Chris's IM Nuvo EXT 200

chaples55

chaples55

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I'm in the planning phase on this. The dimensions and overflow style on the Nuvo EXT 200 are exactly what I want for my 'forever tank'. Also love that it's eurobraced and comes with a screen top. Anyone here have experience with a large IM Nuvo tank?

Here's my plan:
  • Nuvo EXT 200 + White APS Stand ✓
  • 3x Reefi Uno 2.0 Pro
  • 2x Orphek OR3 60" Blue Plus || 2x 60" AliExpress Bars <-- leaning towards this after trying out a custom spectrum 24" model. They are actually really great.
  • 2x Jebao SCP-120
  • 2x Jebao SLW-30
  • DIY Sump with Aqueon 60g 48.5x18.5x16 ✓
Equipment I already have that I'm going to reuse, at least until there is a need for an upgrade:
  • Jebao DCP-13000 Return Pump
  • Aquamaxx FC-80
  • ~40w Refugium light (might add a second one later)
  • Jebao dosers (also working on a 4x diy stepper doser with an ESP32)
  • 25w UV sterilizer
  • BRS Dual Reactor
  • Inkbird ITC-308 Temp Controller
  • Pinpoint pH Controller
  • Hydor Smart Level Control ATO
  • Lots of smart power strips and plugs
  • Cyberpower CP1500 UPS

This is spurred on by the fact that my current 45g (pictured below) is ~15 years old and the silicone is in really rough shape. I'm also running out of space for corals and I really want to keep some larger fish that have been off-limits for me.
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So I was already planning on ordering today and was debating between ordering from IM directly or on SaltwaterAquarium.com to get the $150 in rewards points. This morning, the prices were still the same. When I checked my IM cart again just now I saw the price went up almost $700 (pre-tax)!!

Was going to discuss stand color one last time with the wife tonight, but fearing that the price change would propagate to SaltwaterAquarium.com I decided to order immediately.
 

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sounds like a cool build. I am kind of interested in the performance of the reefi uno 2.0 pro. On paper, it blows radions out of the water, but I have yet to see any long term tank that runs these lights that have proven growth over time. I am not one for brands as my first SPS dominant tank ran some "fancy" black boxes and did phenomenal. I can't wait to watch the progress on your tank.
 
Thanks! I'll definitely provide feedback on the Reefis. I've always thought that lighting in this hobby is overpriced. Until I discovered Reefi I was just going to build two more of my own fixtures.

I'm running a fully custom "black box" on my 45g. I replaced the original circuit board with a thick aluminum heatsink and soldered up my own LEDs, drawing inspiration from the Orphek Atlantik v4 for the spectrum. No optics for the widest spread and least shadows. Noctua fans so it runs silent. Total cost of about $250 and IMO it outshines the XR15 and the Hydra. PAR is 400 at the base of the green slimer and 300 at the duncan. The rock flowers get about 150. If I were to do it again I'd go a bit heavier on the UV and cyan.
 

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chaples55 said:
I got a few of mine at Nemo's but got most of them online. Got a 10-pack from Foxy Saltwater Tropicals to start the collection and got a few WYSIWYG from AquaSD
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I've never bought anything online before fish/coral, I'm just scared in the back of my mind that they might not make it idk 😕
 
Pizzasteve5717 said:
I've never bought anything online before fish/coral, I'm just scared in the back of my mind that they might not make it idk 😕
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Yeah losses can and do happen but I've always had good service from vendors replacing or refunding DOAs. Foxy sent 11 rock flowers and I ended up losing 2 of them, so I got a refund for one.

I will say though the online ones come significantly smaller than what you can get locally.
 
chaples55 said:
Yeah losses can and do happen but I've always had good service from vendors replacing or refunding DOAs. Foxy sent 11 rock flowers and I ended up losing 2 of them, so I got a refund for one.

I will say though the online ones come significantly smaller than what you can get locally.
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Well I'll keep on looking that's one of my goals is to have a bunch of rock flowers in my tank but for now I'm settling with some Yuma's
 
Won back $400 in reward points in the BRS promo today! 😃🎉 They called me out in the last few minutes of the livestream on YouTube lol. This should cover all my plumbing needs for this build. Not sure yet what else I'll get!
 
Looks great. One thing I would advise you on are those jebao gyres pack a serious punch for flow. I had bought the 150 for my 210 gallon but felt it was too strong. I downsized to the 120 instead. Maybe buy from Amazon so you can return it if it doesn’t work well for you.
 
NAS said:
Looks great. One thing I would advise you on are those jebao gyres pack a serious punch for flow. I had bought the 150 for my 210 gallon but felt it was too strong. I downsized to the 120 instead. Maybe buy from Amazon so you can return it if it doesn’t work well for you.
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Thanks, I was actually wondering about that. Plan is to have one on each side blowing lengthwise across the top of the tank, with the controllers paired so they alternate. You think the 120 is plenty for that? How do you have yours set up?
 
I actually have 4 MP40’s (2 on the sides and 2 on the back wall) and a jebao 120 blowing across the top on one side. The flow was too much from the jebao 150 for my torches that were close to it even with the MP40’s on low setting though.
 
NAS said:
I actually have 4 MP40’s (2 on the sides and 2 on the back wall) and a jebao 120 blowing across the top on one side. The flow was too much from the jebao 150 for my torches that were close to it even with the MP40’s on low setting though.
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Oh wow ok I will definitely start with the 120 then. Thanks for the feedback!
 
I have 2 scp180 in my 150g. But it’s currently more of less a FOWLR at this point but I have a lot of tangs. They push a lot of water
 
Well, this is going a lot faster than anticipated. Freight delivery is scheduled for next Thursday! It was supposed to take 4-6 months!

Unfortunately that means it will have to sit in the garage for a while until it's final resting place is ready. I need to move the old tank and reinforce the floor. We also want to take that opportunity to tear out the carpet and install new flooring (probably vinyl plank). Figure once the tank is in place it ain't gonna move again...
 
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