Owlshead19's Wishful IM Fusion 20

[owlshead19]

I've been out of the hobby for a couple years. Recently found myself obsessed with the idea of starting up a small rimless tank - hopefully doing everything the right way up front - or at least not the wrong way.

 

Bought an IM Fusion 20 - I love the rimless design - it reminds me of my 5gal EcoPico but the high clarity glass is a big plus.

 

Equipment As of 10/8/2016 -

 

IM Nuvo Fusion 20

Kessil A160we with a Kessil controller

InTank Floss Holder (2)

Jebao PP-4 wavemaker

IM HydroFill ATO with Tom's AquaLifter

im AuQA Ghost Desktop Skimmer

20lbs of Fiji Pink live sand

15lbs of Reef Savers Dry Rock

6lbs of Walt Smith's Reef Project 2.1 live rock

 

Livestock -

One black misbar ocellaris from SA

one snowflake ocellaris from SA

one peppermint shrimp (ate my aiptasia - good boy!)

several small red legged hermits

several assorted snails - dwarf ceriths nassarius nerites

several little asterina's

 

Duncan

Sinularia

Green birdnest

Red/white acan

Red acan

Captain America micromussa

Grn/Blue no name zoa

Neon green candy cane

Green star polyps

gold lithophylon

Orange rotundo chalice

Money shot montipora (WWC name - no idea if that's what it's really called)

Grn mushroom

Bubble gum cyphastrea

Copperhead cyphastrea

Raspberry ice favia

Yellow brick road zoas

Octospawn

 

 

 

I don't have much to show yet

[nickkohrn]

I've been out of the hobby for a couple years. Recently found myself obsessed with the idea of starting up a small rimless tank - hopefully doing everything the right way up front - or at least not the wrong way.

 

Welcome back to the hobby!! It's so exciting to get bitten by the reef bug!

 

 

What are your future livestock intentions?

[owlshead19]

Thanks - it's great to be back and to be excited about my upcoming build

 

For fish - I want a pair of clowns - probably a pair of SA Fancy White or Vivid Fancy - I really like the orange that "Pops." I am looking for another fish - I really like the look/activity of the six line wrasse - however I plan to keep at least one or two skunk cleaner shrimp and if the wrasse is going to eat my shrimp I'm going to pass. Stock ideas would be appreciated.

 

As for corals - I love chalices, acans, scolys, duncans, hammers, that type of stuff. I don't think I'm anywhere near advanced enough for SPS. I want a nice balance of color and a little bit of movement.

 

edit - related to top post - I meant I like a lot of sand bed for LPS not SPS.

[nickkohrn]

Thanks - it's great to be back and to be excited about my upcoming build

 

For fish - I want a pair of clowns - probably a pair of SA Fancy White or Vivid Fancy - I really like the orange that "Pops." I am looking for another fish - I really like the look/activity of the six line wrasse - however I plan to keep at least one or two skunk cleaner shrimp and if the wrasse is going to eat my shrimp I'm going to pass. Stock ideas would be appreciated.

 

As for corals - I love chalices, acans, scolys, duncans, hammers, that type of stuff. I don't think I'm anywhere near advanced enough for SPS. I want a nice balance of color and a little bit of movement.

 

edit - related to top post - I meant I like a lot of sand bed for LPS not SPS.

 

Sounds like you have a nice plan!

 

I love the activity that a Sixline brings to a tank, but I'm always afraid to get one because of it killing my pod population in a small tank. I have also seen that they can be hit-or-miss when it comes to being very territorial and/or bothering ornamental invertebrates such as shrimp. With that said, have you checked out any of the Possum or Pygmy Wrasses? They are pretty docile and well-tempered according to LiveAquaria.

 

Your coral selection sounds great! Those are most of my favorite LPS corals. I'm a sucker for the motion and colors that they bring to the tank.

 

I'm excited to watch your progress!

[Elizabeth94]

Welcome back!

 

I think you will find that the IM fusions are great quality tanks. I really do love mine and will be upgrading to a 20 within the next week! I was thinking of a sixline as well with one clown and my orchid dotty back. There is also the pink streaked wrasse which is a very docile fish- but it may hide a bit.

