Steph's First Reef Tank! (IM Nuvo Fusion 20 gallon)

[Chrysantha]

Hi guys!

I super excited that I can finally say my tank is here! I took advantage of a bunch of different holiday sales to get me started, here's what I have got so far!

Tank: IM Nuvo Fusion 20 Gallon
Skimmer: IM Desktop Ghost Skimmer
ATO: IM Hydrofill ATO and pump
Sand: CaribSea Ocean Direct Original Grade
Pump: Sicce Syncra Silent 1.0
Lights: Current USA Marine IC Loop 24-36"
Powerhead: eFlux Loop Wave pump 660 GPH
Heater: Eheim Jager 75W
Accessories: DIY Chaeto Reactor made with Somatic Media Reactor and lights from Amazon
Rock: Dry Reef Rock from my LFS.

Hubby is going to be making me a tank stand, as we didn't really want to shell out the money for the aluminum stand, and wanted something that would have a shelf for some storage as well. Here is his design:

Next up is building that stand so I can start getting this thing wet!

 

[EriksOasis]

Sounds like you have a good plan of action. Can’t wait to see the build! As far as lighting goes do you plan on keeping corals?

 

[Chrysantha]

I do, but mostly softies and LPS.

 

[nickenayat]

IMO, the fuge basket in the back chamber of the IM tanks isn't very effective. I tried that and just had a lot of detritus build up and couldn't get the algae to grow right. Much better success with a small algae scrubber from Santa Monica Filtration. Looks like a great start tho!!

 

[Chrysantha]

Thanks for the info nickenayat, I have a reactor I got at RAP CA, I'm thinking I will turn that into an algae reactor to use instead of the fuge basket. Tank will be here next week, only thing holding me back from setting up is getting the stand actually built.

 

[Ghxst]

Did you buy the wood yet?

 

[Chrysantha]

Not yet, that's the task for this weekend (We've been doing upgrades in the living room so had to finish that first). Hopefully the stand will be done in the next couple weeks, as the tank gets here tomorrow!

 

[Chrysantha]

Guess what I got today?!?!?! (please excuse the toddler's play mats on the living room floor lol)

 

[Chrysantha]

New parts

 

[Petzrkidz2]

Following. I'm about to embark on setting up a nano, maybe IM 14 or 20 to take in 2 clowns, goby and shrimp from a tank being torn down. I'm researching now. Already have bonded clowns in my IM SR-80.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

New parts

Nice toys

 

[Chrysantha]

Nice toys

Thanks!

Following. I'm about to embark on setting up a nano, maybe IM 14 or 20 to take in 2 clowns, goby and shrimp from a tank being torn down. I'm researching now. Already have bonded clowns in my IM SR-80.

Awesome! I want a bigger tank eventually, but this will be a good starting point for me I think. Planning on water testing the tank this weekend and starting the stand soon! (Probably on Thanksgiving)

 

[Chrysantha]

Tank stand is almost done. Hopefully it will be done before the weekend is over (hubby is building it as I have to work this whole weekend [emoji45]). Guess I should order my rock!

 

[Chrysantha]

Ok! Stand is done, rock is here. Everything is ready to go! Just need to leak test and I should be able to get it wet before the weekend! I'm so excited.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Great job so far!

 

[Hi.Gene]

Following along, love those dimensions!

 

[Chrysantha]

Thanks guys! I'm very excited to share it, and to learn as I go.

 

[Chrysantha]

And we're wet! Woohoo! Once the tank clears I'll give you guys a better picture of my scape

 

[Chrysantha]

And now the cycling begins!

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Looks great! Have you plugged in the skimmer yet? is it noisy? looking to get one possibly.