First Tank Plans - Feedback Appreciated

[James Jordan]

So here's the plan for my first tank. I have a $700 budget out the door. I was fortunate enough to have been given a number or items that relate to the hobby that I can sell to help fund the build or reuse so I don't have to buy. Please give me real feedback. If I am going to regret it later, tell me now.

Equipment to Buy:

• Tank: Innovative Marine Nuvo 20 $180
  
• Stand: Cube Unit $40
  
• Pump 1 (Addition): MJ 1200 $40
• Pump 2: Included Pump $0
  
• Substrate: 10 lbs Carib Sea Tahitian Moon $20
  
• Rock: I need your aquascape ideas $40

• Light: Current USA Orbit Marine $100
  
• Skimmer: Innovative Marine Ghost Protein Skimmer $150
  
• Powerhead: 2x Aqueon ACP-700 FREE - I have 2
  
• Heater: ??????? FREE - I have 3 (see questions)
  
• ATO: None or DIY for now... no budget
  
• Media Basket: 2x IM 20 Media Basket $50
  
• Other: Purigen, Carbon, GFO $40
• Other: Lid Clips $10
• Other: Glass Cover FREE - I have it

Questions:

Any idea for a cheap ATO? Even if it's <1 gallon. It would make life easy but I can't afford a nice one now.
If I am running the media baskets do I need a media reactor?
Do I need to run purigen, carbon, and GFO?
Do I need 2 media baskets or should I run 1 media tower and 1 filter sock?
Do I need both Aqueon ACP 700 in tank? How much flow am I looking for with 2 returns and X power heads?
I have 1 Aqueon 300W heater, 1 SunSun China 300W heater, 1 Aqueon 150W heater. All seem overkill? Should I sell these and get something smaller?
Do I need a dosing setup for corals?
Anyone have any awesome photos of IM 20 aquascapes? I'm thinking lighter color to contrast the darker sandbed would look cool.
Do I need a skimmer if I am going light fish load (maybe none) and corals
Who wants to send me frags? I'm out of budget!

 

[Acrofiend]

I have the same tank with two filter socks with Gfo and brs rox .8 carbon. Ato: tunze 3152 osmolator. Skimmer: eshopps nano (highly recommend over the innovative marine). AI prime hd. Mj1200 pump. Jebao RW4 wavemaker.

 

[Acrofiend]

With a weekly 4 gallon water change. Salt: Red Sea Coral Pro

 

[Acrofiend]

You don't need so many heaters. Dosing isn't necessary if you're doing your water changes.

 

[Acrofiend]

You can check out my instagram: nanoreefer562

 

[Techie_]

If you're on a budget, I'd recommend Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. You do not need to dose or have a skimmer if you're keeping up on your water changes and using a salt mix that meets the needs of your corals. I would dose kalk once your tank is up and running, but that's all until further notice. As for rock, look at Pukani or Reef Saver. If you do with Pukani, you'll need to rinse in vinegar because it still has undissolved organics.

Goodluck!

 

[Acrofiend]

I'd highly recommend the IM Lagoon 25 over the fusion 20.

 

[Chefbill]

BRS sells a cheap ATO DIY kit, you just need a cheap AquaLifter pump and some tubing (+reservoir).

 

[James Jordan]

@nanoreefer562 can you tell me why the 25 over the 20? I'm not disagreeing I just am curious the reason.

@Chefbill Is it this one HERE? DO you have experience with it? It has great reviews but in my research I haven't seen anyone using it.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquahub-diy-top-it-off-kit-premium.html
@Techie_ Water changes of 5 gallons every 2 weeks in a 20 should be good right?

 

[Paul B]

My tank is very old and I do not use purigen, carbon, or GFO?

For an easy ATO if you have a space anywhere above the tank to put a reservoir, hang a bucket there and gravity feed water to a float switch on your tank. My tank runs like that but the bucket is constantly filled by the RO/DI. Before I had that, when I used to go on vacation I used to hang a bucket from the ceiling and run a line to a float switch.
Rocks are very expensive but you can easily build them for practically nothing. I wrote this article. https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/build-your-own-rock-for-practically-free.180/

 

[James Jordan]

@Paul B - thanks for the how to link!

