Nuvo Fusion 20 Review decked out!

Jdavis8824 · 02/09/2015, 10:10 AM

I've had a innovative marine fusion 20g aquarium for over 3 months now and thought I'd do a quick review as well as a start up guide if anyone was thinking of trying the hobby for the first time without breaking the bank too bad. First off if you are new to the hobby please note that smaller tanks are just a bit harder to maintain then a larger one due to a smaller water volume, in which changes to water chemistry can happen quickly if left unattended. Now I've read numerous reports of the nuvo 16 gallon leaking after about 6 months due to the curved glass in the front of the aquarium. The nuvo 20g has straight edges sealed with Black silicone. There have been far fewer reports of these tanks leaking as of now. It features 5 compartments in the rear built in overflow. It comes with 2 removable media baskets, a 11w 211GPH pump fitted to two adjustable return nozzles and also a screen cover. If you order the package (for $200 more) it also includes 2 Skkye 18w led clamps. I've chosen to deck out my nuvo 20g. Here's a list of what you may need if you want to do the same.

Note: I've done a lot of research to find the most bang for the buck.

Ocean revive 120w T247 LED, set at 40 blues and 45 Spectrum, set at 8 inches above the water line. 500 par on top of rocks and 250 on sand bed. $170

Upgraded media baskets from intank.com. There is about a quarter inch gap on 2 sides. I've filled those gaps with more filter floss. Purigen and chemi pure are in the 2nd and 3rd camber in both baskets. Refuge in 3rd basket. $89

A hydor 425 power head gives plenty of flow. $25

Aqua euro nano skimmer II fits perfectly in the 3rd or 4th compartment although it does take any where from 3 days to 2-3 weeks to start foaming. The best nano skimmer for the price in my opinion. $50

Cobalt neo-therm 75w heater. $40

Refractometer $30

Red Sea coral pro salt $25

API master saltwater kit $25

25 lbs dry rock and 15lbs live sand $75

And a cheap digital thermometer I found for $2

These are prices mostly from amazon.com that I purchased right before Xmas so prices may have changed.

My tank hasn't had any algae and recently got a diatom bloom that is dying down now. Only lasted for about a week. Took 4 weeks to cycle and since then I've added a clown, zoas, ricordea, frogspawn, and polyps. They are all growing like weeds! Hopes this helps anyone considering the nuvo 20g aquarium.

Post any questions you may have and I'll try my best to answer them

jimmy_beaner · 02/09/2015, 10:16 AM

Pictures please?

Jdavis8824 · 02/09/2015, 10:47 AM

I'm not exactly sure how to post pictures yet...?

jimmy_beaner · 02/09/2015, 10:53 AM

You can upload them to the site or Photobucket, then link them.

Astars · 02/10/2015, 02:23 AM

Hi,

I just picked up the same tank this past weekend. I was wondering if you've had any issues with micro bubbles, as I am.

Also, Where is your water level? I am wondering if that may be the issues. Mine is right at the interior most baffles (when the pump is off).

Jdavis8824 · 02/10/2015, 06:58 AM

In the middle compartment (where the pump is) I have the water level at about a inch below the baffles. When water evaporates the water level only goes down in that compartment. And yes the micro bubbles should go away as mine did the same. It's just air that got trapped when you filled the tank. Takes about a week or so. It did the same thing when I added my skimmer but also went after a few days.

Jdavis8824 · 02/10/2015, 07:00 AM

Also If you haven't already make sure the aquarium is perfectly level. You shouldn't see any bubbles flowing over the baffles into the pump compartment

Jdavis8824 · 02/10/2015, 07:26 AM

Also I meant a inch below both baffles on each side when pump is on. Turning the pump off will raise the water level both baffles but don't worry it won't over flow. Turn your pump on then continue to fill Til the water flows over each baffle about an inch.

