Modified Nuvo Fusion 10 Gallon

[WolvPro]

Wanted to share a few pictures with you guy on the mods that I have done and will be doing to my Nuvo 10 gallon. I am a huge believer in skimmers and want to keep coral and fish in this thing. This is not my first Rodeo in Salt Water Reef Tanks. I just wanted to get back into the hobby. I want to talk a little bit about the tank first and then I will post up pictures. I am not a professional and I never claim to be so please keep that in mind. First was tank selection, After owning Nano Cubes & Bio Cubes I knew the faults in those smaller closed lid tanks. I did not want all of my electronic components getting infused with salt water moisture and within a few years look old and worn out. So I knew that I wanted an open lid with a raised fixture. I got the Nuvo 10g Fusion. Was loving the tank until I could not get a skimmer brand that I like to fit into the rear chambers. Stressed me out for days on end. I finally ordered the Ghost Skimmer and I know that some swear by this thing but I am used to Tunze Skimmers and in no way did a Tunze ever take a few weeks to a month to pull and skim water. So I knew right away what had to be done. I was going to remove and replace the baffles in the rear chamber. Well as I was slowy busting the glass because it will not totally cut out I notice there was a false wall at the bottom of the media area? Weird I though right... a false wall with no reason?! So After I removed the baffle closest to the return pump I started busting the glass from the false wall area. Now this glass had no purpose....why was it there... Could it be so that we reefers could not use it with other brand skimmers?! You be the judge. Anyway..

 

I will post up some rough pics for you guys. I know this voids this tanks warranty but I am ok with that. I just wanted it to function with the equipment of my choosing and not of theirs. I am also thinking about making a newer media basket because I am not happy with the one that came with the tank as it tries to float around and shift alot. Let me know what you think.

[Tiberione]

Ive heard a lot of good about InTank media baskets.

 

I myself went with their custom caddy and it does fine for what I need (their media+filter floss+purigen in one and chemipure blue in the other).

Hope this helps!

[WolvPro]

Yeah I finally got done with the basket that I made from some plex I had laying around. I kinda copied them a little or rather borrowed from their design. Used a new method for me putting it together welded it with a soldering iron and it came out with a good strong hold.

 

Tomorrow my Tunze 9001 comes in. Wish I could find the measurements for the collection cup online, but I guess I will know more tomorrow. I hope that I do not have to modify the clamp/holder for my light. But if I have to I will.

[WolvPro]

Here is a few pics. Not a pro but will work.

[WolvPro]

Ok, got in my Tunze 9001 fits amazing inside the modified rear chambers. Already pulling out skimmate. Now this is what a skimmer should do. I will update later with pics.

[tibbsy07]

I had lots of issues with skimmers in my IM10 - the skimmer I have won't work because it can't sit low enough in the water (it's an airstone driven PicO Skim 2.0), but I don't want a Ghost skimmer and nothing else fit. So you removed the 2nd baffle and the weird little horizontal glass piece that made the bottom of the 3rd chamber expand under the damn other filtration areas... Then added a re-made 2nd baffle that extends all the way to the bottom of the tank and moved it a bit farther over to that the Tunze 9001 will fit? Brilliant! I am coming up on the end of my warranty and I may end up doing the same...

 

For the media basket - If you end up wanting a different basket, get the inTank media basket. The thing rocks. Stevie makes incredible products. I have had 2 different baskets for 2 different systems and both have made my filtration life much easier, cleaner, and more efficient. Highly recommended. With the IM10 basket he sells, there is a little "arm" kind of thing that must be used to help keep the basket in place, but it's simple, unobtrusive and works great.

[WolvPro]

Hey tibbsy07, yes there is a "False Wall Area" under the dam before it makes it to the pump chamber. It is about 2" high and takes up alot of unnecessary space. I used a sheet rock putty trowel to break the seals and the glass has to be shattered as it is tampered and the area is so tight. So have a shop-vac on hand as you are going to need it. But like I said before my Modified Nuvo 10g Fusion has finally made me happy. A lot of wasted area in the back. You cant go wrong with Tunze Products, this is my 3rd skimmer and everyone of them just work. Innovative Marine should have made the back chambers with adjustable slides so you can setup the back area to your liking. There was also no need to have a false bottom that kills using other products other than theirs.