IM Nuvo EXT 100 SPS2020 Build
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JustinMN18
Active Member
Looking good! I've been having problems figuring out where to put everything. Last night I pulled my ATO container and put it next to my stand which opens up about 8 inches in my stand. I wish this stand was a little more "mounting" friendly lol
Tank looks great. How long did it take you to cycle. Im almost a month in and ammonia hasn't moved at all
JustinMN18
Active Member
How did you cycle?
Hey Justin. My methodology is based off Dr. Tims Hovanec. Im cycling at 84 F and 1.015. Not allowing ammonia or nitrites to go over 5 ppm. Im 30 days in and I am just now seeing nitrites. I plan on adding 8 kg's of bio media from an established tank i 60 days to give the cycle a boost.
Nick Steele
2500 Club Member
Just a curious question as I only had to cycle a 20G saltwater tank but is microbacter7 not a good option for larger tanks?
I had my tank running for a week then added two clownfish and a week later added my first corals. Never seen ammonia and barely ever got nitrates till recently (year after setup).
Setup looks nice and should be beautiful ones filled in! This will probably be my next tank in the future.
I had my tank running for a week then added two clownfish and a week later added my first corals. Never seen ammonia and barely ever got nitrates till recently (year after setup).
Setup looks nice and should be beautiful ones filled in! This will probably be my next tank in the future.
JustinMN18
Active Member
In my experience, dosing the ammonia from Dr tims works well, or adding clowns right away. It took me about 3 weeks to cycle both methods.
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SPS2020
Valuable Member
Thank you, sir! It took about six weeks, if I recall correctly. I used brightwell bottled ammonia, MicroBacter XLM (a couple of big bottles) and two liters of SeaChem Matrix in the sump. I knew it would take a while for this setup due to the bare bottom.
Finally put in two clowns the first week of September. Popped in the Zoas the following week. Green Stylo and three Montis at the end of September. The first Acros went in around 10/14/20.
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SPS2020
Valuable Member
MicroBacter7 should be fine regardless of size. I went with XLM for faster results. HOWEVER, those were shipped in August during a very hot part of the year here in NC. So, I do believe that it took longer to cycle partially due to the temps killing some of the bacteria.
Godddaaamnnn 6 weeks BB, that’s fast af! You are an expert my friend
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SPS2020
Valuable Member
Well, that was just for the initial cycle. It took a while to get through the ugly phase...mainly dinos. Maintaining decent levels of PO4 and NO3 up is still a battle; I have to dose them almost daily.
I can’t wait to have that problem. I’ve always struggle with PO4.
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SPS2020
Valuable Member
Yep, it is tight under there. My ATO is also outside the stand, but I don't mind too much. It's 10g and I use it as a mixing station for water changes once per week.
Attachments
Got my stand together. The pvc top that goes on the stand doesn’t line up, one of the corners either has overlap or is pulled in. Did yours do this?
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SPS2020
Valuable Member
Upgraded the lighting via an Aquatic Life dimmable DX18 (4 - T5 54 watt bulbs) fixture. I'm using ATI Blue Plus in all four slots. Incorporating the existing four AI Hyrda 32 HD units into the hybrid mix. I mounted the Hyrda's with the spacing that Randy @ BRS suggested in his video previously, so I just used the existing mounting bar and brackets to determine spacing for the DX18 as seen in the pictures.
NOTE: the mounting screws that come with the AI Hydra's will NOT be long enough. I had to make a trip to the hardware store to pick up some M5 bolts to complete the job.
Also of note, you have to run the T5 bulbs at 100% power for at least 50 hours before you can dim them. This is sort of a PITA because how are you supposed to do that over existing corals without risk of raising the PAR extensively. So, I ordered a dual T5 fixture from HomeDepot to burn in the new bulbs prior to installing them in the DX18.
Here's a link to how to configure the DX18 on a schedule:
NOTE: the mounting screws that come with the AI Hydra's will NOT be long enough. I had to make a trip to the hardware store to pick up some M5 bolts to complete the job.
Also of note, you have to run the T5 bulbs at 100% power for at least 50 hours before you can dim them. This is sort of a PITA because how are you supposed to do that over existing corals without risk of raising the PAR extensively. So, I ordered a dual T5 fixture from HomeDepot to burn in the new bulbs prior to installing them in the DX18.
Here's a link to how to configure the DX18 on a schedule:
Help! Aquatic Life DX18 Dimmable Hybrid Programming
I have the Kessil to apex 0-10v cable, as it is what I was told to purchase to get these to work with the Apex. It is plugged into the light and on the apex brain port2. I have the physical outlet programmed as such Fallback OFF Set OFF If Time 11:00 to 22:00 Then ON If Tmp > 81.0 Then...
forum.neptunesystems.com
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SPS2020
Valuable Member
Awesome build. Following! Just set up the same tank but in white. I have 2 reef wave 25s I want to move to the back wall like you and put either an MP40 on the side panel or a reef wave 45. I'd like to hear your thoughts on that. Mixed reef with sand bottom. TIA.
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SPS2020
Valuable Member
Not sure why, but I never answered your question...pardon the delayed response. You may have already tried, but I am not certain the ReefWave 25's will stay put on the back wall due to the thickness. You will definitely have some sand moving around with a RW 45 depending on the percentage of power. For me, that works well as I want to blow anything on the bottom into the water column for collection. Good luck with the build!
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