IM Nuvo 40 New Build Thread !

[Calpoly2103]

Hi All,

After hanging out here for a few months, gathering info and data, and asking questions, I've finally decided to start a build thread! This is my 2nd salt water aquarium after a 6 year break. Currently i'm almost done collecting equipment, but I do have all the essentials and will be filling the tank this weekend ! I put a pic of the tank in its location and the aquascape I put together using epoxy putty and superglue. The rocks have been curing for the last 6 weeks or so.

This forum is really awesome and I wish I knew it existed sooner. So much information !

Plan for tank: Pair of clowns, maybe picasso's, inverts as CUC, and mostly softies and LPS (Euphyllia mostly)

Tank: IM Nuvo 40
Stand: Nuvo Stand
Salt: Red Sea Coral Pro
Sand: Tropic Marin Reefflakes 3.5mm
2 Custom Caddies: running Filter Floss, Matrix, Purigen and Chemipure Elite
Skimmer: Nuvo Skim DC - IM new Nuvo Skimmer (hope this is good!)
ATO: Will be purchasing the Auto Aqua Micro ATO, will pair with Auto Aqua Smart Level Security
Return: Mighty Jet 538 GPH
Powerheads: 2 MP10's wQD (Not sure I will keep these, wife thinks tank will look like "Frankenstein" with two dry sides LOL). If anyone has suggestions on better powerheads with this tank please let me know.
Test Kits: Salifert
Fishless Cycle: Dr Tim's & Dr Tims Ammonia chloride
Light: Would love to get the Kessil A360X....still thinking on the light.
Controller: Would love to get the APEX 2016....still thinking due to budget
BRS 6 Stage RO/DI water filtration system. RO for drinking as well.

If you started your tank with Red Sea Coral Pro, or use this salt I would appreciate any advice on dealing with elevated levels. Thanks all !

 

[ccombs]

We are so excited to see your thread!

I would recommend using the @Lasse Method for your cycle instead of doing the Dr. Tim's Fishless Cycle.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/15-steps-to-starting-a-saltwater-aquarium-the-lasse-method.556865/

 

[reefwiser]

Really the MP10's re perfect for this tank. You don't notice the dry side motors over time.
Your best to use the blue bucket straight Red Sea salt especially on a new tank with out any corals sucking the alk up.
Kessil is fine if you do LPS and soft corals. Had it on my IM early in my set up have gone thru Ecotech xr30's ended up with 150 watt MH unit from Reefbrite.

 

[Calpoly2103]

Hmm....perhaps I will go purchase a small bucket of red sea blue bucket and start the tank with this (or mix 1/2 and 1/2 to get the middle parameters of the 2 buckets). I already purchased the 175 Gal bucket of the RSCP so stuck with it for a while lol.... =/

 

[Calpoly2103]

Well, tank is up. Long day of making rodi water and mixing salt. Used two little fishies epoxy to attach the rocks together with a bit of superglue. Also attached it to the bottom of the tank. Seems to be running well !

 

[Calpoly2103]

 

[Calpoly2103]

Quick update, my aquarium finished cycling a week ago so after a big water change this past weekend I added these guys! They are pretty exciting to watch. I also have a CUC in there.

 

[Calpoly2103]

 

[Daniel92481]

How’s your tank? What light did you go with?

 

[Calpoly2103]

Completely forgot I started a member tank thread ! Here is my tank 9 months later. It's gone through some ups and downs, but now its going well, knock on wood. Unfortunately lost my clowns to velvet a few months ago and this has taught me to quarantine only from now on!

Yes, the TANG will only be there for another year or so until I either upgrade or rehome.

Hope you all enjoy and let me know your thoughts!. Light is a Kessil A360X.

 

[Calpoly2103]

Here is a pic:

 

[Calpoly2103]

Took some pictures of my tank with my new camera lens ! This lens is awesome and makes all corals pop !

 

[Calpoly2103]

How’s your tank? What light did you go with?

Sorry for the incredibly late reply! I ended up going with a Kessil 360X. I like the light a lot for this tank.

Thanks!

 

[Daniel92481]

Sorry for the incredibly late reply! I ended up going with a Kessil 360X. I like the light a lot for this tank.

Thanks!

Not bad, only 8 months later lol. Great choice on the light. I’m running the same one. Check out my thread! Your pics look awesome!

 

[Calpoly2103]

Not bad, only 8 months later lol. Great choice on the light. I’m running the same one. Check out my thread! Your pics look awesome!

Thanks...its been a lot of work getting it here ! And i've got an aiptasia problem I need to take care of now !

Nice that you won a free light. Jackpot ! Your tank looks great as well.

 

[Daniel92481]

Thanks...its been a lot of work getting it here ! And i've got an aiptasia problem I need to take care of now !

Nice that you won a free light. Jackpot ! Your tank looks great as well.

Definitely a lot of work, but completely worth it! Thank you too for your nice comments about my tank. I’ve heard about berghia nudibranchs being effective against aiptasia. Seems like a natural way to try and rid them before the use of chemicals. Worth a shot! I’ll probably be trying some out soon. I’ve spotted about 5 of them in mine. ;Nailbiting

 

[Calpoly2103]

Definitely a lot of work, but completely worth it! Thank you too for your nice comments about my tank. I’ve heard about berghia nudibranchs being effective against aiptasia. Seems like a natural way to try and rid them before the use of chemicals. Worth a shot! I’ll probably be trying some out soon. I’ve spotted about 5 of them in mine. ;Nailbiting

No problem! We all know how hard it is to keep a nice tank! I've tried aiptasia X and spot treating them. Unfortunately when you kill one, three come back. I was considering some berghia nudibranchs next - excellent idea, but those things are $15-$20 bucks a piece online. I read that peppermint shrimp could do the trick as well. I'll have to read up on it some more.

 

[Daniel92481]

Yea, they’re expensive, but they’re supposed to work if you give them time. I’ve been reading up on them from saltyunderground.com. Check them out!

 

[Jalle237]

Took some pictures of my tank with my new camera lens ! This lens is awesome and makes all corals pop !

Just scrolling through and your tank looks amazing. I am new to the hobby and new to Reef2reef and can't believe how friendly this community is. I do have two Acan corals in my 10 gallon cube but they are not doing as well as yours. what is your secret?

and your Zoe garden is beautiful!!

 

[Calpoly2103]

Just scrolling through and your tank looks amazing. I am new to the hobby and new to Reef2reef and can't believe how friendly this community is. I do have two Acan corals in my 10 gallon cube but they are not doing as well as yours. what is your secret?

and your Zoe garden is beautiful!!

Thank you for your awesome compliment !! Welcome to Reef2Reef. There is tons of info here on different topics, its helpful and sometimes overwhelming. No secret really, I just try to maintain my parameters as stable as possible by testing 2x per week and dosing Alk daily. I also do weekly water changes. I use fuel twice a week and feed reef roids 1-2 times per week.

How old is your 10 gallon? What's your routine ?