IM Nuvo 30L ~ Alphaeus

[al_flood]

So first off my name is Alphaeus and I recently purchased the Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion 30L aquarium and I for the first time I wanted to document my tank build. This is not my first reef tank but I still consider myself a novice. I believe there is still a lot I have to learn in this hobby and I am still learning something new every day. With that being said if there are any suggestions you all have please let me know.

 

My first tank was a 50-gallon reef tank, with all hang on the back equipment which I maintained for a year. This tank tested my patience and at times I wanted to break it down and start back over because of the amount of nascence pest I acquired in the live rock, needless to say I experienced a lot trials and tribulations within the first 6 months of the tank existence but once I got over the initial 6 months hump and got the pest under control it was smooth sailing for the most part. I finally had to break down the tank due to my job (Marine Corps) and I immediately started planning my next build. I sold all my equipment and livestock and started buying new equipment for my new build.

 

I purchased a 120-gallon acrylic aquarium from John at Advanced Acrylics with external overflow and designed and purchased a 40-gallon acrylic sump made by Advanced Acrylics. I purchased the majority of the equipment needed for the build (protein skimmer, lights, powerheads, etc) but I left that behind in a storage unit because I decided after 12 years in the Marine Corps I had enough and wanted to spend more time with my wife and two daughters. So we all moved to Florida where we are staying temporally with my mother in law until we figure out the next steps in our lives.

 

This leads me up to this current tank, the Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion 30L. So after 1 year of not having a reef tank and not being able to go one more day without a reef tank in my life, my mother in law gave me permission to place a reef tank in her house. I strongly believe she got tired of me always talking about how I miss my tank and I think she is interested in seeing the tank.

 

On 14 August 2016 I bought the following from Bulk Reef Supply:

 

Nuvo Fusion 30 Gallon Aquarium Starter Tank Kit

Nuvo Long Black Aquarium Stand

Vortech MP10QD (debating if I should have gone with the Gyre XF130)

Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue X2

Kessil Spectral Controller

Tunze Osmolator Nano 3152

Kessil A Series Mounting Arms (was going to get the gooseneck but I’m glad I didn’t)

Tunze Comline Doc Skimmer 9001

Innovative Marine Filter Socks x2

 

The Aquarium Starter Tank Kit included the following:

30 lbs of Reef Saver Rock

40 lbs of Special Grade Arag-Alive Sand

Hikari Marine S Pellet Fish Food

HW-Marinemix Reefer Salt mix

250ml bottle of Instant Ocean Bio-Spira

500mL Brightwell Erase Dechlorinator

Finnex HMA-s 150w Digital Heater

Finnex HPS-100 Digital Heater

Hydor Koralia Evo 600

Tunze Care magnet Nano

 

Here are some pics of the setup……..

[al_flood]

I decided to test my skill at aqua-scaping. I have never done this before as my last tank was just chunks of rock placed in the aquarium. So here is what I came up with, looking for honest feedback, negative feedback welcomed.

[Narzyzz_12]

Above all thank you for your service and I'm tagging along for a sure to be awesome reef system.Btw the way your mother in law is a keeper lol.

What are your plans for this system?

[al_flood]

Thank you for your support. I am very grateful for having my mother in law in my life.

 

I plan on a mix reef tank.

I'm really contemplating going the ZeoVit method because of the growth and excellent color associated with this type of system.

Contemplating purchasing the Nano Power Package from BRS.

[Narzyzz_12]

That would be nice,you should do it those ZeoVit systems are unreal.

[al_flood]

New equipment purchased.

 

30 lbs of Tropical Eden Miniflakes Sand from premiumaquatics.com. In the starter tank kit, BRS included 40 lbs of Special Grade Arag-Alive Sand but I'm not totally sold on this sand, especially since I am going the ZeoVit route and from reading the forum the recommendation is to not start with live sand. Additionally, I've had prior experience with Tropical Eden sand, and I would say it is the best for what I am trying to achieve in my tank.

 

Test kits, all Salifert. Nitrate, Phosphate, Ammonia, Calcium, Alkalinity & Magnesium. I will also be purchasing the Hanna Alkalinity & Phosphate test kits.

 

BRS 4 Stage Value Water Saver Plus RODI system - 150 GPD. I know its over kill but I'm all about saving water.

