Balix's IM Fusion 20G

[Balix]

The tank seems solid. Stock media baskets are a joke with so much space left for water to pass on over. The maxspect razor is very light and thin but not liking how it is mounted - doesn't feel secure but it will hold.

 

Innovative Marine 20 Gallon Fusion Tank

Maxspect Razor Nano 15K - 70 watts

Bulkreefsupply RO/DI system

COBALT AQUATICS POWERHEAD MJ1200 (replace stock powerhead)

75W Neo-Therm Submersible Heater

Jebao RW Series Wavemaker with Controller

Tunze Osmolator Auto Top Off

IM Aqua Gadget Media Baskets X 2 (replace stock media basket)

Aquarium stand from craiglist

Live rock - BRS Reef Saver Dry Aquarium Live Rock - 15 lbs

Sand - Fiji Pink Arag-Alive! Live Reef Sand - 20 lbs

Instant Ocean BIO-Spira or Seachem Stability - to start off the tank

Purigen, BRS carbon, filter sponge in each customcaddy

 

 

 

 

 

[deathbyart]

Looking like a great start. I agree with the media baskets.. that's why you go to - Here and get two media baskets.

[kawtipin]

awesome start I could not imagine not having ro/di at the house. I even put it in my keurig .

[deathbyart]

awesome start I could not imagine not having ro/di at the house. I even put it in my keurig .

I can't tell if you're joking.. haha. I have read ingesting RO water is not a good idea, so you may want to look into that.

[reefernanoman]

Hi Everyone,

 

After weeks of reading most of this forum and youtube vids, I've decided to finally get one. I grew up with freshwater tanks and now going into saltwater for the first time. Hoping to avoid the fewest mistakes as possible after tons of research but I'm sure there will be hiccups along the way and will share with everyone.

 

Any input on what to buy or needed is appreciated. I plan on running the filtration using rock, sand and 2 custom caddy's filled with purigen, chemipure elite and filter sponge on each side. I also plan to do a 20% water change every week. I may get a media reactor or protein skimmer in the future but will see how it goes with a 20 gallon tank.

 

The tank seems solid but I did notice the false wall was a bit flimsy attached using silicone. However, I think it should hold. Stock media baskets are a joke with so much space left for water to pass on over. The maxspect razor is very light and thin but not liking how it is mounted - doesn't feel secure but it will hold.

 

Currently own:

 

• Innovative Marine 20 Gallon Fusion Tank
• Maxspect Razor Nano 15K - 70 watts
• Bulkreefsupply RO/DI system

 

Equipment to buy:

 

• COBALT AQUATICS POWERHEAD MJ1200 (replace stock powerhead)
• 75W Neo-Therm Submersible Heater
• Jebao RW Series Wavemaker with Controller
• Tunze Osmolator Auto Top Off
• IM Aqua Gadget Media Baskets X 2 (replace stock media basket)
• Aquarium stand - looking at craiglists

Other things to buy:

 

• Live rock - BRS Reef Saver Dry Aquarium Live Rock - 15 lbs
• Sand - Fiji Pink Arag-Alive! Live Reef Sand - 20 lbs
• Salinity Refractometer
• Instant Ocean BIO-Spira or Seachem Stability - to start off the tank
• Purigen, Chemipure Elite, filter sponge in each customcaddy
• Pocket Size pH Meter with ATC
• API Saltwater Master Test Kit
• IM AccuDrip Acclimation Kit
• Braided Vinyl Tubing - help move water during weekly changes using stock pump
• Blue Ocean Corals Coral Rx Dip Aquarium Treatment
• Algae scraper
• Instant Ocean Reef Crystals Salt Mix

 

 

 

Great start! I would skip the Aquagadget media baskets and get the ones from Intank. Trust me, they are more expensive but better. I bought the AG at the beginning and switched the the Intank one later on. Good luck.

[Balix]

Got a old tube tv stand for $30 off craigslist

 

 

Equipment has arrived

 

[Balix]

Tinkering with aquascape but they gave me 2 big rocks and a few rubbles. I want a arch but it doesn't seem too stable. Gonna play with super glue and epoxy. I also want to insert acrylic rods under the bases so that it will elevate a bit above the sand bed to prevent a buildup of detritus and other gunk. Really want to start cycling but gonna take my time.

