Take 2: First Reef Tank - IM 75 INT Reef

KyleW22 · Jan 27, 2025

Getting a late start on this build thread, but better late than never!

If anyone saw my prior build thread, we set up a Waterbox 60.2, got it filled and then drained it to upgrade. We kept our eyes out for a bit before finding the right tank - an Innovative Marine 75INT very lightly used not far from us. We picked it up and started planning the build.

Equipment:
Tank: Innovative Marine 75 INT
Skimmer: Reef Octopus Regal 150SSS
Light: Single Nicrew Gen 2 200w with controller
Return Pump: Mighty Jet (came with tank)
Controller: Hydros X4 Pro Pack
Powerheads: 2 AI Nero 5s
ATO Reservoir: IM Hydrofill 15 gallon

Stocking List:
Sand: CaribSea Special Grade
Rock: CaribSea life rock

So far we are a few weeks past the cycle and have two Gladiator clownfish along with a Midas blenny currently in quarantine. We have 4 Trochus snails, 3 turbos and a ton of copepods - more snails coming soon. We did go a little crazy on coral, so hitting the brakes and letting the tank go for a bit before adding anything else. So far we have a few small zoas, rose hammer, hologram hammer, octospawn, branching GSP, 2 small favias and 3 rainbow bubble tip anemones (got those on a trade - was not looking to add them so quickly but couldn’t resist).

Here are some pics of how it currently sits. We had some algae pop up this week so think we are getting into the ugly phase now, another reason for not adding more fish or coral for a bit. If anyone has any thoughts on type of algae we are getting we’d love to know. Thanks for reading and following along!

*GAREEF* · Jan 28, 2025

KyleW22 said:
Getting a late start on this build thread, but better late than never!

If anyone saw my prior build thread, we set up a Waterbox 60.2, got it filled and then drained it to upgrade. We kept our eyes out for a bit before finding the right tank - an Innovative Marine 75INT very lightly used not far from us. We picked it up and started planning the build.

Equipment:
Tank: Innovative Marine 75 INT
Skimmer: Reef Octopus Regal 150SSS
Light: Single Nicrew Gen 2 200w with controller
Return Pump: Mighty Jet (came with tank)
Controller: Hydros X4 Pro Pack
Powerheads: 2 AI Nero 5s
ATO Reservoir: IM Hydrofill 15 gallon

Stocking List:
Sand: CaribSea Special Grade
Rock: CaribSea life rock

So far we are a few weeks past the cycle and have two Gladiator clownfish along with a Midas blenny currently in quarantine. We have 4 Trochus snails, 3 turbos and a ton of copepods - more snails coming soon. We did go a little crazy on coral, so hitting the brakes and letting the tank go for a bit before adding anything else. So far we have a few small zoas, rose hammer, hologram hammer, octospawn, branching GSP, 2 small favias and 3 rainbow bubble tip anemones (got those on a trade - was not looking to add them so quickly but couldn’t resist).

Here are some pics of how it currently sits. We had some algae pop up this week so think we are getting into the ugly phase now, another reason for not adding more fish or coral for a bit. If anyone has any thoughts on type of algae we are getting we’d love to know. Thanks for reading and following along!

Looking good! Can’t wait to see the gladiator clowns.

KyleW22 · Jan 28, 2025

Here’s a pic of the clowns!

Also, here is a picture of the par readings with the Nicrew. I was hesitant to use a single light at first, but I’m very impressed with the pretty even coverage across the tank. Note, this is with lights at about 60% max.

Devaji · Jan 28, 2025

IM tanks are great!

KyleW22 · 2025-03-17T09:52:55-0400

Back for an update!

Tank is doing well and we have been letting it coast. Our Midas blenny is in the display and has a ton of personality - we read they like to hide for a while, but thankfully he opened up to us quickly and hangs out on top of the rocks most of the day. Clownfish are still doing good. Everything seems to be thriving on TDO Chromaboost pellets along with some brine/mysis frozen food once a week or so. We also added a lot more clean up crew from reef cleaners including a conch, as well as about a gallon of copepods from Dinkins.

As far as coral, everything is still doing good minus the branching GSP that we lost. We attended Reefapalooza in Texas yesterday and picked up two torches, an acan, a Duncan and a leather.

So far, our parameters have stayed pretty consistent until we had a phosphate spike last week (up to .12) and our nitrates dropped to near 0. We dosed some Neonitro and everything seemed to balance back out. Today is test day so I’ll post parameters later. I can say our alkalinity seems to run low, around 6.5. I started dosing alkalinity and have slowly brought it up - so far everything seems to be happy though so I’m going to take it slow.