 

 

I look forward to your build!

[owlshead19]

So today I am leak testing the tank (finally got all my rock for the scape) and after plugging in the included pump I am needing some suggestions for a much more quiet pump. The stock pump is NOISY. I am going for a LPS/softies tank. Suggestions?

[Twantyniner]

That's really odd that your pump is noisy. Maybe first make sure it is not touching the bottom of the tank or the sides. I have been running a Nuvo Fusion 20 for a couple months now and the pump has always been super silent.

[CuhRazy]

Be very careful with that ato. I've heard horror stories.

[owlshead19]

That's really odd that your pump is noisy. Maybe first make sure it is not touching the bottom of the tank or the sides. I have been running a Nuvo Fusion 20 for a couple months now and the pump has always been super silent.

 

I removed the pump and placed it back in - being careful not to touch anything and it's more quiet. I've had the tank going since Sunday now and it's gone from silent to a bit noisy. I'm going to continue trying to tweak it.

 

Be very careful with that ato. I've heard horror stories.

 

I haven't hooked it up yet - but I really need an ATO - I have a new central AC system and my house is running at about 35% humidity - I can practically watch the water level go down in the back compartment. The tank is right next to my desk in my office - I spend a lot of time in there so I'll be keeping an eye out.

[CuhRazy]

I went with a Smart ATO Micro and it has been incredible so far.

[owlshead19]

Updates -

 

Finally (over 30 days after ordering) got my light in - went with the Prime HD+ and mount. Literally had a fit trying to figure out the cryptic installation instructions - even the ones on YouTube. Also managed to burn a lovely pattern into my desk because I didn't realize that I had finally correctly configured the Android app and that the light was on - at 100%. Then i noticed the smell of burning wood and the curl of smoke coming up from under the light fixture.

 

I think my blood pressure is under control now.

 

A lot of white:

 

Just a little blue:

 

The tank has been cycling for about 2 weeks now - I've been adding the occasional shrimp pellet and microbacter7.

 

I installed my AI ATO and so far it's been working like a champ.

 

I'm glad no one was here to see my having the equivalent of a tantrum.

[owlshead19]

Anyone else think the filter socks that now come stock with this tank are problematical? I had ordered a second set so that I could soak the first set in RO/bleach solution but realized probably still going to be a PITA. I've now ordered two filter floss holders from inTank and decided I'll try that for a bit - just some simple floss for a while.

[Twantyniner]

Looking good! Can't wait to see it with corals and stuff growing all over. I use the filter socks and it is in fact a huge pain in the butt. I have 3 sets and switch them out every two days. I toss them in the washing machine and I try to make myself buy a new set anytime I order from Bulkreefsupply. Please update with the inTank. I am thinking of switching to that but I am not sure yet. I am thinking of adding a phsoban reactor also. The main advantage it has for me over the IM reactor is it mounts outside the tank and as we both know real estate in these things is valuable. I just upgraded my ATO from the JBJ ATO to the Hydrofill Titanium. The float switch took up way too much room in the back. I am Really liking this ATO. As far as a skimmer I am also going back and forth from the ghost and 9001. From what I have been reading elsewhere the 9001 either has to be highly modified to fit in the second chamber or room has to be made to fit into the return. I am leaning towards changing the return to two sicce micra plus pumps to free up room for the 9001. It does seem a little better performance wise.

[owlshead19]

Got home to three boxes stacked up on my porch - got my new InTank media holders and unfortunately even though it said it was for the Fusion 20 or 25 it did not fit. I'm not sure - perhaps this is from the design before the filter socks came out? I've already eaten my Swedish Fish so I'm committed. So I'm going to get with InTank and see what's up (possibly operator error? )

 

Also had a new Red Sea test kit - decided to upgrade from the old API kit I had.

 

Third box was my new JBJ Pico. Only one tank just seems so lonely.

[owlshead19]

As far as a skimmer I am also going back and forth from the ghost and 9001. From what I have been reading elsewhere the 9001 either has to be highly modified to fit in the second chamber or room has to be made to fit into the return. I am leaning towards changing the return to two sicce micra plus pumps to free up room for the 9001. It does seem a little better performance wise.

