Juan's IM NUVO 30L Reef Aquarium Build

[Juanrmattos]

Hello everyone,

A couple years have now gone by since I brutally crashed and burned on my attempt to build the 60G Reef Savvy ZEOVit Korallenzucht Mini Riff , ever since then, I've found myself checking up on this forum sporadically and missing the days where reefing was always present on my daily activities (One of the very few I truly enjoy)... Fair to say, once a reef keeper, always a reef keeper. And so, here it goes:

After long self-psychological warfare I've decided to acquire an Innovative Marine NUVO 30L reef tank, I have the tank sitting at the Bulk Reef's supply shopping kart page, but I have not yet pulled the trigger because there is a chance one of my former local suppliers has it in stock, but the purchase is definitively happening this coming Tuesday (The day after tomorrow).

I want to add here that this is going to be a "Baby Steps" kind of build since my spending budget will be a bit limited, but for those of you that enjoy build threads, stick with this one, I will make it happen this time around, that is my promise!!!.

Here is the manufacturer's promo video:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/65VQtTIqmDk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



Thanks for reading, positive comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Juan.

 

[Juanrmattos]

Small update:

Ordered the aquarium and stand from Bulk Reef Supply yesterday with a 3rd Day shipping... Order status just updated with tracking info and estimated delivery date for next Monday.


Made a final decision for the location of the tank, the wall has the exact same width of the aquarium and is visible from all seats in the formal living room:

I had previously contracted an electrician to install an independent panel box for my big tank, so I re-routed the 15amp breaker for that specif single outlet and made it into into a double 15amp by stealing the connector in the opposite side of the wall which runs in a separate breaker assigned to the dinning room)...

It may be a bit of an overkill, but I will have 1800watts per outlet and should be more than enough to run this size tank... I'm not much of a handyman and struggled a little to match the wall color, but I think is a decent job overall:

Thanks for reading, Moving along...

 

[Juanrmattos]

Finally... This thread has just become official!!!.

One of the advantages of being friends with your UPS guy is having the ability to text him the lock code into the backyard when you are not there...

I have to admit I was a little concerned with all the bruises, rips and tears in the packing boxes, so I just dove right into them to make sure everything was okay... Once I got to the retail box, everything looked much better...

Did not take the aquarium out of the box, but all looks good inside...

Extremely happy with it at first glance, I'll probably write a complete review about it once is ready to be mounted in its stand... Which I should have some "fun" putting together...

We are rolling!!!....

 

[ssick92]

Tagging along for this one. Didn't see any updates on what went wrong with the old tank? Can't wait to see what you do with this one.

Got a list of planned equipment?

 

[Juanrmattos]

Tagging along for this one. Didn't see any updates on what went wrong with the old tank? Can't wait to see what you do with this one.
Got a list of planned equipment?

Thanks John...

The other aquarium was never put together... It was mostly due to a financial compromise.

This one is going to be a long build (For the same reason); initially will have the bare basics, such a Ghost skimmer, ZEOvit reactor and "maybe" an auto top off... Hoping to add a controller and dosing system down the road. Initially wanted the ATI T5 dimmable fixture, but the ceiling is 25' up and I have not been able to find a hanging system that would look nice for it... So I'll be using a less expensive fixture (36" JBJ Trinity) while I can afford the new Gen4 Ecotech instead.

Moving along...

 

[ssick92]

Thanks John...

The other aquarium was never put together... It was mostly due to a financial compromise.

This one is going to be a long build (For the same reason); initially will have the bare basics, such a Ghost skimmer, ZEOvit reactor and "maybe" an auto top off... Hoping to add a controller and dosing system down the road. Initially wanted the ATI T5 dimmable fixture, but the ceiling is 25' up and I have not been able to find a hanging system that would look nice for it... So I'll be using a less expensive fixture (36" JBJ Trinity) while I can afford the new Gen4 Ecotech instead.

Moving along...

If I were you, I would rather go with the ATO than the skimmer, especially at the start. When your bioload is small (at the beginning) a skimmer won't be very beneficial, and IMO an ATO is an absolute must from the get-go for any tank. Otherwise you will need to manually replenish the evaporated water multiple times every day to avoid salinity fluctuations.

Obviously both would be best, but I would prioritize the ATO over the skimmer any day of the week.

 

[Juanrmattos]

If I were you, I would rather go with the ATO than the skimmer, especially at the start. When your bioload is small (at the beginning) a skimmer won't be very beneficial, and IMO an ATO is an absolute must from the get-go for any tank. Otherwise you will need to manually replenish the evaporated water multiple times every day to avoid salinity fluctuations.

Obviously both would be best, but I would prioritize the ATO over the skimmer any day of the week.

No, this is going to be a full ZEOvit reef system and I'll need strong skimming since day one (Even when the transport is at its low); with the pump sizes that are going to be used and a 4 bulb T5 light fixture, I don't predict having too much evaporation (Demanding, but it'll have to do for now).

I'm planning to cure the rock for at least 20 days and cycling the tank is going to take at least another couple weeks, chances are by the time the cycle is complete the ATO will be installed as well ("Fingers crossed").

 

[ssick92]

No, this is going to be a full ZEOvit reef system and I'll need strong skimming since day one (Even when the transport is at its low); with the pump sizes that are going to be used and a 4 bulb T5 light fixture, I don't predict having too much evaporation (Demanding, but it'll have to do for now).

I'm planning to cure the rock for at least 20 days and cycling the tank is going to take at least another couple weeks, chances are by the time the cycle is complete the ATO will be installed as well ("Fingers crossed").

