Wife's IM 25 Lagoon Nano

[AngryOwl]

Hey everyone!

Wanted to start a build to document the progress of this tank. I will be adding video updates via youtube and will provide the video links here.

I'm new to reef keeping still, my first tank is my 120g which I started back in June/July. I've done a lot of DIY with that tank so I think I will start a build thread for that one also.

But back to the nano. How this tank came to be is I had a Flame Angel in the 120 which started picking at my acans about 30 minutes after I put them in the tank. Additionally the Flame would chase my crescent tail wrasse which I think was limiting how much he swam throughout the tank. So after 2 and a half hours I finally caught the Flame. My intention was to trade it in for some store credit... but my wife loves that fish and was making me feel real guilty about it. So I told her I would buy a nano and she could keep it in there and do whatever she wants with the tank. (I'm just the one who has to service everything, while she designs and says what she wants lol).

We went with an Innovative Marine 25g Lagoon which I think looks really sharp and clean. So far it just has some sand and the Flame in it. Rock is on the way from BRS this week. So aquascaping will be done shortly.

I used some pond matrix from my 120g sump so I didn't have to cycle the tank.

I ordered a media caddie, Tunze nano ATO, and some Marine Pure Spheres. The plan is to put the spheres in the caddie after seeding them in the 120g for about 2 weeks or so.

Future plans:
- Add jabeo pp4 wavemaker
- Upgrade return pumps
- Add a skimmer (thinking tunze 9001... but open to suggestions that fit... so far I see options are limited)
- Skimz cheato reactor or a DIY version
- AI Prime HD light

Wife's stocking list:
- Flame Angel
- Clown fish (1)
- Chromis (1)
- Goby/Shrimp pair
- CUC

I think this stock list should be okay with Marine pure filtration + rock & sand. I want to keep this system simple and not have to apply a ton of maintenance to it. So we will see how it goes. I hope you stay tuned and enjoy the build! Thanks for reading!

 

[SDReefer]

What type of substrate are you using? Looks neat! Is this going to be a FOWLR tank or a reef?

Good luck!

 

[AngryOwl]

What type of substrate are you using? Looks neat! Is this going to be a FOWLR tank or a reef?

Good luck!

Substrate is CaribSea Hawaiian Black Arag Live Sand. I figured the nano would be a great place to test out if we liked other things. Currently have standard white sand in the 120. Planning to make this a reef tank for sure! I'm addicted to corals haha!

 

[sneub]

Looking good

 

[Hi.Gene]

The flame angel looks so lonely.

Following along!

 

[AngryOwl]

So I have a huge order coming with a ton of things for the lagoon. It has also been scaped and I will update pictures soon!

Changes made:
Added tunze ATO
Added IM caddie with marine pure balls (the trick is to cut them into quarters to fit more in there

Check out my video on all my tanks! I start showing the nano around 10 minutes if you don't care to see anything else lol

 

[Crabs McJones]

I wish my wife was into the hobby. I could have more then one tank

 

[AngryOwl]

I wish my wife was into the hobby. I could have more then one tank

;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious

At the start she wasn't that into it... but then I started trying to include her more by asking her what fish she likes and such. I wouldn't say she's crazy into it but she was into it enough to save that flame angel Just go buy a new tank and say you got it for free so you "HAD" to take it ;Hilarious

 

[Segalplayer]

Should try the inTank media caddy, directs the water though the caddy better than the IM one

 

[AngryOwl]

Should try the inTank media caddy, directs the water though the caddy better than the IM one

I might give this a shot on the other side if I don't end up doing something else! haha

 

[AngryOwl]

Quick update on corals for my 120 and a sneak peak of the aquascaped lagoon! Not a great video though thats for sure.

 

[AngryOwl]

Just got my AI Prime HD yesterday! Looks great over the tank. If you want to get a sneak peak follow me on instagram: jvara33

Also, for anyone interested check out the #RicosNanoChallenge2018; if you're interested in getting into the challenge head over to DCReefers channel for the official rules.

I also started getting some algae already growing on the rocks so I added a clean up crew, tank is moving along nicely. I would suggest anyone who already owns a tank always have extra cycled media in your tank in case you ever want to set up another tank or for QT/Hospital tank purposes!

If there's anything you guys want to see in particular let me know!

 

[AngryOwl]

Hey guys, I haven't posted my video yet of the AI prime. I'm waiting to do some par readings this Friday on it. We also have 2 fish in QT right now... was going to order a goby pair with a pistol shrimp but someone bought them Will be on the lookout on divers den for more! Also added a screen top.

If you want to see those fish check it out on my Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/jvara33/

 

[AngryOwl]

Small update on the nano but mostly to this is my official entry into Ricos Nano Challenge. I will be doing par readings soon on the AI prime and the schedule I'll be running. It mocks the AB+ program.

 

[AngryOwl]

I've been pretty bad about updating this thread. I finally got around to doing par readings on the AI prime HD. Also, the flame angel no longer lives in the nano. She was pardoned and returned to the 120g. The tank now hosts a hi fin goby pair with pistol shrimp, a blue green chromis, and a 6 line wrasse. Added an amazing brain coral as well as a toadstool.

On the to get list:
Mini Carbon reactor
Cheato Reactor
Clown pair (mocha davincis)
More corals!!

Check out the par readings!

 

[Tahoe61]

Awesome thanks for posting those AI Prime par values.

 

[AngryOwl]

Awesome thanks for posting those AI Prime par values.

No problem!

 

[reeferfoxx]

I've been pretty bad about updating this thread. I finally got around to doing par readings on the AI prime HD. Also, the flame angel no longer lives in the nano. She was pardoned and returned to the 120g. The tank now hosts a hi fin goby pair with pistol shrimp, a blue green chromis, and a 6 line wrasse. Added an amazing brain coral as well as a toadstool.

On the to get list:
Mini Carbon reactor
Cheato Reactor
Clown pair (mocha davincis)
More corals!!

Check out the par readings!

Great video! Tank is looking awesome!

Since you are using the lunar cycle on the AI prime, I would suggest keeping the lunar lights off 50 minutes after and 50 minutes before daylight cycle. Listening to Jamie Craggs lecture on coral spawning, not only is it interesting and important to have total darkness but it can benefit more than just coral. I think doing that and you will see your tank thriving even more.

 

[AngryOwl]

Great video! Tank is looking awesome!

Since you are using the lunar cycle on the AI prime, I would suggest keeping the lunar lights off 50 minutes after and 50 minutes before daylight cycle. Listening to Jamie Craggs lecture on coral spawning, not only is it interesting and important to have total darkness but it can benefit more than just coral. I think doing that and you will see your tank thriving even more.

This is great advice! I will do that for sure. Also I wanted to have a higher ramp period so the max photo period is less. Thank you