New Innovative Marine 50 gallon EXT build thread

Cheathamd · Apr 22, 2026

Hey guys I am super excited to get my build started. My tank should be here within the next couple weeks. I opted for the black APS stand and tank stand, in other words not the complete package. I began aquascaping back in November and since mid November my aquascape has been cycling fishless and curing in a tub with a heater and powerhead. I have dosed pods a couple times and added established rock from my dad and I's 265 gal reef tank. I also added Marco ocean live rock to the sump. Currently a tunicate off the Marco ocean rock is thriving in the tub to get a sense of maturity. Tank will be bare bottom, so I am curious to see how my nutrient export will be early on. With my aquascape having a lot of negative space I have lots of bio media such as live ocean rock and genesis bricks from bright well that will be in the sump. I plan to order a Toplids lid once I have the tank and can send measurements to match the Straton X's arm profile. A list of equipment I have ready to go below..

Tank: IM 50 EXT w/ APS Black Stand
Lighting: ATI Straton x (just came in yesterday!)
Flow: 2x brand new Ecotech MP10's I got 50% off.
Return pump: Ecotech S2 return pump with a vivid creation random flow nozzle 3/4"
Protein Skimmer: Aquaready Conus Q-1
Sump: Custom 20 gal high with baffles
Filtration: Reefmat 250
Co2 Scrubber
Redsea ATO Plus w/ 10.6 gal redsea reservoir
Apex A2
eb832
Neptune DOS
Trident ACM
Trident NP
2x 100 titanium heating elements
Helio Temp controller
2x dosing containers
Neptune display screen (want to upgrade to avid pro screen)

I got fancy and ordered red 1' pvc for the drain with a gate valve to match the reefmat and blue 3/4" pvc return to match the blue on the return pump. I also got a short segment of silicone tubing to eradicate any possible vibration from the return pump. In the process of waiting I also constructed a controller board out of PVC board and painted it black. Which will be mounted on the wall next to the tank.

Idea of stocking list as of now

My current Clownfish pair I have had for awhile now

Royal Gramma

Naokos Fairy Wrasse

Another fairy and/or a flasher wrasse

Tailspot Blenny

and lastly a blue mandarin or blue mandarin pair.

Cheathamd · Apr 22, 2026

This is my aquascape, I used super glue with accelerator, then went back over it with purple Marco mortar after letting it cure.

Fish Fan · Apr 22, 2026

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

Looks like. good start, good luck with your build!

Blue Ring Octopus · Apr 23, 2026

That is quite the parts list for that tank, you might be new here but you are not new. It is going to be an epic build.

Cheathamd · May 3, 2026

Here’s an update! Got the tank Friday evening! It is up and running now! I believe mini cycle will occur from moving the aquascape from the tub to the DT. After that another round of copepods will be dosed!

crappie · May 5, 2026

I like how you have everything on the wall. Feel free to post more pics

Jackal799 · May 5, 2026

I’ve got a 50int. Can’t wait to see what you do with yours. IMO, it’s the perfect size for the average hobbyist. I only have a few softies in mine as I’m going away for a few weeks and don’t wanna go all out until I get back.

Cheathamd · May 10, 2026

Here is an update! Just added my first corals, an electus jawbreaker mushroom and utter chaos zoa. Again ignore the white rock in the DT it’s not permanent. So far I introduced my QT’d clown pair. I’ve added a pair of biota mandarins making sure to watch if their belly is pinched but they pick all day long. I am supplementing with 32oz copepods delivered biweekly. Everyone is thriving! Dosing phyto every other night and doing weekly 10% WC’s. Alk is staying on the high side for some reason around 9.6. Calc 460. Mag at 1260. Nitrates 8.8. Po4 0.06. pH is surprisingly rock solid 8.22-8.32 on a day cycle.

Cheathamd · May 27, 2026

Day 25: hey guys! Here’s an update, all parameters have been stable. I have started to add some LPS and SPS. Getting a little hair algae here and there, added my favorite fish ever, a male naokos fairy wrasse. All the fish have been quarantined and corals have been quarantined. I finally have gotten an Acanthophyllia, it’s been a coral I’ve wanted ever since I got into this hobby. I have a refugium set up but the chaeto bleached out so not sure what that’s about.

Parameters:
Alk: stable and fluctuates from 9.5-9.7 daily
Calc: stable at 460
Mag: a little low but stable at 1250
NO3: 3.5 (very hard to raise for some reason)
PO4: 0.05
pH ranges from 8.01-8.19 daily

I expect pH to increase once kalkwasser is actually being dosed and co2 scrubber is set up.

Thanks for reading.

Cheathamd · May 27, 2026

Current coral list:
Grand Master krak Zoa
Utter chaos zoa
Gold hammer
Holy grail Micromussa
Indo Acantho
Golden something chalice
Green slimer
Sunburst monti grafted
Jawbreaker mushrooms
Another mushroom that is a bounce, unsure of the name.

Gumbies R Us · May 27, 2026

Following along!

Cheathamd · Sep 9, 2026

an update!

Current fish list:
Biota yellow tang
Naokos fairy wrasse
Clownfish pair
Royal gramma
Firefish

Coral list:
3 ACANTHOS!!!
Rapunzel holy grail torch
New York Knicks torch
Stratosphere zoa
Grand master krak zoa
Utter chaos zoa
White zombies zoa
Raja rampage chalice
2 bowerbankiis
Creamsicle blastomussa
Hellfire goniopora
Purple people eater goniopora
Unknown green goniopora
Grandmaster goniopora
Radioactive tenuis
Forest fire digi
Purple/green birdsnest

Future additions.
I want a female wrasse to accompany my naokos, any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Considering a tailspot blenny. Eventually my yellow tang will be rehomed once I notice he’s pacing and getting too big. I have a 265 he could go to if need be.

I have a friend who has authentic lineage BKCHEM jolly rancher holy grails he’s going to sell me a single. Frag swaps coming up and want to get some cool smaller pieces to fill gaps.

Thanks for reading