Nuvo 20 Black Build

[Sold4JC]

After a five year hiatus from the hobby, I was able to jump back in full force. I’ve missed the community, tech, and creativity of the hobby, so it's time for 20-gallon office tank.

Tank is a Nuvo 20 Black
I drilled the tank with a 1.5” overflow drain. I made a simple overflow out of black acrylic. I drill two 3/4” return lines. Each hole drilled was a good stress test, but everything turned out great.

Sump
20 gallon long
I designed the sump to meet the recommendations to run the Triton method. I used black 1/4” acrylic for dividers with black aquarium silicone. I know acrylic and glass don't bond the best, but I think it will work fine for my set up. The return baffle is adjustable in 1/2” increments from 6 1/2” to 9 1/2. I want to have some versatility with the water level. Some white paint on the back, bottom, and sides help make it easier to see in the sump.

Fuge light: UFO Led Grow Light, Growstar 150W Full Spectrum Plant Light
Heater: 200-watt Titanium Finnex
Skimmer: Skimz sn123 with DC pump
JBJ ATO
8x8x1 Marine Pure Block
Return: Tunze AC pump

Controller: Apex Classic
Flow: EcoTech MP10

I had some leftover rock that I used for the display. I tried to keep it minimalistic. I pinned, epoxied and glued the rock structure together. There's nothing worse than your rock tumbling down when you bump it. I did bleach the rock for rock two weeks in hopes of helping prevent a mess later on. I'm going to leave the tank bare bottom for now.

Display light: Radion XR15W PRO GEN 3.
I may try and make a light stand out of black 80/20 extruded Aluminum.

I just filled the tank and started the cycle. I plan on taking things slow. The primary display will be covered and blacked out for the next month as it cycles. If all goes well, I’ll be reaching out to the community for frags in 2-3 months. I’m hoping to run a mixed reef. My old tank was mainly LPS and softies, but I would like to have some SPS this go around.


I'm open to stocking suggestions and input.

 

[Sold4JC]

Resized the "posters" to picture. Sorry for the crazy sizing of photos.

I made an overflow cover for the tank today. It helped clean look up a little.

 

[honeycombz]

This looks like it will be one nice nano build! Love the huge sump underneath


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[pga7602]

Ahh there we go. Now I can see it. I am loving the aquascape. The diy overflow is very nice too. Keep the updates coming!

 

[Sold4JC]

I spent a little time hard plumbing the ATO line. I wasn't a fan of the flexible line, so I used some cpvc and ran the ATO to the return section of the sump next to the return line.

I have the DT blacked out while the tank cycles, but I was able to score a Radion xr15 pro Gen 4. I'm excited to see it on the tank in a month instead of in the box. Still leaning towards making the light mount out of 80/20 series 10 aluminum. If I make the light mount, I will have an RMS mount for sale.

The refugium is looking nice and nasty. The Cheato has doubled in size from what I can tell.

The goal for the next week is adding the break out box to the Apex with several float switches for the sump, ATO reservoir, and main display water level.

I tested Phosphates today with the Hanna Phosphate checker and got a reading of .16 ppm. Nothing exciting going on as I wait for the tank to cycle.

 

[pga7602]

Is that a webcam in the fuge?

 

[Sold4JC]

Yes its an old foscam IP camera. I want to keep an eye on the skimmer when I'm out of the office. I put a fill mark on the skimmer cup for reference. The camera pans, tilts, and has audio. It's a cool addition.

 

[Roger30]

Looks like a cool little tank! I want to tag along, see how it progresses!!

 

[pga7602]

Yes its an old foscam IP camera. I want to keep an eye on the skimmer when I'm out of the office. I put a fill mark on the skimmer cup for reference. The camera pans, tilts, and has audio. It's a cool addition.

Neat.

 

[moondoggy4]

Looking good Now I know how you got that sump under that tank, nicely done. What kind of piece of furniture did you use?

 

[Sold4JC]

I installed the Breakout box to the Neptune and wired a float switch to the overflow. If the float switch trips it shuts off the return pump and sends me an email notification. I was impressed by how well it worked.

