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Coral Vue Hydros

Bowen's IM Lagoon 25 - Update 01/05


Bowen1022

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FTS: 01/05/2016

 

IMG_3480_zpshofeb97s.jpg

 

 

First Post

 

Hi everyone! I thought that I would start a build thread for my IM Lagoon that I got about a month ago. This build is going to be slow as I will finally be setting it up in August when I move for my sophomore year of college. I have decided to post to gain ideas and insight from fellow reefers.

 

My original idea was to create a minimalist aquascape and tons of SPS. I have realized that I am not seasoned enough yet to maintain healthy SPS acros. So a new idea! I am going to attempt to pack the tank full of color with zoas, ricordeas, rock flowers, acans, some euphyllia corals, and possible some hardier SPS e.g. Birdsnest and Montipora then progress further into SPS as I learn more about my tank and ultimately how to care for each inhabitant.

 

Some things I have been thinking about...

-2 AI Primes or a Nanobox Duo? The tank that has inspired me has two primes over it so I know that it can sustain the softies but nanobox is fancy and I know people have had success with them.

-Fish? I was thinking about two clowns, three green chromis, and a tailspot. Is this too many fish? Don't blast me for this idea please :)

-Upgrade to Tunze 9001 or keep the ghost skimmer?

-Where to order rock from? I ordered BRS ReefSaver but I'm thinking it's not the cleanest of rocks so Im looking for a clean dry rock that is easy to cure and will look awesome... (Maybe reef cleaners)

 

Current Equipment Ideas

-IM Lagoon 25

-DIY Stand

-Vortech MP10

-IM Ghost Skimmer

-One InTank Basket to run floss, carbon/gfo (only going to run carbon/gfo if needed)

-One filter sock

-Marine Pure Spheres in a mesh bag so I can rinse detritus off

-Lighting??

-Eheim Jager Heater

 

Livestock Ideas

Fish

-Two Black Occelaris Clowns

-Three Blue/Green Chromis (if possible)

-One Tailspot Blenny

Coral

-Colorful Zoanthids

-Acan Lord

-Ricordea Florida

-Ricordea Yuma?

-Three or Four RFA

-Bubble Tip Anemone? (In the later stages of the tank)

 

 

Thanks for checking it out! If anyone has any ideas or suggestions please feel free to chime in! :)

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Yay, I get to be the first follower! :)

A 25 should be big enough for the fish you're planning especially with a skimmer.

 

You have several other options for skimmers too, check some of the other threads here on N-R.

 

Good luck!

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Yay, I get to be the first follower! :)

A 25 should be big enough for the fish you're planning especially with a skimmer.

 

You have several other options for skimmers too, check some of the other threads here on N-R.

 

Good luck!

Yay a follower!

 

I have been thinking about the Tunze 9001 or a hang on back. Downside to HOB is bulky and semi unsightly.

 

Have you ever run anything else for biological filtration besides rock? I'm also thinking of getting the inTank refugium basket to run cheato but I might end up using that chamber for a reactor

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I've run chaeto but after doing it for months it collected a lot of detritus and there wasn't enough room to grow enough of it to really help much with nutrient export.

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I've run chaeto but after doing it for months it collected a lot of detritus and there wasn't enough room to grow enough of it to really help much with nutrient export.

That makes sense. Maybe I'll save the space for something else... Or two skimmers lol.

 

You ordered the NB Wide right? I'm pretty much sold on the Duo so once I save up enough I'll make my purchase! I wish I could run a t5/LED hybrid but it's pretty expensive and for what I want I guess I don't really need it.

 

Also I might follow in your footsteps with some dry rock and live rock. I feel like it is the safest route in terms of hitch hikers and it will help the cycle run smoothly.

 

Luckily I'm going to set up the tank August 1st in the new apartment but we won't be moving down for about two weeks so I won't have to stare at an empty tank and it will be able to just cycle in peace. Hopefully it won't take much longer than that!

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you can always try easier SPS like monti and birdsnest once this tank gets more matured. can't wait to see what scape you come up with.

Yeah that's the plan! I'm excited to aqua scape this tank the dimensions are going to allow room for something unique

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That makes sense. Maybe I'll save the space for something else... Or two skimmers lol.

