Nuevo 10 build

grassguy · Apr 17, 2020

I have a new tank build, that will be replacing my current desktop tank. My desktop tank is a 3.7 gal imagitarium, converted to saltwater. It has been running successfully for almost 4 years, and has been moved several times from office to office and my house in between as I have moved. I will be posting updated pictures of my new setup. It has been up running and cycling for a few weeks now. I added one fish to help with the cycle.

I used argonitereef sand roughly 12lbs
I used stay dry rock for aquascaping.
i am currently using the mighty jet return pump that came with it although not impressed with it so far. I feel like it is overpowered and noisy so may change this before moving to my office ( my office livestock will be moved in when the tank is moved.).
I am using an eshops protein skimmer.
I have a titanium heater 100w.
For lighting I am using an AI Prime HD which used to light my desktop tank until it had some issues, however I bought a replacement fan and lens, installed both and seems to be working well.
This is my first IM tank, so far I’m not extremely impressed with it, however the tank seemsto be high quality, I changed the filter media in the rack.

Any tips for this tank from current IM users would be greatly appreciated!

Peace River · Apr 18, 2020

Congratulations on the the new adventure! I have a IM 10g Nuvo as well and have researched many of the modifications, but haven't done many yet. The mighty jet 328 seems to be popular but I would agree that it is overpowered unless you need really high flow for a specific reason. I am leaning toward the Sicce 1.0 (251 GPH) for my pump upgrade - it is quiet. It sounds like you have a solid equipment setup. The only other thing that I would suggest that you consider is an ATO for stability. Good luck!

MattR · Apr 18, 2020

I love my IM nuvo 10, and I would agree with the above comment. Definitely get an ATO, you dont have to spend $200 on one. The one I have cost my $90 and has worked flawlessy..knock on wood

grassguy · Apr 18, 2020

Peace River said:
Congratulations on the the new adventure! I have a IM 10g Nuvo as well and have researched many of the modifications, but haven't done many yet. The mighty jet 328 seems to be popular but I would agree that it is overpowered unless you need really high flow for a specific reason. I am leaning toward the Sicce 1.0 (251 GPH) for my pump upgrade - it is quiet. It sounds like you have a solid equipment setup. The only other thing that I would suggest that you consider is an ATO for stability. Good luck!

Thanks! I hope everything works out great, I’m not sure if I will invest in a ato, the evaporation was pretty significant for the first couple of weeks. I ended up buying a piece of acrylic , cut it and silicones it into the screen top that came with the Nuvo. Since then the evaporation is minimal. Bad experiences with ato in the past (float valve kind) make me want to avoid this if possible. As this will be set on my desk and I don’t want an overflow problem to fry my computer.

MattR · Apr 18, 2020

I could totally understand that reasoning! An ATO and RODI units were the last things I invested in and now will never go without them. Stability is key so if you don't mind toping off the evaporation and or finding ways to reduce it then go for it! I want to see your 3.7 gallon before you broke it down!

grassguy · Apr 20, 2020

MattR said:
I could totally understand that reasoning! An ATO and RODI units were the last things I invested in and now will never go without them. Stability is key so if you don't mind toping off the evaporation and or finding ways to reduce it then go for it! I want to see your 3.7 gallon before you broke it down!

Here’s a picture of it! I have a had it for years and it is really very simple.
Filtration is:
Chamber 1 live rock, heater 50w
Chamber 2 sponge, carbon, chem pure blue
Chamber 3 100gph return pump, coral life protein skimmer.
Current light is Fluval smart light the square one.

btmedic04 · Apr 20, 2020

Welcome to the IM Nuvo 10 club. I have one as well and found that the mighty jet 326 was pretty loud at higher speeds at first, however mine has significantly decreased in noise generation and is now near silent at max setting. I went with this pump and a VCA RFG to keep any kind of wave maker out of my display and I'm happy with this set up for the most part. I do have to position it correctly otherwise the sand will start to dune and I have one spot of very low flow under the nozzle that I want to correct. I'm considering adding a tunze nanostream 6040 due to it being controllable and pretty discreet.

