My IM EXT 100 Complete Reef Build

[badabing7]

After being out of the hobby for over 20 years in January I ordered an IM Nuovo 20L. Well, it didn't take long, my whole family huddles by the small tank when we do family dinner on Sundays so the wife agreed we needed a bigger tank.

Yesterday I ordered a IM 100 EXT Complete Reef and was told it should be delivered the first week of July.

I want to try and plan out my moves (with your advice of course).

Hopefully, this will be post one of many.

Goals are a Mixed Reef

Initial Equipment plan:
Apex Jr (already own)
Apex ATK (already own)
Trident (already own)
Apex Dos - Planning on dosing Reef Code A & B or All 4 Reef (which I'm currently dosing my 20 gal)
AI Orbit 4 Gyre - Seeking thoughts on this
VorTech MP40 - 1 or 2 when using with a Gyre?
Skimmer - Seeking recommendations
2 Nature Dimensions Fleece Roller - I thought I saw these will work in the 4" sock locations but cannot find solid info
2 Hygger 300w heaters (I got them when they were bogo)
Thinking of going with 2 Radion XR15 Blues (saw a WWC 100 gallon tank running the same so figured they would be good for me as well)
Refuge light (I need to research which one fits in the sump lid, unless you think there is a better option, I'll go with that one)
QT Tank (already own)

Will probably go Caribsea Fiji Pink sand and for the rock scape I found the large arch in my lfs, I went ahead and got it, I then found the smaller piece at Premium Aquatics. I'm a visual person so genned up the attached image, almost to scale lol. I really need your inputs on it, rocks capes scare me!

I look forward to reading any inputs you guys can give me! I love the different perspectives and I know I know about 3% of what the reefing hobby has to offer!

 

[jackintheboxfish]

Following!

 

[badabing7]

Would really appreciate any inputs on the equipment/rockscape.

Have an awesome day!

 

[X-37B]

Checkout the Tunze Orca. 2 6075's is all you need. I run sweeps but would now purchase Orca's instead.
Scapes are personel. Use all premium live rock vs dead.
This is my 2 year old 60×30×21.
Minimal scape, all rock on the bottom.
Start and today.

 

[MakingMistakes]

Following along, in the beginning stages of my IM 100 EXT build. For starters it may come sooner than expected mine was backordered and shipped within a week.

I’m doing 2 mp40s, I have one setup right now and other side of the tank is not getting flow.

I have 2 radion xr30 4th gen. Ran a par test last night and can hit 470 at the top of my rocks on full power. I’m planning on adding some blades. For a mixed reef I’m sorry but the 15’s probably won’t make the cut and you will have a lot of shadows.

I have 2 ND fleece rollers on the way right now so I will be able to tell you everything about how it works in our sumps next week.

 

[badabing7]

Checkout the Tunze Orca. 2 6075's is all you need. I run sweeps but would now purchase Orca's instead.
Scapes are personel. Use all premium live rock vs dead.
This is my 2 year old 60×30×21.
Minimal scape, all rock on the bottom.
Start and today.

Ok, this is what I needed to hear! Wasn’t planning on that much but I 1000% see the benefit!

Buy once, cry once!

 

[badabing7]

Following along, in the beginning stages of my IM 100 EXT build. For starters it may come sooner than expected mine was backordered and shipped within a week.

I’m doing 2 mp40s, I have one setup right now and other side of the tank is not getting flow.

I have 2 radion xr30 4th gen. Ran a par test last night and can hit 470 at the top of my rocks on full power. I’m planning on adding some blades. For a mixed reef I’m sorry but the 15’s probably won’t make the cut and you will have a lot of shadows.

I have 2 ND fleece rollers on the way right now so I will be able to tell you everything about how it works in our sumps next week.

Thank you for the lighting advice, I’m so new I “assumed” but neglected to see what was in their tank…

 

[badabing7]

Thinking the IceCap K-1 130 protein skimmer.

Good bad?

 

[badabing7]

Checkout the Tunze Orca. 2 6075's is all you need. I run sweeps but would now purchase Orca's instead.
Scapes are personel. Use all premium live rock vs dead.
This is my 2 year old 60×30×21.
Minimal scape, all rock on the bottom.
Start and today.

Think one orca with a 6075 mounted in the center rear of the tank would provide enough flow?

