Reed_5point0's 40 Nuvo Fusion - Build Log

[reed_5point0]

This place still looks the same as it did 15 years ago...I dig it.


Backstory:

I grew up around multiple freshwater tanks, around highschool (2001 I started a few of my own, they did real well. I moved into saltwater, with a basic PetsMart 55g FOWLR...Inadequate lighting...Hardly any sand bed made from crushed coral...IT wen't pretty decent really lasted about a decade including me leaving midway for college. A faulty heater took my tank out while I was across America.

Determined while still in school, I started a 46 bow with a CFL, and too many HOB filters/canisters to count. I consider this my first reef tank, although it was also my first Cyano and Aiptasia tank too. I credit a lot of the Orlando Reef Keeper Association members for mentoring me. I was able to keep some SPS alive in that tank until I made the move back to Texas. But I still cut corners and paid the price. I gave my livestock away to good homes, and most of my hardware to a friend just starting the hobby himself.

It was then I swore to never start another reef without being able to do it right. I think I can finally do that...

INTRO:

I have spent the last week on Marine Depot and Bulk Reef Supply looking for a final build. As much as I want to go crazy, I don't want to just outright break the bank on day one haha.


My initial idea was going to be a Red Sea Reefer 250 50 Gallon, but a sump scares me a little still, and for essentially the exact same setup I am listing today...it was significantly a lot more money for the extra 20 or so Gallons including the sump...




I decided to start the log now before I process the order, as a means for you other reefers to maybe provide input as well. I am going on vacation this weekend, and wasn't planning on ordering till I came back home.



EQUIPMENT:

• 40 NUVO FUSION MINI TANK
• AUQA GADGET SKIMMATE MIDSIZE GHOST SKIMMER
• MINIMAX MIDSIZE ALL-IN-ONE MEDIA REACTOR x2
• AUQA GADGET CUSTOMCADDY 40 MEDIA BASKET x2
• AUQA GADGET MAGNAFUGE LED LIGHT
• BRS 6 STAGE UNIVERSAL PLUS RO/DI SYSTEM
  (Water Sucks HERE...Like Erin Brockovich comes here about it haha...:worried2:
• AUQA GADGET SPIN STREAM NOZZLE x2
• 300 WATT TH TITANIUM HEATING ELEMENT - FINNEX
• KESSIL A360W-E TUNA BLUE LED AQUARIUM LIGHT - WIDE ANGLE
• KESSIL SPECTRAL CONTROLLER

OTHER:

My Live Rock plans are to use a mix of Pukani, Shelf, and Branch dry rock from BRS 20lbs worth, and after the main cycle, I will add about 12 more lbs of TBS Liverock as a seed.

Sand wise I plan on using 20lbs of Arag ALive and 5lbs of TBS Livesand as a means of an extra seed.

I am going to try to cycle the main ammonia bloom using

FASTART-M - NUTRIENT BALANCE - 500 ML - By BRIGHTWELL...I'm oldschool so this seems way cooler than the old shrimp method!




I plan on mainly starter corals (Zoas, maybe a basic SPS or two), nothing too serious, some macro algaes and not many crazy "fish" ..maybe some small clowns, a goby and pistol shrimp, and a few other friendly fish. I love the Mandarin Dragonets, I had one in my 46 bow but I know I have to wait till I have enough pods in the tanks ecosystem for it so it will be my last addition I imagine. I saw some ppl pellet training theirs...THATS CRAZY!!!!



SO for the planning stages...HOW am I looking? I want an Apex controller, but I may wait till the tanks a little more established to add one...Or Christmas maybe.... damnit I have the bug again...