dcbaros Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Hello all. I am starting my 20 Gallon Nuvo build. This is my second venture into the hobby and I want to do it right this time. I have some stuff left over from my previous pico build. Currently have: Tank: 20 Gallon Nuvo Light: Ecotech Marine Radion XR15w Controller: DA RKL with ph, temp and ATO and Reeflink 2 intank upgraded baskets Stand from Ashley outlet Aquatic Life RO filter Powerhead: Single MP10 (Is this enough?) Have yet to buy: IM Aqua-gadget protein skimmer IM minimax reactor Cobalt Aquatics 100w heater Desired stock: 2 Clowns Mandarin (If I can find one that will eat frozen food) Various clean up crew Inverts: Mushrooms GSP Zoas BTA Possibly more advanced stuff once I get it going. Rocks: At least 20 pounds I like the Kessil but I find it seriously lacking in functionality and am thinking about getting a radion 15w pro and possibly taking the kessil back. Anyone have any suggestions? Do I need the protein skimmer and reactor If I do frequent water changes? The last time around I didn't have great luck and I want to do it right this time (Breaker blew when I was away for a few days). My plan is to get this up and running and then in a year or so get a larger tank and move this one to the bedroom. EDIT: I got the Radion. Anyone need a brand new kessil? Link to comment
deathbyart Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Lights: (Need your help) I have a kessil A160 but I think I want more features. I am going to use this exact light on the same tank. Curious, what features are you looking for that the Kessil doesn't have? Link to comment
dcbaros Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 I am going to use this exact light on the same tank. Curious, what features are you looking for that the Kessil doesn't have? Well the controller is very basic, its just intensity and 10k-actnic. You can ramp it up and down. Thats it. No moon lights, choosing a spectrum isn't that precise, no wireless control, etc. Link to comment
rengb6 Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I have the radion 15w pro on my nuvo 16 and I like it a lot. It should be sufficient for the fusion 20 as well but if I had to do it over again I'd get the 30. With the 30 you have the option to upgrade tanks in the future and not have to buy another light. I also use an mp10 which I find to be enough flow. However, I'll probably buy another one (or a gyre) and aim it at some dead spots. As for a skimmer, you don't need one if you do weekly water changes. I bought one after three months of running my tank without a skimmer and love it because I only have to change the water every two weeks. It also took away that rainbow film you see on the surface of many tanks. I'll never run skimmer less again. Link to comment
dcbaros Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 Good point about the 30. Link to comment
DocReef Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I have the XR15 on my NUVO 20 and have more than enough light spread. I also have the MP10 and it's a lot of flow despite being set at 40%. I also upgraded the return pump to Cobalt MJ1200 so that puts a lot of flow in the tank. Link to comment
deathbyart Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Well the controller is very basic, its just intensity and 10k-actnic. You can ramp it up and down. Thats it. No moon lights, choosing a spectrum isn't that precise, no wireless control, etc. Thank you for that. I didn't even think about moon lights etc. I currently use the AI nano and enjoy that ability. Back to the drawing board....sigh Link to comment
dcbaros Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 Thank you for that. I didn't even think about moon lights etc. I currently use the AI nano and enjoy that ability. Back to the drawing board....sigh Yeah I guess all those features are kinda just a gimmick to some extent but I kinda like them. I have the radion 15w pro on my nuvo 16 and I like it a lot. It should be sufficient for the fusion 20 as well but if I had to do it over again I'd get the 30. With the 30 you have the option to upgrade tanks in the future and not have to buy another light. I also use an mp10 which I find to be enough flow. However, I'll probably buy another one (or a gyre) and aim it at some dead spots. As for a skimmer, you don't need one if you do weekly water changes. I bought one after three months of running my tank without a skimmer and love it because I only have to change the water every two weeks. It also took away that rainbow film you see on the surface of many tanks. I'll never run skimmer less again. What about a reactor? I have never dabbled with those before. Link to comment
DocReef Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 What about a reactor? I have never dabbled with those before. Nope. No reactor. I might get one later if I get an algae problem. I have a skimmer only. Link to comment
kylhcky Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 putting a bag of carbon or phosguard in your media basket practically simulates a reactor. having both couldn't hurt either. Link to comment
APLATN13 Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 GO LONG HORN!!! HELLO FELLOW TEXAN... Link to comment
dcbaros Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 GO LONG HORN!!! HELLO FELLOW TEXAN... As of last month I am an alumni! Now I can afford this hobby. Kinda. Link to comment
dcbaros Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 Waiting on the lights, I hope to fill it next week! Link to comment
jdog Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Let me know how you like the light,I have the 30 on my Fusion 20 just because I had that light. I wanted to get the 15 and put it on my Fusion 20. I was then going to buy a Fusion 40 and put the 30 on that tank,also have the reactor and skimmer. I have tried both skimmer and no skimmer, I'm not seeing any difference as of yet,I do a 1 to 2 gallon change every week that is probably why. Link to comment
DCUEVAS74 Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Nice! I have mine cycling and am too waiting on a light. Counting the days... love the dimensions on these. Following and good luck! Hook em' Link to comment
dcbaros Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 Let me know how you like the light,I have the 30 on my Fusion 20 just because I had that light. I wanted to get the 15 and put it on my Fusion 20. I was then going to buy a Fusion 40 and put the 30 on that tank,also have the reactor and skimmer. I have tried both skimmer and no skimmer, I'm not seeing any difference as of yet,I do a 1 to 2 gallon change every week that is probably why. Yeah I plan on just doing weekly water changes and see how that works for awhile. Link to comment
reefernanoman Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Nice start. I like that stand too. Following. Link to comment
dcbaros Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 Anyone have any advice on cycling the tank? Link to comment
DocReef Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 What lights did you settle on? Link to comment
reefernanoman Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 anyone have any advice on cycling the tank? One thing would be not to turn your lights on at all. It isn't necessary and will just create algea. Link to comment
dcbaros Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 What lights did you settle on? Radion xr15w pro Link to comment
pokerdobe Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Texas fight! Class of 2012 here. Link to comment
DocReef Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Radion xr15w pro Nice. You'll love it. Did you get the RMS mount? Link to comment
Auto Midnight Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 One thing would be not to turn your lights on at all. It isn't necessary and will just create algea. +1 to this if using live rock. I ran my lights during my cycle and I am fighting algae in my month old tank. I wish I would have cooked my rocks longer in the dark. Or just used dry rock. Link to comment
DocReef Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I did something a bit unconventional for my cycling. I found a few articles and threads here on NR about cycling with Chaeto. I left it in the tank for about a month with no fish. It worked well. Zero algae so far, nitrates, nitrites and ammonia undetectable. This is my first tank that has not had diatoms, cyano, or hair algae. Pretty happy with the results so far. Once the tank was cycled, I put the chaeto in a filter media basket and put it in the back compartment with an led refugium light. Still, no algae problems whatsoever. I used live sand and live bacteria for cycling as well. Link to comment
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