Built like a tank: my Innovative Marine Nuvo EXT 100 build

[GunnarH]

how to clean the section of the tank center back

Honestly, I haven’t thought much about it. I’m inclined to just let it get covered in coralline algae.

That’s what I did in the BioCube and now the rear wall even has corals growing on it. Mostly GSP and Anthelias, but still. I like that look.

 

[GunnarH]

I finally got the two new (used) Kessil AP9x lights installed.

I think I may have to lower them a few inches.

After two weeks the cycle is done and I need to find a first fish to put in there. Not a Clown as I already have a pair and I’m moving them over later. Much later.

Maybe a Goby? What else would be a good first fish? Can’t be aggressive, those go in last.

 

[turbo2oh]

Do you happen to know, or would you mind doing a quick measurement of how much clearance is needed to open the side doors? I'm consider a Nuvo 75 vs 100 but the nook I'm planning to put the tank is is 79" wide. I'm trying to determine if that will impede the side doors from full opening assuming the tank is centered.

 

[X-37B]

Do you happen to know, or would you mind doing a quick measurement of how much clearance is needed to open the side doors? I'm consider a Nuvo 75 vs 100 but the nook I'm planning to put the tank is is 79" wide. I'm trying to determine if that will impede the side doors from full opening assuming the tank is centered.

My ext 50 door, same as the 100, is 18.75 inches when fully open.

 

[nickng]

I finally got the two new (used) Kessil AP9x lights installed.

I think I may have to lower them a few inches.

After two weeks the cycle is done and I need to find a first fish to put in there. Not a Clown as I already have a pair and I’m moving them over later. Much later.

Maybe a Goby? What else would be a good first fish? Can’t be aggressive, those go in last.

maybe a magnificent exquisite fire-fish? it's like the purple firefish but reaches 4 to 4.5 inches in length.

 

[nickng]

My ext 50 door, same as the 100, is 18.75 inches when fully open.

I concur. On my EXT100 I need 19 inches to be able to swing the side door wide open.

 

[GunnarH]

19 inches

It's the same on my EXT100. 19" on each side of the stand to be able to fully open both doors.

 

[GunnarH]

but reaches 4 to 4.5 inches

Oh, I didn't know that. That's an excellent idea, thanks!

So far I have two Blue-green Chromis (down from six), one Scissortail Dartfish, one Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, and one Court Jester Goby. There may or may not be a Pistol Shrimp in there, I haven't seen it since I released it into the tank.

 

[nickng]

Oh, I didn't know that. That's an excellent idea, thanks!

So far I have two Blue-green Chromis (down from six), one Scissortail Dartfish, one Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, and one Court Jester Goby. There may or may not be a Pistol Shrimp in there, I haven't seen it since I released it into the ta, I didn't know that. That's an excellent idea, thanks

Oops, made a slip-up. The magnificent firefish is the common red one that's about 3 inches. The purple is about 3 inches as well.
I meant to say the exquisite firefish, it looks like the purple firefish but bigger. I have one and it's quite a hardy fish and will stay out in the open.

Exquisite firefish, