Drkcurrent's NUVO EXT 150 Upgrade Build Thread

[drkcurrent]

Hey all,

Join me on an adventure as I upgrade my current NUVO INT 112 reef system into and expanded 150+ gallon system. Weeee!

History

• 12 year reefer, started my first system in 2010
• Biocube 29---> Reefer 250--->INT 112--->EXT 150
• The current system was started in 2017 in the reefer 250, transferred to the 112 in 2020

Goals

• Prioritize healthy habit for inhabitants
• Quiet operation with limited maintenance schedule(display will be in main living room)
• Refugium with Triton system
  • Thinking about adding a mangrove forest to the display tank
• Move most of INT 112 reef into 150 system
  • Convert 112 system into a FOWLR with the goal being seahorses

Equipment

• EXT 150 Lagoon Aquarium-47.3” x 35.4” x 19.7”
• Triton 44 V2 Sump
• SKY LED Aquarium Light x2
  • RMS Track Mounting Kit
• Red Dragon 3 Speedy Pump 100 Watt - 3100 GPH
• Tunze Eco Chic Waterproof Refugium LED
• VorTech MP40mQD x2
• Turbelle Nanostream 6025-refugium powerhead
  • Nanostream Rock
• A3 Apex Pro Controller System
• Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off
• 300W Titanium Heater Element x2
• Lifereef VS3-24 skimmer with COR 15 pump
• Neptune Systems DOS x2
• Auto Top Off -16x20x20 3/8" Thick (28 Gal)
• Avast Marine The Plank Automatic Feeder
• TBS The Package
  • Live Rock
  • Live Sand

Questions to be answered:

1. Do I go with a single 3000 GPH return pump or 2 1500 GPH for redundancy? I would go with COR 15 x2
2. Plumping Return-I was considering doing a mostly soft return utilizing black vinyl to maintain as much flow as possible. the return glass is drilled for 3/4" so the plan is to run 1 1/4" soft tubing, Y it off and then reduce it at the two different return points than into the 90. I am back on forth on the hard vs soft return plumping. Drain will be hard plumped.
3. Refugium light- Was considering going 2x on the Tunze chic wand vs a kessil h160. Thoughts?
4. I have a very aggressive GSP in my current reef that I both love and hate. I would love to just have a GSP only display one day but considering not moving this into the 150 to keep it from taking over again.

Here are a few pictures of equipment arriving. I will try and post my plumping plan soon.

 

[xiaoxiy]

I am in the process of making a similar upgrade to the Nuvo 150 EXT myself. Excited to follow along and see what you do with it!

 

[d2mini]

Very cool.
I love that current tank though. I probably would have went with that 112 if I had the space. Nobody else makes a big cube!

TBS! I'll be getting that soon too. Screw dry rock. lol Hopefully in a couple weeks.
Great skimmer choice too.

 

[drkcurrent]

Very cool.
I love that current tank though. I probably would have went with that 112 if I had the space. Nobody else makes a big cube!

TBS! I'll be getting that soon too. Screw dry rock. lol Hopefully in a couple weeks.
Great skimmer choice too.

I got TBS back in 2017 for the start of the system(based on one of your tanks ) and it has been fantastic. I may have secretly wanted to do this upgrade just to order some more.

 

[trevorhiller]

The dimensions of this tank interest me! Any feedback on it since it's been a few months?

I feel like fish behave more naturally when they have a tank that has a more square profile than a long rectangle profile to allow for front to back and side to side swimming.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Any updates?