Tristan’s NUVO 150 Build

[925Reefer]

Well... today I ordered an Innovative Marine NUVO 150 INT

Originally I wanted a Red Sea 425 but after reading lots of reviews and hearing the horror stories people were having I decided against it. After tons and tons of research I decided to go with IM because they’re having a sale atm and they use an aluminum stand. I also like the wider dimensions of the tank and didn’t mind it it being 20” tall. Maybe it will make maintenance a little easier.

lighting:
I’ve decided to go with AI hydra 32’s simply because of the price. Also I already have one and really like how easy it is to use.

Equipment:
Apex Controller
2 EcoTech MP40qd
1 IceCap Gyre
EcoTech Vectra M1 return pump (2000gph)
EcoTech battery back up
Reef octopus Regal 150ss
Tunze ATO
All this Inside a Bashsea smart series sump 30x18x16 with matching red/grey plumbing

Aquascape:
I plan to use the caribsea life rock and have lots of arches and swim throughs/caves but leave a lot of swimming room and room for islands in the front and sides. I used the life rock on the last tank and liked it because of how easy it was to scape with although it is a bit more expensive.

Livestock:
I am definitely going to QT anything going into the tank I had an ich problem right off the bat last time and will never make the mistake again. I would like to have a variety of l slightly ess aggressive fish, some blue/green chromis, bangaii cardinals, gobys, Anthias, A pair of Picasso clowns, a few wrasses and then of course some tangs to finish it all off. Maybe a tomini or white tail kole tang, powder brown or blue hippo, and then something expensive later on like a purple or gem tang. The tang gang would be added last and all at once so the playing grounds are even.

Corals:
I plan to do a mixed reef with lots of Hammers, Torches, and Acans. With other LPS and softies. Then easy sps like birds nest or something eventually on the top of things

This is just what I have thought of so far I’m sure plans will change because they always do, but I’m really looking forward to sharing along the way.
Thanks!


Tank came in

wish they offered an overflow cover to stop jumpers

Sump arrived shortly after
Everything about this sump looks super clean will be swapping out the socks for media cups and only using 2 of the 3

Got most of my equipment together

 

[925Reefer]

So here’s some pointless backgroundA few years ago I bought a 6 foot long 180 bow front and only had it up for a few months before having to move and get rid of it. So I ended up with this tank a year or so later getting back into the hobby and went back to my South American cichlids with driftwood scape and have had it ever since. Here is it now


Still Reef tanks have always caught my eye but I have always been scared to do one because I never did the actual research to find out it’s not all that scary. I moved into a new place beginning of this year and found a really good deal on a used SCA 50 gal cube with trigger sump and pulled the trigger on my reef tank. I dove into research and really took my time to set it up, It was beautiful and I fell in live with it for the short 6 months it was running before lovely CA heatwave and PGE cut my power and came home to a hideous slimy cooked tank. I foolishly made the mistake of using old sand and a small piece of rock from the previous owner that started me off with an algae problem but I still had coral growth which made me feel like I was doing something right.

 

[925Reefer]

More pics

 

[Rp8]

Congrats on the new tank, look forward to the build!

 

[925Reefer]

Congrats on the new tank, look forward to the build!

Thanks! super excited about it and posting more

 

[925Reefer]

Anyone have a bigger Innovative marine tank they can share pics of?

 

[Wspangler]

I have a 150.

 

[925Reefer]

I have a 150.

I came across your build thread a few days ago it looks really good. How do you like the tank so far?

 

[Wspangler]

I came across your build thread a few days ago it looks really good. How do you like the tank so far?

Thank you. I love the tank so far. I've had a couple of similar sized tanks on the past and so far this is my favorite.

In my own head I had looked at IM as a lesser quality build and was a little reluctant to make a such a large purchase from them. After reading a bunch of other peoples experiences it seemed the main issue people had were getting the smaller tanks delivered in one peice. I was off on the build quality. Its built really well. The silicone work is nearly perfect.


