Hello,
been in the hobby for a while and never did a build thread, so i figured what the heck.
I've had a 60 gallon cube for quite some time and i have always had challenges when it comes to keeping the aesthetics to my wifes liking LOL. I had achaeto reactor and calcium reactor w/secondary chamber outside the tank and it's always been a Clutter night mare. So i figured, what the heck! I'll get a slightly bigger system with room to house all my gadgets, fish and coral.
Early last year i had just gotten over a fairly long bout of the dreaded Dinos and it wiped out most of my corals. Many Have bounced back, but my darn green stylo turned into a weed and spawned literally all over the tank. I had new little colonies popping up everywhere. I guess that's a testiment to how hardy those suckers really are. since then the 60cube has been flourishing but the aesthetics were wearing on both of us.
Enter the IM Nuvo 75 EXT: I Started this PIA transfer the morning after the tank was delivered and i knew it was not going to be fun. Although the 60 is a relatively small system, My back couldn't care less-LOL!!!!! A couple back surgeries later and there i was bending, stooping and lifting for almost 48 straight hours. I HAD to try and at least get it plummed and have the rerturn pump running, so i can transfer everything by Sunday night. Couldn't sleep Saturday night because all i could think about was what still needs to be done.
My overall opinion is the EXT 75 is a Beautiful tank and built like one too. Only thing i don't care for is that acrylic back in front of the back glass. i've found that can scratch up over time and be very difficult to clean. I guess as long as i can keep the sides and front clean i'll be good though. Funny story about the protective backing, but I will elaborate later and maybe someone else can benefit from my mistake. I've read mostly great reviews, but one story about bubbles in the seams stuck in my mind. My seams are perfect! I'm talking perfect.
Here's the old tank:
Above: started setting out the pieces for the stand. nice surprise was that they included two extra supports for the floor. So there's 4 now instead of two like the top. Not sure if they started that recently but i've seen a few build threads showing only the two.
almost done
Done. just left the protective tape on until i get everything set up
my garage is fairly big (two car), but lots of stuff strewn all over the place most important of which is that fat crate on the left by the garage door.
been in the hobby for a while and never did a build thread, so i figured what the heck.
I've had a 60 gallon cube for quite some time and i have always had challenges when it comes to keeping the aesthetics to my wifes liking LOL. I had achaeto reactor and calcium reactor w/secondary chamber outside the tank and it's always been a Clutter night mare. So i figured, what the heck! I'll get a slightly bigger system with room to house all my gadgets, fish and coral.
Early last year i had just gotten over a fairly long bout of the dreaded Dinos and it wiped out most of my corals. Many Have bounced back, but my darn green stylo turned into a weed and spawned literally all over the tank. I had new little colonies popping up everywhere. I guess that's a testiment to how hardy those suckers really are. since then the 60cube has been flourishing but the aesthetics were wearing on both of us.
Enter the IM Nuvo 75 EXT: I Started this PIA transfer the morning after the tank was delivered and i knew it was not going to be fun. Although the 60 is a relatively small system, My back couldn't care less-LOL!!!!! A couple back surgeries later and there i was bending, stooping and lifting for almost 48 straight hours. I HAD to try and at least get it plummed and have the rerturn pump running, so i can transfer everything by Sunday night. Couldn't sleep Saturday night because all i could think about was what still needs to be done.
My overall opinion is the EXT 75 is a Beautiful tank and built like one too. Only thing i don't care for is that acrylic back in front of the back glass. i've found that can scratch up over time and be very difficult to clean. I guess as long as i can keep the sides and front clean i'll be good though. Funny story about the protective backing, but I will elaborate later and maybe someone else can benefit from my mistake. I've read mostly great reviews, but one story about bubbles in the seams stuck in my mind. My seams are perfect! I'm talking perfect.
Here's the old tank:
Above: started setting out the pieces for the stand. nice surprise was that they included two extra supports for the floor. So there's 4 now instead of two like the top. Not sure if they started that recently but i've seen a few build threads showing only the two.
almost done
Done. just left the protective tape on until i get everything set up
my garage is fairly big (two car), but lots of stuff strewn all over the place most important of which is that fat crate on the left by the garage door.