IM lagoon 25 new build with questions

[bellasdad0911]

After years out of the hobby, I am starting again. Here is the list of equipment, aquamaxx hob2 slimmer, AI hydra 26 led, hiem heater, dual filter socks with phosban, 25lbs of bulk reef supply reef saver rock, Caribbean Sea live sand 20lbs, Red Sea coral pro salt, mp10 power head. Running great with only one problem, I am having to add a glass or two of water daily to the rear chamber to keep it from running dry. What would be the best option to counter act that? Auto top off? Is it detrimental to levels if I add fresh RO water to it every time? Does anyone else have this issue? Any thoughts would be great! Love this tank and stand easy to work with and packs a punch for the size.

 

[Sandroni]

Cool build

 

[Gator1970]

I use an auto top-off on my fusion 50 - pretty much required for these all in one tanks with small return chambers. I use the tunze nano, but wish I'd ordered the standard tunze with the dual sensors.

 

[Sandroni]

Yes, I do run into the same probelm, the way I fixed mine is that i point the powerhead so it isn't shooting so much water above the surface. You can get an ato and it will not be too detrimental as long as you check your salinity after a few days so you can know when to add salt.

 

[bellasdad0911]

Yes, I do run into the same probelm, the way I fixed mine is that i point the powerhead so it isn't shooting so much water above the surface. You can get an ato and it will not be too detrimental as long as you check your salinity after a few days so you can know when to add salt.

What ATO did you get? I was thinking that would be the solution.

 

[d2mini]

I have the Tunze nano in mine.
You do NOT add salt. Salt does not evaporate, just the water does.
Every single tank evaporates water and needs to be replaced somehow.
Having an ATO is the most stable way to do it because it replaces very small amounts each time it's activated.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Look into the autotopoof.com,lots of options there.

 

[bellasdad0911]

Sounds good, never had to much volume dissipate in my 120 and 150 gallon system. I add straight RO to the chamber.

Second question I am trying the dr. Tims fishless cycle anyone else give this a whirl?

 

[Sandroni]

They have tons for a nano on bulkreefsupply.com I personally do not have an ato, but I was thinking of doing a DIY with a 2.2 g tank and some piping

 

[Sandroni]

Sounds good, never had to much volume dissipate in my 120 and 150 gallon system. I add straight RO to the chamber.

Second question I am trying the dr. Tims fishless cycle anyone else give this a whirl?

I did a fishless cycle with a shrimp and it was the easiest thing I have ever done

 

[bellasdad0911]

Good to know, I have done the fish way so many times and I don't like
Putting the fish through that.

 

[bellasdad0911]

My next question, what heater is everyone using for this tank? I am seeing fluctuation in temps with the heim that I don't like.

 

[Flatlandreefer]

My next question, what heater is everyone using for this tank? I am seeing fluctuation in temps with the heim that I don't like.

I use two jaegers(50w) and put them on an inkbird controller. You don't necessarily need two heaters but I really recommend a heater of any brand on one of these controllers so if it gets stuck on(at some point it probably will) the controller will regulate it and turn it off. Inkbird also has an accurate probe and keeps things very stable and its not expensive!

 

[d2mini]

Use the cobalt 50w Neotherm.

 

[bellasdad0911]

Interesting, I added a second heater to the second chamber and the temps went up quickly and have been stable for last 24hours so I was looking at the cobalt neotherm 150. I do like the idea of having a controller to make sure it's rock solid.