Jay's IM 20 Peninsula

[Kovacjr]

So for a couple years I have admired my cousins IM10 Nano. Now that my 2 kids are 4 and 7 and I finally am getting caught up on the home projects I finally have my home office set up. Well just finishing it up as I am starting this. I had looked at the RS reefer 170 of the IM20 Peninsula. IM20 ended up being the one as I can view and have more of a 270degree view which I liked. Too bad they don't make them 15" tall.

At any rate when I picked up the tank I spent some time sorting through the 6 cases of rocks at my local store and brought this home. There is about 24lbs of rock in what you see. I have a vision for the scape after looking for a long time lurking on people photos and build threads while I was deciding on jumping in. I really liked the branched rock in the middle to bridge it together and also create lots of areas for coral growth along with fish spots. I though that I would break one rock up for parts to make it all work but I'm fairly pleased with it as I see it. The top of the rock is 2" from the water line nearest the filter and 3.5" at the end. There is at least 1" of space at any point on the rocks to the long sides of the tank. The stick, I took a few broken parts along with the only one with a multi stem. I like the look but wanted more elevation on the base so I may glue one section as I am holding it in the photo. Rock is all dry live rock. I do need to pick a sand still, will put in an inch or so of sand.

With this layout I have plenty of areas that will be lower light and the tops for high light corals. I got a deal on a Hydra 26 from my local shop and will mount from the ceiling on this. I prefer the clean look that way and will put in a protein skimmer ( I think the Icecap K1) on the tank so the bracket will be a no go anyway.

I need to see what my evaporation will be once I get it up and running but want to do some sort of ATO as I need the ability to leave it for a day or so in my busy times. Also for vacations so I don't need a daily checking.

A few things I still need to buy

Cobalt 75watt heater.
Filter cartridge and media to swap the sock (Need to research best media still. Boyd looks promising.
Sicce 1.0 pump and use the stock one for the ATO
ATO - So far the Icecap looks best as it has the overfill safety. Really don't want a float in the tank.
Lowered output adapter and maybe the random flow generator.

Down the road either the Ecotech MP10 powerhead and battery or the cheaper version minus the program ability. Forget the brand. Its about 80.00. Its basically by backup when there is power outages to keep the flow and also be able to keep a better flow in the tank too. I do like the program ability but also might just want to keep it simple.

Goals for the tank are to house a few fish. 1 or 2 Clowns and 1 or 2 other small guys what exactly I am still unsure as I wont be getting much for fish for a few months.. Some snails, maybe a crab for cleaning and I really like the banded starfish. I was instructed at the shop that starting the tank with the live rock, sand and a dose of Dr Tims will get me going.

One thing I am concerned of is the light. So I know it will be dialed in and set for the tank. I'm more looking at the overthrow of light to the sides. Do any of you mask or make a shade for the sides? As this is on my desk, a 3'x5' antique drafting table I prefer not to have the blue hue on my work all day or the PC screen. Also what is the general thoughts to height off the water? I'm thinking 18" so I have access to the tank and its not real high above my eye level while I am seated.

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R. Great looking tank, but I'm a sucker for a peninsula. Signing up to watch this one come to life.

 

[Aaron4890]

Look great man. As for the light I too hate the glare from the lights I think mounting your light 18” high is too high and you would have to much light spill over. I have a 30 gal. Long with 3 AI primes that I made a floating canopy mounted about 7” above the water that helps keep the light glaring into my eyes. I also have used the aqua max Nemo light. It’s mounts keep it close to the Aquarium so there was no glare and the light spread is awesome. I just hated the fact the program if was minimal. Basically two channels with on and off timers. And adjustment for each channel intensity. Other then that the light did keep my SPS happy in shallow tank.

 

[SPR1968]

The tank and rocks look great and welcome to R2R as well!

 

[Kovacjr]

Look great man. As for the light I too hate the glare from the lights I think mounting your light 18” high is too high and you would have to much light spill over. I have a 30 gal. Long with 3 AI primes that I made a floating canopy mounted about 7” above the water that helps keep the light glaring into my eyes. I also have used the aqua max Nemo light. It’s mounts keep it close to the Aquarium so there was no glare and the light spread is awesome. I just hated the fact the program if was minimal. Basically two channels with on and off timers. And adjustment for each channel intensity. Other then that the light did keep my SPS happy in shallow tank.

Can you post a photo of what you made? I was thinking an upper bezel on the tank made in some sort of plastic. Wood may look nice but with the water not be a best long term use. Any paints to stay away from near the water?

Being I am ceiling mounted, what height would be good? Ill still need full access to the tank. Maybe a hook to hold the light away nearer the wall?

 

[Aaron4890]

Here are some pics of what I made it’s Basically just a wood frame with aluminum angle iron inside for the lights to sit on and I put a sheet of plastic light diffuser that I slid into a groove that I made in the wood frame near the bottom. I mounted it with black iron pipe so I can easily rotate it out-of-the-way for easy access to the tank. I stained it with the black wood stain.
The only pants I would stay away from water is any flat based paint. If you’re using ceiling mount cables you can easily adjust the height up and down as you like. Which light fixture were you thinking of using ?

Can you post a photo of what you made? I was thinking an upper bezel on the tank made in some sort of plastic. Wood may look nice but with the water not be a best long term use. Any paints to stay away from near the water?

Being I am ceiling mounted, what height would be good? Ill still need full access to the tank. Maybe a hook to hold the light away nearer the wall?

 

[Kovacjr]

I bought a Hydra 26. I like the bezel idea, I would mount a bezel somehow from the hanger. I'm pretty set up for both wood and metal working and I can fab up stuff as needed. Just need to start somewhere.