Ideally I'd prefer an external overflow to give back that area in the tank, but wasnt a dealbreaker for me. I cant really think of anything else I'd change about the tank.

 

[jp1986]

Love the Nuvo 150! Have one as well.

 

[925Reefer]

Love the Nuvo 150! Have one as well.

That floating Canopy looks so good

 

[925Reefer]

Got a call from the delivery company last night, tank is supposed to be here this afternoon!!

 

[925Reefer]

Tank just came in and it looks great no damage so far but I haven’t taken the crate fully apart. It’s going to be in the garage until I get the other tank taken down and sold, I also don’t plan to have water in this until at least January. With my work schedule I won’t be able to maintain a tank during the next few months but I will continue to get equipment and Eventually start my qt up.

 

[jp1986]

Exciting! Good to have time plan how you want to do things and to get the equipment you want.

 

[OREGONIC]

I just setup the INT112. Love the tank, debated between the 112 and 150 for a while. You will love the tank. Following along for your build.

 

[925Reefer]

I just setup the INT112. Love the tank, debated between the 112 and 150 for a while. You will love the tank. Following along for your build.

Thanks for following along! I also went back and fourth with the 100 because it’s very similar to my 120, but went with the 150 because I liked how wide it was. Now my issue is lighting is gonna be pricey. I’m hoping I will be ok with 2 hydra 32’s but realistically I don’t think it will be enough

 

[OREGONIC]

Thanks for following along! I also went back and fourth with the 100 because it’s very similar to my 120, but went with the 150 because I liked how wide it was. Now my issue is lighting is gonna be pricey. I’m hoping I will be ok with 2 hydra 32’s but realistically I don’t think it will be enough

yea lighting was part of why I went with the 112. Im actually very happy with the lighting setup I went with. The par levels are perfect for my goal. I have a centerpiece to my scape I made out of branchrock that will be heavy sps, and some accent rocks around the outskirts that will be for my lps. I went with a Kessil AP9X over the centerpiece and 2 Orphek OR3 strip lights for supplemental. I get 275-400ish par over the centerpiece and 90-200 in the outskirts. The OR3 strip lights do really well par wise. I probably would have needed 2 Kessils if I went with the 150. Im sure you could add a few strip lights to the hydras and be ok.

 

[925Reefer]

Ordered the sump today, I decided to go with the red/grey bashsea smart series 30x18 I found it on sale for just under $50 cheaper than anywhere else so i decided to pull the trigger on that. I'll be taking a trip to Aquatic Collection on Friday to pick up the things i need for plumbing, (probably the nicest LFS in my area) they have all the colored pvc, fittings, and things you need especially when it comes to dry goods. Though it is about 40 minutes away it is worth the drive for me.

 

[925Reefer]

yea lighting was part of why I went with the 112. Im actually very happy with the lighting setup I went with. The par levels are perfect for my goal. I have a centerpiece to my scape I made out of branchrock that will be heavy sps, and some accent rocks around the outskirts that will be for my lps. I went with a Kessil AP9X over the centerpiece and 2 Orphek OR3 strip lights for supplemental. I get 275-400ish par over the centerpiece and 90-200 in the outskirts. The OR3 strip lights do really well par wise. I probably would have needed 2 Kessils if I went with the 150. Im sure you could add a few strip lights to the hydras and be ok.

I was actually just checking out your build thread. I really like the purple pvc you did and thought about doing it but couldn't find the purple trigger sump and wanted that to match. Thinking about it now though the grey and white bashsea sump might have gone well with it lol oh well.

 

[OREGONIC]

I was actually just checking out your build thread. I really like the purple pvc you did and thought about doing it but couldn't find the purple trigger sump and wanted that to match. Thinking about it now though the grey and white bashsea sump might have gone well with it lol oh well.

Hahaha, I love colored plumbing. Red plumbing with grey schedule 80 fittings would look good with your red and grey sump.