IM NUVO EXT 40 Reef Build

[Patrick Fox]

Nice build! I'll be following along to see what you do with it. I started a Nuvo 40 (with the rear "sump" about a month and a half ago. Check out my build for ideas. Might be helpful.

 

[hart24601]

I went bare bottom but added a black ABS board. I didn’t like just glass on the bottom of the pico and so far I’m pleased with the ABS.

Did you silicone it down? If not no issues floating at the corners?

 

[BeardedMcG]

@Dana Riddle I see you're the light master. Correct me if I'm wrong but the inverse square law doesn't apply to light passing through water. Is there a similar simplified rule that can be applied? I imagine that each spectrum is affected differently but I've been looking for a guideline.

 

[BeardedMcG]

Did you silicone it down? If not no issues floating at the corners?

I didn't use silicone. My reasoning is I'll have pretty good sized rocks within inches on all sides and hope this will be good enough.

 

[BeardedMcG]

Thanks for the welcome @DSC reef and @Lovemyreef2015 !

 

[BeardedMcG]

Nice build! I'll be following along to see what you do with it. I started a Nuvo 40 (with the rear "sump" about a month and a half ago. Check out my build for ideas. Might be helpful.

Thanks! I'll take a gander at your thread here in a bit.

 

[BeardedMcG]

In 2017 we went to CA and I took a couple photos at the Corona Del Mar Tide Pools. Crazy cool experience for the kids.

 

[hart24601]

Just so no one feels bad McG is a professional photographer, he makes me cringe at my reef pics...

 

[BeardedMcG]

I found old photos of past tanks today. Some of what I'm about to share shows that I knew absolutely nothing about reef keeping at the time. Still it was fun to go through these because I had forgotten a lot of it.

This is my first reef tank in 2007. I think it was around 50 gallons with a HOB bio/protein filter and PC lights. If you look closely you'll see an assortment of ugly corals and a nem of all things. I eventually shut this down because we moved to another apartment and aquariums weren't allowed.

Fast forward to 2010 and our first house. I got a 75 off craigslist and put a 20 below as a sump. I started with PC and later added a cheap par38 to try and keep corals. Later I replaced both with a T5 unit.


After getting the T5 I had the bright idea of getting a Ritteri for my snowflake clowns ;Facepalm.


In 2013 I shut the 75 down and setup a 20 long on my kitchen counter in hopes it would be easier to maintain with close proximity to the sink. I might have packed most of my LR in that little tank. I don't remember how long this lasted but eventually it was shutdown as well.


I'll recap the pico cube in another post.

 

[hart24601]

Wow man, that ritteri and snowflakes looked amazing.

 

[BeardedMcG]

My last few parts came today and I finished setting up the sump.

This is the sump which I received a few weeks ago.


Today I got the return pump module, pump module filter, filter sock holder and RP-M.



I’ve been impressed with how well Somatic packages their products.



I added carbon to the pump module filter.


The Reef Breeders RP-M is really nice so far. Puts out quite a bit of flow and is packaged pretty well. Looks easy to clean.

 

[hart24601]

Does that sump have a built-in ato container or what are you using?

 

[BeardedMcG]

Does that sump have a built-in ato container or what are you using?

No the next size up does.

 

[BeardedMcG]

Everything is up and running.

I need to get an ATO. I’m losing about 3/4 a gallon per day.

I’m also thinking about getting the Orphek OR 60 for lighting with an even spread.

 

[BeardedMcG]

The skimmer is breaking in. I read it can take a few weeks for the bubble production to calm down. It’s already better and after 12 hours bubbles stopped making it to the DT.


Here’s the final plumbing. No leaks on the first try

 

[hart24601]

That plumbing looks nice. How many OR bars and colors?

 

[BeardedMcG]

That plumbing looks nice. How many OR bars and colors?

Two but not sure which. I know one will be the blue but not sure which for the second.

 

[BeardedMcG]

Tanks doing well here's a Zoa photo from this morning.

 

[hart24601]

How are the corals responding to the new tank?

 

[BeardedMcG]

I'm having an hard time getting correct colors out of my main camera. The primary problem is in the green/blue spectrum. Seems that when I get one correct the other is off. I think it's my lighting not having good enough CRI and the green/blue hues being very close to each other. In Lightroom the HSL sliders are adjusting close to the same colors. Example in the prior zoa photo I posted blues are too blue and should lean green but the green tips are correct. I ordered a yellow barrier filter but it's almost too strong for my lighting. Oh well I'll keep trying and I might order a brown gel since I can't find a brown threaded filter.

Here's one using the yellow barrier filter that looks correct.