shawnriv Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Hi Everyone, I wanted to upload my first build and would appreciate feedback along the way. I recently purchased an Innovative Marine Nuvo 38 used tank. The tank itself was an absolute mess and definitely needed some TLC. I took it home and purchased four gallons of white vinegar and mixed it with tap water for 24 hours. I was impressed how well I managed getting the system clean. The previous owner also sold me the Innovative Marine Minimax Reactor and a Vortech MP10 as well. Here are a couple pictures of the unit the night I purchased it. The first two photos is with the vinegar and tap water: And here are the new pictures after I scrubbed it down cleaned every nook and cranny: I also purchased a Kessil A360W with the gooseneck and a Hydor Slim Skim Nano: I will be updating forum with any changes to my new tank. Please feel free to comment on this forum and I hope everyone enjoys! Thanks! Link to comment
Oceanus Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Looks great! You'll love the tank, the Nuvo's are nicely built and very appealing aesthetically imo. Good equipment choices aswell! Amazing how easy coralline comes off with vinegar isn't it? Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 Looks great! You'll love the tank, the Nuvo's are nicely built and very appealing aesthetically imo. Good equipment choices aswell! Amazing how easy coralline comes off with vinegar isn't it? Thanks for the feedback. I read some great reviews about the Kessil A360W so I figured I'd give it a try. I was very surprised how well the coraline came off. Although there was a heavy build up of hair type algae on the return nozzles that took some elbow grease. I just filled up the tank and now cycling it; I'll be updating the build later this evening. Stay tuned! Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 I received all my supplies from Dr. Foster & Smith (minus the BRS reef saver rock) yesterday evening and set the tank up last night. I am cycling the tank with Instant Ocean's Bio-Spira with Dr. Tim's Ammonia. The instructions say to add one drop per gallon (so of course I added 38) for the initial set up. Here are some photos during the build: 200G Instant Ocean Salt: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/B600C63F-CD0A-46F4-8FA5-22D3C11E645A_zpsz9n1g4w3.jpg.html'> Dr. Foster & Smith Box: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/0E1CA3D1-EBC7-480E-8765-04FB958AA80F_zpsqz5aln9t.jpg.html'> 40lbs of BRS Reef Saver Rock: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/80569414-AEF4-4788-A979-7C150F83359F_zpsbdvdplej.jpg.html'> Caribsea Fiji Pink Sand: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/BBDC84C3-4CD3-4F6C-8C41-0E4E47037D34_zpsgkbyh2dj.jpg.html'> Dr. Tim's Ammonia: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/A6FCE398-3AB0-4FB4-B5BE-73A7A8E2D3DF_zps15slgo1t.jpg.html'> Instant Ocean Bio-Spira: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/832FE46E-7DA2-4544-A260-7084B9D9AC97_zpsy4rihpz4.jpg.html'> It just felt right: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/4EBFF86E-945F-4F42-921C-B4F8FBCD3E74_zps8gqvvlie.jpg.html'> Sand added to tank: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/94C1B7ED-7C49-4917-857C-F4BB785AE143_zpsl6dngs9h.jpg.html'> Aquascaping: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/6EA5E101-73FC-41B6-A805-1D52D88F5343_zpslsl6xtl7.jpg.html'> RO/DI and Salt added: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/8E65DFF1-2652-4CDD-8BCC-A1679E2EE198_zpstxgchdjv.jpg.html'> Link to comment
Oceanus Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I really like the aquascape. Are you getting that foamy stuff in your back chambers? I used the same sand and had a helluva time trying to get that foam to disappear. Plans for corals? fish? Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 I really like the aquascape. Are you getting that foamy stuff in your back chambers? I used the same sand and had a helluva time trying to get that foam to disappear. Plans for corals? fish? Thanks! And no foamy stuff at all. I ended up washing out the live sand with RODI water before adding it to my tank. I read a lot of reviews online where people stated they had a hell of a time removing the gunk from their tanks that came out of the sand. Here is a picture of the tank this morning. It cleared up really nice: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/5C6DED2B-9B15-4F48-B158-49D515F83AF0_zps6tjehvau.jpg.html'> Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Results after 24 hours of using the Bio-Spira and Ammonia. Ammonia level isn't high but nitrite is very much so. According to Dr. Tim, he recommends only adding more ammonia if both ammonia and nitrite are zero. I will check the levels again after another 24 hours. http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/8A163CC3-315B-468D-B4B3-DF05306B8507_zps7xqodeic.jpg.html'> Link to comment
pschom Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Nice! Kessil is awesome. You give up controllability, but I really like the spectrum. I'll be using kessil on my next build. Impressive how the vinegar worked. Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Nice! Kessil is awesome. You give up controllability, but I really like the spectrum. I'll be using kessil on my next build. Impressive how the vinegar worked. Thanks! I'm really excited about using the Kessil A360W. I've heard nothing but good things. I'm just anxiously waiting for my water parameters (ammonia and nitrite) to come down to zero so I can begin adding fish and coral. Link to comment
Smithjm5 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Looking great so far man! That tank cleaned up really well! Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Looking great so far man! That tank cleaned up really well! Thanks! I'm still trying to figure out why my nitrates remain high. I have a bad feeling the Bio-Spira is not working. Link to comment
