IM FUSION 20 REVIEW - VIDEO

[jbb]

Tank has been up for One Week

[jbb]

Video up

[ninjamyst]

thanks for the video! tank looks great with some very colorful coral. but that mesh top....so useless with those big gaps....

[jbb]

thanks for the video! tank looks great with some very colorful coral. but that mesh top....so useless with those big gaps....

 

Thanks.

 

 

I can see where some would have issues with it, but for what I'm doing with this one it should be ok for me.

[TigerLily]

Top looks so much better with the black. The gaps do worry me though. If I fail at putting my own screen top together (I don't DIY much but I have the supplies ready ), I'm going to just paint the current one like you did.

[LarryC]

Did the new media baskets help prevent the water accumulation on the sponges?

[jbb]

I didn't go with pre-made media baskets. I used magnets and eggcrate and made my own shelf for a felt pad.

[LarryC]

Good idea!

 

I purchased both the InTank and CustomCaddy and still have the overflow problem. Upgrading the pump didn't solve the problem.

 

I'll have to try something similar to yours.

 

Thanks.

[BoxKing]

You may want to take notice that it appears that you have too much water in your sump chambers; by what could be in excess of 1-2 gallons. This changes the gravitational (natural flow) stream, and also creates less surface skimming. I'd even out your water line to be almost equal to the inner chamber walls, so that there is a slight water fall affect. By doing so you will see a few things happen: 1. your DT water line will drop slightly from its current line. 2. You should see better surface agitation that promotes better skimming. 3. Media baskets will function "better" just from a visual perspective. 4. This will aid you in adding a skimmer in the future.. with the water line being to high, it would not allow you to hide a skimmer, not only that, the fluctuating water line would throw off a skimmer to frequently for you to get a consistent skim.

 

To each there own though!

For a new setup... your tank, is looking really good!!!

[DaveDe]

I've been eyeing up the nuvo 20 fusion as well so this was helpful. Nuvo makes glass tops for most of their other models I wonder why mesh for this one? Do they make glass tops for these - anyone know? I'll have to look around.

[zooman72]

Easy enough to just get one cut for you from a glass shop - that is what I did with both of my new IM tanks, both the 10 and the 20. Really cuts down on evaporation too...

[jbb]

You may want to take notice that it appears that you have too much water in your sump chambers; by what could be in excess of 1-2 gallons. This changes the gravitational (natural flow) stream, and also creates less surface skimming. I'd even out your water line to be almost equal to the inner chamber walls, so that there is a slight water fall affect. By doing so you will see a few things happen: 1. your DT water line will drop slightly from its current line. 2. You should see better surface agitation that promotes better skimming. 3. Media baskets will function "better" just from a visual perspective. 4. This will aid you in adding a skimmer in the future.. with the water line being to high, it would not allow you to hide a skimmer, not only that, the fluctuating water line would throw off a skimmer to frequently for you to get a consistent skim.

 

To each there own though!

For a new setup... your tank, is looking really good!!!

If i take out a gallon of water then i have microbubbles everywhere. The water level is at the lowest point (approx 1" below the baffle) allowed to prevent bubbles.

 

Also, the skimmer section stays at a preset height that is determined by the baffle on the second chamber.

 

It is my opinion that the stock media baskets are too narrow the handle the amount of flow provided by the return pump. There is a small lip just inside of the overflow that the baskets must sit below for them to catch water. Due to the amount of flow the baskets quickly fill with water and then begin overflowing . My diy media shelf catches 100% of the water and performs better imo.

[BoxKing]

If you refer to your video above (last 20 sec or so), you will see what I am talking about. Its clear that your water level is in fact too high, for its not even water-falling into your overflow chambers as it should. The level in the video shows it as high as your return pump outlets- actually even higher than that. Its my understanding that the level in the video is not conducive for correct water flow, hence why your water line in the second chamber that was designed for a skimmer, would not be able to hold a constant water level.

There are two inner walls on either side of the tank, and the water should be even, or just barely trickle over the two inner walls that make up the center sump chamber. If the water level gets lower in the center chamber, the two to the left/right will remain constant, and not the way you described it (trust me).

 

With regards to your micro-bubbles- you need to find out where they are coming from then take care it from there... yes if your center chamber gets too low, then you will get bubbles from the excessive drop from the water line itself, and because you wont have enough water to keep the pump going. Make sure all of your tubing is connected properly and securely. After setting the water line at the proper height, take a flashlight and take a look at the rear chambers to see where the bubbles are developing prior to being sucked into your RP. I had the same issue when starting my IM16.. I could see where the swirls were being created and I eliminated them.

 

You will be much happier with the way the stock media baskets work when you adjust the above, but thats not to say that upgrading isnt something that I promote since I have upgraded mine... I got the IM upgrades.. should have purchased In-Tank's if I was smarter.. though both upgrades just mentioned IMO still have the major flaw with water overflowing on the sides, and to the rear.. I add a small piece of floss that sticks just above the back lip, to catch any overflowing junk. Currently I work with an acrylic company through my business and they have a very big interest in designing a prototype that I designed that will eliminate all of the media basket issues- with a successful design, they will be making hundreds of these for our market, and for multiple setups.

[jbb]

If you refer to your video above (last 20 sec or so), you will see what I am talking about. Its clear that your water level is in fact too high, for its not even water-falling into your overflow chambers as it should. The level in the video shows it as high as your return pump outlets- actually even higher than that. Its my understanding that the level in the video is not conducive for correct water flow, hence why your water line in the second chamber that was designed for a skimmer, would not be able to hold a constant water level.

There are two inner walls on either side of the tank, and the water should be even, or just barely trickle over the two inner walls that make up the center sump chamber. If the water level gets lower in the center chamber, the two to the left/right will remain constant, and not the way you described it (trust me).

 

With regards to your micro-bubbles- you need to find out where they are coming from then take care it from there... yes if your center chamber gets too low, then you will get bubbles from the excessive drop from the water line itself, and because you wont have enough water to keep the pump going. Make sure all of your tubing is connected properly and securely. After setting the water line at the proper height, take a flashlight and take a look at the rear chambers to see where the bubbles are developing prior to being sucked into your RP. I had the same issue when starting my IM16.. I could see where the swirls were being created and I eliminated them.

 

You will be much happier with the way the stock media baskets work when you adjust the above, but thats not to say that upgrading isnt something that I promote since I have upgraded mine... I got the IM upgrades.. should have purchased In-Tank's if I was smarter.. though both upgrades just mentioned IMO still have the major flaw with water overflowing on the sides, and to the rear.. I add a small piece of floss that sticks just above the back lip, to catch any overflowing junk. Currently I work with an acrylic company through my business and they have a very big interest in designing a prototype that I designed that will eliminate all of the media basket issues- with a successful design, they will be making hundreds of these for our market, and for multiple setups.

 

Oh ! The last bit of the video the pump was off so the water level did raise in the back. As it is currently set up the center chambe is about 1" lower than the final set of baffles.

 

Sorry for the confusion there.

[BoxKing]

Ha.. that clears it up... I knew there had to be something "fishy" going on there to have your rear sump level so high, and then in the beginning of the video it was roughly an inch below the glass line in your display.

Non the less... very nice looking setup!