Nuvo 40 AIO Build Thread

[Jud]

I’ve been slowly amassing the materials to start up a new 40-gallon reef tank. It’s been 6+ months in the making, and I’m now just getting around to posting photos.

Needless to say, I’ve been taking my sweet time. My last tank was an Aqueon 150 - not the greatest tank for a third-floor apartment! Hoping to make this a nicer fit for the space.

Pics coming below!

 

[Jud]

Picked up this Innovative Marine Nuvo 40 back in October ‘18. Bought from a fellow reefer, it came with the skeleton of a stand. Figured I’d skin it. My old man has a friend that installs countertops, so I grabbed a piece of black granite for the top on a recent trip back to OH.

 

[Jud]

Rescued some oak boards. These were actually some old floor slats from a building being torn down here in Chicago. Mounted + sanded!

 

[Jud]

Went with a darker walnut stain. Added in some leveling feet, few coats of poly, and added the top.

 

[Jud]

Tank moved into its final spot while I finish up the rock work.

 

[Jud]

This sits across from my couch and next to my TV, so I wanted to minimize light bleed. Picked up some more oak and threw together a canopy.

 

[Jud]

Canopy stained + poly’d. Had to get a little creative with the light mounts. Ultimately chose some drawer track and bent to fit my Hydra 26 HD. Slid in a pair of 24” T5 retrofits, then added a pegboard top to minimize bleed while allowing some ventilation.

 

[Jud]

Wanted to do a floating canopy. Played around with 1,000 ideas, but ended up going with an aluminum support frame from 8020.

Weight was a huge concern, so I ended up drilling into the masonry and mounting with four big tapcons.

The canopy has open slots on the back and is attached via four 10” threaded rods. So
I can raise/lower should I need to make minor adjustments to the height.

 

[Jud]

Got the canopy lights all wired up. Just need to work on cable concealment.

 

[Jud]

Rocks in, tank filled, and threw in 40# of Tropic Eden’s Live Miniflakes.

Threw in a shrimp for a few days just to make sure everything is ready. Tank is cycled, and I’ve been dosing the occasional cap full of ammonia to watch/maintain.

Finishing up some of the gear, but tank is ready for first additions in the next week!

 

[WarmSensations]

Looks great! Are you leaving the sticker on there on purpose or..?

 

[Kaludar]

Looking good so far, digging the aquascape and the wood finish on your stand. As a side note that's a sweet looking shop you're working out of there.

 

[Jud]

LOL. Man, that’s an interesting question. I don’t know if I never, uh, noticed that or just never thought to take it off? It sits on the sand level, so I guess I never paid it much attention.

 

[Jud]

Looking good so far, digging the aquascape and the wood finish on your stand. As a side note that's a sweet looking shop you're working out of there.

Shop is called Icon Modern here in Chicago. Luckily have an awesome buddy over there who helped out and let me borrow some space and nicer tools for some beer + whiskey!

 

[Daniel92481]

Looks great! Any updates?

 

[Jud]

Looks great! Any updates?

For sure! It’s been up and running for a few months and some change now. Fingers crossed, but everything has been extremely stable. Crediting that to taking the extra time to set everything up.

Had a good diatom bloom after the initial cycle, but got a huge CUC from reefcleaners and it has held most problem algae’s at bay. I also cured that pukani for months in a bath with an LC drip.

Currently have two clowns (davinci + black/white) and a purple dottyback in. Also picked up a Rainbow Anemone, which frankly seemed early but I’ve had luck with them being hearty on other thanks and got some reassurance from my local LFS. Thankfully they are all thriving and growing quickly.

Some updated shots here! Currently traveling but can snag more later.

 

[Daniel92481]

Wow, looking good! I plan to setup this tank within the next couple of weeks and have enjoyed reading your thread. I really like your RBTA. That is definitely one thing on my stock list. Keep up the good work, and updates!

 

[Reefguy13]

Im getting a nuvo 40 and need you to build me all of this so my wife doesnt kill me haha. Seriously though is is awesome i wish i had the skills for a stand and hood like that

 

[Flameback Pair]

@Jud Updates??? you have a PM.

 

[scubasteve020]

@Jud Updates??? you have a PM.

Way way to soon for adding a rbta