SacReefer's IM Lagoon 50

[SacReefer]

Hi folks! I'm currently in the process of upgrading from IM 30L to IM Lagoon 50. Thought I would start a build thread and document my journey (something that I did not do for the IM 30L). I got into the hobby fairly recently - IM 30L was my first saltwater tank (has been up since December 2018). Naturally I wanted something bigger so I could get more corals and fish (shocker!). Tank has been cycled, so I'll be transferring corals in the next week or two. I'll take some better pics and update soon. Here we go...

Equipment / Misc. (updated as of 6/4/2020)

• Tank: IM Lagoon 50 (AIO)
• Stand: IM APS (Black)
• Rocks: CaribSea Liferock Shapes (approximately 18 lbs)
• Substrate: Eden Tropic Tonga Special Pink (30 lbs bag)
• Lighting: Kessil AP700
• Return Pump: 2 IM Mighty Jet - Midsize's with Random Flow Generator nozzles
• Flow/Wavemaker: AI Nero 5 w/3D printed guard
• Heaters: Cobalt NeoTherm 200w
• Skimmer: IM NuvoSkim DC - Midsize
• ATO System: XP Aqua Duetto
• Doser: Kamoer X1
• Dosing: Tropic Marin All-for-Reef (AIO: alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements)

Livestock (updated as of 6/4/2020)

• Yellow Eye Kole Tang (medium)
• Pair of Orange/Mocha Storm Clownfish
• Cleaner Shrimp
• Fire Shrimp

Corals, Anemones, etc. (updated as of 6/4/2020)

• Black Widow Anemone
• Arizona Sunset BTA Anemone
• Various RBTA Anemones (x5)
• Green (Indo/Malaysian) Torch
• Dragon Soul (Indo) Torch
• Aussie Gold Torch

Moved from here...

...to here.
FTS (5/12/2020):

 

[TheWB]

Hi folks! I'm currently in the process of upgrading from IM 30L to IM Lagoon 50. Thought I would start a build thread and document my journey (something that I did not do for the IM 30L). I got into the hobby fairly recently - IM 30L was my first saltwater tank (has been up since December 2018). Wanted something bigger so I could get more corals and fish (shocker!). Tank has been cycled, so I'll be transferring corals in the next week or two. I'll take some better pics and update soon. Here we go...

Equipment / Misc.

• Tank: IM Lagoon 50 (AIO)
• Stand: IM APS (Black)
• Rocks: CaribSea Liferock Shapes (approximately 18-20 lbs)
• Substrate: Eden Tropic Tonga Special Pink (30 lbs)
• Lighting: Kessil AP700 (will be moving over from IM 30L); currently using an extra LED light
• Return Pump: IM Mighty Jet - Midsize (x2) with Random Flow Generator nozzles
• Flow/Wavemaker: AI Nero 5
• Heaters: Cobalt NeoTherm 200w
• Skimmer: IM NuvoSkim DC - Midsize (will be moving over from IM 30L); looking at AquaMaxx 1.5 HOB
• ATO System: XP Aqua Duetto (will be moving over from IM 30L)
• Doser: Kamoer X1 (will be moving over from IM 30L)
• Dosing: Tropic Marin All-for-Reef (AIO: alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements)

Livestock

• Banggai Cardinal
• Yellow Tang (small)
• Yellow Eye Kole Tang (medium)
• Six Line Wrasse
• Domino Clown
• Royal Gramma

Moving from here...

...to here.

Welcome to the Lagoon 50 club. I like your scape. I tried to use some of the Liferock shapes in my build but I couldn't figure out a scape that I liked. Yours looks great. Following along.

 

[SPR1968]

The old tank looked good, and I love the aquascaping on the new tank

 

[Robertellis30]

I never thought about Star polyps on the backdrop. Very interesting. I like it a lot.

 

[SacReefer]

Welcome to the Lagoon 50 club. I like your scape. I tried to use some of the Liferock shapes in my build but I couldn't figure out a scape that I liked. Yours looks great. Following along.

Thanks!! I ordered 2 boxes (40 pounds) and ended up with 5 extra pieces (each box came with 4-5 pieces). And I wanted somewhat minimalist look (compared to my last setup) - so the fish have more swimming area/negative space.

 

[SacReefer]

I never thought about Star polyps on the backdrop. Very interesting. I like it a lot.

It definitely adds a nice pop of color and a lot of movement. Plus I preferred it over build up of coraline algae. Contemplating if I want to move it to the new tank or leave the back clean for now (potentially mount additional coral to the wall using magnetic rocks/racks).

 

[TheWB]

Thanks!! I ordered 2 boxes (40 pounds) and ended up with 5 extra pieces (each box came with 4-5 pieces). And I wanted somewhat minimalist look (compared to my last setup) - so the fish have more swimming area/negative space.