 

[Frop]

So here's the plan for my first tank. I have a $700 budget out the door. I was fortunate enough to have been given a number or items that relate to the hobby that I can sell to help fund the build or reuse so I don't have to buy. Please give me real feedback. If I am going to regret it later, tell me now.

Equipment to Buy:

• Tank: Innovative Marine Nuvo 20 $180
  
• Stand: Cube Unit $40
  
• Pump 1 (Addition): MJ 1200 $40
• Pump 2: Included Pump $0
  
• Substrate: 10 lbs Carib Sea Tahitian Moon $20
  
• Rock: I need your aquascape ideas $40

• Light: Current USA Orbit Marine $100
  
• Skimmer: Innovative Marine Ghost Protein Skimmer $150
  
• Powerhead: 2x Aqueon ACP-700 FREE - I have 2
  
• Heater: ??????? FREE - I have 3 (see questions)
  
• ATO: None or DIY for now... no budget
  
• Media Basket: 2x IM 20 Media Basket $50
  
• Other: Purigen, Carbon, GFO $40
• Other: Lid Clips $10
• Other: Glass Cover FREE - I have it

Questions:

Any idea for a cheap ATO? Even if it's <1 gallon. It would make life easy but I can't afford a nice one now.
If I am running the media baskets do I need a media reactor?
Do I need to run purigen, carbon, and GFO?
Do I need 2 media baskets or should I run 1 media tower and 1 filter sock?
Do I need both Aqueon ACP 700 in tank? How much flow am I looking for with 2 returns and X power heads?
I have 1 Aqueon 300W heater, 1 SunSun China 300W heater, 1 Aqueon 150W heater. All seem overkill? Should I sell these and get something smaller?
Do I need a dosing setup for corals?
Anyone have any awesome photos of IM 20 aquascapes? I'm thinking lighter color to contrast the darker sandbed would look cool.
Do I need a skimmer if I am going light fish load (maybe none) and corals
Who wants to send me frags? I'm out of budget!

Seems like you need more rock and substrate?

 

[malira]

The skimmer can wait if you need it at all.
http://autotopoff.com
I use their nano for my 10g and a gallon plastic food container. I mix kalkwasser and my son uses a double for his 90g. Mine is 1 1/2 years old, no problems and my son's 2 2/2 years no problems.

 

[Chefbill]

@nanoreefer562 can you tell me why the 25 over the 20? I'm not disagreeing I just am curious the reason.

@Chefbill Is it this one HERE? DO you have experience with it? It has great reviews but in my research I haven't seen anyone using it.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquahub-diy-top-it-off-kit-premium.html
@Techie_ Water changes of 5 gallons every 2 weeks in a 20 should be good right?

That is the one. I use it, have for almost 2 years, no issues.

 

[James Jordan]

So new plan based on feedback received...

Equipment to Buy:

Decided (or relatively certain)

• Tank: Innovative Marine Nuvo 20 $180
  
• Stand: Cube Unit $40
  
• Substrate: 20 lbs Carib Sea Tahitian Moon $40
• Pump 1 (Addition): MJ 1200 $40
• Media Basket: 1x IM Filter Sock (included) 1x IM 20 Media Basket $25
  
• Other: Purigen, Chemi Pure Elite, Filter Floss $40
• Other: Lid Clips $10
• Other: IM Spinstream Return Nozzle $25
• Light: Current USA Orbit Marine $100

• Pump 2: Included Pump FREE
• Powerhead: 1x Aqueon ACP-700 FREE
  
• Heater: 1x Aqueon 150W FREE
  
• Other: Glass Cover FREE
• Skimmer: NONE

Total Decided: $500

Undecided

• Rock: I need your aquascape ideas. Should I DIY or buy? $40

 

[Techie_]

10% total water volume water change weekly.

 

[James Jordan]

I think for the rock I have decided to go with 15 pounds of Reef Saver and 6 pounds of Tonga Shelf. $60

 

[macnets]

Reefcleaners.org also has great rock

 

[Acrofiend]

The 25 lagoon is twice the surface area. Definitely wish I bought the 25 over the 20. You will not be disappointed.

 

[Acrofiend]

I'd also get the AI prime HD for lighting. Especially if you plan on getting SPS. Plus it has much more adjustability.