New IM 50gal Lagoon Tank

[Mr. Roboto]

I was able to score a new IM 50L tank only and need some suggestions on what equipment to use. If you are a planner and dreamer like me what would you do with it and what equipment would you put on this guy?

 

[CasperOe]

What is your plan? What kind of tank do you want to have / run? What livestock are you planning on caring for?

Start with that, then equipment is a concern afterwards! It's not all about the gear

The low profile would make a good lagoon-style shallow reef maybe? Mangrove growing out the back? Tons of options really- it's about what you want to do!

 

[BanZI29]

do you have a sump for it?

 

[Mr. Roboto]

do you have a sump for it?

I do not.... It will be a complete build around the tank.

 

[BanZI29]

What are you going to stock with?

 

[Mr. Roboto]

What is your plan? What kind of tank do you want to have / run? What livestock are you planning on caring for?

Start with that, then equipment is a concern afterwards! It's not all about the gear

The low profile would make a good lagoon-style shallow reef maybe? Mangrove growing out the back? Tons of options really- it's about what you want to do!

SPS, Low fish, Bare bottom is what I have in my brain but this is a brain storming thread so....

Just wanted to see what other people thought if they were in the same position.

 

[BanZI29]

Sounds like fun! Why no sand thou? just preference?
whats your budget? you ballin or you like me and selling soda cans?

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Sounds like fun! Why no sand thou? just preference?
whats your budget? you ballin or you like me and selling soda cans?

I dont want to go all out but I have the means to not buy bottom shelf.

This tank is already not very high at 16" and taking up even an inch of that with sand is cutting into valuable space.

I also had it in my head to run this thing super clean so, sand just isnt there for me, more flow, easy to siphon out the gunk in the sump and the tank vs keeping it locked in and having to either vacuum sand or it just turning into a nightmare. I have a love hate relationship with sand. LOL

 

[BanZI29]

I dont want to go all out but I have the means to not buy bottom shelf.

This tank is already not very high at 16" and taking up even an inch of that with sand is cutting into valuable space.

I also had it in my head to run this thing super clean so, sand just isnt there for me, more flow, easy to siphon out the gunk in the sump and the tank vs keeping it locked in and having to either vacuum sand or it just turning into a nightmare. I have a love hate relationship with sand. LOL

Kewl, fair enough.
I would recommend using Carib sea live rock ( thats what I used and love it ). I tried putting encruster's on my back wall for some color and it's working out great so far.
Go with your favorite colors too. maybe theme it?
As for equipment, keep it simple for now till the tank matures a bit, a skimmer, a good return pump like a Sicce. filter socks are good, a refugium for sure, and lights, I personally like Orphek and reef bright,

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Kewl, fair enough.
I would recommend using Carib sea live rock ( thats what I used and love it ). I tried putting encruster's on my back wall for some color and it's working out great so far.
Go with your favorite colors too. maybe theme it?
As for equipment, keep it simple for now till the tank matures a bit, a skimmer, a good return pump like a Sicce. filter socks are good, a refugium for sure, and lights, I personally like Orphek and reef bright,

The Carib Sea route is most likely the way I am going to go with the rock. I dont like the white marco rock. I will also seed it with some real established live rock to speed up the process but hopefully mitigate the bad but still get the good stuff.

 

[BanZI29]

The Carib Sea route is most likely the way I am going to go with the rock. I dont like the white marco rock. I will also seed it with some real established live rock to speed up the process but hopefully mitigate the bad but still get the good stuff.

I like Mictobacter 7 and microblift Nite-out for seeding

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Following. I’m going to do a BB soon also.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Been Playing around with the idea that is in my head.

40 breeder, 10 gallon ATO, Butcher Block Style Open Sump Setup. Tank on one side of the top giving ample work space next to the tank.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

 

[Blopple]

Dude, that's such a cool mock up. And the layout looks really pleasing as well. Love butcher block, but I imagine it would have to be epoxied or or something to hold up vs the saltwater?

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Dude, that's such a cool mock up. And the layout looks really pleasing as well. Love butcher block, but I imagine it would have to be epoxied or or something to hold up vs the saltwater?

I was looking at even burning the tops and epoxying them.

 

[Stevorino]

The Carib Sea route is most likely the way I am going to go with the rock. I dont like the white marco rock. I will also seed it with some real established live rock to speed up the process but hopefully mitigate the bad but still get the good stuff.

I LOVE the CaribSea LifeRock in my tank. Couldn't recommend it more - it makes scaping so easy and looks good from day one. That's exactly what I would use in a 50L

 

[Mr. Roboto]

This is starting to look kinda like a normal reefers garage.... I think I have the sump settled on though. I am pretty dead set on the 60 breeder with the Marine Biosystems Kit. It seems to have everything I am looking for. I am not planning on running this thing with a lot of rock or any sand in the display so I want to incorporate an area much like one of my old tanks where I had baskets full of rubble rock in the sump that were easily removeable and I could take them out every now and then and give them a good shake in another tub to clean em up a bit. Also picking up a Reef Octopus classic 110 from a guy this weekend, not sold on it but for half price I cant pass it up.

Other than that I have been poking at light fixtures. I dont want to go overboard on this either and actaully really like the Nicrew50 that I am running now. I have not fully went off the deep end with that yet but I have been looking at Aquatic Life 24" T5 kit that has the opening for most LED fixtures to fit in. Anyone have any experience with these let me know.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Picked this up yesterday for $120... it's like new! Score!