I have 4 regular life rocks and 4 pieces of the shapes. If you look in my build thread on page 4 you’ll see what I did with it, which was not good. I should have removed the Stax rock from the bottom (ill-conceived attempt at making a bare bottom not look like a bare bottom) and tried again with using less pieces. At the time I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. I still have the rocks and they’ll eventually make it into a tank somewhere.
How do you like that Nero5?

 

[SacReefer]

I have 4 regular life rocks and 4 pieces of the shapes. If you look in my build thread on page 4 you’ll see what I did with it, which was not good. I should have removed the Stax rock from the bottom (ill-conceived attempt at making a bare bottom not look like a bare bottom) and tried again with using less pieces. At the time I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. I still have the rocks and they’ll eventually make it into a tank somewhere.
How do you like that Nero5?

I checked out your thread..kind of liked that idea - especially if you had corals (zoa's, gsp, gonis, etc.) growing on the "floor". Would help add a lot of color and movement to the tank.

I really like the Nero 5. It definitely has way more power than needed in our tanks -- I have it on 45% max -- after I found the yellow tang sucked in (and dead). Not sure if it was Nero 5 or the fish was sick to start with. Also, the sand I have is definitely too fine and gets blown around a lot if I push the flow too much. Between the wave maker (about 1,500+gph) plus two returns pumps (around 600 gph for both) -- maybe I need to turn it a down a bit for LPS, anemone tank?

 

[TheWB]

I checked out your thread..kind of liked that idea - especially if you had corals (zoa's, gsp, gonis, etc.) growing on the "floor". Would help add a lot of color and movement to the tank.

I really like the Nero 5. It definitely has way more power than needed in our tanks -- I have it on 45% max -- after I found the yellow tang sucked in (and dead). Not sure if it was Nero 5 or the fish was sick to start with. Also, the sand I have is definitely too fine and gets blown around a lot if I push the flow too much. Between the wave maker (about 1,500+gph) plus two returns pumps (around 600 gph for both) -- maybe I need to turn it a down a bit for LPS, anemone tank?

I’m sure there was a way to make that concept work but it just wasn’t clicking at the time.
Thanks for the info on the Nero 5. I’m keeping it on the list of possible upgrades for now. I just read somewhere on here yesterday about a recommendation for about 25-30x turnover per hr of display flow for an Lps tank. That seems like a lot. I’m probably running about 2500 gph total right now between the return pump and the two wave pumps at current setting. It seems like plenty of flow and yet I still have dead spots so I don’t know what to tell you.

 

[SacReefer]

Quick update. Still haven't moved corals over to the new tank.. had some stability issues, so focuing on that for now. Maybe will try to move the corals over this weekend (waiting on coral dip to be delivered - so I can dip prior to moving them over...just in case). Kind of struggling with placement of corals too. Originally I was planning on having the left island be used as an euphyllia garden (frogspawn, hammer, etc.), torches would be place on the floor by the right structure (towards the middle) and use the cave piece for anemones, zoa's, gonioporas, maybe some SPS at the top)... but now having second thoughts.

Ended up loosing the yellow tang -- found it dead in the wave maker (was eating fine, no ick). Decided to rehome the yellow eye kole tang (friend's tank). Maybe I'll get another one when the tank is stable and more mature.

Here is a current shot of my 30L.. majority of these corals will be transferred over.

Will be moving here (hopefully sooner than later). Thinking about starting with anemone first.. to allow it to pick a place before placing the other corals. Any suggestions re: placements? Open to suggestions.

 

[SacReefer]

I’m sure there was a way to make that concept work but it just wasn’t clicking at the time.
Thanks for the info on the Nero 5. I’m keeping it on the list of possible upgrades for now. I just read somewhere on here yesterday about a recommendation for about 25-30x turnover per hr of display flow for an Lps tank. That seems like a lot. I’m probably running about 2500 gph total right now between the return pump and the two wave pumps at current setting. It seems like plenty of flow and yet I still have dead spots so I don’t know what to tell you.

I hear you... the rock scape and placement probably has something to do with that as well (the dead spots). Every time I have turned down the flow to be around 30x turnover, I always have ended up with a lot more issues (algae issues, dead spots). At least we have the option to turn up and down, to see what works.

 

[SacReefer]

Finally started moving corals over (still have to move the anemones, frag rack, etc.). Still not sure if I want to move over the GSP wall or not. Corals will need to be rearrange after I move the anemones and they have chosen their ideal locations (and hopefully they won’t move much afterwards).

Kind of struggling with the design/arrangement of my “euphyllia” island (on the left). Not sure if I should place frogspawns on the bottom either left or right side/lower portion of the island or all the way at the top. Also not sure if I want to keep the nephthea coral or move it to my other tank. The Duncan coral and trumpet coral will be moved lower.. eventually.. to free up the top for possible SPS coral (maybe anemones).

Here are some pics:

 

[TheWB]

Looks great. I really like the shots from the sides.

 

[SacReefer]

Quick update... finally got everything transferred over (and sold the old tank/setup). Been using MacroBacter Clean to address the diatoms (and hopefully keep the tank/rocks clean in the long run) - have dosed for the 4th time now and finally seeing some difference (major reduction.. not completely gone yet). Corals have been doing great... and anemones are adjusting (lost a lot of color in most of them... hoping they will gain their colors over time as they adjust to the new tank).

