Planned IM 25G Lagoon build

[plankton]

This is yet another build thread using the Innovative Marine (IM) 25 G lagoon plumbed for External sump (of course). This tank will be bare-bottom, probably 10# of small to medium LR and will have chaeto in the main tank off to the side. Plan to have mostly acans and hardy SPS (slimer, m.digitata, etc)

Tank : IM 25 Gallon Ext Lagoon (24"x20"x12")
Stand : IM black (Inner dim : 20"x15"x28")
Sump: Fiju Cube 15 (15"x15"x16")
Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5
Return Pump: Jebao DCS2000 or Sicce Sync Silent 0.5?
Circulation: Pair of EcoTech MP10s
Lighting: Pair of AI Prime 16HDs on flexible arm
Heater: Eheim 125W
Dosing Pump: I still have 2 gallons of two part that I can use existing two channel doser but would love to switch to single Wifi-enabled doser and dose Tropic Marine all-for-reef
LR : 10# 'Real Reef' fake LR
Controller : Will use existing ReefKeeper elite since I have enough modules to control two tanks (existing 10G cubey and this one).

 

[gabrieltackitt]

Sounds good! Following along.

 

[plankton]

Sounds good! Following along.

Please feel free to comment on the setup. I have or have ordered most of the equipment but always interested in advice. Especially on dosing since I really don't like the old manual controllers and would really like to use the newer wifi enabled and would love to does just single TM. Any experience on TM vs traditional two-part?

 

[gabrieltackitt]

Please feel free to comment on the setup. I have or have ordered most of the equipment but always interested in advice. Especially on dosing since I really don't like the old manual controllers and would really like to use the newer wifi enabled and would love to does just single TM. Any experience on TM vs traditional two-part?

Unfortunately I hav very little experience with dosing, but with my build I am planning on going with @Aquaforest A+/B+/C+. The tropic Marin seems like it would be perfect for a smaller build, though. Only have one thing to worry about dosing and refilling instead of two.

 

[plankton]

Finally arrived. Spent the entire morning unboxing and assembling stand and setting up. Beautiful tank setup. I have an entire living room full of plumbing parts, pumps, lights, dosers, etc. Gunna be a fun week!

 

[plankton]

My current plan is to run two AI primes because I like the sleek look. However i have seen reefers with 2’ cubes run two Hydra 32s on a rail. I have no doubt they are getting better coverage but looks heavy.

Any opinions on spread or aesthetics ?

 

[plankton]

I’ve read the various ‘show me you stand and electronics’ threads and have changed my mind 10 times how I want my stand to look. The CEO doesn’t want any additional cabinets nor anything hanging on outside of stand so unfortunately everything must be contained in the stand.

My latest thought is just to place a single board (pained and sealed of course) vertically inside then Velcro or if necessary install mini shelf then Velcro down everything. I can place reservoir and ATO tank on botttom next to sump. I may install ADJ 8-switch across upper door jam. But otherwise everything will hang on inner wall.

Anyone else have any creative ways of organizing their APS stands?

 

[plankton]

Made tremendous progress this week. Tank is 3/4” full RO/DI and sump is nearly complete. Hardest parts were creating panels to mounts components and ADJ 8-outet switch. Done!
On Monday I should get my plumbing parts to finish plumbing sump and rest of RODI. Then gotta route wires so it makes sense and test.

 

[plankton]

Schedule 80 fittings came in today so spent two hours measuring, dry fitting, marking them gluing pieces together. My last tank I used flex hose so running hard pipe was very stressful but it’s al in. Water test tomorrow.

 

[btmedic04]

This build looks great! I really want a nuvo 25EXT to play around with now lol. As far as all for reef goes, Ive been using it for the past 18 or so months on my 40B, 20L and Nuvo 10 and it has been super stable and easy to use. It was getting a bit pricey with my 40B until i started making my own from the kit offered by BRS. Overall its great stuff for smaller tanks

 

[plankton]

This build looks great! I really want a nuvo 25EXT to play around with now lol. As far as all for reef goes, Ive been using it for the past 18 or so months on my 40B, 20L and Nuvo 10 and it has been super stable and easy to use. It was getting a bit pricey with my 40B until i started making my own from the kit offered by BRS. Overall its great stuff for smaller tanks

Awesome. I just ordered the 250ml All-for-reef for the 10G nano so that should be perfect. Yeah I will use balling method via three channel doser for the 25 since it’s much cheaper.

 

[plankton]

Salt, lighting and all wiring setup. Turned on skimmer cuz curve 5 are notoriously finicky. Will run skimmer elevated for awhile then slowly lower. Then tons of micro bubbles are no big deal on empty tank. LR is in tub and on week 1 so maybe another week then will put LR in to start tank cycle.

 

[btmedic04]

Awesome. I just ordered the 250ml All-for-reef for the 10G nano so that should be perfect. Yeah I will use balling method via three channel doser for the 25 since it’s much cheaper.

250ml should last you a good while on your 10 gallon. I'm currently dosing 1.4 ml to my nuvo 10 but there isnt a whole lot of corals in there yet. My 20 is getting 4ml and my 40 is getting 22ml per day.

Definitely pricey at about $36 for 1L of the premixed stuff, but much better at around $12 if I mix it myself. Still though I'm considering switching to ATI essentials pro for the 40 but I'm interested to see how the balling method works out for you as well

 

[plankton]

I’m at week one with tiny bit of ammonia and nothing else. Can’t wait for this to cycle so i can move some corals out of my 10g nano!

 

[plankton]

Finally replace black flex return line that was just awkward to handle with hard pipe. Now I can detach pump plugged into opposite end of bulk head super easy. Another semi stressful gluing job and you just know you are going to drip purple primer where everyone can see it!

 

[ISFNick]

Only constructive criticism I have is organize those cables! hahaha it'll make your life easier and reduce chances of water getting someplace it shouldn't be at

 

[plankton]

Only constructive criticism I have is organize those cables! hahaha it'll make your life easier and reduce chances of water getting someplace it shouldn't be at

Oh man you are so right. All black wires and I’ve already lost track of what is what. I started putting labels on key wires but still confusing. I’ve seen other people use wire cable guides? Any recommended videos on running wires in a sump?

PS today’s chemistry looking good cuz now I’ve got measurable nitrite.

 

[plankton]

Here’s what the LR scape looks like and what my poor 10G looks like staging all the SPS for the 25G lagoon. Been doing 10% water changes every three days to keep the corals happy.

 

[plankton]

A video of milli polyps swaying in the flow and acan pic

 

[plankton]

hmm, iphone video not playing. Let's try MP4