Nuvo 10 rear compartment lower zone

lolmatt · Dec 28, 2017

In the rear compartment of the nuvo 10 (and presumably other nuvo tanks), the return section extends underneath the skimmer and media section. I'm wondering if anyone has ever made it a somewhat cryptic zone and put media in there like seachem matrix? Image for reference:

http://i.imgur.com/O3Nsfmz.jpg

Tuffyyyyy · Dec 29, 2017

That's not a bad idea to try and use that space but remember that it's going to get super gross with buildup. That's an unfortunate aspect of the IM designs.

lolmatt · Dec 29, 2017

Yeah I'm thinking I just never clean out that area. Detritus and stuff should have a hard time getting there, it won't be lit so algae will be a non issue as well. I ordered some fresh matrix for it, will update once it's in with a pic or something. Cheers!

Tuffyyyyy · Dec 29, 2017

Never underestimate the power of detritus on getting in there lol. But be sure to update with pictures! Really would like to see how it looks.

lolmatt · Dec 29, 2017

I only have a small part of the black film peeled off back there (previous owner must have ran chaeto), but I'll do what I can :) matrix will be here tomorrow.

lolmatt · Jan 8, 2018

Bit late, but here's a couple photos, think it turned out nice. I've since added chemipure blue nano in the second chamber of the media basket, but you can see the matrix I had in the bottom chamber of the basket (pulled from my 40g to help seed bacteria).

Then you can see some the matrix in the bottom compartment (this is from a new jar)...behind the black film the lower compartment spans the rear chamber and roughly 2/3 the length of the tank is filled with matrix, the rest being occupied by the return pump (syncra silent 0.5) and heater (which already bit me in the butt, the heater comes out of the water with evaporation, the tank dropped 3 degrees yesterday, and my one fish a yellow clown goby hasn't been seen since...but I digress). I plan to somewhat overstock this tank long term...yellow clown goby, court jester goby, and a pygmy or pink streak wrasse...so the extra media should help with the additional load after it's been in here for a few months.