Scuba’s IM profusion Nuvo 20

[marcandre]

Hello,

Very excited to rejoin  the hobby after a 6year pause. 
Wanted to restart small and simple. 
Opted with an IM 20g that I placed in the living room where I can see it from pretty much anywhere. 
My goal is to keep this tank clean and simple. No intent to keeping SPS, no intent to dose anything, just enjoy the water movement and life that this simple tank will bring 

 

Equipment:

IM Nuvo 20 gallon

AI Prime 16HD light

Cobalt 150W heater placed in the middle chamber (return pump chamber)

Stock Return pump that comes with the IM profusion line

AI Nero 3 water pump

IM desktop skimmer

XP Aqua Duetto ATO

 

Filtration Plan per chamber (going left to right)

1) Stock Filter Sock

2) IM DC desktop Skimmer

3) Stock Return Pump + Heater + ATO receiving tube

4) ????? empty for now 

5) Stock Media Basket ( filter floss + Activated Carbon + Chemipure Elite

 

Bioload Current:

25lbs caribsea life rock (nano arches + donut + shapes)

10lbs live sand (reef grade)

 

Bioload Wishlist

2 ocellaris clowns (standard, not the fancy misbarred ones)

2 firefish 

YWG/ pistol shrimp pair (if bioload can support it)

 

that’s about it for now! Not much action to report
Tank has been wet since April 26th

Currently cycling using Dr Tim’s bacteria and Ammonium Chloride technique 

 

FTS as of today:

your feedback is more than welcome (and needed)

 

[marcandre]

Here are some more FTS. 

 

[LazyFish]

Looks nice very clean looking. I have 2 clowns and 2 fire fish in mine with a load of rock flower anemones. I think putting in a shrimp goby pair would be pushing the bioload especialy in a new tank if the tank was fully mature you might get away with it but it would be pushing it. Personaly I wouldnt I'm sure some may say otherwise just my opinion. Are you planning fwlro a macro set up or are you getting coral?

[marcandre]

Definitely will take this slow and see how the tank progresses.

Clownfish pair will be added when cycle ends and will see about the timing of the other fish.

 

Will be getting LPS corals eventually.

Always liked the flow of a torch and the shine of zoas.

Never fully understood the appeal of SPS.

 

Question:

1) Is a refugium a good idea for the 4th chamber?

Chamber is smaller than i thought, would such a small refugium actually make a difference, considering i have low bio load, running a skimmer and chemipure elite?

 

2) 2nd Media Basket vs Stock Filter stock?

What is the use of a filter stock if we put filter floss at the top of the media basket?

Is it beneficial to have 2 media baskets instead?

With two media baskets, what do you put in them? 

Activated Carbon? ChemiPure Elite? Marine Pure Gems?

 

Thanks for everyones help,

[marcandre]

Day 4 of Dr Tim's fishless cycle.

 

Things are progressing nicely.

First signs of nitrites(0.1), ammonia still high(2) and pH hasn't dipped (8.2)

Did not add more ammonium chloride as it is still high.

 

Tank equipment is working great, barely any sound.

I will be ordering a filtration cover from intank to make the setup extra clean and streamlined

[pricewayne]

Your scape looks great!
May consider a bio-plate in your extra back chamber space? X-port Bio is a brand I’ve seen many use (BRS or Marine Depot should have).