Planted's IM Fusion 10 Build

[Plantedbliss]

Just recently purchased a IM Fusion 10 and decided I'd like to start a build journal for it. I'm a big planted aquarium guy and have been getting the itch to start a nano reef. Began lurking these forums recently to look for inspiration on what I'd like to build for a nano reef, I forget where I saw the article on a nano reef but it hooked me. Here's what I've gotten so far and where I'd like to go, ideas and considerations would be greatly appreciated since this is my first step into saltwater.

 

Tank: Innovative Marine Fusion 10

 

Lighting: Nanobox Mini Tide/Flare w/controller (Won't have until end of March new version)

 

Filtration: InTank Nuvo Media Basket, PicO SkiM 2.0

 

Heating: Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm 50Watt

 

Flow: Sicce Syncra Silent 1.0, VorTech MP10 with Quiet Drive

 

 

 

 

Leak test time, sneak peak of my 40g planted tank in the reflection

Leak test time! by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

Leak test 25% doing good. Media holder comparison to tank. Upgraded InTank Custom Caddy on it's way.

Leak test! by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

Leak test 100% and looking good so far!

Leak test by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

Here is a little preview of my planted tank.

40g planted tank by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

 

 

So I wanted to ask if anyone had any opinions on skimmers for the Fusion 10? I was looking into the PicOSkiM 2.0 only because I've heard so many mixed reviews on the IM Ghost skimmer, but a friend of mine told me to look into the Tunze nano skimmer, just not sure if it will fit in the back chambers.

 

One more question, I've been getting small bubbles from my stock pump every 5-10 seconds. Was wondering if I should try and re-seat the impeller or just buy a replacement pump with more flow for the IM spin stream? Thanks for looking! Any tips would be appreciated!

It's been 24 hours and no leaks! Time to find a new home for the tank in the house.

[da1001]

I don't think the Tunze will fit without modifications. Ghost skimmer is generally a crapshoot, sometimes they are easy to dial in, but I have also heard people on here who have had one for months and still don't have the micro bubbles whipped and the skimmer skimming correctly. I got my Pico Skim last night took 10 mins to setup and already have skimmate almost in my collection glass under the tank. It's dead silent with the whisper pump I got. Easy to change skimmate collection, wet to dry. Only thing most people might not like is changing the little limewood airstone every 2 months or so but since I can get those at Petco for like 2 bucks whenever I need them it is no hindrance to me. Oh, and did I mention that I do not have a single microbubble?

 

Oh, and to the IM10 club.

 

I tossed the stock pump on mine in the first 5 minutes for something with more power. Good thing I did too because I was using the stock pump for mixing up my water for weekly changes and it died 2 weeks later after 15 mins total run time lol.

 

 

Edit: I figured I would add some more about the Pico Skim so you were fully aware of everything good and bad about it beforehand. It worked great for me the first night I had it. But unfortunately after the initial break in, I found out that my pump was too weak to get the bubbles high enough to actually go into my skim mate container. Be sure you buy at least a Whisper 20 or something stronger with dialable air flow to make sure you have the oomph needed to get the bubbles up there. Dont cheap out like me and go to wal mart and get a Tetra Whisper 10-30 and thinks its the same thing because its not, it will be too weak to use.

[Plantedbliss]

Thanks for the info on the PicOSkiM 2.0. Thinking I will go that same route as you and get the same skimmer. I was browsing submersible pumps and I think I'm going to go with Tunze silent pump which I think was at around 265gph. I could be wrong though. And another thanks for welcoming me to the club Can't wait to get it all setup and running.

[Plantedbliss]

PicOSkiM 2.0 is ordered and will be here along with my InTank custom caddy tomorrow. I will post more pictures of the new equipment and my current layout for my rocks tomorrow. But I will say that last night while browsing my live rocks I noticed there was a very small anemone like creature with transparent tentacles and white ball like tips. I believe it's a White Corallimorph, but since this is my first venture into saltwater I could be completely wrong.

[Uphoric]

Following, interested how those lights go with these tanks.

[Plantedbliss]

Here is a sneak peek. Will do a write up once I get home from work, I've modified a few things but it's kind of ghetto setup right now.

 

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 044 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 002 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 003 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 048 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 051 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 053 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 054 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 058 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 063 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 074 by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

New saltwater tank setup 2.19.2015 073 by ce_respect, on Flickr

[Gamby]

How is the Sicce pump working out? I would like to change my stock pump out since the flow is almost non existent.

