buxton.nc's IM20

buxton.nc · Aug 21, 2016

I wanted to share my IM20 build. I left the hobby in 1999 and I am making a return now. I made the mistake of walking into an aquarium shop about two months ago and that is all it took - LOL. Started researching and reading in early July, decided to do a Nano and then moved on to buying pieces here and there until I was ready to start.

My tank is now underway. Here is my equipment list:

Innovative Marine Fusion Nano 20 tank with stock return pump, filter socks and screen
Tank stand is a buffet purchased from Home Depot. IMHO looks better than the stock stand.
BRS 4 Stage Value RO/DI System - 75GPD – upgraded to 150 GPD and 4 to 5 stage chloramine upgrade kit
Aquatec 8800 RO/DI booster pump with inline filter strainer
BRS refractometer
Kessil A360we Tuna Blue with Spectral Controller, gooseneck mount and 90 degree adapter
IM Ghost Desktop Skimmer
Tunze 3155 ATO
Ecotech Marine MP10
Eheim Jager 75 watt heater
Neptune Systems Apex Controller
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt
15# of live rock
20# CaribSea Special Grade Arag-Alive reef sand
Other odds and ends

I started my cycle on 8/20 with minimal equipment; sand, rock, heater, stock filter socks and return pump. I configured the Apex and mounted it in the tank stand this morning. Plan to work on installing the other items at a leisurely pace. I think I have a while before the tank completes cycling so no rush.

Looking forward to establishing my reef and learning/contributing here at the forum.
Some pics are below.

buxton.nc · Aug 22, 2016

Made a little more progress yesterday. Mounted the Apex controller in the cabinet. Currently have the return pump, heater and an Apple Airport Express (acting as a wireless bridge) connected. Plan to work on the ATO and some wire/cable management this coming weekend.

revhtree · Aug 23, 2016

Nice looking set up!

Kmore1219 · Aug 23, 2016

Welcome back to the hobby! Im really liking your set up, may have to steal some ideas for when I start my IM20.

SantaMonicaHelp · Aug 25, 2016

Your setup looks really clean... which is unique for most hobbyists that build reefs.
Great work.

- C. Smith

buxton.nc · Aug 28, 2016

Things are coming together nicely. Added the Tunze 3155 ATO, top off "reservoir" and Apex temperature probe today. I still have some additional items to add and need to handle the cable management in the lower cabinet. I'm trying to keep everything as neat as I can until all components are installed and then tackle the cable management. I have a roll of white velcro to tack up the cables.

I definitely appreciate the ATO now. I have been topping off water a couple of times a day since I started cycling the tank 8 days ago. Consumed about 1.3 gallons of water. I bought a 3 gallon "reservoir" so I should be good to go for week long vacations. Pics below.

buxton.nc · Aug 28, 2016

SantaMonicaHelp said:
Your setup looks really clean... which is unique for most hobbyists that build reefs.
Great work.

- C. Smith

Thanks for the kind words. Trying to keep it as neat/clean as possible.

buxton.nc · Aug 30, 2016

Tank cycle is complete; 11 days total. Ammonia = 0, Nitrite = 0, Nitrate = 16. Readings gathered and tracked with Red Sea test kit. I used a combination of cured live rock, live sand, a couple days of ghost feeding and dosed 10% ammonia solution to force good ammonia reading. Very pleased with the results so far. Plan to begin looking into CUC and/or intro fish and invertebrate. I am interested in a goby/shrimp pair.

I still have to install my Kessil lighting, pH probe, MP10 and take care of cable management in the cabinet. Also need to perform my first water change (2 gallons). Plan to tackle these items this weekend.

ludnix · Sep 3, 2016

Beautiful setup! I love the buffet tank stand, I have been looking for a replacement stand for my biocube and had been looking at night stands but didn't find anything large enough. Your buffet looks perfect though!

buxton.nc · Sep 5, 2016

Thanks ludnix! Appreciate it!

buxton.nc · Sep 5, 2016

pH probe calibrated and installed. Kessil lighting installed and Apex programmed to control lighting. Have to install the MP10 and wrap up the cable management activities in the cabinet. Couple pics are below.

buxton.nc · Sep 8, 2016

I bought my first livestock on Labor Day; a yellow watchman goby and tiger pistol shrimp pair. They have proven to be an entertaining pair to say the least. I fed them some LRS Reef Frenzy Nano Tuesday night. Both of them ate well and appear to be adjusting. I need to figure out how often they need to be fed. I do not want to add to many nutrients to the tank, yet I want to ensure the livestock is properly nourished.

I also made my first water change (~ 5 gallons) last night. I still have to install the VorTech MP10 and complete the cable management in the cabinet. I think my next purchase will be a small starter CUC.

buxton.nc · Sep 25, 2016

Quick update - overall, tank is doing well. I have been feeding the goby/shrimp pair LRS Reef Frenzy Nano. They are eating well and making holes under the rocks. I have also added 5 hermit crabs, 2 turbo snails and 2 astrea snails for CUC activity. They have done a great job cleaning up the diatoms that started showing up last week.

Settled on a weekly 5 gallon water change. Just completed my third water change tonight.

Installed a Neptune WXM module and a VorTech MP10 powerhead this weekend. Have a very basic program set at the moment. Need to do some research to figure out what is appropriate for the Fusion Nano 20.

abecker · Sep 26, 2016

How do you like the ghost skimmer?

Richmond · Sep 26, 2016

I don't love my ghost skimmer, but it works and fits well so I'm not going to change it out any time soon. Sorry to hi-jack the thread.

buxton.nc · Sep 26, 2016

abecker said:
How do you like the ghost skimmer?

I have not hooked it up yet. I am managing water quality by performing weekly water changes for the time being. Once the fish and coral load increases I plan to re-evaluate using the skimmer. I have read that some people are ok with it and others not so much. Sorry I don't have any additional info at the time.

buxton.nc · Sep 26, 2016

Richmond said:
I don't love my ghost skimmer, but it works and fits well so I'm not going to change it out any time soon. Sorry to hi-jack the thread.

No problem. Hello to my fellow Richmonder.

buxton.nc · Nov 28, 2016

Tank is progressing well. I have added a purple filefish, green star polyp frag and two nassarius snails since my last update. Coralline algae is beginning to take hold and coverage is spreading. Maintaining a weekly 5 gallon water change.

The BRS Black Friday sales have swayed me to make some purchases.
Sicce 1.0 pump, osmolator pump, RO/DI filter set, fragging kit, glue, and a Hanna phosphorus kit.

buxton.nc · Dec 9, 2016

Took some pics today and wanted to share them. Tank is about 3.5 months old. Taking things slow. Corralling algae is spreading nicely now. I hope to see heavy coverage within the next 6 months.

buxton.nc · Mar 19, 2017

It has been a while since I have updated my build. Still moving forward with livestock additions (albeit slowly) and making adjustments as needed to my maintenance and management. practices. I have added a piece of Green Star Polyp and a pair of clowns since my last update. Coraline algae is continuing to spread.

Currently working on assembling a new screen cover with BRS 1/4" screen. Should have it finished this week. Also looking into purchasing an AFS to help automate another piece of the feeding process for dry foods.
for dry foods.