My IM Nuvo 4G Pico

[PicoPiper]

First and foremost, I am completely aware I’m starting my first SW/Reef tank with something that is a bit beyond a beginner level. Constant parameter checks will be needed. However, research and science is what I do best and I have read and researched nano/pico reef aquariums since 2006 and finally have started. I’ve arrived at that point where only experience , these forums and inexperience can teach me now. Everyone here gets to follow along with my trials and errors as this is a pretty basic setup and I’ve only just now ordered the rock, sand and water. I bought and built an aquarium cabinet first, over Christmas. Next , I’ve brought out and cleaned (vinegar water, then rinsed) an IM Nuvo 4 that my husband bought for me 2nd hand off EBay way back in 2007 anticipating one day doing this. They don’t make this model anymore and I threw out the stock lighting. I’ve kept the stock return pump because I cannot find anything smaller to fit in the back of this AIO. I did purchase a mighty jet mini but it is actually too large. So it shall help me mix my saltwater with the RODI from the LFS until I become so in love with this hobby I upgrade to a larger tank.

Like I said, specs are basic (on a budget), but here they are…

Tank: IM Nuvo 4
Lighting: Kessil A80 Tuna Blue on a TP-link outlet for scheduling for a 10 hr photo period
Pump: stock for now
Powerhead (may not need but have in case): Sicce Voyager Nano
Heater: Hygger Tiny Titan
Filter Media: polypad and Fluval Biomax bio rings
Thermometer: JW Fusion smart temp
Salinity Testing: refactometer
NO3/NO2/NH3/Mg/Ca/PO4 etc. testing: Salifert

Water: LFS RODI for mixing
Salt: Fritz Reef Pro Mix
Sand: CaribSea’s Arag-Alive Special Grade 1.0-2.0 mm
Rock: CaribSea Life Rock Nano Reef Kit

The plan:
Dr Tim’s for cycling.
Stock: Yasha goby, Red Banded Pistol shrimp, any CUC needed, LPS, Mushrooms

 

[Tahoe61]

First and foremost, I am completely aware I’m starting my first SW/Reef tank with something that is a bit beyond a beginner level. Constant parameter checks will be needed. However, research and science is what I do best and I have read and researched nano/pico reef aquariums since 2006 and finally have started. I’ve arrived at that point where only experience , these forums and inexperience can teach me now. Everyone here gets to follow along with my trials and errors as this is a pretty basic setup and I’ve only just now ordered the rock, sand and water. I bought and built an aquarium cabinet first, over Christmas. Next , I’ve brought out and cleaned (vinegar water, then rinsed) an IM Nuvo 4 that my husband bought for me 2nd hand off EBay way back in 2007 anticipating one day doing this. They don’t make this model anymore and I threw out the stock lighting. I’ve kept the stock return pump because I cannot find anything smaller to fit in the back of this AIO. I did purchase a mighty jet mini but it is actually too large. So it shall help me mix my saltwater with the RODI from the LFS until I become so in love with this hobby I upgrade to a larger tank.

Like I said, specs are basic (on a budget), but here they are…

Tank: IM Nuvo 4
Lighting: Kessil A80 Tuna Blue on a TP-link outlet for scheduling for a 10 hr photo period
Pump: stock for now
Powerhead (may not need but have in case): Sicce Voyager Nano
Heater: Hygger Tiny Titan
Filter Media: polypad and Fluval Biomax bio rings
Thermometer: JW Fusion smart temp
Salinity Testing: refactometer
NO3/NO2/NH3/Mg/Ca/PO4 etc. testing: Salifert

Water: LFS RODI for mixing
Salt: Fritz Reef Pro Mix
Sand: CaribSea’s Arag-Alive Special Grade 1.0-2.0 mm
Rock: CaribSea Life Rock Nano Reef Kit

The plan:
Dr Tim’s for cycling.
Stock: Yasha goby, Red Banded Pistol shrimp, any CUC needed, LPS, Mushrooms

Love it! Awesome.

You have indeed done your homework. I like white Picos.
Had no idea IM made a 4 gallon.

 

[Tahoe61]

If you do replace the stock pump, and I would, look at the MightJet.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/migh...duiB7kyIWl_4UvfCKbYlaiG4RYVb73XAaAlXpEALw_wcB
It's not cheap but it is programmable. I use it on my 6 gal pico. You likely won't need a power head or WaveMaker. Just check the dimensions to make sure it fits.

Just a thought.

 

[PicoPiper]

If you do replace the stock pump, and I would, look at the MightJet.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/migh...duiB7kyIWl_4UvfCKbYlaiG4RYVb73XAaAlXpEALw_wcB
It's not cheap but it is programmable. I use it on my 6 gal pico. You likely won't need a power head or WaveMaker. Just check the dimensions to make sure it fits.

Just a thought.

I actually bought the MightyJet Mini. The dimensions sadly don’t fit the Nuvo 4 and I was so sad about it. I’ve decided that I’m saving that one for the day that comes that I will want a larger pico because I really like that’s it’s programmable (both straight return and sign wave).

 

[PicoPiper]

I’m excited! My shipments have all arrived despite Mother Nature throwing snow and ice our way. I will be aquascaping, mixing and beginning the cycling process tomorrow.

