IM Nuvo Lagoon 25 @ Sugar Hill

[56cbr600rr]

Well, guess I'll start a build thread as I am now on my second tank.

What started out about 17 months ago as a birthday gift from my (then) 3 year old is now a IM Nuvo 25. I tend to prefer corals that like the sandbed and this tank seems to be the best out there for that. Glass is clear. And it has an awesome "footprint".

This tank has been up for about 6-8 months. Will post some earlier pics and do some catching up.

 

[56cbr600rr]

I did just go through my photos and unfortunately, I do not have any full tank shots from the beginning.

I will add a current full tank shot and pics/dialog how I got to where I am currently.

 

[york1]

Good looking tank. Love that chalice

 

[56cbr600rr]

Here is the first full shot I have of the tank. This is with only one HD16 and an Aqami KPS Wavemaker (since replaced with a Nero 3).

Additionally, you can see the top half of the stand I built. I used granite as I wanted the top perfect so as not to put any strain on the glass.

This pic was taken February 28, 2021.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Some random pics from early April:

 

[56cbr600rr]

As I mentioned earlier, I DID tranfer all of my inhabitants out of the Evo13.5 into this 25 lagoon. Everything but the sand that is. I added some BioSpira, and all was good from day one.

I have since added lots more live rock. Some things in the pics unfortunately did not make it, were sold off, or I still DO have as it is a work in progress. I did switch to a Nero 3 over the Aqami KPS as it seems to move the water "as a whole" much better than the KPS, not to mention the app is much more user friendly.

The AI Price HD16 is using a modified BRS AB+ with less white light than they recomend. With one light at 13 inches over the water I was around 38 watts with pretty decent par (measured thanks to ARC's club par meter). I do have par charts if anyone needs.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Current pics taken this morning.

 

[Trizzino]

Looks awesome! Good job.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Thank ya. The Hammers
Still Doing good.

 

[56cbr600rr]

No real changes through April. I did start getting some quicker growth on my Raja Rampage. It started out as 2 eyes/mouths and looked like this April 12th. The beginning pic can be seen in post #1. Post #1 pic was taken around November.

 

[56cbr600rr]

And now:

 

[56cbr600rr]

Sometime April/May I added a SuperMan Scoly and a Bleeding Apple. The Bleeding Apple got stung by a neighboring coral and has been on the decline unfortunately. I have recently got it to eat some brine and reefroids dipped in Restor. Fingers crossed for a full recovery.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Sharing where I was at here with one HD16 over the tank. This was approx 38 watts at peak. Light mounted about 13 inches over the waterline. Par on sandbed was 35ish at the far edges, and about 90 center. Chalices and Acans seemed happy. Zoas stretched, even at the top mounted areas.. I still could have cranked the light a bit, but never went past this point.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Also, I mentioned prior that I had an Aqami KPS for a time. After seeing and reading about the Nero 3 I gave it a shot. The app is MUCH friendlier. Additionally, because it is has a much larger diameter, and more power, it moves much more water.

After some time I met Trizzino and saw the flow in his 50gal with two Neros. It was perfect. I bought a second Nero 3 within a day to try and mimic his tank's motion. Definitely an improvement. The Hammers seem to love the motion and now it's got me wanting to add my first TORCH.

 

[56cbr600rr]

In the last month or so I have also added a second AI Prime HD16. I went with most of BRS's guidance on spacing, mounting height etc... Additionally, I used the clubs par meter to graph my tank. With one HD16 I was at 38 watts. With two I am at 20 watts each and slowly ramping up. Soon I want to see how close I can get to DrewsLagoons par values as his tank looks amazing.

This is where Drew at DrewsLagoon is set to:

 

[56cbr600rr]

Added a second light about a month or two ago. Now that I have two lights and better spread I went from a 14in mouning height to 11 inches over the water. I am currently at 23 watts per light and will most likely settle around 30 watts when it is all said and done. I have measured par at 18 watts, 26 watts, 34 watts, and 42 watts througout the tank..

The zoa's are much happier. Not stretched out at all any longer. One chalice is super mad and has lost some color. Also, for the first time ever I am doing very will with Hammer corals... enough so that I'd like to add a torch coral soon. Anyone have a good deal on one? lol

 

[56cbr600rr]

Few pics of some recent corals:

 

[56cbr600rr]

Three or so weeks ago I picked up this Scoly from a local vendor. He really hooked me up on the price as it was seriously receding. Since I've had it, it has started putting out tentacles and feeding. Looking more plump for sure, but not sure if the flesh is growing back yet.. High hopes for this one however as it has nice colors.

This is the first pic, the day I got it:





And recent:



Unfortuntately though, around the same time, my Superman Scoly got sick (Prolly bacterial, flesh rotting at the edges) out of the blue and did not make it. Really don't have an explanation for what happened.

Super Man:

 

[56cbr600rr]

Just last week I've started to add kalkwasser to my ATO. At the moment I am at 1 tsp per gallon and it does not seem to be keeping up, I am still having to add Alk daily. Still working on it. Really thinking about going more "electronic", maybe an Apex (or a Hydros), doser, etc...

Addtionally, I have just picked up the Hanna Alk, PO4, and salinity/temp guages. They are definitely an improvement, and the PO4 really shows I've probably been a little too low this whole time.

 

[56cbr600rr]

Couple of recent pics from the 25th..