Juan's IM NUVO 30L Reef Aquarium Build

[Juanrmattos]

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

How do you like the SR60?, it was my first choice before deciding for the 30L

lol I love the cover and the warning signs .

Strange things always happen here at home with my stuff... I had to get a little "didactic" ;P

 

[ssick92]

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...

I hate to say it, but you instantly ruined your RO membrane by using hot water. Always run cold water through your RO/DI systems. Honestly, I would replace all of your filters and get an inline TDS meter to help monitor the condition of your filters going forward.

And to my knowledge the general consensus is that salt mixes better in warmer water, but shouldn't be mixed "hot". I usually mix mine at about 85F and it seems to mix easily.

 

[Juanrmattos]

I hate to say it, but you instantly ruined your RO membrane by using hot water. Always run cold water through your RO/DI systems. Honestly, I would replace all of your filters and get an inline TDS meter to help monitor the condition of your filters going forward.

And to my knowledge the general consensus is that salt mixes better in warmer water, but shouldn't be mixed "hot". I usually mix mine at about 85F and it seems to mix easily.

Thanks John... Luckily, I have not yet primed the filters, I just need to switch to the cold faucet

 

[BADPAPI]

Thanks John... Luckily, I have not yet primed the filters, I just need to switch to the cold faucet

wow lucky you didn't .
also I will consider the ato you be surprice how many times I have to manually add water to my nuvo 20 .
I added one because is at the office . but from Friday night to sunday nigh without ato my reservoir was all most empty.

 

[Juanrmattos]

wow lucky you didn't .
also I will consider the ato you be surprice how many times I have to manually add water to my nuvo 20

I added one because is at the office . but from Friday night to sunday nigh without ato my reservoir was all most empty.

Yes, the auto top off is a priority... Hopefully I will have it by the time lights are installed.

 

[BADPAPI]

How do you like the SR60?, it was my first choice before deciding for the 30L
the nuvo sr-60 looks great still sitting on my dining room empty havent start the build yet .
im in the process of breaking down my 150 and will start the new tank in the next month after come back from vacation .



Strange things always happen here at home with my stuff... I had to get a little "didactic" ;P

lol that is a great idea .

 

[BADPAPI]

How do you like the SR60?, it was my first choice before deciding for the 30L

the nuvo sr-60 looks great still sitting on my dining room empty havent start the build yet .
im in the process of breaking down my 150 and will start the new tank in the next month after come back from vacation .

 

[Juanrmattos]

Finished with the aquascape... One of those deals where you either make the rock look nicely arranged but not much space for corals... Or something like what you see here, very plain, but a bit more room to populate...

Air blower set on high to help drying the glue... A couple more days and I'll be doing an RO/DI fill and dump (To clean up all the mess from playing with the rock and make sure there are no leaks and stuff).

Still need to trim the crates.

Moving along...

 

[Babydaull]

Finished with the aquascape... One of those deals where you either make the rock look nicely arranged but not much space for corals... Or something like what you see here, very plain, but a bit more room to populate...

Air blower set on high to help drying the glue... A couple more days and I'll be doing an RO/DI fill and dump (To clean up all the mess from playing with the rock and make sure there are no leaks and stuff).



Still need to trim the crates.

Moving along...

It would be really cool if you could find a rock that would create an arch between the two different rock structures!

 

[Juanrmattos]

It would be really cool if you could find a rock that would create an arch between the two different rock structures!

I tried that option... and many others, It just looks too crowded joining the two islands. The Nano Reef Rock 2.1 is nice, but the biggest piece I received is about 6" en length.

Here is a better perspective using the light from my desktop photo booth

 

[Babydaull]

Still looks awesome! Can't wait to see the progression

 

[Juanrmattos]

Wish me luck guys!!!.... Cure cycle starts today

"Fingers crossed"!!!

 

[Juanrmattos]

Seven hours later...

No leaks!!!...

A few important points for all Nuvo Fusion 30L prospective & current owners:

- The physical water volume of this aquarium is 20.5 Gallons (At maximum water level = 1/2" bellow the internal overflow wall), water parameters, mixing, dosing etc should be adjusted as such.
- Now it makes sense why IM would supply a main pump in the 480 gph range... The pump is fairly quiet, but I would still like to upgrade to at least 25 times the water volume (Somewhere around 560 gph).
- Water polishing socks... Their frame is about 1/2" shy to cover the total chamber top, I created some spacers using egg crate pieces to make sure the water flow doesn't push them towards the back and with this small adjustment they are working fine.
- Spin stream nozzles: They work fine but because the overflow grills are at exactly half their tube level, they make a small vibrating noise while they spin... it would probably go away with a higher flow (Or maybe they just need to grind a little).

Overall, I'm extremely happy with this tank... I'm truly looking forward to star working on the cabinet and the equipment while the rock cures...

We are rolling boys!!!!

 

[Juanrmattos]

Water cleared overnight and everything is working up to par...

Now we go into darkness for a few weeks

I love my reef tank!!!

 

[Juanrmattos]

Power rack arrived today...

Nine Multi Switch rated 1800amp plus USB Charging port

Looks poor with the main pump only, but I'm pretty sure it will be packed solid in a few more weeks.

Moving along....

 

[Juanrmattos]

I've got stuffs

 

[Juanrmattos]

Day Seven of rock curing process... Already getting perfect water parameters

Obviously, this doesn't mean in any way the cure cycle is done (We are months away from having fully cured rock), but if I had all the equipment, I could start the tank cycle today...

Oh well, what's two more weeks anyway

 

[Juanrmattos]

Installed the raceways... No more loose cables

Having decals made for the power rack because the ribbon tape is not cutting it

Moving along....

 

[Juanrmattos]

Day Ten of curing the rock... I did a full water change (Probably the last before initiating the cycle process "IF" DHL gets off their butt and bring my sand ).

My buddy Nathan from Rebadge Desings made some decals for the power rack, it looks much better

Korallen-Zutch Reefer's Best salt mix arrived... This one has awesome reviews in Europe and is said to be one of the very few that actually has all the elements described in the box

Without any further ado... The JBJ Trinity T5HO light fixture is here!!!

Is a little bulky compared to other fixtures, but I have to say, I truly like how it not only gives more body to the tank, but also helps to conceal all the gadgets in the overflow... I did a test fit with and without the lid

Using the lid, I will be required to lift the fixture in order to take it off...

Also received the Korallen Zutch bulbs, Coral Light II, Super blue, Coral Light II and Fiji Purple (Same order in which they will be used)

Finally, I got a message from the guys at IluminAqua, my A.T.O reservoir should be completed and shipped before the end of the week... Ah!, and ordered a 568gph Sicce Syncra 2.0 pump to replace the main.

We are getting closer guys!!!

 

[Juanrmattos]

Just received an IM from the guys at IluminAqua... The A.T.O reservoir ships out tomorrow

White walls with frontal window, black top, black bottom, holds 3 gallons.

Moving along!!!