38G Nuvo Build with pics

[SaltyWenStirred]

So far:

Innovative Marine Nuvo 38G tank
Innovative Marine 92W 14000k LED
Eheim Jager 150W heater
1 spinner
stand
SpectraPure RO/DI Purification System

To get:

Hydor Nano protein skimmer
Power strip
timers

Am I missing anything?

Today I am lugging the tank to the garage for a 24-hour leak test.

If it passes, then I'll be off to my LFS for 40 lbs. of live rock, live sand, some of their water, a scoop full of their sand for seeding, and then we'll be off to the cycle races.

Missing anything with this step?

The LFS is a 40 min. drive from my house. I'm planning to stop by Home Depot first to pick up the buckets to haul all that stuff home in. Will it stay alive for the drive home?

Thanks in advance. I'll post more pics as I go along. Thinking I'll get the skimmer next month or sooner, depending on how long the cycling takes.

When done like I plan to do it, some folks seem to cycle in one day. Others say it took a couple of weeks. Some cycle for 6 weeks?

I've heard to only use live sand. Then some forums say 50/50 live and plain sand. Also heard some say to use playground sand, and some say not to.

I'm planning to use all live sand. If this isn't a good idea, please someone let me know.

Going to figure out how to use the RO/DI today also. Planning to install it under the kitchen sink and get a sink/garden hose adapter.

Also, my LED light seems to dip in the front. Is that normal? Does anyone shimmy their lights? I've got the back screws on tight.

I'm new to this, in case it isn't obvious!

p.s. I mentioned before that I wasn't going to get the stand. I just got tired of looking for an alternative. My opinion is that $250 is too much to pay for dense particle board. Target sells book shelves for $100, which are the same quality. The stand is sturdy, so I'm sure it'll do it's job. But it was made in China and was missing paint in some areas and mostly along the edges. Was easy enough to fix, but it's still not worth $250.

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

Very beautiful setup salty, thank's for sharing...

[reefbud]

Consider getting a reputable GFI power strip (brs.com or marinedepot.com)...better safe than sorry!

My cycle took about 1 week or so...but I used Biospira accelerate...best not to rush in this hobby.

What I like about this hobby is the challenge to automate and minimize maintenance chores. There's always something to tweek in this regard. Good luck!

[SaltyWenStirred]

Thanks Chaotic! Thanks reefbud. I'm planning to have a GFI outlet put in. Don't want to bank on a GFI strip alone.

I'm all about not rushing. This stuff is a lot to digest.

[JoeTSI]

Looks good and I have been seriously contemplating this exact setup. One question, what is a spinner? Is that to alternate flow from the pump?

[disflyer]

Good luck! I have the same tank and have had it set up for about a month now. Two things that I have noticed while working with the tank.
1) a mag float to clean the glass is great but the rounded corners on the front of the tank are a pain in the behind to clean . I would suggest getting a nice scrapper that can be molded into these areas in addition to a mag float.
2) at times I feel the back is really tight, especially when I am adding water.

[Ls2Goat]

Looks good, I love the Nuvo AIO systems and may end up getting one myself some time down the road.

[SaltyWenStirred]

JoeTSI, I may have accidentally nicknamed it a spinner or read it somewhere. It's a spin stream return nozzle. The tank comes with two fixed return nozzles. However, corals apparently like (need?) current, so the spin stream return nozzle ($30) can replace one or both fixed nozzles. I just got one for the moment. I'm planning to put the corals who like all the buzz over on the left side in the immediate future, until I find out if there are corals and fish that might like the calmer side on the right without another spin return. You can see it in action here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irZl6kcFazk

The tank is in the garage, filled with water. No leaks so far.

Meanwhile, I fixed two power strips to the inside of the stand, and also the A/C adapter for the LED light. The light has 3 separate power cords. I have 3 timers, so I thought I was good to go. Forgot that the white light is attached to the power adapter, which is a three pronged plug. Won't work with my third timer.

Guess I'll be googling 3 prong timers now.

I bought a GFI outlet, which I'm too afraid to install without my husband or another adult in the house, in the event I need a ride to the ER. Call me paranoid.

In fact, I bought a plastic cover to go over the outlet. Call me paranoid, but I really don't want water near the electrical components at all. It'll be behind the tank and was $6. I don't see how it could hurt, but if it's possible, somebody let me know.

Thanks disflyer for the heads up. That thought had crossed my mind about the mag float.

Ls2Goat and sawcreatives, I just hope it looks good when I'm done with it too. I'm both petrified and excited to put live rock in it.

Somebody told me today that you can't use gloves when handling the live rock because of chemical residue. Is that true?

[SaltyWenStirred]

Did the 24 leak test and everything was fine. Drained the water out and the back panel just fell in.

So bummed!! Was ready to get live rock this week.

Has anyone seen this happen with the Innovative Marine Nuvo tank? Really hoping they provide an easy resolution on Monday.

[Ronic]

When you drained the water was there still some in the back? And could it have been enough weight to split the seam?

[SaltyWenStirred]

There was water in the back. Was I supposed to know that I had to simultaneously siphon the water out of the back and the front at the same time? The front wasn't even to the 1/2 way point when the wall collapsed.

How is that going to make water changes possible?

[Mussin]

Any way to just re scilicone it in dry and let is sti for a couple of days? GE type 1 scilicone is the stuff to use. BTW I have a 28G nano cube and a 10G reef I made both with the same false wall, I never siphon out of the back chambers.


Jeremy

[SaltyWenStirred]

Update: Marine Depot emailed me a UPS label. I'm to box up the old tank, put the label on it, ship it and then Marine Depot will send me a replacement.

Yes they are aware of this issue with the tank. I hope it doesn't happen again. Can't wait till I have a tank with something in it, even some rock.

[TundraGuy]

The guys Marine Depot and the guys at Innovative Marine have great customer service. Can I make a couple suggestions to you on your next Nuvo?

First when the new tank comes in take a razor blade and cut a line in the vinyl backdrop this will allow you to see what’s going on back there. This will make seeing the pads and seeing if they need replacing from too much gunk. If you do this you can also get a fuge light from Marine depot made by Innovative I think it’s about $70. Cups to the back of the tank and then you can add cheto. Also I found I like to run the filter pads that are white on one side and blue on the other in the top compartments of the overflow baskets. They really show when it’s time to cut some new ones. These pads can be bought way cheaper than the stock sponges.

[Ls2Goat]

Any updates on the replacement tank?