One upgrade that I would strongly consider is the IM desktop fish guard for your overflow. It will keep snails from dropping your water level in your rear sump if they decide to cruise over the overflow. This is especially important if you do decide to add an ATO in the future (Ive been using a smart ATO micro 120P for the 18 months flawlessly.) Just make sure you remove some of the horizontal bars with an exacto knife so you still maintain the surface skimming of the overflow.

If you'd like, check out my build thread for my nuvo 10 for some ideas

Nano Build - Nuvo 10 desktop reboot. Third now Fourth time is a charm

Hey folks, this will be the third time in the past 15 months that I have set up this tank. The first tear down was when I combined everything into my 40b build (which will be getting a massive update to my thread soon.) The second time I set it up as a little frag tank but tore it down again...

www.reef2reef.com

Mr.Hawkfish · Dec 30, 2020

btmedic04 said:
Welcome to the IM Nuvo 10 club. I have one as well and found that the mighty jet 326 was pretty loud at higher speeds at first, however mine has significantly decreased in noise generation and is now near silent at max setting. I went with this pump and a VCA RFG to keep any kind of wave maker out of my display and I'm happy with this set up for the most part. I do have to position it correctly otherwise the sand will start to dune and I have one spot of very low flow under the nozzle that I want to correct. I'm considering adding a tunze nanostream 6040 due to it being controllable and pretty discreet.

One upgrade that I would strongly consider is the IM desktop fish guard for your overflow. It will keep snails from dropping your water level in your rear sump if they decide to cruise over the overflow. This is especially important if you do decide to add an ATO in the future (Ive been using a smart ATO micro 120P for the 18 months flawlessly.) Just make sure you remove some of the horizontal bars with an exacto knife so you still maintain the surface skimming of the overflow.

If you'd like, check out my build thread for my nuvo 10 for some ideas

Nano Build - Nuvo 10 desktop reboot. Third now Fourth time is a charm

Hey folks, this will be the third time in the past 15 months that I have set up this tank. The first tear down was when I combined everything into my 40b build (which will be getting a massive update to my thread soon.) The second time I set it up as a little frag tank but tore it down again...

www.reef2reef.com

How long did it take to become silent? How silent is silent? (Currently diagnosing my pump problems)

thewire · Dec 30, 2020

My is pretty silence. There is a possibility your impeller or bushing shifted during transit. here is video how to fix it easily.

Mr.Hawkfish · Dec 31, 2020

thewire said:
My is pretty silence. There is a possibility your impeller or bushing shifted during transit. here is video how to fix it easily.

Holy crap you are a lifesaver! I’ll try that in the morning

thewire · Dec 31, 2020

Mr.Hawkfish said:
Holy crap you are a lifesaver! I’ll try that in the morning

Keep us posted

Mr.Hawkfish · Dec 31, 2020

thewire said:
Keep us posted

I’m not sure if that worked 100%... the sound is somewhat reduced. Any other ideas?

thewire · Dec 31, 2020

Mr.Hawkfish said:
I’m not sure if that worked 100%... the sound is somewhat reduced. Any other ideas?

contact IM. They are very responsive and good customer service

thewire · Dec 31, 2020

grassguy said:
Thanks! I hope everything works out great, I’m not sure if I will invest in a ato, the evaporation was pretty significant for the first couple of weeks. I ended up buying a piece of acrylic , cut it and silicones it into the screen top that came with the Nuvo. Since then the evaporation is minimal. Bad experiences with ato in the past (float valve kind) make me want to avoid this if possible. As this will be set on my desk and I don’t want an overflow problem to fry my computer.

How you going to deal with summer time? I have ordered a 10"x10" acrylic for winter, spring and fall and have it open top with fan for summer. I have 3D printed those mount with PETG, and powered the fan via USB connector