Ready to get the IM 25 Lagoon filled...

[DWill]

I have the new IM 25 Lagoon ready for water. I need to mix water for it.

Will it be okay if I put the set the scape up, put the sand in, fill it with RODI and mix the salt in the tank and sump using the MP10 and return pump with RFG? Is there any reason I shouldn't do that?

I can only mix 20 gallons of water at a time, it would make my life a lot easier if I could just fill it with RODI and mix the salt in the system.

Thanks for your help...

 

[HuduVudu]

I would put the scape in after you get water in. It will be easier to maneuver around. As to mixing salt when the water is in ... doesn't everyone do it that way?

 

[Chrisfish]

I am currently cycling the same tank, I mixed my RO/DI water with salt and added to the tank but I have read lots of threads where it is done as your wanting to do, I’ll admit it’s would be a lot easier doing it your way

 

[Reef.]

Yeah I mixed mine in the tank.

A tip, keep a track of how much water you add, with rock displacement etc it’ll be less than 25g, useful to know.

 

[DWill]

Yeah I mixed mine in the tank.

A tip, keep a track of how much water you add, with rock displacement etc it’ll be less than 25g, useful to know.

I know, I plan to keep track of the amount of water going in. I calculated about 37 gallons with the 20-gallon sump at 7.5 inches deep for the skimmer. I likely won't run the skimmer until the cycle is nearly complete though.

 

[DWill]

Finally ! The cycle has begun, day one!

Mixed HW Marinemix salt into 33 gallons of RODI in the system Wednesday added the scape yesterday. Let it clear up overnight.

This morning I added a bottle of Dr. Tim’s One And Only and dosed Ammonium Chloride to start the cycle. I took the skimmer out of the sump while the tank cycles. I’ll put it back on and start it up when I start to move things over from the 10 gallon reef.

After letting the tank run since Wednesday there’s a couple things I want/need to change. First the return pump. I finally found a IM mid-size Mighty Jet. I love the smaller Mighty Jet in my IM Nuvo 10. It’s dead quiet. So though I’d use its big brother in the set up.

Well, it’s great pump but it rattles and the flow varies. After talking with IM yesterday it turns out this pump isn’t really up to this application. Even though the specs say it’s good for up to 8’ of head pressure… not so much. So the search for a better return pump begins. I have a Jaebao but it makes a annoying whine. I’ll likely end up biting the bullet and spending the money on a Ecotech pump. Even though my MP10 Quiet Drive isn’t exactly quiet if it’s anywhere above 10%. But I’m told it will quiet down as it breaks in.

I also need to find (or borrow) a used ATO. My plan was to top off manually during the cycle then install the Tunze ATO when I take down the 10 gallon. But… this tank evaporates water pretty quickly and I’m already tired of manual top offs.

I’m also going to add just a little more sand today.

theres a little more info on my build thread.

Heres a few pics of the progress on the build.

 

[DWill]

I posted a updat to my build thread here…

Build Thread - IM Lagoon 25 EXT Build

All plumbed and ready for water. Tomorrow I’ll mount I mount pump control and maybe the MP10 driver. Can’t do too much with the controllers until A: the 10 gallon comes down so I can grab the temp controller from it and B: I decide which controller I’m buying; GHL Apex. I’ll likely just run...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[DWill]

Please go take a quick look at my latest post on my build thread. I could use a little advice.

Thank you .

 

[DWill]

Posted a new update on IM 25 Lagoon Ext over at the build thread…

Build Thread - IM Lagoon 25 EXT Build

Dang, looking good so far. I‘m digging the rock work. I agree that while the MP can go anywhere, the side is better for across tank movement. However, the benefit of the MP is that you can always very easily move it down the road, even if you tie the cable down eventually. So if you find that...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[DWill]

Short update on my build thread today. More to cm in the next few days.
Thanks for taking the time to read my thread. As always any comments or suggestions are welcome.

Build Thread - IM Lagoon 25 EXT Build

Dang, looking good so far. I‘m digging the rock work. I agree that while the MP can go anywhere, the side is better for across tank movement. However, the benefit of the MP is that you can always very easily move it down the road, even if you tie the cable down eventually. So if you find that...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[DWill]

Posted a short update on the IM 25 Lagoon build. Thanks for hanging out and for reading and commenting on my build thread.

The update is here …

Build Thread - IM Lagoon 25 EXT Build

Picked up a practically new IM 25 Lagoon Ext and Fiji Cube 20 sump Sunday. set It up on the garage to get all he plumbing in, clean it up and leak test it. Ran over night Sunday night and got it all cleaned up today. spent time today trying to find shelf rock locally here in San Diego today...

www.reef2reef.com