Ahh, okay that makes sense. Even with that being the case, I would rather eat ramen for a week and get an ATO than try to maintain my water level manually :lolspin:

Good luck with your tank! I don't know much about what it takes to successfully maintain a ZEOvit system, but am very interested to watch your progress.

 

[Juanrmattos]

Ahh, okay that makes sense. Even with that being the case, I would rather eat ramen for a week and get an ATO than try to maintain my water level manually :lolspin:

Good luck with your tank! I don't know much about what it takes to successfully maintain a ZEOvit system, but am very interested to watch your progress.

Thanks John!!!... I'll do my best to document the Zeovit program in future posts.

Ah!, For the record, I'm already on a Ramen regime!!!. :lmao:

 

[Juanrmattos]

Lower back is not very happy... But I am!!!

I was a bit skeptical about using the stock stand, but after the assembly, I'd have to say that I'm very pleased with how solid it is... Installation is pretty straight forward and aside from missing a couple wooden dowels in the bag, it was put together fairly easy. Not very savvy adjusting the doors, but hey, they open and they close

Moving along...

 

[Juanrmattos]

FUTTERWACKEN ! ! !

I did get other goodies in the mail, will update during the course of the day...

 

[Juanrmattos]

Got a few upgrades for the tank... IM Aqua-Gadget Spin Stream nozzles, IM Aqua-Gadget Filter Basket (Need to order another), IM Fish-Guard (Not sure why they offer this, if is not needed for the NUVO), and Vertex Dual magnet cleaner

IM Aqua-Gadget SkimMate Ghost Skimmer... Ordered the mid-size for maximum protein evac

Installed the Spin Stream nozzles

Installed the Protein Skimmer (Test install)..

Installed the Stock pump... IM assigned a 475 gph pump, which is a bit low for my preference, chances are it will be replaced for a new one in the range of 750 gph; Is very possible that they may have specific reasons for going with a lower flow pump (This aquarium is very shallow @13" and narrow @ 11" from the front overflow wall to the front glass)...

I did receive the Walt Smith Nano Rock 2.1 yesterday, but one of the boxes was half way short in weight, gladly I acted quick and BRF is sending the missing weight, but will have to wait until next Wednesday for the extra shipment:

Last but not least... I also received the RO/DI system, I'm hoping to be able to get up and running over the weekend

I'd like to say something here... I'm loving being back to reefing!!!

 

[ssick92]

One thing that you might want to consider is returning the IM Media basket and purchasing one from InTank. I have an InTank media basket for my IM 10g, and the build quality is superb. I've heard that the IM one doesn't fit as snug as it should, so the water can go around your media instead of being forced through it.

Overall looks like everything is very well thought out. Let me know what you think about the Ghost skimmer... I am contemplating getting one for my system but have heard mixed reviews in regards to microbubbles, noise, etc. Let me know if you experience any issues with it.

 

[Juanrmattos]

Thank you John...

To be perfectly honest, I did notice a small gap on the media basket (It fits well to the sides but it has about 5mm to the back, which would allow the water flow to force it and create that space on the front)... I was planing on using something to keep it snug, but will look into the InTank baskets as well (Since I'm planning on running baskets in both sides anyway).

I read through some of the Ghost skimmer reviews, I truly hope the poor reviews are due to lack of calibration, but I'd definitively let you know.

 

[Juanrmattos]

Ah!, on a separate note, I decided to go through some of my old tank plastic bins stored in the garage... Found some knowledge left behind

Gladly the wife didnt make a big deal about having some of the living room decorations replaced

 

[Juanrmattos]

Couldn't resist looking at the Reef Rock boxes yesterday afternoon... It was as if they were calling for me...

They may not look as much right now, but I'm shooting for the "Shallow Trenched Wall" look, trying to leave as many flat top surfaces thinking ahead on my coral selection and trying to create some cool looking caves at the same time... Apologies for the poor picture quality, but is the time of the day where the light enters the room from the front.

The rock is mounted over a 1/32 egg crate that was cut perimetrically around the contours of the rock... I know many reefers are biased towards the use of egg crates, but using them allows me to secure the rock and also gives me the ability to be able to slide the complete colony in all four directions (If I ever need to), not to mention distributing the weight in a more even way while saving the glass from being scratched ... I also used 1/8" acrylic rods drilled into the joints and BRF Jurassic compound to glue them together. The "Dusty white" coloration on the crate and in some places of the rock is created by the fumes expelled by the glue as it dries and cures (It should be a couple more days to fully cure).

Waiting for the remaining rock (To arrive Wednesday) to work on the other side of the display, BUT, thinking ahead, I made a cardboard top to be used while curing the rock (Hopeful to start the process next Friday; economy salt mix and carbon already ordered for it).

Moving along....

 

[ken1977]

Nice tank, I'll be following along!

 

[BADPAPI]

lol I love the cover and the warning signs .

 

[BADPAPI]

i also have a nuvo fussion 20 running in my office and a nuvo sr 60 at my home the is being set up to replace my 150 gallon beat on my living room

 

[Juanrmattos]

Thanks for the comments guys... :thumbsup:


Pretty basic setup, but should do the work...

This would be my very first aquarium using salt-mix, my previous tank had a more advanced RO/DI connected to a 100 Gal reservoir but was mainly for auto top-off... Since mixed salts recommend the use of hot water, I connected this system to the hot water outlet... Does anyone know if this could be detrimental to the filters?

Thanks...