Nart's IM25 & IM10 Build and Re-scape!

Nart · Oct 17, 2017

Hello R2R fam!

I'm a new member to R2R, but a long time lurker

Been reefing for almost a year now and loving it. Anyways, let's get right to it and show you my progress.
(I decided to make 1 build thread for both my tanks. Easier for me to keep ya'll updated.)

My first saltwater tank from about a year ago, 15G Aqueon:

I quickly felt a needed urge to upgrade. Born the IM25:
The planning of the tank...

Getting it stocked and loaded.

Soon it became an addiction.
I then wanted to upgrade my lights from Current Marine Orbit to AI Prime HDs.

The coral addiction became real.

Equipment addiction became real too haha.
Recently upgraded my return nozzles with the Random Flow Generator (RFG) nozzles. Really liking it.

Finally decided I was done with my current rockscaping.
Born the re-scaping for the IM25. Ordered Pukani rocks from BRS to perform this operation.

Done and is currently still curing in a tub for a month and some change now.
Top down of the new rock-scape.

Front view of the rockscape.

Hopefully the Pukani rocks will be done curing soon. It's been about 36 days now and the Phosphate is around 0.04PPM.

IM25 Equipment:
Cobalt Neo-therm heater 100W
Cobalt MJ1200 return pump
AI Prime HD lights
InTank media basket, floss caddy, and chaeto basket
RFG nozzles and drop adapter
Jebao SW-2 power-head
Custom screen top

Nart · Oct 17, 2017

Wait! It's not over.
I then told the wife I was going to build a inexpensive 10G frag tank.

So this DIY AIO 10G frag tank...

Paired with a Picasso clown I saw at Petco...

Quickly became this....
Born the IM10 tank. My shotty diy job on the 10G didn't do the Picasso clown justice.

Hours spent on the rock-scaping...

Was able to make a rockscape I liked. I've been really into the minimalistic approach with minimal footprint on the floor.
So here's my idea of a tree rockscape.

Found a perfect furniture piece that fits the IM10 along with accommodating a 5G tank underneath for an ATO.
(was testing the PAR that day in the picture)

IM10 Equipment list:
Cobalt Neo-therm 50W heater
Kessil A160WE lights
Sicce 1.5 Return pump
Intank Media basket
RFG Nozzle and drop adapter

Any who, these are my tanks for now. Currently all under a major facelift once the Pukani rocks are done curing.
My plans for the IM10 is to keep it simple and relatively low-maintenance. I had inputs of putting easy SPS's in the IM10 because of the rockscaping, but I'm not 100% sold on that yet. I was thinking of putting my small RBTA and hope it stays relatively center by messing with the lights and flow. Once it situates itself, I was going to put different species of zoanthids on each 'tree branch'
What do you guys think in terms of coral scaping the IM10?

Thanks for reading. Hopefully it'll be a fun follow for you along my re-scaping journey.
Nart

Nanologist · Oct 17, 2017

You already know that I love your builds, but welcome to R2R! [emoji6]

I’m eager to see that Pukani go in!

nautical_nathaniel · Oct 17, 2017

Welcome to R2R! Awesome tanks!

Lovemyreef2015 · Oct 17, 2017

Welcome to R2R, and nice tanks!

nautical_nathaniel · Oct 17, 2017

Out of curiosity, where did you get the black plastic pieces for the filtration area of the 10 gallon DIY frag tank? I myself am considering building one but have had some trouble finding suitable materials locally. To be honest though, I just went to the Home Depot and saw that they didn't have anything like what I was looking for and the guy there didn't have a clue about where to start

Nart · Oct 17, 2017

nautical_nathaniel said:
Out of curiosity, where did you get the black plastic pieces for the filtration area of the 10 gallon DIY frag tank? I myself am considering building one but have had some trouble finding suitable materials locally. To be honest though, I just went to the Home Depot and saw that they didn't have anything like what I was looking for and the guy there didn't have a clue about where to start

Yeah - Home Depot doesn't typically carry these black acrylics and such. And the ones they do carry are pretty expensive.
I got mine from eBay if you search up Black Acrylic Plexiglass. The one I used says "SIBE Poylmers" @ 1/8" thick.

Susan Edwards · Oct 17, 2017

Following

Nart · Oct 23, 2017

Not much going on with the tanks other then the Pukani rocks are still curing.
Day 44 of curing.

Though this is exciting... my fathead dendro sprouting some new heads in the IM25.

Segalplayer · Nov 5, 2017

I’m going to do a IM 25 next! With the 10 as my quarantine.

In my IM 10 I have 2 clowns, cleaner shrimp, 4 snails (will add more probably), frogspawn, Brain Coral, Little head of Xenia (for now will pull when my rainbow acans are ready to put in, and some zoos. Can’t wait to see whatcha do with yours!

Nart · Nov 6, 2017

@Segalplayer you'll love the IM25. The footprint of the tank makes it so nice to scape.

Soooooooooooooooooooooo......... time for the long awaited update! The tank move and re-scaping was done over the weekend.
Picture time? Yes!

So the wife wanted to move the tank to the dining room. This way I can have my 'fish corner'..... we all know. Any time there's a fish tank move. It's never fun.

Here's the tank moved over along with the new rock-structure in the tank!

Of course I can't leave ya'll hanging without a pic of the new rock-structure with some corals on it.
Far from done, but here's what I have so far.

I'm still in the process of coral-scaping. But this is what I have so far.
Let me know what you guys and gals think!

Nart · Nov 8, 2017

Updated FTS with more corals moved into the tank.

Daniel@R2R · Nov 9, 2017

nice! Love the scape!

Nart · Nov 20, 2017

Dropped a video update of the re-done IM25 tank.
Turn up that 1080P and enjoy!

Feralghoul · Nov 24, 2017

Beautiful rock scape! I wish I could pay someone to do these type of things lol I’m not very creative when it comes to rock scaping

Ikikimo · Nov 27, 2017

Great job on the rescape, what kind of fish are you planning to add ?

Nart · Nov 27, 2017

Feralghoul said:
Beautiful rock scape! I wish I could pay someone to do these type of things lol I’m not very creative when it comes to rock scaping

Haha. Will work for food! Honestly, it's just time. If you have lots of time to just sit down with no distraction, you can create something to your liking too.

Ikikimo said:
Great job on the rescape, what kind of fish are you planning to add ?

Thank you. The IM25 is actually pretty socked in terms of fish. currently has 2 clowns, 1 starry blenny, and 1 yasha goby+pistol shrimp. I don't think i'll add any more till I get a bigger tank.