Owners Thread: Innovative Marine Fusion 40

[g8gxp]

Apologies if this is not the right thread for it, but i am coming back to the hobby after a 5 year hiatus. Had a 120 previously, but this time around am looking at something smaller and easier. Contemplating between an IM and a Red Sea since they both seem to be mostly turnkey. I really like having everything in one tank and none of the issues that are inherent with plumbing to a sump underneath the tank, but on the other hand having a sump to hold a bunch of stuff is nice too.

Any opinions from those that have gone from sump to AIO or vice versa?

 

[River4ever]

I went from 120 with a 40 sump to the IM 40 AIO & I have been very happy with it! Up and running since the beginning of October! Do your home work and buy top notch equipment Skimmer, ATO, Light, etc... And you will really enjoy the low maintenance of this particular tank! IMO

Good Luck

 

[MatnNatsReef]

Apologies if this is not the right thread for it, but i am coming back to the hobby after a 5 year hiatus. Had a 120 previously, but this time around am looking at something smaller and easier. Contemplating between an IM and a Red Sea since they both seem to be mostly turnkey. I really like having everything in one tank and none of the issues that are inherent with plumbing to a sump underneath the tank, but on the other hand having a sump to hold a bunch of stuff is nice too.

Any opinions from those that have gone from sump to AIO or vice versa?

Years back I ran an 180gal with Lifereef sump/reactor/skimmer/ATO and now run an IM40Gal. Doing it all over again I might have gone with the Red Sea Reefer. I miss having the sump and the extra storage space for equipment. It's not a huge negative and I'm very satisfied with the IM. The equipment space constraint is by far the biggest drawback. On the other hand since the IM doesn't come with a hood or lighting I was able to pick exactly what I wanted(Kessil). As someone else pointed out above just make sure to go with good high quality equipment(an ATO is a must on the IM) and setup a QT tank for incoming inhabitants. That will save you a ton of headaches no matter what you choose.

 

[reefwiser]

Really don't need a lot of equipment to run a tank.
I have the following equipment
Xr30 gen 3 Pro Radion
9004 Tunze skimmer
1.2 Drop Santa Monica filtration algae scrubber.
GHL doser 2 for balling method
2 Ecotech mp 10 wQd powerheads.
Nothing more is needed.

 

[reefwiser]

forgot to add that I also have a tunze ATO 3155.

 

[cliffymorris]

Here is my take on the media basket caddy's.

Eggcrate for lighting and plexiglass.

Dimensions: 11" H (10.25" front side to fit under filter inlet lip), 4.5" W, 3.5" D.
Cost: $20 for two.
Final finish: 7/10 (I definitely rushed, completed in about 2-3 hours)
Fit: 10/10
Function/performance: 10/10

 

[cliffymorris]

Here is my take on the media basket caddy's.

Eggcrate for lighting and plexiglass.

Dimensions: 11" H (10.25" front side to fit under filter inlet lip), 4.5" W, 3.5" D.
Cost: $20 for two.
Final finish: 7/10 (I definitely rushed, completed in about 2-3 hours)
Fit: 10/10
Function/performance: 10/10

 

[brad65ford]

There is debate on this, but I feel adding power heads that work with the filter pump and not against it is the best way to add flow.

didn't have enough flow so i added a rw4 i had laying around. Sucks would love to have enough flow with one large pump in the back camber just isn't big enough I'm thinking. Would like at least 900+ GPH in the back

 

[Dria]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to RC and have finally decided on the IM40 so I read the whole thread. Whew! It took me a few days and all the information is still filtering through my brain but I just wanted to say hello and thank everyone in this giant of a thread for the wealth of information. Now I need to finish up my equipment list and do some serious shopping and then I'll be back.

Whoops I almost forgot my background. I had a freshwater tank for a few years that I had to break down when I moved but I'm finally ready to start again only this time I want to level up and try a reef tank.

That's all for now. So hello and well met!

 

[Beef Suhrloin]

Water Level?

Water Level?

I am a new Fusion 40 owner and have loved reading through this thread. I am posting in hopes of receiving some guidance on water level. Specifically the water level in the middle rear (pump) chamber. I am guessing the water should travel through the first filter (outside) chambers, and then flow over the top of the next 2 chambers into the center. My center chamber is currently about half full. Is this correct?

Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks!

 

[reefwiser]

I keep my water level 3/4 full. I use a Tunze 3155 ATO and so the probe is placed so the level of the water is at 3/4's full. I don't like the sound of the water at a lower level. Too noisy. [emoji3]

 

[Dria]

I am a new Fusion 40 owner and have loved reading through this thread. I am posting in hopes of receiving some guidance on water level. Specifically the water level in the middle rear (pump) chamber. I am guessing the water should travel through the first filter (outside) chambers, and then flow over the top of the next 2 chambers into the center. My center chamber is currently about half full. Is this correct?

Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks!

I just got my IM40 stand (not the aquarium yet) but the instructions included with the stand say "continue adding water until the level is 1" under the last baffle wall in the back of the aquarium". I think that means the higher baffles because otherwise water couldn't get into the return chamber, but the wording is odd.

 

[burkhart.5150]

I just got my IM40 stand (not the aquarium yet) but the instructions included with the stand say "continue adding water until the level is 1" under the last baffle wall in the back of the aquarium". I think that means the higher baffles because otherwise water couldn't get into the return chamber, but the wording is odd.

I keep the water level about .25" lower than the baffle in the middle chamber. That way it's quiet and causes less bubbles.

 

[InADream]

Hello,

My name is Daniel and I recently purchased a Fusion 40. Love the tank so far, I found this thread and am almost all the way through it. Lol love it so far.

I finally finished the stand and will be finishing the media caddy tonight. I like to build everything I can without having to purchase. Anyways

The tank is setup and filled with water, and has began cycling. Right now it is 4 days into the cycle and got a huge bacteria bloom and water is cloudy. Not fun to look at. As for specs of the tank I will list them below, please let me know if anything needs to be changed.

IM Fusion 40
Custom Built Stand just have to build a door.
Tunze Nano ATO
Ecotech MP10
(2) Ecotech XR15w Pro's (had them over different tanks, no need to buy new)
Ecotech Reeflink
40 lbs Marco Dry Rocks
20 lbs Live Sand
DIY Media Rack for refugium
IM Nano Light
Midsize Ghost skimmer

That's the specs right now. Going to use the ghost because I still want to run one filter sock on the tank and ghost will work in second compartment otherwise I would get the tunze.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[InADream]

I am finally going to take a break tonight from working on the media caddy. I have the shell complete and only need to drill about 60 holes in the shelves.

I had all of the acrylic from a previous DIY ATO I built. All together about 4 hours of work involved in making it.

What do you think?

Thanks,

 

[mystikal]

Hey Guys, quick update photos....




Current livestock:
2 True Pec Clowns
2 Chromis
1 Mandarin
1 Coral Beauty Angel

 

[Dria]

Just got my IM40 in! Did anyone else have a problem removing the contact paper stuff on the back of the display area? Mine is coming off one tiny ribbon at a time and it's really frustrating.

 

[choss]

Just got my IM40 in! Did anyone else have a problem removing the contact paper stuff on the back of the display area? Mine is coming off one tiny ribbon at a time and it's really frustrating.

I hope you aren't peeling off the black backing on the tank. I don't remember there being any contact paper but I could be wrong.

 

[River4ever]

It does come new with a brown contact paper which can be a bit of a challenge to remove!!

 

[InADream]

Yes, even the black backing is a pain to remove. Take it slow and piece by piece. I used a razor to lift the corners and pull from there.

Thanks