I don't think the Tunze will fit without modifications. Ghost skimmer is generally a crapshoot, sometimes they are easy to dial in, but I have also heard people on here who have had one for months and still don't have the micro bubbles whipped and the skimmer skimming correctly. I got my Pico Skim last night took 10 mins to setup and already have skimmate almost in my collection glass under the tank. It's dead silent with the whisper pump I got. Easy to change skimmate collection, wet to dry. Only thing most people might not like is changing the little limewood airstone every 2 months or so but since I can get those at Petco for like 2 bucks whenever I need them it is no hindrance to me. Oh, and did I mention that I do not have a single microbubble?

 

Oh, and to the IM10 club.

 

I tossed the stock pump on mine in the first 5 minutes for something with more power. Good thing I did too because I was using the stock pump for mixing up my water for weekly changes and it died 2 weeks later after 15 mins total run time lol.

 

 

Edit: I figured I would add some more about the Pico Skim so you were fully aware of everything good and bad about it beforehand. It worked great for me the first night I had it. But unfortunately after the initial break in, I found out that my pump was too weak to get the bubbles high enough to actually go into my skim mate container. Be sure you buy at least a Whisper 20 or something stronger with dialable air flow to make sure you have the oomph needed to get the bubbles up there. Dont cheap out like me and go to wal mart and get a Tetra Whisper 10-30 and thinks its the same thing because its not, it will be too weak to use.

 

Are you having any trouble with the water level on the Pico? I have read that some are having trouble and they have tried to raise the water level in the back compartments to accommodate the Pico. I just received my Ghost but I am not sure it is the best choice.

[Plantedbliss]

The Sicce pump works wonders,it's rated at 261gph which towers over the stock pump which is actually the pump IM uses in there Nuvo 8 aquarium which is rated at a measly 13-92gph. I can see and feel the difference in turnover rate.

 

As for the Pico, I can't really say if it's the "best" skimmer out there or not for the Fusion 10, because this is also my first attempt at saltwater. But I will say that I haven't once had any problem with it producing bubbles like others have said, but then again I read that a lot of people are using small air pumps for it. I had an extra Tetra Whisper 40 for my 40g breeder and I just used that to drive the bubbles and to be quite honest I had to use the valve they give you to slow down the bubbles. So as far as the question goes as if I'm encounter problem with the PicoSkim? I would say no. I had to cut down the drain fitting that ran to my vodka bottle because it was too long and the skimmate had to travel down and up so it was creating as issue with bubbles not being produced as much as normal but once I made an air hole near the cap it work perfectly fine. I do have it setup ghetto at the moment, but I'll fix everything and tidy it up once I get my light. Still waiting on a Nanobox Tide w/controller.

Quick question to everyone, this is my first saltwater setup and I goofed up and used tap water that was conditioned using Prime while setting up my tank for the cycle instead of using RO/DI water. I've heard from a friend that using regular tap water can cause huge algae issues. My questions is ;

 

1. Should I redo the water with RO/DI water? and Restart the cycle?

 

2. Wait until I do a water change and just replace the new water with RO/DI water?

 

I just don't want to get bad algae issues or anything. And thanks in advance, I'm still learning as I go.

[Uphoric]

I'd test for phosphate. If thats fine, you should be alright. But you're better using RO/DI from now on with water changes.

[Gamby]

The Sicce pump works wonders,it's rated at 261gph which towers over the stock pump which is actually the pump IM uses in there Nuvo 8 aquarium which is rated at a measly 13-92gph. I can see and feel the difference in turnover rate.

 

As for the Pico, I can't really say if it's the "best" skimmer out there or not for the Fusion 10, because this is also my first attempt at saltwater. But I will say that I haven't once had any problem with it producing bubbles like others have said, but then again I read that a lot of people are using small air pumps for it. I had an extra Tetra Whisper 40 for my 40g breeder and I just used that to drive the bubbles and to be quite honest I had to use the valve they give you to slow down the bubbles. So as far as the question goes as if I'm encounter problem with the PicoSkim? I would say no. I had to cut down the drain fitting that ran to my vodka bottle because it was too long and the skimmate had to travel down and up so it was creating as issue with bubbles not being produced as much as normal but once I made an air hole near the cap it work perfectly fine. I do have it setup ghetto at the moment, but I'll fix everything and tidy it up once I get my light. Still waiting on a Nanobox Tide w/controller.

Quick question to everyone, this is my first saltwater setup and I goofed up and used tap water that was conditioned using Prime while setting up my tank for the cycle instead of using RO/DI water. I've heard from a friend that using regular tap water can cause huge algae issues. My questions is ;

 

1. Should I redo the water with RO/DI water? and Restart the cycle?

 

2. Wait until I do a water change and just replace the new water with RO/DI water?

 

I just don't want to get bad algae issues or anything. And thanks in advance, I'm still learning as I go.

Any trouble fitting the Sicce 1.0 in the 3rd chamber ?

[Plantedbliss]

Any trouble fitting the Sicce 1.0 in the 3rd chamber ?

