Theelderfox's Lagoon 25

[Theelderfox2]

IM Nuvo Lagoon 25 ​

Hey everyone
Starting a new build thread for my Innovative Marine Nuvo Lagoon 25. I’ve kept reefs in the past (a 55g ~20 years ago and a nano about 7 years ago), and I’m excited to get back into the hobby with a more intentional, patient approach this time.


My goal with this tank is a Maldivian-inspired reef . Long-term, I’d like this system to be SPS-capable, but I’m in no rush.

Tank & Equipment​

• Tank: Innovative Marine Nuvo Lagoon 25
• Light: Kessil A360x, Ai Blade 12" grow
• Aquascape: Rock on glass, sand added later
• Rock:Previously used dry rock from an older nano
  • Bleached, rinsed thoroughly, and soaked in distilled water for ~1 month
• Sand: CaribSea Special Grade (20 lb)
• Return Pump: Hygger DC centrifugal pump (~396 GPH)
• Flow: Hygger cross flow gyre
• Filtration: Fuge rubble from successful reefer's tank, floss, 2x media caddies, activated carbon
• Heating:
  • Hygger 100W titanium heater w/ controller
  • Aquael 100W heater (redundancy)
  • Tank holding steady around 77.5°F
• Salinity: 35 ppt (Aquaforest reef salt)

Cycling Method​

I’m doing a fishless cycle using bottled bacteria and ammonia:

• Bacteria:
  • MicroBacter7 (initial dosing) (did not work very well would not reccomend)
  • MicroBacter START XLM (30 ml dosed) Worked
• Ammonia Source: Fritz ammonia (targeted ~2 ppm)

Current Parameters​

• pH: 8.0
• Phosphate: .01
• Nitrate: 15
• Alkalinity: 8.6-9.0
• Calcium: 480
• Magnesium: 1280

Pics to come....

 

[rayadog]

Welcome! Good luck with everything! Light shopping during the cycle is a fun giddy time!

 

[JoshH]

Congrats on your new tank! I had A360X's and L O V E D them. Also, Kessils customer service is second to none as far as I am concerned. Skip the dongle and get an actual wired controller though.

There are quite a few 25 Lagoons out there, probably one of the most popular tanks out now. Tons of build threads to give you inspiration and answer most of your questions.

Tagging along with you!

But yeah...... going to need some pics! It's what we live on

 

[Theelderfox2]

 

[Theelderfox2]

 

[Theelderfox2]

 

[Theelderfox2]

Okay!! Here we go!! Tank is all cycled. Did a 50% water change. Nitrates down to ~15. Thoughts on that? What do you run your tanks at? I wouldlove to know about similar tanks, no skimmer.

I added two clowns. I believe they are from sea and reef. 1 flurry clown (larger maybe 1 1/2”) and 1 main mocha (1”). Do these mochas get darker? I was told it would because right now it looks like a regular clown with just a touch more black around the fins.

Most importantly what are people feeding these little clowns? I have rods fish only blend. However I think it will add more waste than I would like. I’ve read tdo chroma boost but I don’t know what size to get. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Tahoe61]

I actually have to add nitrates and phosphates (Plus-NP) everyday to my IM 25 lagoon. The tank has been running with corals since Oct 25.
For Alk I use AFR, and change approximately 4 gallons a week, using Tropic Marine.
I add Ammonium Bicarbonate approximately 1 ml a day .5 ml at a time.

One clown and 3 yellow tail damsels that I feed heavily three times a day, both frozen and flake. I don't use Roids but I have and I really liked it.

I run a Bubble Magus Skimmer at night only, the skimmer is on a timer.

Tunze osmolator 3 for an ATO.

:-)

 

[Theelderfox2]

I actually have to add nitrates and phosphates (Plus-NP) everyday to my IM 25 lagoon. The tank has been running with corals since Oct 25.
For Alk I use AFR, and change approximately 4 gallons a week, using Tropic Marine.
I add Ammonium Bicarbonate approximately 1 ml a day .5 ml at a time.

One clown and 3 yellow tail damsels that I feed heavily three times a day, both frozen and flake. I don't use Roids but I have and I really liked it.

I run a Bubble Magus Skimmer at night only, the skimmer is on a timer.

Tunze osmolator 3 for an ATO.

:-)

It’s so interesting that you are only using your skimmer at night. I haven’t had a tank in a while. Back when I had my last tank it was like everyone said you must have a skimmer.. I’ll get one when my parameters tell me I need one this time around.

Also beautiful tank. I hope mine looks like yours soon

 

[Tahoe61]

It’s so interesting that you are only using your skimmer at night. I haven’t had a tank in a while. Back when I had my last tank it was like everyone said you must have a skimmer.. I’ll get one when my parameters tell me I need one this time around.

Also beautiful tank. I hope mine looks like yours soon

The skimmer produces a lot of skim mate. The only reason I don't run it 24/7 is the tank's nonexistent N/P values.

Thank you for the compliment. I did add sand recently. I tried the BB look for months, the tank just didn't look right.

 

[Theelderfox2]

Any body have any idea what this sore could be on this clown? I think maybe uronema marinum? What do you think

 

[Theelderfox2]

Well I guess I was right because it died.

 

[rayadog]

So sorry!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

So sorry about your loss! I would post about the fish loss over on fish disease to make sure it doesn't spread to everything else in your tank.

 

[Theelderfox2]

A few new additions. Some zoas, gsp, Duncan, and pocillipora. Kh was low so I’m trying to raise it with Aquaforest 3 in 1. Is there anyone out there who used that product before. Day 1 doses 4 ml, day 2 6 ml, day 3 8 ml. The kh raise from six to now 7.0 over that time period. How high should I raise it.

 

[rayadog]

Not sure about best place to keep KH but I would try to stay at 7 or above; in the 7-8 range at least. A handful of folks keep theirs higher but what you have (coral) so far is fine.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

A few new additions. Some zoas, gsp, Duncan, and pocillipora. Kh was low so I’m trying to raise it with Aquaforest 3 in 1. Is there anyone out there who used that product before. Day 1 doses 4 ml, day 2 6 ml, day 3 8 ml. The kh raise from six to now 7.0 over that time period. How high should I raise it.

I would try to keep your Alk above 8. I do like all of your new coral additions

 

[Tahoe61]

The sweet spot for my tank is 8.5 alk. I am seeing about .4 dkh consumption in 24/hrs.
I am using a very small amount of AFR to maintain that, roughly 5 ml every day manual dosing.

 

[Tahoe61]

A few new additions. Some zoas, gsp, Duncan, and pocillipora. Kh was low so I’m trying to raise it with Aquaforest 3 in 1. Is there anyone out there who used that product before. Day 1 doses 4 ml, day 2 6 ml, day 3 8 ml. The kh raise from six to now 7.0 over that time period. How high should I raise it.

You got some great looking Zoanthid.

 

[Theelderfox2]

You got some great looking Zoanthid.

Thanks