 

BRS Premium Carbon ROX 0.8

BRS Bulk GFO

BRS Mesh filter socks. I plan on putting the ROX carbon in the filter socks and since it came with strings I could tie it and drop it into the back compartment. Later once I upgrade the stock pump that came with the IM Nuvo 30L to a controllable DC pump (looking at Jebao return pumps), I plan on purchasing the AquaMaxx FR-SE GFO/Carbon/Biopellet Reactor to run the carbon. I was planning on using GFO but with the ZeoVit I doubt I will need it, I purchased it as insurance in case I may need it one day.

 

MarinePure Ceramic BioMedia. I've never tried this media before, but I've heard great things about it. Going to give it a try and see how it works.

 

Vertex Titanium Grounding Pole. Safety first, hopefully if one of my equipment is leaching electricity in the tank this will help trip the GFCI that my aquarium is plugged into.

 

Quiet One Pro 400. I purchased this item with the sole purpose of helping mix new saltwater and for adding the saltwater in the tank. I'm not sold on this pump, it seems fragile and it was cheap, but I'll give it a try, time will tell.

 

Black Egg Crate. Just my personal preference I do not like my rocks sitting on top the glass or on top of the sand. I did not fill the aquarium with the egg crate, its only under the rock.

 

More Filter socks. I believe in great water quality and being able to change out filter socks it a must through out the week.

 

I purchased the ZeoVit Nano Power Package and upgraded all the bottles.

10 ML Pohl's Coral Vitalizer

250 ML Pohl's Xtra Concentrate

50 ML Amino Acid Concentrate

50 ML Sponge Power Concentrate

ZeoVit Media, the zeovit media is not part of the Nano Power Package, I bought this as an experiment to see it placing the stones in the mesh filter sock and shaking it twice a day will be as effective as a reactor.

 

Dr Tim's One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria, I've never used this product before, and I always cycle my tank by ghost feeding and testing. I plan on adding this product to the tank, ghost feed and test for one week before adding any fish. If my parameters are stable then I plan on starting with a clown fish pair and then waiting a month before I add any other livestock.

 

I should have the tank wet this weekend but that may be a stretch because of work and family.

That would be nice,you should do it those ZeoVit systems are unreal.

I agree, I'm always visiting the ZeoVit forms and wishing I had a tank that looked remotely close to some of the tanks there.

[al_flood]

I did a water test on Friday 26 Aug 16. I ran some vinegar in the water to help sanitize the equipment. No leaks.

[al_flood]

Started cycling the tank today. Added Dr Tim's One and Only and put some fish food in the tank. Will be ghost feeding for 7 days and will be testing each day starting tomorrow. The perimeters I will be testing are: Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate. I forgot to purchase a Nitrite test kit. The lights will be off during this period.

[al_flood]

Day 1 of the cycle:

 

Temp: 79.2

Salinity: 1.026 (Ideally I would like to see my salinity at 1.025)

Ammonia: < .15

Nitrate: 0

[al_flood]

I'm thinking of changing my skimmer. I'm looking at purchasing the Aquamaxx HOB-1protein skimmer. Is there anyone out there that has some sought of experience with this skimmer? Whether it be on their Nuvo 30L or any other tank.

 

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/hob-1-hang-on-back-protein-skimmer-aquamaxx/

 

http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMaxx_HOB_1_Hang_On_Back_Protein_Skimmer_w_Bubble_Stopper_Hang_On_Venturi_Needle_Wheel_Protein_Skimmers-AquaMaxx-UJ11511-FIPSHONW-vi.html

[ninjamyst]

really nice build going on here! what makes you want to change skimmer?

[al_flood]

really nice build going on here! what makes you want to change skimmer?

Hello ninjamyst,

 

Thanks for the comment. I'm only changing the skimmer because it does not fit exactly how it want it to fit inside the back compartment of the tank. When I had it in there, the collection cup would not sit properly on the skimmer due to the Kessil Mounting Arms. In order for me to get it to fit perfectly, I would have to move one of my LED lights either to the left or right. If I move it to the right then I will have an uneven spread and shadowing and if I move it to the left then the light spread in the middle of the tank will be reduced.