 

 

No not at all, I did have to remove the plastic fitting that connects the hose to the Nuvo 8 pump so I could fit it into the slot but besides that it fit nice and snug then I replaced the fitting and BAM works like a champ. I will be adding some chemical filtration in there behind the pump, not sure what tho at the moment still debating.

I'd test for phosphate. If thats fine, you should be alright. But you're better using RO/DI from now on with water changes.

 

 

Thanks for the advice =)

[Plantedbliss]

Quick update!

 

My first attempt at a saltwater tank is going pretty good so far, I'm having fun so that's what matters. Here are some of the few things I've done since my last post.

 

1. I made the FNG mistake of adding saltwater to my tank when the level was low the first time and the next day I was scratching my head as to why the salinity rose.

 

2. Did some searching and found my local supermarket sells distilled water super cheap! I'll be using that until I can buy myself a RO/DI unit.

 

3. I just pre-ordered my Nanobox, since I'm looking for the new one with bluefish Dave said it'll be around end of march until he has the parts. No biggie though, I'd rather wait for the new version anyways

 

4. Went looking around town for a LED light I could use until then. Unfortunately I couldn't really find anything. My LFS had a nano light it was a Wave-point 12-Inch 16-Watt Super Blue and DaylightMicro Sun LED. But they wanted over $100 for it.. I saw it on amazon the day before for 52. Don't get me wrong I support my LFS but that was outrageous so I went home bummed and when I checked my closet for extra light bulbs I found a 8W LED PAR20 Spotlight 5000k equivalent to a 50W bulb I figured why not. It had to look better then the dull Target LED booklight I had been using.

 

5. Got a Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Test Kit on sale at my LFS while I was walking around pissed about the stupid nano light price.

 

6. While doing my first water change I cleaned the glass, setup my rocks the way I think I'll keep um for the journey. I asked my friend if I could use his coral glue to secure my rocks and he brought me over two snails from his tank and gave me some seaweed to feed them. I told him I didnt know if it was actually cycled yet but he still slowly acclimated them while I watched The Walking Dead

 

Enough talking right? Anyways be nice im a saltwater noob! Here's some eye candy for you. More to come soon.

 

 

Here's a picture of the tank with a LED booklight from Target I had already.

The tank with a LED light from Target by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

Here's a shot with the 8W LED Spotlight, the shimmer was crazy I've never owned a LED light.

8W LED Spotlight by ce_respect, on Flickr

 

Here's what I see from my computer, I know it's kind of ghetto the vodka bottle and all but I'll get it cleaned up soon

What I see by ce_respect, on Flickr

[Plantedbliss]

So I just recently bought a Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro test kit. It measures Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium using a advanced titration liquid test. I don't know if I'm a bad scientist or I just fail at chemistry but I've done the Calcium test about 3 times now and I seem to keep getting readings of over 500ppm with Calcium.

 

Here's the parameters so far

 

SG 1.024

Alkalinity / (dKH meq/L); 8.4 / 3.0

Ca / (mg/l); 550ppm

Mg / (mg/l); 1240ppm

 

Is there something I may be doing wrong? Or do these numbers look okay to you guys? Could use some advice since I'm still pretty noob to this lol.

[da1001]

How is the Sicce pump working out? I would like to change my stock pump out since the flow is almost non existent.

 

Are you having any trouble with the water level on the Pico? I have read that some are having trouble and they have tried to raise the water level in the back compartments to accommodate the Pico. I just received my Ghost but I am not sure it is the best choice.

 

The Pico is meant to run in 4" of water, our IM 10's don't run the second chamber water levels high enough up in the back our of AIO chamber like on a Pico tank so our water level is lower than optimal. It seems the people running Whisper 20's are having minor problems with having enough bubble production. That seems to be the cutoff for air pump power required, any lower and you aren't going to be able to use it. I have seen that people who use larger pumps such as a Whisper 40 or other such powerful pumps such as Plantedbliss mentioned, they have no problems getting theirs to work even with the lower water levels that our IM 10's run at because their pumps are strong enough to overcome that factor. My Whisper 20 has enough power if I run it full blast, that is after upgrading from a Wal Mart style Whisper 10-30 model. I saw the 40 at Petsmart when I was shopping but I didn't think I wanted the spend the difference in cash to get it and have it be too powerful. Lesson learned, in the case of an air pump bigger is totally fine. Running mine full blast gets the bubbles about an inch below where the plastic piece holds it to the side of the tank. Then I just run the skimmer tube in the lowest position as close to the side piece as it will go and it provides me a very dark skimmate, although it is slow because it has to pump the nasty crap up 3 inches of plastic sidewall rather than an inch and a half like a more powerful pump would be able to do by raising the bubbles from the beginning of the process to the appropriate level of the side piece, if that makes sense.

