Gator's new Nuvo 50 tank

Gator1970 · Dec 28, 2016

I added a small green hammer. Had to move it a little lower and to a lower flow area before its polyps fully extended, but it now seems relatively happy. I also added 3 peppermint shrimp in the hopes that they will take care of a small aiptasia outbreak.

Gator1970 · Dec 29, 2016

Added a couple of small clowns, mainly for my kids (but partly for me too, TBH!). Spot fed the hammer a little frozen mysis, and the peppermint shrimp darted out and swarmed the pipette!

Gator1970 · Jan 4, 2017

2 new additions - a blasto and a hydnophora!

Gator1970 · Jan 22, 2017

Added a few sticks and a Jebao 25. I also added a thread head torch in the bottom left - it's not extending its polyps very far - the light may be too intense, I'm thinking? I have to say the Jebao is pretty impressive, especially considering the low price relative to MPs. Suffering a GHA outbreak, have added 4 emerald crabs and turned on the skimmer, although nitrates are undetectable according to my seachem kit.

Reefaddict305 · Feb 23, 2017

Gator1970 said:
Added a few sticks and a Jebao 25. I also added a thread head torch in the bottom left - it's not extending its polyps very far - the light may be too intense, I'm thinking? I have to say the Jebao is pretty impressive, especially considering the low price relative to MPs. Suffering a GHA outbreak, have added 4 emerald crabs and turned on the skimmer, although nitrates are undetectable according to my seachem kit.

Hey how lbs of sand did you add to your tank?

Gator1970 · Feb 23, 2017

Reefaddict305 said:
Hey how lbs of sand did you add to your tank?

Im not sure in pounds, but I added about 3/4" layer over the bottom. I do get some bare spots from power head flow patterns, but on the whole I like the thin layer because it's easy to stir up & make sure it doesn't become a nutrient trap. I'm never going back to a deep bed - I'm convinced on previous tanks they were a source of problems.

Esage · Feb 27, 2017

since setup! I'm also running a 50g lagoon. How much flow do you have in the tank. I only ran a single MP10 for the first couple of months and just added a second. Surprised you can even turn on the Jebao 25

Gator1970 · Feb 27, 2017

Esage said:
since setup! I'm also running a 50g lagoon. How much flow do you have in the tank. I only ran a single MP10 for the first couple of months and just added a second. Surprised you can even turn on the Jebao 25

I found a single MP10 wasnt enough. I was going to get an MP40, but I decided to try the jebao 25 due to it's low price. When I first turned it on it was an instant hurricane in my tank, lol. I had to dial it right back and put it on short one second pulses - I'm pretty happy with it bacause it has set up a sort of standing wave effect in the tanks that seems to keep things moving well without blowing too hard in any one direction. I'm not sure how much overall flow I have, but I think it's plenty!

Preme · Feb 27, 2017

Sweet set up you got there!!!

Gator1970 · Feb 27, 2017

Rex said:
Sweet set up you got there!!!

Thanks! I'm entering what I hope is the tail end of a pretty severe GHA outbreak, so I hope to have some post-worthy update photos in the next couple of days.

Gator1970 · Mar 4, 2017

I'm upgrading my tunze nano ATO to the full size osmolator - I haven't been impressed with the nano - it seems finicky and I'm constantly having to check to make sure it's working properly since it fails at least once a week. I also bought an aquamaxx hob-1 skimmer to replace the midsize IM one since it has been too difficult to dial in and I've lost confidence in it.

Reefaddict305 · Mar 4, 2017

Great purchase on the osmolator 3155

Gator1970 · Mar 4, 2017

Reefaddict305 said:
Great purchase on the osmolator 3155

Thanks! With the nano and its one mechanical float sensor it's just too risky - it seems to get jammed every so often even though I clean it and have it perfectly level - just not worth the risk.

LoCoReefer · Mar 4, 2017

Good choice on the Aquamaxx HOB, I run the same skimmer on my nano and it's a workhorse. I think your going to pleased with it's performance.

Gator1970 · Mar 4, 2017

LoCoReefer said:
Good choice on the Aquamaxx HOB, I run the same skimmer on my nano and it's a workhorse. I think your going to pleased with it's performance.

Thanks! Do you remember how long the break-in period was, by chance?

LoCoReefer · Mar 4, 2017

It will start pulling stuff out almost immediately, but the break-in period lasts about 1-2 weeks. I highly recommend you leave the the collection cup as high as you possibly can for the first two weeks or you will experience an overflow.

Gator1970 · Mar 4, 2017

LoCoReefer said:
It will start pulling stuff out almost immediately, but the break-in period lasts about 1-2 weeks. I highly recommend you leave the the collection cup as high as you possibly can for the first two weeks or you will experience an overflow.

Thanks for the tip!

Reefaddict305 · Mar 4, 2017

Yea let me know how that skimmer goes I might replace my ghost skimmer as well

Gator1970 · Mar 19, 2017

I finally got around to swapping out the IM medium size skimmer for the Aquamaxx HOB-1, and even though it's only been a few hours I can say that the bubble production and sheer volume of water this thing pumps through bows the IM away. Already getting some watery skimmate!

Reefaddict305 · Mar 19, 2017

Gator1970 said:
I finally got around to swapping out the IM medium size skimmer for the Aquamaxx HOB-1, and even though it's only been a few hours I can say that the bubble production and sheer volume of water this thing pumps through bows the IM away. Already getting some watery skimmate!

That's awesome brother