 

[PicoPiper]

Sand added. Rockscaping complete. Water added and salt currently mixing overnight. Next up will be checking salinity, adjusting if necessary and then fishless cycling. The iconic coming along.








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[JoJosReef]

Love the tank! Can't wait to see how it develops.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Aquascape looks great in there!

 

[PicoPiper]

Hi everyone, time for an update. My pico has gone through a fishless cycle using Dr. Tim’s. I stalled with nitrites a little but did a water change and all is well now and it’s cycled!

Salinity-steady at 1.023 (I’ve learned why people with picos eventually break down and get a small top off if one can)

Ph-8.15

Ammonia-0

Nitrite-0

Nitrate-10 ppm

It amazes me the advances since my grandmother kept a saltwater tank when I was little (which was 40 years ago). Before purchasing my Yasha goby and Randall’s Pistol shrimp, I went ahead and ordered Copepods/pellet and frozen food to arrive this week and the day those arrive I’ll order the goby and shrimp. I do have a question that I’m wrestling with because I’ve seen where some people put in a CUC at the same time as their fish and some do it only when they see that they are needed. With the goby and the shrimp, in theory, only eating what they need… do I hold off or do I need to order a crab and a snail at the same time? This is a 4 gallon, but with the rock/sand I’d really say a tad less. I’m open to clean up crew suggestions as I think I’ve researched myself in a circle on this one topic.

 

[Acro_leaf]

If it were me personally - I'd hold off on both the fish and the CUC until you start getting some algae on the glass/sand rocks, give the tank a chance to get settled at a microbiome level, you could ghost feed the tank a little too to help even with dry rock you'll get signs of diatoms etc

Ether way I love the scape you have going its a great little tank with awesome potential.

 

[PicoPiper]

If it were me personally - I'd hold off on both the fish and the CUC until you start getting some algae on the glass/sand rocks, give the tank a chance to get settled at a microbiome level, you could ghost feed the tank a little too to help even with dry rock you'll get signs of diatoms etc

Ether way I love the scape you have going its a great little tank with awesome potential.

Thank you! Since that last post I have had a happy accident and my order for Pods was lost. That order is being replaced —but I did place that order almost a month ago. In that time I’ve definitely had a diatom bloom. Brown on the gravel and changed the filter floss. I did have to clean some brown scum off the glass. The diatom bloom has evened out though and is starting to reduce as it should. I’ve decided to take advice and actually ordered quarantined goby and pistol shrimp only, so they will not arrive potentially for another 4-6 weeks. A lot of hurry up and wait in this build, but everything is going as it should and I’d rather take my time than rush and make mistakes. In the meantime I’ve been honing in my top off schedule, testing schedule and water change schedule that way I have a base line of comparison once the additions start coming in.

Salinity is 1.025

Ph-8.15

Ammonia-0

Nitrite-0

Nitrate-<2

I will not have corals in it yet, honing in the water changes before critters are in the tank to work on upping Mag and Calc. They are slightly too low.

 

[Acro_leaf]

Sounds like your tanks going through the expected motions definitely, I'd also wouldnt worry too much about chasing numbers too much at least not to begin with, again you'll find for the first few weeks to a month your rock and sand will be absorbing and releasing parameters and its generally best to just let it sit and run its course. Having said that getting familiar with things like water changes, topping of and checking for parameters is fantastic.

Adding some fresh pods when they arrive will be great too it'll give them plenty of time to populate the tank and you'll soon find yourself nose pressed to the glass as you watch pods scuttle across the glass and sand

 

[PicoPiper]

I am extremely happy to introduce you to Yoshi and Mo, the first inhabitants of my pico tank. Yoshi is a Yasha goby and Mo is the red banded pistol shrimp. They are very much a pair and have been since Thursday 4/16/26, the day they arrived and went into the tank. Thank you to Dr. Reef’s Quarantined Fish! The pistol shrimp is quite the engineer already. Happy to grow this tank. See next thread for video.

 

[PicoPiper]

View attachment 20260419_083251_26440069-5D9D-4FBB-824C-B1BBBFCB7127.mov

 

[Tahoe61]

I am extremely happy to introduce you to Yoshi and Mo, the first inhabitants of my pico tank. Yoshi is a Yasha goby and Mo is the red banded pistol shrimp. They are very much a pair and have been since Thursday 4/16/26, the day they arrived and went into the tank. Thank you to Dr. Reef’s Quarantined Fish! The pistol shrimp is quite the engineer already. Happy to grow this tank. See next thread for video.

They look exceptionally happy, congrats.

How are you topping off?

 

[PicoPiper]

I am extremely happy to introduce you to Yoshi and Mo, the first inhabitants of my pico tank. Yoshi is a Yasha goby and Mo is the red banded pistol shrimp. They are very much a pair and have been since Thursday 4/16/26, the day they arrived and went into the tank. Thank you to Dr. Reef’s Quarantined Fish! The pistol shrimp is quite the engineer already. Happy to grow this tank. See next thread for video.

They look exceptionally happy, congrats.

How are you topping off?

Right now I’m manually topping off with RODI. At some point I will have to look into auto top off methods but just haven’t yet.