[teenyreef]

So I just recently bought a Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro test kit. It measures Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium using a advanced titration liquid test. I don't know if I'm a bad scientist or I just fail at chemistry but I've done the Calcium test about 3 times now and I seem to keep getting readings of over 500ppm with Calcium.

 

Here's the parameters so far

 

SG 1.024

Alkalinity / (dKH meq/L); 8.4 / 3.0

Ca / (mg/l); 550ppm

Mg / (mg/l); 1240ppm

 

Is there something I may be doing wrong? Or do these numbers look okay to you guys? Could use some advice since I'm still pretty noob to this lol.

Welcome to the IM10 club! What kind of salt are you using?

[Plantedbliss]

Instant Ocean Reef Crystals.

[teenyreef]

I've used Reef Crystals in the past and it usually mixes up with Alk closer to 10, and Calcium at about 420. So your parameters do seem a little unusual. I think you're finding out one of the problems with starting with tap water. With RODI, you know exactly what you're starting from, but with tap water there's no telling what's in it to begin with. So it's possible that you're seeing something due to the use of tap water.

 

I wouldn't worry about it at this stage, though. You're not trying to grow corals yet since you're just starting to cycle, and except for the higher than usual calcium all your parameters are in line. You said you're switching to distilled water, which will work fine. After you mix up a new batch you should check the parameters of the new water before you do a water change. That way you'll know what your baseline is. Then when you start doing regular water changes your tank will gradually get in line.

 

By the way, since you've got the Nanobox on order, the generic PAR20 you got will be fine in the meantime. All you need to put in the tank between now and then is a cleanup crew anyway, so you don't need to worry about whether you have enough light to grow corals. Looks like you've made a great start!

[paulrw]

looks like your off to a great start. from a fellow planted tank nerd i really dig your dutch style scape. i feel like the "iwagami" trend is played out. i love seeing classic styled planted tanks with a nice variety of plants.

 

welcome to the salty side.

[teenyreef]

By the way, I did the same thing as you - I have a big planted FW tank, and little salt water tanks. I think it's a great way to learn without spending a fortune

90g Freshwater Tank by TeenyReef, on Flickr

[Plantedbliss]

looks like your off to a great start. from a fellow planted tank nerd i really dig your dutch style scape. i feel like the "iwagami" trend is played out. i love seeing classic styled planted tanks with a nice variety of plants.

 

welcome to the salty side.

Thanks bud!

[Rory282]

Hi, really like your Tanks!

How is the picoskim doing so far? I have a similar one from ATB.

My lfs can finally order my tank but i'm still doubting between the 10 and 20. Any regrets you didn't bought the 20? I prefer the shape of the 10 but like the extra space in the 20... Hmmm...

 

Included a shot of my planted tank! Still a work in progress... (Sorry for the ipad pic...)

 

Cheers.

[Plantedbliss]

Hi, really like your Tanks!

How is the picoskim doing so far? I have a similar one from ATB.

My lfs can finally order my tank but i'm still doubting between the 10 and 20. Any regrets you didn't bought the 20? I prefer the shape of the 10 but like the extra space in the 20... Hmmm...

 

Included a shot of my planted tank! Still a work in progress... (Sorry for the ipad pic...)

 

Cheers.

I went with the 10 because of my budget at the time and it was just tank without any accessories so it was pretty cheap imo. If I had the money and knew more about the saltwater hobby I might have went with the 20 for more space and livestock, but I didnt want to spend a fortune on accessories and I really liked the look of the rimless AIO. If I could do it all over I might go with a custom 40g - 65g AIO shallow reef tank. Nice planted tank btw.

[Plantedbliss]

Quick Update!

 

Did a parameters check tonight with an API test kit. I know they aren't the best around but here's the numbers.

 

SG 1.024

PH: 8.2

Ammonia: 0

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 5-10ppm (I hate color charts)

Was checking my live rocks and it looks like I may have an unwanted hitchhiker! I think I may have baby Aiptasia I'll post pictures tomorrow after work. He's in a spot against the back wall that I knew would give me issues too . I may have to reassemble my rocks to get to him, but then again I needed to glue them together so maybe this is a blessing in disguise! Kill the hitchhiker and glue your rocks down fool!

[Ahanix]

I know most of the questions on here have been about the Sicce - is there any audible change? I know the stock pump was pretty much silent to begin with - I'm trying for a dead silent build for my office.-

[Plantedbliss]

I know most of the questions on here have been about the Sicce - is there any audible change? I know the stock pump was pretty much silent to begin with - I'm trying for a dead silent build for my office.-

Nope just as quiet as the stock pump. I did have to return my first Sicce pump as the impeller was making a grinding noise on arrival. I tried to re-seat the impeller but it still would stop making that noise. But besides that it works flawlessly and doesn't even make a noise.