BigBarnacles big Nuvo 8 build thread.

[BigBarnacles]

Well, I decided that the 75 wasn't enough and was looking to add a small slice of the ocean to another part of the house. I've always been interested in the nano tank. Here begins my first attempt at it.

Purchased the Innovative Marine Nuvo 8 from AquaPros just a few days ago.

Looks good on the "island" separating all of the rooms on the first floor.

12-31-12 Let the games begin. 1/2 full.

Full and ready to cycle.

Finnex digital 50W titanium heater installed.

Aquascaping done! Just kidding. Took some rocks from the 75 to boost the cycle. Ghost feeding a few pellets a day.

I'll post my first cycle water readings tomorrow. Thanks for checking this thread out.

 

[tikireefer]

Nice looking tank. What kind of coral do you think you will put in that tank? Is the cover easy to remove?

 

[Tank2379]

That is really awesome... I like those little tanks. How are the LED's on there? I like that you went with the Finnex heater those are hands down probabaly the most reliable heaters I've used in the market today and thats alot for heaters that normally fail during use.

 

[N3gative Cr33p]

Looks great so far... can't wait to see more pics!

 

[BigBarnacles]

Nice looking tank. What kind of coral do you think you will put in that tank? Is the cover easy to remove?

I'm thing about mostly high end zoas and acans. Maybe a few softies. The cover fits snug but doesn't take much to pull off.

Looks good so far

Thanks!

That is really awesome... I like those little tanks. How are the LED's on there? I like that you went with the Finnex heater those are hands down probabaly the most reliable heaters I've used in the market today and thats alot for heaters that normally fail during use.

The daytime LED's are actually quite bright. They're 14K with 30* center optics and 120* outer optics. So far I'm liking the heater. Time will tell.

Looks great so far... can't wait to see more pics!

Thanks! I can't wait either!

 

[BigBarnacles]

First cycle readings were a bit unexpected.
Day 3 of cycle:
NH4-0
NO2-0
NO3-0
What do you guys think?

 

[BigBarnacles]

First cycle readings were a bit unexpected.
Day 3 of cycle:
NH4-0
NO2-0
NO3-0
What do you guys think?

 

[reeferlover]

its new did you use live sand. i have never had a tank cycle when using live sand bought in bags and using good live rock

 

[BigBarnacles]

its new did you use live sand. i have never had a tank cycle when using live sand bought in bags and using good live rock

No live sand used. I did however put a few pieces of live rock from my established 75 into the Nuvo. I've been ghost feeding for three days and then did the tests. I'm not rushing this by any means. Just curious whether or not the tank will cycle. I'll retest this weekend and see.

 

[121a]

I would get some rock in there. The reason being that when you do go to add rock you may actually see a small cycle caused from the die off on that rock. The bacteria that you have in there now may not be able to handle it and thus a small cycle may happen. Better to get it all in and settled now than later.

When I setup my 4gal i used "live" rock (no sand) and the cycle lasted maybe 2-3 weeks. Kinda short but I did leave it for an additional week or so before adding any livestock. Good luck and I will be looking forward to seeing where this tank goes, its very cool!

 

[121a]

I would get some rock in there. The reason being that when you do go to add rock you may actually see a small cycle caused from the die off on that rock. The bacteria that you have in there now may not be able to handle it and thus a small cycle may happen. Better to get it all in and settled now than later.

When I setup my 4gal i used "live" rock (no sand) and the cycle lasted maybe 2-3 weeks. Kinda short but I did leave it for an additional week or so before adding any livestock. Good luck and I will be looking forward to seeing where this tank goes, its very cool!

 

[BigBarnacles]

My rock should be arriving Tuesday. Guess I'll just have to play with my 75 until then.

 

[BigBarnacles]

The scape so far. Wanted a minimalistic scape since this is a nano. It'll leave some room for coral growth and space for the nano fish to swim. The middle rock is from my 75 and has grown some algae since being in the nano for over a week. I'll take it out after the cycle.

 

[Tank2379]

The scape so far. Wanted a minimalistic scape since this is a nano. It'll leave some room for coral growth and space for the nano fish to swim. The middle rock is from my 75 and has grown some algae since being in the nano for over a week. I'll take it out after the cycle.

One suggestion with that small LR piece thats covered with green like Algea. I know it's a new tank and you want to cycle but that presents Phosphates in your water that you really don't want to start off with. Esepcially it being a new tank and all. JMO... :rollface:

 

[BigBarnacles]

I never thought of that. Interesting.

 

[Tank2379]

Can't wait to see this up and running... I like new tank builds :thumbsup:

 

[BigBarnacles]

Cycle: Day 9
NH4 - 0.50
NO2 - 0.00
NO3 - 10

 

[dajcadams]

Nice house in the background!

 

[BigBarnacles]

Thanks!

 

[BigBarnacles]

Cycle day 14:
NH4-0.25
NO2-1.0
NO3-10