Innovative Marine 40L EXT Build - New Reefer

Nick711

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Starting a new build thread, as my previous plan was to go with an AIO configuration (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/innovative-marine-40l-aio-new-reefer-build.964711/ ), however, after deciding I’d like to have a sump w. refugium, I have opted for the IM 40L EXT build.

Tank arrived today and I’m stoked to finally get rolling. Plan to plumb over the next week and start to fill tank for leak test. Rocks have been cycling in a 20g Brute since first week of February (although still have ammonia readings)

Tank - Innovative Marine 40L EXT
Stand - IM White APS
Sump - Trigger MD30 Elite
Return - Jebao MDC-5000
Skimmer - TBD (suggestions? - have been looking at Reef Octopus 110sss, Curve 5, Simplicity 120)
DT Lights - (2) AI Prime 16HD with 12” mounts
Refugium Light - Tunze Eco Chic 8831 9W submersible
Power Heads - (2) Tunze Turbelle Nanosteam 6040
Heater - 550W IM Helio Smart PTC w. Controller
ATO - Duetto Dual Sensor ATO / Trigger Systems 5g res.
Rocks - 40lb Dry CaribSea South Sea
Sand - ~40lb Arag special grade dry (will rinse tap & rodi)
Testing - combo of Hanna, Tropic Marin, Salifert for most elements
RODI - AquaticLife 4-stage 100gpd + Smart Buddie booster pump
 
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Nick711

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A couple pics of sump + tank / stand. Will move tank to stand tomorrow. Had to use a few shims to level it out.

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Nick711

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Awesome! Good luck! Another nice feature about the AIO is that it includes the mesh lid. The EXT does not come with one, but I just ordered a lid from @Top_Lids. Will anxiously await its creation / arrival so I can start to safely add livestock without the risk of loss, but looks like that may be a couple months away.

I am picking up the IM AIO 40L tomorrow in Orlando . Goal is to relocate livestock from 2 EVOs.
 

g925k1025

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Awesome! Good luck! Another nice feature about the AIO is that it includes the mesh lid. The EXT does not come with one, but I just ordered a lid from @Top_Lids. Will anxiously await its creation / arrival so I can start to safely add livestock without the risk of loss, but looks like that may be a couple months away.
We
I had that same tank and love it. The dimensions are so cool. I started my cycle about a week ago.
Well it’s set up dry. Top Shelf Aquatics was great. Only mod that comes to mind is a feeding cup/hole for the lid. Silicone in a frame and just snip the mesh.
 

Top_Lids

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Awesome! Good luck! Another nice feature about the AIO is that it includes the mesh lid. The EXT does not come with one, but I just ordered a lid from @Top_Lids. Will anxiously await its creation / arrival so I can start to safely add livestock without the risk of loss, but looks like that may be a couple months away.
Stoked to see how this project turns out :)
 

Budman93

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Picking up the IM cube 40g in the next few weeks so ill be following along to see what works equipment wise for you! Going to be running an old Ocean Revive light that I could probably do with upgrading so might pick up an AI Prime.
 
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Nick711

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Finally picked up what I believe to be all the plumbing parts I’ll need.

Will be all rigid 1” PVC with the exception of the last couple inches / elbow on the return (3/4”) and probably about 6-8” of 1” ID 1.5” OD food-grade silicone tubing for the return pump output.

REALLY struggling to get the silicone tubing onto the 1” return pump barb... Not sure if I’ll have to settle for the 3/4” barb. Tried adding a little silicone grease & heating it in boiling water to no avail.

Nothing glued to this point - all dry fit
Front shot of drain plumbing - split with a wye between main drain (left side) and refugium (right side) and two gate valves to control flow DB392BD7-12E3-4D81-B1CA-BED813E690CB.jpeg
View from behind tank of main drain / fuge drain / e-drain
A6D145CC-71A1-4F08-96E1-D7326E0E7334.jpeg
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Return plumbing concept (need to measure width / cut for the T):

C4238B33-16F9-454C-A186-5533C32C18C3.jpeg
 

Pseudoskill

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Looks pretty good. I've only ever owned AIO tanks, once I get my new house I think my upgrade will include a sump for sure
 
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Nick711

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Looks pretty good. I've only ever owned AIO tanks, once I get my new house I think my upgrade will include a sump for sure

Thanks! I was set on the 40L AIO version of this tank for a while, but the more I planned, I quickly realized the EXT had many more benefits despite more upfront effort and cost (mainly sump + plumbing). Still working towards getting things up and running but very excited about this setup
 
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Nick711

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Eventful few days… finished all the plumbing, filled DT / sump with 50g water (ran for 24h with no issues) and added IO Reef Crystal salt this evening with both power heads running @ 100%. Heaters working to bring temp. up. Hoping to wash / add sand over the next two days if everything goes well. Will then add my cycled rocks (dry rocks have been cycling in a 20g Brute for 2+ months) and will be picking up another 10lb of live rock.
 

Gumbies R Us

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Eventful few days… finished all the plumbing, filled DT / sump with 50g water (ran for 24h with no issues) and added IO Reef Crystal salt this evening with both power heads running @ 100%. Heaters working to bring temp. up. Hoping to wash / add sand over the next two days if everything goes well. Will then add my cycled rocks (dry rocks have been cycling in a 20g Brute for 2+ months) and will be picking up another 10lb of live rock.
Congrats on finishing all the plumbing!!
 
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Nick711

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Today was a big day - aquascape!

This is the dry rock I had cycling for 2+ months. Still intend to add ~10lb GLR in smaller rocks spread around the front. The middle peak of my rock work extends beyond the water level ever so slightly (~1-2cm), but I’m hoping this causes no issues. Threw about a dozen marinepure bioballs and an extra piece of the cycled rock that I had in the sump for now. Also, only have about 40% of the sand in the tank. Started w a thinner layer so I could get the rocks positioned first. Hope to do the remaining tomorrow.

Without further ado, here are the pics. Would love any feedback.

6AC719FF-0142-4CC1-BC3E-9AD9F85D9A2D.jpeg
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bozoreefer

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following.

i have the same tank. going to set it up monday

thanks for the thread!
 

bozoreefer

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You consider adding a check valve or adjusting the return nozzles to break the siphon at a certain water level.
 
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Nick711

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You consider adding a check valve or adjusting the return nozzles to break the siphon at a certain water level.

Good luck with your setup!

I have the return nozzles close to the water surface / facing upward towards the surface to ensure when the return pump is off, there is not much water that can be siphoned (and whatever does fits easily within my sump). I have a ball valve on each of the return lines, but no check valve. Based on everything I was researching, check valves seem to lead to more issues than they’re worth so decided to not go that route.
 

bozoreefer

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Yea I hear ya

I always take my check valves out and clean them once a month. The stories you hear are probably folks who do not maintain them very much.

But yea I've seen those stories too.

Keep posting!

We're twins tanks now hehe

Thanks!
 
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Nick711

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Yea I hear ya

I always take my check valves out and clean them once a month. The stories you hear are probably folks who do not maintain them very much.

But yea I've seen those stories too.

Keep posting!

We're twins tanks now hehe

Thanks!

Thanks & will do!

Looking forward to your build as well. Just let me know if you have any other questions about the setup
 
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Nick711

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Everything coming along slow & steady -adding GLR and other inverts / critters over the next few weeks. Plan is to add fish last

Also anxiously awaiting my TopsLid Lid
 
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