Also, ended up losing a lot of my fish.. rather quickly (over a 3-4 period; after introducing a wrasse to the tank.. didn’t QT). Now just have a domino clown and a yellow eye kole tang...will add more slowly.

 

[TheWB]

Quick update... finally got everything transferred over (and sold the old tank/setup). Been using MacroBacter Clean to address the diatoms (and hopefully keep the tank/rocks clean in the long run) - have dosed for the 4th time now and finally seeing some difference (major reduction.. not completely gone yet). Corals have been doing great... and anemones are adjusting (lost a lot of color in most of them... hoping they will gain their colors over time as they adjust to the new tank).

Also, ended up losing a lot of my fish.. rather quickly (over a 3-4 period; after introducing a wrasse to the tank.. didn’t QT). Now just have a domino clown and a yellow eye kole tang...will add more slowly.

That’s a bummer about the fish man, sorry to hear it. What’s the stocking plan going to be?

 

[SacReefer]

That’s a bummer about the fish man, sorry to hear it. What’s the stocking plan going to be?

I’ll probably add a fish or two every two weeks or so (don’t want to shock the systems too quickly). Everyone needs a pair of clowns in their reef! Debating between getting a mate for the domino clown (probably a naked clown or something with orange) or getting a pair for orange/black storm clowns or extreme MochaVinci’s and move the domino clown.

I’m also thinking about the following:
- 3 anthias (1 male, 2 females)
- couple of wrasses (not sure on which ones yet)
- maybe an angel fish (lemon peel, flame angel, etc.)
- maybe a small yellow tang (until it outgrows the tank)

Kind of open/flexible at this point.. But looking to have maybe around 10 fish or so.. does that seem too much?

 

[TheWB]

I’ll probably add a fish or two every two weeks or so (don’t want to shock the systems too quickly). Everyone needs a pair of clowns in their reef! Debating between getting a mate for the domino clown (probably a naked clown or something with orange) or getting a pair for orange/black storm clowns or extreme MochaVinci’s and move the domino clown.

I’m also thinking about the following:
- 3 anthias (1 male, 2 females)
- couple of wrasses (not sure on which ones yet)
- maybe an angel fish (lemon peel, flame angel, etc.)
- maybe a small yellow tang (until it outgrows the tank)

Kind of open/flexible at this point.. But looking to have maybe around 10 fish or so.. does that seem too much?

That seems like a lot to me for this size tank. I have two clowns, two zebra barred dartfish, an orange back fairy wrasse and a Tomini tang and my tank seems full. Stocking level is all about nutrient export and compatibility. Tangs are poop machines. A yellow tang will likely get aggressive and compete with the angel for algae on the rocks. Those are all fairly big fish on your list for a Lagoon 50. I would have 10 fish in mine but if I did most of them would be smaller. Just my opinion but putting that combination of fish in a Lagoon 50 isn’t something I would be comfortable doing.

 

[KJoFan]

I just got mine going and most/all my fish came from a larger tank teardown so...final stocking is TBD depending how it goes but I have:

- Kole Tang
- Copperband Butterfly (likely not to stay long term)
- 4x wrasses
- 2x Bangaii cardinal fish

I def wouldn't add more fish to my tank without removing the larger suspects first. If the copperband and Kole were to go, I'd consider another wrasse or two, but unsure. Would all depend how the tank was going.

 

[SacReefer]

That seems like a lot to me for this size tank. I have two clowns, two zebra barred dartfish, an orange back fairy wrasse and a Tomini tang and my tank seems full. Stocking level is all about nutrient export and compatibility. Tangs are poop machines. A yellow tang will likely get aggressive and compete with the angel for algae on the rocks. Those are all fairly big fish on your list for a Lagoon 50. I would have 10 fish in mine but if I did most of them would be smaller. Just my opinion but putting that combination of fish in a Lagoon 50 isn’t something I would be comfortable doing.

All good points... now that I think about, it might be way too much if I got everything I had listed. I would be completely okay with not getting a yellow tang or the angelfish (as they may not be reef safe anyways). I do want a variety of fish at all levels of the reef tank... and wouldn’t mind smaller fish (the yellow eye Kole tang can be the largest fish in the tank).

 

[SacReefer]

I just got mine going and most/all my fish came from a larger tank teardown so...final stocking is TBD depending how it goes but I have:

- Kole Tang
- Copperband Butterfly (likely not to stay long term)
- 4x wrasses
- 2x Bangaii cardinal fish

I def wouldn't add more fish to my tank without removing the larger suspects first. If the copperband and Kole were to go, I'd consider another wrasse or two, but unsure. Would all depend how the tank was going.

Makes sense! Saw your thread and tank build... looking forward to seeing how it progress. The copperband butterfly does look pretty awesome in your tank. Does it eat the food you feed your other fish?