J A' mhuir]

Welcome!! Lovely tank. I’m a huge fan of the IM 25g lagoon. It’s a wonderful tank to learn on.
Just a few things from my experience with it, that may help.
1. The Helio 100W heater, depending on where you live might have a hard time keeping up. I had to put a second heater module, as I lived in Buffalo, New York, when I had the tank running.
2. I had some smaller fish that would wiggle their way through the weir slots, into the back chambers. Namely my very expensive and prized Helfrichi Fire-fish.
There is a reservoir for an emergency small amount of water underneath the return chamber. My fish have gotten stuck in that chamber, the return chamber kind of has a false bottom. It is a horrible pain.
You can order weir guards on amazon.

I am so excited for you!!

 

[trellemania]

Cant wait to see whats to come!! Love the selection sent even if they are mochas :star-struck:
Im sorry the about the first QT go around. I do like that you see more activity with these 2 little ones!

 

[Anna K]

Following along with your journey! That strawberry basket is perfect! Love the idea behind that. I think you'll be happy with your fish from Dr. Reef (I got my first fish from him), and it worked out because I had to wait for my tank to fully cycle and right as it finished my fish were ready. I'm sorry about the store not having what they said they would in stock. That's always a bummer, especially if you had to drive quite a bit to get there.

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

Welcome!! Lovely tank. I’m a huge fan of the IM 25g lagoon. It’s a wonderful tank to learn on.
Just a few things from my experience with it, that may help.
1. The Helio 100W heater, depending on where you live might have a hard time keeping up. I had to put a second heater module, as I lived in Buffalo, New York, when I had the tank running.
2. I had some smaller fish that would wiggle their way through the weir slots, into the back chambers. Namely my very expensive and prized Helfrichi Fire-fish.
There is a reservoir for an emergency small amount of water underneath the return chamber. My fish have gotten stuck in that chamber, the return chamber kind of has a false bottom. It is a horrible pain.
You can order weir guards on amazon.

I am so excited for you!!

Thank you, the tip about the heater is really helpful! We live in Wyoming so it can get fairly cold, but the house usually keeps up ok. I was planning on getting another 100W helio to connect for added redundancy, but will definitely make that a higher priority. I actually do have the weir guards on it, the guy I bought the tank from said he had a goby that liked to swim through to the back so he had already gotten some.

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

Following along with your journey! That strawberry basket is perfect! Love the idea behind that. I think you'll be happy with your fish from Dr. Reef (I got my first fish from him), and it worked out because I had to wait for my tank to fully cycle and right as it finished my fish were ready. I'm sorry about the store not having what they said they would in stock. That's always a bummer, especially if you had to drive quite a bit to get there.

I'm super excited for them! He said they should be ready to ship out the week of May 12th, and I seriously can't wait!!