Tmr's barebottom IM Lagoon 25 (now damp!)

tomxreef · Apr 8, 2016

Hi all. So after 17 weeks of waiting for this tank + stand I finally got it last month. After reviewing the contents, I discovered that the back part of the stand was damaged enough for me to question the structural integrity of the whole thing. Marinedepot shipped a new one no questions asked. The following week I was in business.
The plan for this tank is pretty simple: sps dominated mixed reef. I decided to go barebottom as well. I wanted to start with as few undesirable hitch hikers as possible so I will decided on some sweet ceramic rock.
I have some concerns that maintaining a balance with nutrients will be an issue. With all that is going on I may not be able to keep shrooms and chalices happy.

Most recent full tank shot:

Light/flow:
Radion Xr15 pro (via reeflink)
2x Mp10wes
Maxijet 1200 for the return

Filtration:
2x intank media baskets (going to run one side with carbon and ecobak ez biopellets other rack with marine pure spheres)
Aquamaxx hob-1 skimmer

Other bits and bobs:
Hydor 100w heater controlled via apex jr
Hydor ato
Reeflink
Ecotech battery backup

Future upgrades:
Smiz top
Combined ato/dosing container
Might switch up lighting to a Nanobox t5 hybrid

Planned fish/inverts:
Pair of regular old clowns (currently residing in my spec)
Cleaner shrimp (currently residing in my spec)
Derasa Clam (currently residing in my biocube 14)
Fathead Sunburst Anthias
Longnosed hawkfish
Blueeyed Cardinal

Corals:
Shroom collection (wwc bounce, jawbreakers, etc...)
A few acros
Some digitata
Scolys on bottom
Some gorgs

Lilmatty5dimes · Apr 8, 2016

looking good. great looking aquascape and your equipment is great.

tomxreef · Apr 8, 2016

Lilmatty5dimes said:
looking good. great looking aquascape and your equipment is great.

Thank you! My goal is the dream nano.

tomxreef · Apr 9, 2016

Electronic panel done. Unfortunately I broke my aqualifter.

Wilsoni · Apr 9, 2016

Nice build! Now following

tomxreef · Apr 9, 2016

Wilsoni said:
Nice build! Now following

Thank you!

tomxreef · Apr 26, 2016

Tossed in some zoa frags I had lying around along with a few snails. I have a fine dusting of diatoms on my glass after 2 weeks of dosing microbacter7 and ghost feeding flaked food. I am having an issue with 2 pieces of equipment though.

Issue 1:
I cannot get my Hydor Smart Level to work. I have it paired with an aqualifter pump and no matter what it'll start beeping after a few minutes to an hour.

Issue 2:
I cannot get my reeflink to recognize my 2nd mp10wes. This is an mp10es that I purchased and added the rf module separately. I may have to give Ecotech a call.

barista88 · Apr 29, 2016

I love that control panel, it looks so clean!

revhtree · Apr 29, 2016

Looks nice so far!

LILBUDDHA · Apr 29, 2016

17 months . WOW . Now that's quite some patience u have there .
The control area u implemented looks super clean .
YMMV , I borrowed a AM HOB-1 for my IM40 n I was not happy with it . The outflow area kept bobbing up n down causing it to take in air .
I know it's got an awesome pump on but in the short time I had it the venturi clogged on it . I had to some calcium deposit .
The Tunze 9004 is going back on it .
I have also tried cermamic rock in the past but didn't have much luck with it . It grew some weird patchy micro algae . I would have to remove corals and scrub the rock down constantly .

Definitely subscribed, to see how this nice build progresses .

tomxreef · Apr 29, 2016

LILBUDDHA said:
17 months . WOW . Now that's quite some patience u have there .
The control area u implemented looks super clean .
YMMV , I borrowed a AM HOB-1 for my IM40 n I was not happy with it . The outflow area kept bobbing up n down causing it to take in air .
I know it's got an awesome pump on but in the short time I had it the venturi clogged on it . I had to some calcium deposit .
The Tunze 9004 is going back on it .
I have also tried cermamic rock in the past but didn't have much luck with it . It grew some weird patchy micro algae . I would have to remove corals and scrub the rock down constantly .
Definitely subscribed, to see how this nice build progresses .

