IM Nuvo question

FishBeginner · Jan 21, 2014

So I went to a LFS this past weekend and picked the owners brain on how to get started on a reef tank. His number 1 recommendation is ordering a IM Nuvo 16g to start. Now, from what I've heard, they are great all-in-ones but all-in-ones can be a pain if a certain component goes out. I'm also concerned about the size he recommended. I was told that the larger the aquarium the better and easier to maintain. Does this still apply for all-in-ones? I asked him this same question and he said that was true when the hobby really took off in the 90's/early 2000's, but with the equipment available these days it doesn't really apply. Some day I would really like to get a large reef tank but for starting out I'm iffy on investing that kind of money (Besides, I'm a state employee and the state doesn't pay much). What do you guys think?

TheMantisShrimp · Jan 21, 2014

I'm no expert put ill give my 2 cents!!! From what I've learned and researched a larger aquarium is in facet easier to care for because the nitrates,nitrites,waste,etc aren't as compact and are more spread out over a larger area.That's what I've always been told and when you think about it, it kinda makes sense. I guess the real question is how much time and dedication you have to it? I find my self always messing with my tank trying to get the most out of it. Sorry if im not alot of help im new to the hobby as well :nod:

Velodog2 · Jan 21, 2014

I'd say go for the 16. The benefits and cost savings of a smaller tank outweigh the risks. IMO for a beginner it's true that the larger tank can buffer mistakes, but that also makes it much harder to learn that you have made one, sometimes allowing you to continue to do it until you just end up with a large mess. The Nuvo's are well built units.

mrcoffee2 · Jan 21, 2014

I have the nuvo 8. Will be upgrading to the Nuvo 38 soon. I would go for the 24g if you have a choice

Reefing Madness · Jan 21, 2014

How to set up a saltwater reef aquarium tank- REEFEDITION

SeahorseKeeper · Jan 21, 2014

The answer to pollution is always dilution. With these being said, I would go with a larger tank. I think a 40 breeder with a sump would be a great beginning tank or even one of the Red Sea Max setups. This way you will have a larger water volume to dilute the pollution. Personally, I would not recommend a tank under 29 gallons for a beginner.

mrcoffee2 · Jan 22, 2014

I started with a 8G tank and was happy I did. I have been on the advance track on learning for sure. Like SeahorseKeeper said it is usually suggested beginners start with a larger tank 29+

However if you don't mind getting frustrated and trouble shooting your tank quickly i'd suggest going smaller that way you can prepare yourself fast.

kv2wr1 · Jan 23, 2014

I started with a 3g picotope with some modifications. It was a fun little tank, but I had to really keep up on the maintainence (several times a day for certain things). I wish I would have started off with a bigger tank like a 40 breeder or a 75g. Not because it would have been easier, but because I could put more fish in a bigger tank. I only had 1 tiny goby in the 3g.

Velodog2 · Jan 23, 2014

Interesting. There is a discussion of hobby ethics in another thread, particularly dealing with the tendency of newbies to kill things whilst on the learning curve (not that we ever completely leave that curve, or stop unintentionally killing things we would rather not). Perhaps new hobbyists should be "encouraged" to start with a very small tank with very limited livestock. They would (IMO) learn the basics quickly with a quickly reacting system, and if things went south, have very minimal losses - perhaps a goby, or a tank bred clown.

Reefing Madness · Jan 23, 2014

Smaller tanks are tougher to keep. The warer volume is small and can go south in a hurry, larger tanks takes a bit more time to go sour, hopefully in the time frame that something can still be done.

mrcoffee2 · Jan 24, 2014

This is the route I went and I am happy I did

9balliw · Jan 24, 2014

I have a nuvo 38 and a 90 gal for the smaller tanks make sure a good top off unit and regular maintenance is the key for sure

Velodog2 · Jan 24, 2014

Yup... My experience with my 18 is that you have to learn to be not just a creature, but a monster of habit. I never learned to appreciate the importance of that with my larger tanks cuz they always let me slide ... sometimes until I got in real trouble. Again, just my opinion, but really good training and learning experience.

Not to belabor the point (I'm kinda working through this logic for the first time) but what you need when you are learning something is quick feedback on what you are doing wrong. With a large tank you can skip a water change and nothing is the worse ... so hmmmm what if I skip two water changes ... hey I'm learning here! It may take a year or more with a large tanks but eventually you have a large volume of dirty water, or a deep sand bed ready to blow up in your face, and potentially many dead animals, all of which will take a huge effort to clean up.