02/09/2015, 10:10 AM	#1
Jdavis8824 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 371	Nuvo Fusion 20 Review decked out! I've had a innovative marine fusion 20g aquarium for over 3 months now and thought I'd do a quick review as well as a start up guide if anyone was thinking of trying the hobby for the first time without breaking the bank too bad. First off if you are new to the hobby please note that smaller tanks are just a bit harder to maintain then a larger one due to a smaller water volume, in which changes to water chemistry can happen quickly if left unattended. Now I've read numerous reports of the nuvo 16 gallon leaking after about 6 months due to the curved glass in the front of the aquarium. The nuvo 20g has straight edges sealed with Black silicone. There have been far fewer reports of these tanks leaking as of now. It features 5 compartments in the rear built in overflow. It comes with 2 removable media baskets, a 11w 211GPH pump fitted to two adjustable return nozzles and also a screen cover. If you order the package (for $200 more) it also includes 2 Skkye 18w led clamps. I've chosen to deck out my nuvo 20g. Here's a list of what you may need if you want to do the same. Note: I've done a lot of research to find the most bang for the buck. Ocean revive 120w T247 LED, set at 40 blues and 45 Spectrum, set at 8 inches above the water line. 500 par on top of rocks and 250 on sand bed. $170 Upgraded media baskets from intank.com. There is about a quarter inch gap on 2 sides. I've filled those gaps with more filter floss. Purigen and chemi pure are in the 2nd and 3rd camber in both baskets. Refuge in 3rd basket. $89 A hydor 425 power head gives plenty of flow. $25 Aqua euro nano skimmer II fits perfectly in the 3rd or 4th compartment although it does take any where from 3 days to 2-3 weeks to start foaming. The best nano skimmer for the price in my opinion. $50 Cobalt neo-therm 75w heater. $40 Refractometer $30 Red Sea coral pro salt $25 API master saltwater kit $25 25 lbs dry rock and 15lbs live sand $75 And a cheap digital thermometer I found for $2 These are prices mostly from amazon.com that I purchased right before Xmas so prices may have changed. My tank hasn't had any algae and recently got a diatom bloom that is dying down now. Only lasted for about a week. Took 4 weeks to cycle and since then I've added a clown, zoas, ricordea, frogspawn, and polyps. They are all growing like weeds! Hopes this helps anyone considering the nuvo 20g aquarium. Post any questions you may have and I'll try my best to answer them

02/09/2015, 10:16 AM	#2
jimmy_beaner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Clive, IA Posts: 692	Pictures please?

02/09/2015, 10:47 AM	#3
Jdavis8824 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 371	I'm not exactly sure how to post pictures yet...?

02/09/2015, 10:53 AM	#4
jimmy_beaner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Clive, IA Posts: 692	You can upload them to the site or Photobucket, then link them.

02/10/2015, 02:23 AM	#5
Astars Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Concord, Ca Posts: 1	Hi, I just picked up the same tank this past weekend. I was wondering if you've had any issues with micro bubbles, as I am. Also, Where is your water level? I am wondering if that may be the issues. Mine is right at the interior most baffles (when the pump is off).

02/10/2015, 06:58 AM	#6
Jdavis8824 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 371	In the middle compartment (where the pump is) I have the water level at about a inch below the baffles. When water evaporates the water level only goes down in that compartment. And yes the micro bubbles should go away as mine did the same. It's just air that got trapped when you filled the tank. Takes about a week or so. It did the same thing when I added my skimmer but also went after a few days.

02/10/2015, 07:00 AM	#7
Jdavis8824 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 371	Also If you haven't already make sure the aquarium is perfectly level. You shouldn't see any bubbles flowing over the baffles into the pump compartment

02/10/2015, 07:26 AM	#8
Jdavis8824 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 371	Also I meant a inch below both baffles on each side when pump is on. Turning the pump off will raise the water level both baffles but don't worry it won't over flow. Turn your pump on then continue to fill Til the water flows over each baffle about an inch.