Not a fan of molys and anchors for sheetrock, may make up a trim board I can screw to the beams and mount the cables to that. Could then make a bezel that floats hanging too.

 

[Kovacjr]

Slow going. I still need to get an order in for some parts. Heater and IM filter basket. Need to get sand too. I go away for 10 days in 2 weeks so Ill fill when Im back. I have worked out the light and bracket. Bought the ceiling mount but didnt like it and the cord was way too short to use it. So I came up with this. Also allows me a swing on the thread so I can move if I need to. Its 13" off the tank. Can't go any lower and still have the power supply under the table. AI should have a 16 ' cable! I also routed the wire inside. Having a full machine shop in the garage I have fun. I also turned the brass standoff for the light from the Cherry wood bracket.

Pipes were sandblasted, primed and painted then baked in the oven to cure. Its a very durable paint. Ive also painted the brass standoffs and are cooling down to put back together

Still need to get a wire track for the wall but the curtain will hide some too.

I also epoxied the branch on where I wanted it.

 

[Kovacjr]

Well got the RO/DI system running and flushed. Made about 20G today. Mixed up salt, all set. 1.024. Ill let the tank run until tomorrow to check the salt level. Heater is in and on 78. Water must be 60s. Sock is in and new Sicce 1.0 is in and plumbed into the random flow generator. The 3D printed version.

So I leave in 7 days, should I wait to add Dr Timms or start it and get through it. Cutting close though.

 

[nickkohrn]

So I leave in 7 days, should I wait to add Dr Timms or start it and get through it. Cutting close though.

I think you should be okay to start adding it. Regardless of whether you add it now or later, it takes time to build a sufficient colony of bacteria.

If you feel like saving your Dr. Tim’s until you get back, then you can throw a raw shrimp into the tank so that it has a steady supply of ammonia to feed the bacteria. Then, you can decide to remove it and start dosing Dr. Tim’s or keep using the shrimp when you get back.

 

[Johnny M]

TBH everything looks great except for ‘black pipe’ holding light. IMO it detracts from the look of the rest of the setup. I would have went with the flexible light holder ( arm like for Kessil lights ) that attaches to back of tank. Probably could get ~12in in height for light. But if you’re happy with the pipe holding the light then that’s all that matters.

 

[Kovacjr]

TBH everything looks great except for ‘black pipe’ holding light. IMO it detracts from the look of the rest of the setup. I would have went with the flexible light holder ( arm like for Kessil lights ) that attaches to back of tank. Probably could get ~12in in height for light. But if you’re happy with the pipe holding the light then that’s all that matters.

Problem is with those brackets I cant add a Protein Skimmer, it is a wall to wall fit for width and the brackek takes the available space.

I bought the ceiling hanger but they dont have enough wire to mount it that way without a outlet in the ceiling. I did not care to look at a wire draped across the top.

So its all a compromise with nano tanks it seems.

 

[Rjukan]

I like the look of the custom pipe for suspending the light. I think it's a really creative way to get the light over the tank so you have room for the skimmer etc. Is the wall side of it center to that window?

 

[Kovacjr]

The tank is on my desk, The light is about 1/5 from the edge of the window. Just where my desk is. Desk is 3x5' Window will allow bright morning light until about noon. Ill be running my light from 11-8 or 12-9, not sure yet. As I work from home and the kids will only get to view it in the evenings I will run it later for the visual and not need to play with the lighting.

I was very surprised that the AI hanging kit from the ceiling expects you to just drape wires to reach the light. Why have a sleek mount? And how many have the ability to mount the transformer concealed in the ceiling? I feel it should of been explained better at my local shop.

 

[Aaron Soliz]

Tank is coming along nicely. Check your water levels from time to time so you know when it’s cycled. I look forward to seeing what you do with the rest of your tank.

Keep us updated. Cheers

 

[Kovacjr]

I have been looking at ATOs for a while and had decided on the XP Aqua Duetto. It's small sensor and no minimum time refill makes it a good option for a small sump. The refill on my tank is about 3 seconds and many seem to have a 10sec min. pump duration. Installed temporary into a 5gal bucket until I make or buy a container. Also the pump had no problem lifting up 4.5'

 

[Diamond1]

Loving the look of this project.

 

[mch1984]

Tank is looking good and I really like the light mount. My wife and I made a huge shelving unit in the living room out of the pipe and wood shelves. We both really like the industrial look, so I dig it. Looking forward to the tank coming along.

 

[lbacha]

The tank is on my desk, The light is about 1/5 from the edge of the window. Just where my desk is. Desk is 3x5' Window will allow bright morning light until about noon. Ill be running my light from 11-8 or 12-9, not sure yet. As I work from home and the kids will only get to view it in the evenings I will run it later for the visual and not need to play with the lighting.

I was very surprised that the AI hanging kit from the ceiling expects you to just drape wires to reach the light. Why have a sleek mount? And how many have the ability to mount the transformer concealed in the ceiling? I feel it should of been explained better at my local shop.

Starting your light cycle later is a great way to enjoy the tank when everyone is around. Mine starts at noon and ends at midnight for a 12 hr ramp up and ramp down. When I get home from work around 6pm it is at its highest intensity and then I get to see it ramp down the rest of the evening. It is nice to check the tank out for pests that might only be seen at night before I go into work.

 

[Kovacjr]

So over 2 weeks with the Dr Tims in there and the Nitrates are still really high. Should I just let it run its course or try to get someone local with some tank bacteria?