Joe's innovative Marine Lagoon 25

[Joeganja]

I got this for Christmas and it's been up and running for the past month and a half. I will not be focusing on the coral list for a while until I feel satisfied with what I have in it. Please if you have any questions just ask.



Here's the set up!

Filtration:
Innovative Marine Minimax Reactor running BRS gfo and BRS Carbon rox .8

Innovative Marine Custom-Caddy- 1st stage - Purigen - 2nd stage -Seachem Matrix Bio Media

Lighting - Kessil A160we Tuna Blue

Sand - Arag-Alive Fiji Pink Live Sand 20 Pound

Rock - BRS Pukani Dry Live Rock 13 Pounds

Heater - Fluval E Series 100 Watt Heater

Bacteria Booster - Aquavitro Seed for as instructed. After the 8 days I saw no change then I skipped a day and decided to add Dr Tims One and Only for Reef, Nano, and Seahorses as instructed

What I dose: Continuum Bacter-M

Water changes every Weds


December 28th, 2015

January 9th, 2015

January 11th, 2015

January 21, 2015 the cycle is at its peak

February 10th, 2016

Review: I realize there aren't many reviews for it since its new to the market but I can say it's well built. The glass is extremely clear. The only thing I would have to add is the skimmer needed for the tank would only be the innovative marine ghost skimmers. I also built the stand myself so it cost me very minimum.

Cost: Innovative Marine 25 Gallon Fusion Lagoon $268.74 [emoji736]
Kessil A160we Tuna Blue $257.22 [emoji736]
Arag-Alive Fiji Pink Live Sand 20 Pounds $30.85 [emoji736]
BRS Pukani Dry Live Rock 13 Pounds $49.27 [emoji736]
Innovative Marine Minimax Reactor [emoji736]
Seachem The Bag $10[emoji736]
Innovative Marine Custom-Caddy $24.99
Seachem Purigen 100mL $8.49 [emoji736]
Dr. Tims One and Only for Reef $25.17 [emoji736]
Seachem Matrix Bio Media 2L $19.99 [emoji736]
Stand [emoji736]
Gooseneck for Kessil $34.99 [emoji736]

Still need: Innovative Marine Ghost Skimmer Desktop $149.99
And AutoAqua Smart ATO Micro $99.99

 

[aaron23]

Welcome awesome start

 

[Joeganja]

Welcome awesome start

Lol I've been in this hobby for 10 years just wanted to actually start correctly on a build. Thanks though.

 

[aaron23]

Lol I've been in this hobby for 10 years just wanted to actually start correctly on a build. Thanks though.

I started my 40 Nuvo nearly at the exact time. I would not recommend the ghost skimmer they are cheaply made garbage skimmers I'd recommend using a Aquamaxx hob skimmer

 

[Joeganja]

The only problem is I want to make it as sleek as possible. I either hear good or bad about the ghost skimmers.

 

[aaron23]

I wanted the sleakness too. U either want a skimmer that skims or You want sleakness lol. My studio is 350 sq ft the skimmer makes noise but I've learned to work around it

 

[BkReefBaby]

I have a nuvo 40 and I have a pls 50 skimmer which I think is great it broke in about 24hrs but I the same time I don't know if I really need it since I have alight bioload...tank looks great by the way I'm thinking of getting that 25 lagoon for my sons room

 

[Joeganja]

I have a nuvo 40 and I have a pls 50 skimmer which I think is great it broke in about 24hrs but I the same time I don't know if I really need it since I have alight bioload...tank looks great by the way I'm thinking of getting that 25 lagoon for my sons room

If you do get it. Make sure you go to satwateraquarium.com they always have a clearance section. That's how I got my innovative marine mini max reactor for $69.99 instead of 99.99. Sure it was a open box and returned but you can't even tell.

 

[brownsalt92]

I love the shimmer of this reef!!

 

[Joeganja]

I love the shimmer of this reef!!

Thanks. What's nice about kessil lights are the details and colors it gives corals. Plus it's much easier to take photos.