 

 

[Balix]

Was about to start loading stuff in and ran into something I didn't expect. The backing paper from the acrylic was really difficult to remove. I even got a hairdryer to heat it up a bit.

 

 

I slowly dripped RODI water in so it was "cloud" free. Added the salt afterwards directly in tank.

 

 

Painted the mesh black gloss

 

 

The tank is now cycling. Tomorrow I will spike it with Dr. Tim's ammonia then add Biospira maybe a day later.

 

[Balix]

Monday - Dosed with ammonia and added bottle of biospira

 

Results on Wednesday so far...not really sure why my ammonia reading is blue and nothing matches on the reference color sheet lol

 

[Balix]

Looks like my tank has cycled, nitrite is 0 ppm and nitrate around 5-10 ppm. I'm still gonna let it run for another 2-3 weeks before adding livestock. In the meantime, I'm dosing with a small amount of ammonia every other day to keep the beneficial bacteria around.

 

Made my own bag of seachem matrix using a onion bag and using two zip ties at each end (snipped to shorten) - thanks to cyberaquarist for this idea. This gives it more flow.

 

Set up my tunze nano ato with 5 gallon container. It works great so far. I was evaporating 2-3 cups of water a day so this was definitely worth the investment. I can only imagine the salinity swing I would have gotten with so much evaporating in a day. Must have for a nano tank

 

[Balix]

Waited about a month and finally added two clownfish today. Got some little spots of algae which was probably from the day I added fish pellets that didn't dissolve for a few days until I put my hand in there to crush it up. In hindsight, bad idea to ghost feed with fish food.

 

Being drip acclimated but I probably could've skipped it since they are hardy livestock

 

 

 

 

Looking to add a goby next month and CUC.

[Balix]

Added a clean up crew. Skunk cleaner shrimp. A few cerith snails. I wanted some nassarius snails but my LFS was out of it. I also got another snail (far right of the pic but not sure what it is).

 

[Drunkmonkey]

where did you mount the tunze ato float if you dont mind me asking.

 

thanks

Carlo

[Addinali]

Tanks looking good I have the fusion 40 with the razor nano over it. I have been looking at adding a second razor nano for better overall lighting.

[nedim]

Awesome tank, I will be getting the fusion 20 as well

[Balix]

where did you mount the tunze ato float if you dont mind me asking.

 

thanks

Carlo

 

In the middle of the back return chamber. If you notice in the back between the glass and the acrylic false wall, there is a crest of some sort. I gauge it right there so that when I feed and turn off my pumps, it does not overflow.

[NeoClown]

Looking good. What are your stocking plans for coral?

[Balix]

Looking good. What are your stocking plans for coral?

 

 

Just got a hammerhead and pulsing xenia. Not sure what the third one was so looking that up.

[uwdanno]

Looks good. Welcome to the fusion 20 gang

[HarryPotter]

 

 

Just got a hammerhead and pulsing xenia. Not sure what the third one was so looking that up.

Third one is called "Candy Cane" coral.And it's just "Hammer", not "HammerHead" coral

 

Although I admit HAMMERHEAD sounds much cooler! omgomgomg

[Balix]

Ha thx, I thought of each head looking like a hammer and typed it in by accident lol. My hammer coral is shriveled up right now, hope it opens in a day or so. All parameters are good except nitrate around 5ppm to 10 ppm.

 

Salinity: 1.025

Temp: 78

pH: 8.3

Mg: 1300

dkh: 10.6

Ca: 420

Phos: 0 or undetectable with API kit

[JimmyDang]

Nice clean setup mate of the fusion 20

[uwdanno]

Doooo it

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/365302-official-fusion-20-gal-thread/?fromsearch=1

[thomas8man]

love the tank following very interesting set up I like the rock set-up.

[chlorinated]

What are your settings on the razor? Getting the same aetup next week. Cant wait!