Oceanus Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Nitrates or nitrites? If it's nitrates they will remain high until you do a water change, anaerobic bacteria starts growing, or you add chaeto... If it's nitrites give it some time, and if it still is high in a couple of days the Bio Spira may not have worked... Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Nitrates or nitrites? If it's nitrates they will remain high until you do a water change, anaerobic bacteria starts growing, or you add chaeto... If it's nitrites give it some time, and if it still is high in a couple of days the Bio Spira may not have worked... It's the nitrites. I'll see what happens in a couple days. If they remain high, maybe I'll just pick up a bottle of Dr. Tim's One and Only. Link to comment
Smithjm5 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Exactly what oceanus said, if you meant to say nitrates they won't go down until you do a water change. Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Just to give you everyone an update, I checked my nitrite levels tonight (48 hours after adding the cycling additive) and it looks as if it's decreasing. I really hope this continues so I can add more of the Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride. The instructions say to add one drop per gallon once the ammonia and nitrite are zero. http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/16F2014E-3531-4F37-B0D0-2FC0484321A0_zpsw39ggze4.jpg.html'> Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Update (72 hours after adding cycling additive): Nitrite seems to continue decreasing; it looks like it's reading around .25ppm. I am hoping tomorrow I should have almost zero nitrite. At this time, I will be adding more of the Dr. Tim's Ammonia Chloride. http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/63D0EDC4-809C-454D-9DE5-B6D054FA107B_zpspoqkhige.jpg.html'> Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 just checked my nitrite parameter again tonight, and it looks like it's finally zero. Yes! Lol. I also just added another 38 drops (one per gallon) of the ammonia chloride and I need to check tomorrow; hopefully the ammonia and nitrate will both be at zero. Fingers crossed! http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/4125DE9A-4203-4915-9853-BE639F58F58D_zps5mnhkn5k.jpg.html'> http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/421174D8-FB26-4F73-BD88-5B42FE8287BA_zpsahzas6ib.jpg.html'> Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Arrived home from work today and look what was waiting for me! Bulk Reef Supply shipment: BRS loves their popcorn shipping material: BRS Large Particle Carbon: BRS GFO: Innovative Marine Minimax Replacement Sponges: Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 I believe my tank is fully cycled. This is the second time my ammonia and nitrite are zero (you'll see in my previous posts) and I believe I'm ready to add fish. The only strange this is the nitrite test makes the liquid look almost clear with a tint of blue. It's not quite as dark as the 0 ppm reading as shown on the test kit. What do you guys think? http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/CDFA4DA3-69BB-4882-994F-050DC35AC0B0_zpssakd2t5b.jpg.html'> Link to comment
shawnriv Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 So I have officially added coral to my tank. Here are two pictures, the first is when I first acclimated a hammer coral...and the second is after twenty minutes. http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/7A432041-91DF-4CE5-B097-C3CF91DAC996_zpsxnnlyxgs.jpg.html'> http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/D0D10C0F-8AA1-4706-96D6-ECEFD382DC07_zpszy6j7ep8.jpg.html'> Link to comment
shawnriv Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 Hey Everyone! I apologize for MIA these last couple weeks. So we've had a couple new changes and additions to my 38G Nuvo. Thankfully all my corals survived the malfunctioning heater that reached up to 92 degrees. I have also turned on my protein skimmer and filled my media reactor with the Bulk Reef Supply GFO. Here are the updates made to the tank: Clean-Up Crew Added! I love these Nassarius snails because they make me think of zombies that come up from the sand whenever it's feeding time. Red Sea Pulsating Xenia Coral: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/98133E83-648F-42AF-A772-55021509F69D_zpsfgesvmco.jpg.html'> More pictures to come! Link to comment
Angeles Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I like it! Keep an eye on your corals, because it seemed like an oven in there with the malfunctioning heater! Link to comment
shawnriv Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share Posted August 11, 2014 Another Update: So I purchased two True Percula Clowns and they have been in quarantine for two weeks. I have been using Paraguard daily and they are both fat and happy. I have also added a purple frogspawn coral. This coral is awesome since it's purple but has a bright green in the inside. Here are some pictures! True Percula Clowns in QT: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/912CD2E0-7830-44F9-873C-33792257A9E2_zps5dbgjufs.jpg.html'> http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/7CE6237A-EC1B-4456-B536-ACEF7C65CB51_zpsswur3nyh.jpg.html'> Purple Frogspawn: http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/1D43BBBA-FF40-45DE-A385-2CBDC7DA6F41_zpspyimy2op.jpg.html'> http://s112.photobucket.com/user/shawnriv/media/406FD40C-947E-404C-A558-D533921CE814_zpsu09izdts.jpg.html'> Link to comment
shawnriv Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 Hey Everyone, I wanted to apologize for being MIA with my build but...I have been constantly working on it. Instead of a picture, here is a video: Link to comment
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