Beginner IM NUVO 30L

[Manny305]

Hello everyone,

so I have minor experience in reef aquariums. I had a 12g jbj and honestly I think it went pretty well until I moved and things...well...died...except nemo! He survived the move. It was just an anemone and cleaning crew royal gamma and chromis.

Anyways... about 10 years later I'm back and trying to do things right the first time.

Iv done a lot of research and used the search button a lot but I would like the personalized version vs reading advice for other peoples aquariums. This build is mainly with best bang for buck mentality with best quality possible and ease of use.

List:

IM nuvo 30l w/ filter socks

aps aluminum stand

current ic loop 36"led light

eflux 660 wave maker (1) should I get 2? (36" tank)

150w cobalt slim heater

digital thermometer

hawaiian black sand

dry pukani rock ..1or 2 pieces of live rock for gsp and Xenia

turkey Baster with marked measurements



Things I want:

el cheapo pump and heater for mixing salt in bucket

aquaticlife rodi kit (twist kind)

Midsize ghost skimmer(because it fits perfect)

Medium minimax reactor for carbon

redsea refract or atc

redsea marine test kit.

custom acrylic lid

Red Sea coral pro salt

hydrofill ato

Let me know what you guys think of this list

What should I add or modify? Should I hold off on some items? Skimmer? Reactor? Alternatives?

i want this to be an easy care tank with beginner corals lots of movement, colors, clown fish, 6 line wrasse maybe a goby and some nassaruth snails. The fiancé loves finding nemo so please recommend which fish I can have from there. I would love to have an angel fish or something cool.

Im on vacation now so I'll add pictures when I'm back home.

 

[Big G]

Big fan of Red Sea Coral Pro salt. I use a Sun-Sun powerhead when mixing my saltwater. It's loud but it gets the job done. Very cheap on Amazon.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

The innovative marine filter socks clog up way too quickly IMO. I ditched mine in favor of media baskets with filter floss and such.

 

[Manny305]

Big fan of Red Sea Coral Pro salt. I use a Sun-Sun powerhead when mixing my saltwater. It's loud but it gets the job done. Very cheap on Amazon.

Yesterday I was stuck in the hotel and found a decent LFS and bought some life rock and the Red Sea salt. Not the pro though. They advised it wasn't really necessary right now and just save the few extra bucks.
I'll look into the sun sun.

 

[Manny305]

The innovative marine filter socks clog up way too quickly IMO. I ditched mine in favor of media baskets with filter floss and such.

I guess I'll wait and see what happens as I go. Maybe I'll have a peice of filter floss fixed on top of the sock and avoid cleaning so often

 

[Big G]

Very nice looking rock.
Refractometer: I got mine on Amazon: "Ade Advanced Optics Dual Scale 1.0 to 1.070 S.G. Salinity Refractometer for Aquarium & Seawater"
There are some cheap plastic that look like metal units on the market. This one is aircraft aluminum construction. Be sure to get some "Calibration Solution" 35ppt, to calibrate your refractometer before each use. Yes, they all need to be checked and adjusted. And it's best to use this solution rather than using RODI water. It's real easy to adjust. They give you a little screwdriver to adjust.

 

[Vincent cimmino]

I have the 30l for over a year now, and the media racks are a must. The filter socks clog and to buy enough on hand to change then it every few days would cost alot anyway. Then you can add carbon bags to it also

 

[Vincent cimmino]

 

[Vincent cimmino]

I also have the innovative marine media reactor and protein skimmer and am very pleased. I found media reactor used on eBay , I always check on eBay used first

 

[Manny305]

I also have the innovative marine media reactor and protein skimmer and am very pleased. I found media reactor used on eBay , I always check on eBay used first

Very nice looking rock.
Refractometer: I got mine on Amazon: "Ade Advanced Optics Dual Scale 1.0 to 1.070 S.G. Salinity Refractometer for Aquarium & Seawater"
There are some cheap plastic that look like metal units on the market. This one is aircraft aluminum construction. Be sure to get some "Calibration Solution" 35ppt, to calibrate your refractometer before each use. Yes, they all need to be checked and adjusted. And it's best to use this solution rather than using RODI water. It's real easy to adjust. They give you a little screwdriver to adjust.

Thanks for the tip on the refracto. I will look into it. I did read about the calibration solution but I'm glad you reconfirmed it for me so I'll definitely purchase it.

 

[Manny305]

I also have the innovative marine media reactor and protein skimmer and am very pleased. I found media reactor used on eBay , I always check on eBay used first

Yes I always check eBay and google. I managed to get the midsize ghost skimmer for 99 from saltwateraquarium.com due to a customer return but was never used. So hopefully that works out. No luck on media reactor though
By the way Vincent, approximately how often do you have to top off? I'm not sure what size jug to get. I know every situation is different but at least I'll have an idea.
Beautiful tank by the way! I see your running two power heads. Is one not enough? I'm looking at the eflux 660 from current to go with the loop system.

 

[Vincent cimmino]

I have a 5 gallon container and am a to system, and I have to top it off about every 4 or 5 days, I actually have 3 power heads but one I just aim at the surface cause I've been having ph problems. One may be enough I just had extra so I added them. The reason is the stock ones just aim forwards and don't really give the circulation. I added the innovative marine spin stream nozzles to replace the stock or cause the just aim at the glass and was making bare spots in the sand cause they were so strong aiming at one spot.

 

[Manny305]

I have a 5 gallon container and am a to system, and I have to top it off about every 4 or 5 days, I actually have 3 power heads but one I just aim at the surface cause I've been having ph problems. One may be enough I just had extra so I added them. The reason is the stock ones just aim forwards and don't really give the circulation. I added the innovative marine spin stream nozzles to replace the stock or cause the just aim at the glass and was making bare spots in the sand cause they were so strong aiming at one spot.

Hmm I see. I'll consider getting the spin streams. So I just got my sand in the mail should be enough

 

[Manny305]

Alright so before I start my build thread I realized my tank was chipped When placed on my stand.
When it first arrived the other box received some significant damage but the interior box seemed ok. I took a chance I now regret but drsfostersmith customer service was great and is shipping me a new one.

 

[Wesley42079]

Alright so before I start my build thread I realized my tank was chipped When placed on my stand.
When it first arrived the other box received some significant damage but the interior box seemed ok. I took a chance I now regret but drsfostersmith customer service was great and is shipping me a new one.

Sorry to hear that your tank arrived with a chip on the bottom corner.

What was the process for you in shipping the chipped tank back to Dr. Foster Smith?

 

[Manny305]

Sorry to hear that your tank arrived with a chip on the bottom corner.

What was the process for you in shipping the chipped tank back to Dr. Foster Smith?

They prefer I donate the tank and are sending me a new one

 

[Manny305]

Alright so due to the threat of hurricane Irma I've put my aquarium on hold. I got some new rocks and just did a quick aquascape. Not sure what to do so please give me some suggestions.

Update: I received my new tank already
If anyone in the miami ft Lauderdale area is interested in the tank send me a message and we can work something out.

 

[Manny305]

As of yesterday here is my final set up! Planning on adding sand and water today.

 

[wlittlefield]

Following along. I've got the same tank, which I set up in early August. I've been running the eshopps nano skimmer, which is a little undersized but I really like it because it fits well in the middle chamber and it seems to do a good job, silently.

 

[Manny305]

Following along. I've got the same tank, which I set up in early August. I've been running the eshopps nano skimmer, which is a little undersized but I really like it because it fits well in the middle chamber and it seems to do a good job, silently.

Very nice rockscape! I finally started cycling mine
Not sure if I should start running the skimmer or not. Any suggestions?