Noles Reef IM 25 Lagoon

[Chris_Noles]

So far I have just the tank and stand set up, I bought a used IM 25 Lagoon for the low and decided to go a different route with a stand. Instead of gambling on whether or not an Ikea cabinet would hold 350+ pounds I decided to just use a commercial metal table as the stand, it was only $77 and should hold anything I throw at it.

Next step I’ll be adding the rock, I am using 15 pounds of STAX rocks.

 

[colossal_tater]

Wow! Talk about a perfect sized stand for that tank. Do you have a link to where to buy?

 

[Chris_Noles]

Wow! Talk about a perfect sized stand for that tank. Do you have a link to where to buy?

So I bought it from restaurant depot so there is no online link for it, but its just a 24 by 24 table and there is one on amazon that is similar to it.

Link to table

I'm sure you could find a cheaper one elsewhere

 

[Chris_Noles]

Just finished the aquascape and I’m just waiting on another powerhead to begin cycling the tank. I’m using an audio switch for my power strip so I can switch on and off certain equipment on the tank. The metal stand is perfect for this tank and I’ll be adding a water reservoir at the bottom for my ATO. After the cycle is done ill be adding the exact same light that I have on my 10 gallon onto the 25.

 

[Subtropic Reefer]

Just finished the aquascape and I’m just waiting on another powerhead to begin cycling the tank. I’m using an audio switch for my power strip so I can switch on and off certain equipment on the tank. The metal stand is perfect for this tank and I’ll be adding a water reservoir at the bottom for my ATO. After the cycle is done ill be adding the exact same light that I have on my 10 gallon onto the 25.

I just got an innovative marine 25 too! It is my second reef tank after a disaster of a first one. So far mine is nice. I will make a build thread on it soon. Are u going for a softie, sps, or mixed reef or other?

 

[Subtropic Reefer]

Just finished the aquascape and I’m just waiting on another powerhead to begin cycling the tank. I’m using an audio switch for my power strip so I can switch on and off certain equipment on the tank. The metal stand is perfect for this tank and I’ll be adding a water reservoir at the bottom for my ATO. After the cycle is done ill be adding the exact same light that I have on my 10 gallon onto the 25.

I have two ai primes mounted 8-9 inches off the water and it works great. I am getting enough light to keep medium light corals at the bottom and high light corals at the mid to top.

 

[Chris_Noles]

I have two ai primes mounted 8-9 inches off the water and it works great. I am getting enough light to keep medium light corals at the bottom and high light corals at the mid to top.

I'm going to do sps and zoas

 

[Chris_Noles]

Just filled it up

 

[Chris_Noles]

Tank is cycled and I have my clown and gramma in there, next is some easy sps and some zoas

 

[Chris_Noles]

Figured I would post an update but so everything is so far so good, I got a zoa garden growing and I found $20 cabinet to put next to my setup to hold all of my tank stuff and also house my doser.

 

[busybits]

Liking the build and by the way Go Noles!

 

[Chris_Noles]

Liking the build and by the way Go Noles!

GO NOLES

 

[Chris_Noles]

Have not posted in a while and since my build has been a budget build so far I am going to give my review on a couple of items so far.

So this tank has been up and running for almost 4 months and it is stocked with
-Mocha Clown
-Royal Gramma
-Green Clown Goby
-Banggai Cardinal
My equipment
- 2 Jebao Sw 4 powerheads
- 2 Nicrew 50w lights
- IM Desktop Skimmer
- IM desktop reactor
-Stock return pump
So far I think the carbon reactor is a great for the price I was able to pick one up for $40 and it is great. The IM skimmer so far is eh somedays it works fine and other days it starts to bubble below the skim cup and leaks into the tank. The Nicrew lights are also OK in my opinion, without a par meter I am unable to figure out what type of light the top of my tank is getting but so far the monti I have in there is doing well, but my birdsnest even though it is growing has not shown any color so far, this could be a nutrient issue or a light issue.
Other than that everything is running smoothly and I am getting decent growth from my Zoa's, burning banana, yuma and ricordea mushroom. I am looking to add a scoly, plate coral, and eventually some acros, I might upgrade my light to an Hydra or XR15 next since the lights have practically no customization and I have no idea what par they put out.

GO NOLES!

 

[BurlyWizard]

Go Noles!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Looking good and.....ROLL TIDE!

 

[Chris_Noles]

Here is a FTS with orange lenses please excuse the GHA.
Some updates
Upgraded the Nicrew 50w’s to an AI Hydra 52
IM skimmer pump died already
Will be adding 9 frags this week and I’ll be testing out how a green slimer does in the tank

 

[Chris_Noles]

Just added all of these guys hopefully I can keep the acro alive