 

You ordered the NB Wide right? I'm pretty much sold on the Duo so once I save up enough I'll make my purchase! I wish I could run a t5/LED hybrid but it's pretty expensive and for what I want I guess I don't really need it.

 

Also I might follow in your footsteps with some dry rock and live rock. I feel like it is the safest route in terms of hitch hikers and it will help the cycle run smoothly.

 

Luckily I'm going to set up the tank August 1st in the new apartment but we won't be moving down for about two weeks so I won't have to stare at an empty tank and it will be able to just cycle in peace. Hopefully it won't take much longer than that!

Yes, I'm getting the wide quad. I think you'll be really happy with the Duo. If you haven't already, take a look at Dave's personal tank to get an idea of what a Duo can do over a Lagoon 25 :wub:

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/366465-daves-nano-box-lagoon-25/

 

Hopefully my experiment with mixed dry and live rock works out! At least you'll get a chance to learn from me if I have any disasters :lol:

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i'm happy with my 9001 and pump upgrades..

I feed my pipefish from the algae snot in the bottom of my copepod jars and my skimmer works overtime, but does the job well..

 

the dual pump upgrade (adjustable ehiem 600's) to easily add the skimmer is mandatory imo

added a spinstream

just added an IM media reactor

 

the socks are worthless and expensive.. added floss baskets

 

made my own coral plates.. check it out

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Well I was bored today so I decided to try out some scape ideas with the current dry rock I have. Here is what I came up with, any suggestions?

 

IMG_2075_zps5bkchk74.jpg

 

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IMG_2077_zpspzu0qmqp.jpg

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that's awesome!!

 

 

I like it!

 

 

That's really nice.

 

Thanks guys! I came up with one more variation just to add a little bit more rock in (maybe too much) I tweaked the 'island' a bit and like this one a little more.

 

IMG_2088%201_zpsngmkf5jg.jpg

 

IMG_2089_zpsxmwzocei.jpg

 

IMG_2090_zpserzvjpv4.jpg

 

Here is a different base on the arch

 

IMG_2067_zps25vpgd6x.jpg

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It's just me, but I think I prefer the one with just the single island, because the open space looks good, and it will leave more room for corals that like to live right on the sand to spread out and cover the sand. But it really just depends on what you like personally, and what your plans are for the corals.

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I was thinking the same.. More swimming room will look good. Ill leave it like that and see how I feel about it in the morning :) thanks!

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It's just me, but I think I prefer the one with just the single island, because the open space looks good, and it will leave more room for corals that like to live right on the sand to spread out and cover the sand. But it really just depends on what you like personally, and what your plans are for the corals.

 

yep, I agree... wish I would have spent a little more time on my scape..

I like it, but I've had to tear it apart to get where I like it

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One of the last versions of possible scapes. Dont mind the pencils lol they are there to hold the rock up! Also here are the other two versions actually in the tank.

 

New Scape a little Blurry :/

IMG_2136_zpsgzapt8gk.jpg

 

IMG_2137_zpsglvdjrps.jpg

 

Version 2

 

IMG_2134_zpsmqhlqjmu.jpg

 

Original Idea

 

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I still think I like the original the most but I had to post for some second opinions

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If you could get the rock to attach to the back of the tank like in the first two photos, then that one gets my vote for sure!

BTW, all the scapes look great!

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I didn't want to glue it to the back because if I want to sell it later I don't want that to become a problem.

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I didn't want to glue it to the back because if I want to sell it later I don't want that to become a problem.

 

hard to clean when it's glued to the wall.. leave space imo

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i have a rock on a magnet in my tank. i like it a lot. it makes for a very very nice looking growout frag rack that i can sell to make extra reefing money...

 

i like the original or the scape with the mag rock. if you could make the lone rock on the sand bed a pillar that would cool too.

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i have a rock on a magnet in my tank. i like it a lot. it makes for a very very nice looking growout frag rack that i can sell to make extra reefing money...

 

i like the original or the scape with the mag rock. if you could make the lone rock on the sand bed a pillar that would cool too.

Thought about the mag rock idea. We'll see what happens when I finally get to set it up lol

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