 

I figured with a HOB skimmer, like the Aquamaxx HOB-1 it will not take up precious space inside the back component and I will be able to empty the collection cup rather easy. In addition to the Aquamaxxx HOB-1, I would also get the Reef Octopus 4" Waste Collector as insurance in case the skimmer decides to go ballistic.

[al_flood]

Took a couple of pics of the tank and stand this evening as well as measured all the parameters.

 

Temp: 80.0

Salinity: 1.025

Cal: 485

Mag: 1470

Alk: 15 DKH

PO4: 0

Ammonia: <0.15

NO3: 0

 

I have no clue why my Cal, Alk, and Mag is high, on the positive note I won't have to invest in dosing equipment anytime soon......

[al_flood]

Maybe I'm just lucky but Marine Depot has the AquaMaxx HOB-1 on sale, 25% off. I was going to hold off on purchasing it but now I have no reason why I should not purchase this skimmer.

 

Additionally, they also have the Trigger System Crystal 5 Gallon ATO Reservoir on sale. I will be picking up the skimmer but I'm also looking at the ATO Reservoir........

 

Decisions Decisions

 

[al_flood]

I purchased my new protein skimmer (Aquamaxx HOB-1) and the Trigger System 5 gallon ATO reservoir this morning from Marine Depot. Should receive both items sometime next week. I will post pics of the new items when unboxed and also when set up.

 

 

 

[al_flood]

I will be getting my clean up crew next week, here is what I came up with and the number.

 

Trochus Snails - 6

Scarlet Hermit - 2

Blue Leg Hermit - 10

Nassarius Vibex Snail - 2

Pods

 

Any recommendations let me know.....

[mystersyster]

I would trade out a few trochus for a few nerites. Their hardiness is an understatement. Mine have been with me since I got my CuC in December.

[al_flood]

I would trade out a few trochus for a few nerites. Their hardiness is an understatement. Mine have been with me since I got my CuC in December.

Thanks for the input. After reading up on the Nerites snails, I am willing to give them a try. I think that having three of each (Trochus & Nerites) should work.

[ninjamyst]

I will be getting my clean up crew next week, here is what I came up with and the number.

 

Trochus Snails - 6

Scarlet Hermit - 2

Blue Leg Hermit - 10

Nassarius Vibex Snail - 2

Pods

 

Any recommendations let me know.....

dont think you need that much...your tank too new to support that much CUC....

[al_flood]

dont think you need that much...your tank too new to support that much CUC....

 

What would you suggest and how many?

[ninjamyst]

 

What would you suggest and how many?

Get 3 scarletts and 0 blue legs. They will probably end up killing each other in the long run anyways. Get 4 nass instead of 2.

[al_flood]

Get 3 scarletts and 0 blue legs. They will probably end up killing each other in the long run anyways. Get 4 nass instead of 2.

Thanks for the recommendation.

[al_flood]

On Saturday I added a Conquest Onyx clown and it has been doing great. This morning I did a 20% water change to remove all the uneaten food in the tank. I will be test all perimeters later today. Here is what the tank looks like as of this morning......

 

 

 

[al_flood]

Salanity: 1.025

Ammonia - <0.15

PO4 - 0

NO3 - 5

 

Aqua-Maxx HOB-1 skimmer will be coming later this week.

[al_flood]

Just came home from work about an hour minutes ago. I checked my email and to my amazement........

 

My skimmer from Marine Depot should be here by Thursday, it was shipped today!!! I'm very impressed with Marine Depot's shipping speed. I am very excited to receive and start using the Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer. Before purchasing this skimmer, I read some great reviews on this skimmer and this is what swayed my decision to purchase. I was contemplating running the system without a skimmer and doing regular water changes. That plan changed once I saw the 25% off Marine Depot has on Aquamaxx skimmers. In regards to the skimmer, I plan on letting you guys/gals know what my initial thoughts are on the skimmer, I will update you on my thoughts when fully broken in, one month / 6 months / 1 year into using the skimmer.

 

Now, in regards to the Tunze 9001 skimmer, at this moment I plan on keeping it and using it in my 10 gallon Rubbermaid Brute quarantine tank.

 

What do you all think about using a protein skimmer in your QT?

Is there anyone that does this?