IM Nuvo Lagoon 25 or Fusion 40 (Beginner)

[Schlagel Bagel]

I am a beginner 100% and I am trying to decide on either of these tanks as their base is what I have room for. I first was set on getting the 25 lagoon;

Love the look of more shallow and would be easy on the wallet over all. Lighting should be better for corals sense shallower I believe? In general its what I really really want to go with but want to know if there is a better option.

The Fusion 40 Mini AIO is a good option too (love the all in ones to hide equiptment/price) but I just dont know if I will like the extreme height on this, but maybe it would be better for a beginner and I would be able to put more stuff in probably.

What do you guys recommend I dont have the money to spend $1,000s and $1,000s on a reef tank but want to get started and this is where I am at so far.

 

[James M]

Welcome to reef2reef!!
I definitely would go with the 40 gallon because your not going to keep much fish in the 25 gal. It just allows you to have a better experience and more room

 

[dbjonesjr]

Yup I agree with above. In addition what a lot of people don't consider is it should be much easier to keep a mixed reef in a deeper tank. That way you can put the higher light corals up top and others lower in the tank. However the lagoon is a great looking tank in my opinion.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I have the IM40 and would suggest the IM25. Or, if you can swing it, go with the IM50. The IM40 took me like a year to finally get an aquascape that I liked. It's not that wide and is awkwardly tall. The lagoons tanks are the most attractive ones that Innovative Marine offers in my opinion. If I could do it again and get another tank I would have gone with the IM50.

Whatever choice you make, you're not going to be wrong. I'm being negative about my IM40, but its still a terrific product and it's been a great tank for 2 years.

 

[Schlagel Bagel]

Thank you for all the fast replies! I will continue to see what others have to say. The Lagoon 50 would be the best but defiently to much for now. I have stand that I like that would fit the 25 or 40 so its just kinda do i want a tall one or shallow.
I figure the the smaller will be much easier to keep clean but im a nooby so who am I to say. But like everyone says the 40 gives more options and easier to keep water parameters.

I really just want to have a pair of clowns and a cleaner shrimp and after that what ever else I can get along with chorals. But those three are mainly what I want.

I also was going to get the Fluval Marine 3.0 so im not sure if that will work with a deeper tank or not.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

You're definitely going to want a different light. If that's your budget, I'd hunt around for a black box or something used.

 

[Schlagel Bagel]

If I did go with the 25 would that work for a while with any corals? I was told at the store should be fine for the easier corals probably not the harder ones. If not at all I was looking for something around or under $200 (be better) that has either an app or a way I program to change on its own if I wanted. Thats why the Fluval caught my eye.

 

[Schlagel Bagel]

actually just some quick searching there are probably better options in a little more of the $180 price range so Ill keep researching lights

 

[Schlagel Bagel]

Well I kinda want to go witht the 25 will give me what I am looking for for the time being and also will actually be affordable in my current position in life.
Setup

IM Lagoon 25
AI Prime HD
Hydor Koralia Evolution 550/600
Instant ocean reef salt
store bought distilled or RO/DI water to start me off

So here are my last questions before ordering stuff.

1. The tank now comes with two filter socks, I have read that almost everyone uses something different for filtration media along with one or two of the media baskets replacing one or both the socks. What is something I should go with to cycle this tank and get the first few fish/clean up crew?

2. I was going to use either Dr. Tims ammonia and One and Only to start the cycle, should I use biospira over one or both of these or something completly different?

I know these last questions dont pertain to one tank or the other but you guys have been helpful and know how to start with this tank.

Thank you so much!!