 

[badabing7]

Checkout the Tunze Orca. 2 6075's is all you need. I run sweeps but would now purchase Orca's instead.
Scapes are personel. Use all premium live rock vs dead.
This is my 2 year old 60×30×21.
Minimal scape, all rock on the bottom.
Start and today.

Think one orca with a 6075 mounted in the center rear of the tank would provide enough flow?

Disregard.

Saw them on sale today so picked 2 up…

And changed my mind on lighting.

Ordered 2 ATI Stratton X’s…

 

[gastone]

I picked up a used IM 100 that I'm pondering setting up. Following along for ideas.

 

[MakingMistakes]

I got my ND fleece rollers in. They were easy to tune and get working. Final review will wait but the setup is a bit loud, I was able to make it quieter by putting them in the far sock holes, blocking the first and putting my carbon bag over the first.

Putting them in with the little sock whole filler caps (you will see) was a bit of a pain since they kept falling in and fishing them out wasn’t any fun.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[MakingMistakes]

ND filter rollers in the RFS39

 

[badabing7]

I appreciate the update! After the Orca Pumps and 2 Stratton X purchase I’ve gotta wait till next payday to order mine.

Is the noise due to having to remove the buffer plate? That’s surprising to me, but I guess they put them there for a reason. Wonder if some filter floss could help?

 

[MakingMistakes]

I appreciate the update! After the Orca Pumps and 2 Stratton X purchase I’ve gotta wait till next payday to order mine.

Is the noise due to having to remove the buffer plate? That’s surprising to me, but I guess they put them there for a reason. Wonder if some filter floss could help?

Multiple things for one the water just running around them is very turbulent and makes the most sound. This was really bad when I had it in the first cup. Floss helped smooth it. Then the seal isn’t perfect so it pours down around them also causing a lot of noise.

 

[badabing7]

Was just wondering if there would be any issues mounting the Orcas on the back wall?Really trying to have a clean look in the tank w/out wires and such.

 

[Randomstylez]

Following along, planning out my own IM 100 EXT upgrade from my current 80g Seapora.

Skimmer - Seeking recommendations
I originally went with a reef octopus Classic 150-SSS Igot for a deal but then it didnt have a float switch and that caused alot of headache. So I got the reef octopus Regal 150SSS, which I am much happier with.

VorTech MP40 - 1 or 2 when using with a Gyre?
I want acropora and even then I wouldn't go an AI gyre in a tank this size, I bought one and returned it because it was too much flow. Much happier with the maxspect 2k gyre. Only 1 atm but getting a second for the upgrade

Question for you, how much usable space is there in the cabinet section? IM website says 44.25 inches but I want to get a 44 inch sump and that 0.25 margin of error ....

 

[badabing7]

Following along, planning out my own IM 100 EXT upgrade from my current 80g Seapora.

Skimmer - Seeking recommendations
I originally went with a reef octopus Classic 150-SSS Igot for a deal but then it didnt have a float switch and that caused alot of headache. So I got the reef octopus Regal 150SSS, which I am much happier with.

VorTech MP40 - 1 or 2 when using with a Gyre?
I want acropora and even then I wouldn't go an AI gyre in a tank this size, I bought one and returned it because it was too much flow. Much happier with the maxspect 2k gyre. Only 1 atm but getting a second for the upgrade

Question for you, how much usable space is there in the cabinet section? IM website says 44.25 inches but I want to get a 44 inch sump and that 0.25 margin of error ....

Thank you for the inputs.

I’ll check out the reef octopus. I’m a techie and stumbled across the NYOS Quantum EQ 160

I actually ordered 2 tune orca 6075’s for pumps.

Cabinet size is small. In my option too small, not a fan of it just being sump w/out even an Ato reservoir.

 

[Randomstylez]

Thank you for the inputs.

I’ll check out the reef octopus. I’m a techie and stumbled across the NYOS Quantum EQ 160

I actually ordered 2 tune orca 6075’s for pumps.

Cabinet size is small. In my option too small, not a fan of it just being sump w/out even an Ato reservoir.

Ah I am currently using the dmp-40 by jaebo, which is plenty of flow for me @ 40% + gyre.let me know how they look inside / above the tank

I wouldnt buy a skimmer that doesnt have a float value or some kind of check for overskimming. I dont think the nyos does

I was going to have the reef can 10g as my ato and put it in the 7 inch gap behind the tank.