 

[BkReefBaby]

Thanks for the heads up I don't mind open box at all I usually by my stuff from other reefers if I can find it

 

[Joeganja]

Thanks for the heads up I don't mind open box at all I usually by my stuff from other reefers if I can find it

If you can build the stand yourself. The innovative marine stand was $300 I just built it myself for less than $100

 

[Joeganja]

Thanks for the heads up I don't mind open box at all I usually by my stuff from other reefers if I can find it

 

[Joeganja]

I wanted the sleakness too. U either want a skimmer that skims or You want sleakness lol. My studio is 350 sq ft the skimmer makes noise but I've learned to work around it

It's not only that but usually with these tanks like collectors tanks I guess you can call them you end up somehow getting all of the the same brand for your tank in terms of gadgets. I saw the aquamaxx and as cool as it is I'm probably going to have one fish tops in that tank and the coral isn't going to be fed heavily. I'm more of a spot feeder then just nuking the tank. Like I said. I do a water change a week and keep up to date so hopefully that helps.

 

[Joeganja]

Set it back up again. This tank has been set up for fourth months. I've fed these damsels for four months with frozen and pellets. I had a dwarf lionfish and fed it live fish for two weeks before it jumped out. The only light this tank gets is from freshwater planted on the side and whatever indirect sunlight. I don't have any algae growing. Just added crushed coral today. It's been the longest cycle that anyone can die. And my skimmer is rated for 75 gallons on a 25 gallon tank. You can call it overkill. I call it show me the dirty tank.

 

[Reef man 89]

So I have been looking into getting one of these tank and wanted to know if u would recommend it to someone? Also does the kessil light up the whole tank whit no dark spots?

 

[Joeganja]

So I have been looking into getting one of these tank and wanted to know if u would recommend it to someone? Also does the kessil light up the whole tank whit no dark spots?

I love it. I recommend it out of any of the innovative marine systems under 50 gallons. If you have room for the 50 gallon lagoon then get that one but I love it. I had a kessil a160we tuna blue and it covered the entire tank without dark spots but I personally don't like kessils so I got rid of it. But yeah it's a great tank! No I didn't go with the ghost skimmer because I didn't like the design for the price. I ended up spending more for a higher end skimmer and although it hangs on the back it works much better. I just use purigen, and seachem matrix bio media and no filter sock. And I don't have any nitrates. Almost undetectable. If I was you I would get a hydra 26 HD, maxspect 24 inch, kessil a360we tuna blue or something like that. Because of the spread you need a fixture that has enough coverage but what's nice is it's a shallow tank so you can hang the light high and work on the tank without having any light in your way. And the rimless is amazing. Looks so sleek and beautiful.

 

[Reef man 89]

Thank you for your review I was looking at the 25 or 40 because I like the foot print of the tank. I wanted the 50 but the drop ship fee is crazy .i like the stand that u built instead of the 300 dollar stand from IM. My plan for the light was a Maxspect ethereal. Or the kessil 360we. How do u like the reactor? I agree with you on the skimmer I don't like how it looks and I have only read bad reviews on it. What HOB skimmer did you get for it? What heater do you have?

 

[Joeganja]

Thank you for your review I was looking at the 25 or 40 because I like the foot print of the tank. I wanted the 50 but the drop ship fee is crazy .i like the stand that u built instead of the 300 dollar stand from IM. My plan for the light was a Maxspect ethereal. Or the kessil 360we. How do u like the reactor? I agree with you on the skimmer I don't like how it looks and I have only read bad reviews on it. What HOB skimmer did you get for it? What heater do you have?

I am going to get the radion Xr15w gen 4 pro. I like the reactor but since I've been running purigen I haven't used it. But I probably will it's a good reactor. I'm using the aquamaxx hob-1 skimmer and love it. And I only use fluval e series heaters. There are other heaters you can fit in the back like the cobalt slims but I don't like them.

 

[spidercrab]

Very nice, I love the IM 25 perfect height/aquascape balance at 12 inches.