My IM EXT 100 Complete Reef Build

[badabing7]

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.

I didn’t think about the overflow.

I guess I could add a level sensor from my apex, I may be able to buy a Davey Jones, more skim and a shutoff.

 

[badabing7]

So I have a Trident already, I track trends, I have the opportunity to get the NP for $300. I’ve read the bad but I’ve also seen the good stories.

I would be doing weekly Hanna Tests to verify, just wondering everyone’s thoughts?

 

[Randomstylez]

So I have a Trident already, I track trends, I have the opportunity to get the NP for $300. I’ve read the bad but I’ve also seen the good stories.

I would be doing weekly Hanna Tests to verify, just wondering everyone’s thoughts?

I have a trident + weekly testing as well.

Have had the trident going for a year+ and even the trends don't offer much value because of how off they are depending on the calibration. It is peace of mind I guess but its also so finicky, there will be 10-15% of a reagent left and then itll say its empty.


You wont need to worry about dosing if you do weekly 10-20% water changes until your coral bioload exceeds what a weekly water change can replace.

 

[badabing7]

Still waiting and ordering, just placed the order for my saltwater mixing station. Glad the wife is cool with this!

I did make a premature purchase but something told me to do it…

Petco had aqua-cultured purple tangs for $70. I was reluctant because of their reputation (and the timing) but I pulled the trigger.

He’s about the size of a 1/2 dollar. After acclimation he ate some food that dribbled out of the auto feeder and this morning he ate some nori..

I’ll be doing the 70ish day qt so should have enough time for the new tank to cycle. Problem is I wanted to get a yellow tang too and my timing will be off to put them in simultaneously.

 

[Randomstylez]

Do you happen to know the width of the inner cabinet frame, door to door?

 

[MakingMistakes]

Wanted to update on the Nature Dimensions rollers in my 100 EXT. Loving these things now, absolutely loving them. I placed them in the last two cups which they seem to like best. Had a good bit of noise at first. I used some aquamesh to break up the flow (not loving the fact that that will require some maintenance). They also seem to have settled in and no longer have water dripping down around them. Got a media cup from printed reef for the first sock hole to run some carbon.

Anyways jut FYI

 

[badabing7]

It’s together, leak checking in progress. Looking for some ideas on mounting the AquaUV.

I think I can fit a Redsea ATO on the right side so fingers crossed.

I’m cycling my rock in a tub in the laundry room, getting exciting

 

[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 ....

I can answer now that I’ve got it in place.

There’s not a lot of space at all! I am going to install a shelf and after measuring, I think a Red Sea 4.8 gal ATO jug will fit on the right side.
I’m trying to figure out a solution for my controller board. Gotta fit a Trident, DOS, DOS reservoir and skimmer overflow.

It’s gonna be tight, I’m considering the adaptive reef cabinet but dang, another $400 and it’s got mixed reviews…

 

[badabing7]

Do you happen to know the width of the inner cabinet frame, door to door?

I’ll measure when I get home, if I had to guess it’s probably 16-18 inches, you can remove one of the struts on the double door

 

[badabing7]

Wanted to update on the Nature Dimensions rollers in my 100 EXT. Loving these things now, absolutely loving them. I placed them in the last two cups which they seem to like best. Had a good bit of noise at first. I used some aquamesh to break up the flow (not loving the fact that that will require some maintenance). They also seem to have settled in and no longer have water dripping down around them. Got a media cup from printed reef for the first sock hole to run some carbon.

Anyways jut FYI

So got water in mine, I’m running the pump at 30% and I have the overflow set to just at the emergency overflow as recommended. Still getting a gurgle from the sump area. Any suggestions to get it to settle? I’ve gotta order my rollers still, figure I’ll use the balls they sent for the first month or so

 

[915MANG]

Looks Great are you going to keep the other tank running?

 

[badabing7]

Looks Great are you going to keep the other tank running?

Moved it to the bed room

 

[DmitryB]

I'm waiting on an IM 170 INT delivery and can't wait! My one objection so far on IM is their sumps are huge and there is no room left in the cabinet. A little less sump volume would have been worth having some space in there!!! I know some people get a smaller sump and just revise the plumbing, but I'm not handy like that and would not trust myself to do that.

 

[badabing7]

Jealous on the 170, I should have got at least a 120 but I got the 100 scratch and dent, it was enough of a difference I couldn’t pass it up.

I agree, 57 gallon sump on a 100 gal tank is excessive lol. Totally agree, would like to have some space down there.

 

[DmitryB]

A good deal is a good deal! I went with the longest tank I could fit in a specific space. Never enough space!!

 

[MakingMistakes]

So got water in mine, I’m running the pump at 30% and I have the overflow set to just at the emergency overflow as recommended. Still getting a gurgle from the sump area. Any suggestions to get it to settle? I’ve gotta order my rollers still, figure I’ll use the balls they sent for the first month or so

So I have mine up to 80% now I think, also at almost the emergency overflow, maybe a 1/4 inch down. Like that the gurgling stopped for me. If you have gurgling and you are not sucking in air at the top that’s odd. It may by turbulent flow in the pipe as an absolute guess. See if you can speed up the pump and reset the overflow exactly as you have it and maybe force the water to take a more streamlined flow.

The balls were ok but I lack whatever it is people have that allows them to get around to changing them every 3 days.

 

[MakingMistakes]

I'm waiting on an IM 170 INT delivery and can't wait! My one objection so far on IM is their sumos are huge and there is no room left in the cabinet. A little less sump volume would have been worth having some space in there!!! I know some people get a smaller sump and just revise the plumbing, but I'm not handy like that and would not trust myself to do that.

I agree they definitely leave no space at all, I love my 100 EXT, but it’s in a funny corner that allows the to use a lot of space behind it and I have a utility room below it.

If someone needed to get everything into the stand, it may be possible, but would be a nightmare.

 

[badabing7]

UV is installed, Jenga is an understatement…

I’ve been running RODI for the past week, about to add salt.

I have been cycling my rock and bio media in a tub. Ammonia is almost gone so YAY!

Plan is to add the salt, let it mix a couple days, then add the cycled aquascape and then live sand.

I won’t be turning the UV on for awhile, any risk of the glass in the UV getting coated?

 

[DmitryB]

UV is installed, Jenga is an understatement…

That's sexy!

 

[NatureDimensions Verified Sponsor]

So got water in mine, I’m running the pump at 30% and I have the overflow set to just at the emergency overflow as recommended. Still getting a gurgle from the sump area. Any suggestions to get it to settle? I’ve gotta order my rollers still, figure I’ll use the balls they sent for the first month or so

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