It was 17 weeks. Felt like 17 months though. I have the aquamaxx soaking right now. I need to grab a few plumbing parts for it though to make a ghetto bubble stop.
This is the first time I am using ceramic rock and so far I like it. I am not very imaginative when it comes to aquascaping. I will be adding one of those alternative reef magnetic pieces soon. I do need to put my brs screen top together and do a water change and I will be ready for a fish. I will be eventually upgrading to an artfully acrylic top.
On another note, I am not very impressed with the radion. The shrimmer is just not there. I have a kessil on another tank and I really prefer it. I think there is a hybrid light setup in my future. I am thinking of building some kind of canopy to house 4 t5 bulbs and throwing a kessil in the center.
I did get the ato issues sorted out. However it is still pumping a bit too slow for my taste. I have an avast diaphragm pump on the way, so hopefully it will remedy that.

tomxreef · May 1, 2016

We have diatoms! Grabbing some more snails tonight!

tomxreef · May 3, 2016

I hooked up my Aquamaxx Hob-1 today after running it with some vinegar and saltwater. I made a diy bubble stopper using some pvc with holes drilled in with a sponge wrapped around it. Hopefully it breaks in pretty soon. I also put together my BRS screen top and I must say I am impressed with how it looks. You can't tell its there. It isn't secure for an eel but for regular reef fish it'll do the job. $30 well spent.

I did a 5 gallon water change and the first fish goes in tomorrow. Either a blueeyed cardinal or a pajama cardinal, leaning towards the blueeyed cardinal. Assuming all goes well with the cardinal, I'll be adding a Fathead anthias in a few weeks along with the rest of the inhabitants later on. I am pretty excited to get this build going.

I have been exploring different lighting setups since I am not too fond of the XR-15. Looking at either supplimenting the radion with some t5's and building a floating canopy or a reefbrite metal halide with some xho strips. My lfs (Reef Shac) has a 400w 20k halide with led supplements on their growout tank and the colors are insane! So definately leaning towards halides.

DustyXB9Reefer · May 3, 2016

I feel like the lighting debate is like the oil debate amongst car guys (I'm a mechanic by trade). That being said, I really like LED just because the low power draw and I dig the shimmer they put off on to the sand. Do they work better than the tried and true MH? Time will tell I guess. The hybrid setups do have some amazing colour that's for sure!

DustyXB9Reefer · May 3, 2016

Oh and any picture of the new top??

tomxreef · May 4, 2016

DustyXB9Reefer said:
I feel like the lighting debate is like the oil debate amongst car guys (I'm a mechanic by trade). That being said, I really like LED just because the low power draw and I dig the shimmer they put off on to the sand. Do they work better than the tried and true MH? Time will tell I guess. The hybrid setups do have some amazing colour that's for sure!

I hear ya. I will give the radion some time. Lighting isn't really one of those things you can make a decision on quickly. I don't really have the coin to drop on new lights right now too.

No pics of the top yet. The lights were ramping down for the night and surprise surprise my reeflink wasn't working...

DustyXB9Reefer · May 4, 2016

Oh and also remember I'm a reefing noob! Hahah. My opinion comes with its one salt packet hahah. I have heard a lot of good things about Radions though. Another thing I like about leds is the full controll of the light and it's output and ability to controll the exact light colour you want. So, something to think about. Oh and not having to replace bulbs... cause there are none hah.

tomxreef · May 4, 2016

First fish is in. Its a pretty decent sized blue eyed cardinal. Hes currently hiding, I had to turn the mp10's off because he was getting blown around. This guy and his buddy have been at my lfs for almost a year and eats everything under the sun. Hes nice and thick. Imo a very underrated fish. I cannot wait to have him out in the open.

tomxreef · May 6, 2016

The cardinal has emerged from the rock! I'll be breaking down my biocube tomorrow so more livestock will be going in the lagoon. I also got an avast porthole the other day so I may break out the dslr and try to take some pics.