 

I think I'm going to hold off on the skimmer for a while and see how I can do with just water changes. I really like how well made Tunze products are but I'm not really too hands on as far as modifications go (I use my brother as labor to do the hard stuff for me.)

 

As far as the return pump goes - I'm going to do a little more research and try to find the best option that uses the least amount of power possible - I live in Florida and I am constantly trying to keep the tank cool without adding a chiller. We have the AC on here probably 10 months a year and my tank is usually in the 78-80 range so if I can keep some heat out of the tank by investing in a better return pump option that would be a big plus for me.

[Mariaface]

Your rock scape is making me want to remove at least one rock from my Fusion 20. I mean, even more than I did yesterday.

[owlshead19]

Your rock scape is making me want to remove at least one rock from my Fusion 20. I mean, even more than I did yesterda

 

I bought 30lbs of dry rock and 6 lbs of live rock and only used about 10lbs of the dry rock. I really love the minimalist look but probably will have to drop a skimmer in eventually.

[Mariaface]

I bought 20lb from Gulf Live Rock and had it shipped overnight - so much life, which is why I only rejected one super-dense rock that had almost nothing on it.

 

Actually, I still have it, along with all my old rock, in a 14gal tupperware container, with a heater and circulation pump.

[Twantyniner]

 

I think I'm going to hold off on the skimmer for a while and see how I can do with just water changes. I really like how well made Tunze products are but I'm not really too hands on as far as modifications go (I use my brother as labor to do the hard stuff for me.)

 

I hear you on that. There are many of my own failed DIY attempts in my local landfill.

[owlshead19]

Excited today! I tested (had been waiting on a new Red Sea test set) and we are at Zero detectable ammonia, Zero detectable nitrite and about 7ppm on the Nitrates. (At least that's what I think it means - it was somewhere between the 5 and 10 on the test card.) I've been ghost feeding and dosing with MicroBracter7 for 3 weeks.

 

Sunday I'm planning on doing a water change and adding something alive to the tank. But what?

[owlshead19]

Big big day!

 

Did first water change - 5gal

 

Tested salinity and it was a little on the low side so I overfilled it a bit and will turn off the ATO and test daily until it's where it needs to be.

 

Bought the first tank life !

 

Goldline neon goby

2 red leg hermits

a small duncan

a gold sinularia

 

I'll let them settle in the tank overnight and hopefully tomorrow they will be a little happier.

[Mariaface]

Keep testing! Usually the first additions are CUC, so you can get an idea of what your biological filtration can handle. But I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue if you kept dosing bacteria

[owlshead19]

Keep testing! Usually the first additions are CUC, so you can get an idea of what your biological filtration can handle. But I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue if you kept dosing bacteria

 

My light took so long to arrive I actually have nothing much for the cleanup crew to do. I know I probably went overboard but I'm willing to do daily water changes if the chemistry goes downhill.

 

I got shots of everything but the goldline - so far has only come out at feeding time -

 

 

Hodor - one of the two red leg hermits

 

The little Duncan

 

And the sinularia - it was very gold when I bought it - but so far it's very green for me

[owlshead19]

Today I gave up on my AI Prime HD+. For some reason the signal from the unit must be very weak and even when I stand right next to it with my phone I can't get my phone to pick up the signal. (I tried using my tablet and computer too - no go.) One day it will work and the next 5 it won't. And when I programmed it (on the one day I got it to work) the programming apparently went haywire and instead of coming on at noon and going off at 7pm it comes on at 8am and goes off at 7pm. I've had issues and my patience has come to an end.

 

I ordered a Kessil A160WE with the gooseneck mount.

[Cencalfishguy56]

Today I gave up on my AI Prime HD+. For some reason the signal from the unit must be very weak and even when I stand right next to it with my phone I can't get my phone to pick up the signal. (I tried using my tablet and computer too - no go.) One day it will work and the next 5 it won't. And when I programmed it (on the one day I got it to work) the programming apparently went haywire and instead of coming on at noon and going off at 7pm it comes on at 8am and goes off at 7pm. I've had issues and my patience has come to an end.

 

I ordered a Kessil A160WE with the gooseneck mount.

love my kessil, hope you love yours!