Does anyone know if these float switches fail open or closed? Its from the DIY Aqua Hub ATO.

I've been impressed by the Skimz skimmer. It has been plug and play from day one for me. I emptied the cup on Saturday and noticed good production over the last few days.

The tank sits on top of a file cabinet that I cleaned out to house the sump and equipment.

 

[Sold4JC]

The tank is a week closer to fish. The Radion is up and ready to light the tank. I used the RMS mount, but I didn't have the clearance to mount it on the tank. I got a little created mounting the light.

I added another float switch to the Apex breakout box to monitor the water level in the sump.

The fuge has EXPLODED with growth. I have 1000s of pods taking over the tank, and the chaeto is taking off. It's encouraging to see life in the system.

 

[Sold4JC]

Finally got some fish and a few corals to start things off. I have a variety of corals coming next week from starter SPS to zoa.

The Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse has shown some aggression to the Firefish, but the addition of some Green Chromis have helped calm him down.

Equipment additions have been a PM2, Jebao Doser, and BRS mini-reactor. I like the mini-reactor. It fits well in the stand and the outlet can be used to blow out the sump. I'm currently using the Jebao doser for automatic water changes. I change 200ml of tank water every other hour

To save space, I made an ATO reservoir from some spare acrylic. It's nothing to look at but its helped free up some space, and the 5 gallons it holds lasts for well over a week.


I've had a struggle with microbubble in the display because of the skimmer. My skimz skimmer releases a ton of micro air bubbles from the outlet. I made a removable chamber to help contain the bubbles. It has helped clean up the display.

 

[benibarra23]

Nice build! Have you thought about installing a float switch on the lid of your skimmer? Or Getting a skimate collector with a float switch? So if it overflows it turns off and lets you know?

Its a life saver for me especially since I travel a lot. Skimmer gets full and just shuts off.

 

[CRookSkee]

Very nice, I have my eye on a innovative marine aio 25 gal lagoon. In love with the dimensions

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[Sold4JC]

Nice build! Have you thought about installing a float switch on the lid of your skimmer? Or Getting a skimate collector with a float switch? So if it overflows it turns off and lets you know?

Its a life saver for me especially since I travel a lot. Skimmer gets full and just shuts off.

I tried to install a float switch in the skimmer cup, but I didn't have the clearance. I've wanted to try and shave the float down on the switch to see if I can get the correct spacing and still have it work.

If anyone knows of some slim float switches that might work I'm open to suggestions.

Very nice, I have my eye on a innovative marine aio 25 gal lagoon. In love with the dimensions

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I was looking at the 25 gallon but didn't have the needed room. I like the dimensions of IM tanks a lot. I like the extra depth I get with the Nuvo Black.

 

[CRookSkee]

I tried to install a float switch in the skimmer cup, but I didn't have the clearance. I've wanted to try and shave the float down on the switch to see if I can get the correct spacing and still have it work.

If anyone knows of some slim float switches that might work I'm open to suggestions.



I was looking at the 25 gallon but didn't have the needed room. I like the dimensions of IM tanks a lot. I like the extra depth I get with the Nuvo Black.

Yea I might get one soon, I'll make s build thread if I do.

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[Sold4JC]

Got my hands on a par meter and started taking some readings. I have been running my light at 25%, but decided to slowly increase the intensity to get the PAR numbers up. I don't have much in the tank at this moment but plan on adding some more coral in the next few weeks.

What is a good PAR to aim for in the tank?

 

[CRookSkee]

Got my hands on a par meter and started taking some readings. I have been running my light at 25%, but decided to slowly increase the intensity to get the PAR numbers up. I don't have much in the tank at this moment but plan on adding some more coral in the next few weeks.

What is a good PAR to aim for in the tank?

I'd say like 250 around where the top of the rocks are, if you dont have any coral yet I dont think you need to acclimate the lights to the tank, I never have.

Manny

 

[calistyle]

Very nice setup!! I love this tank.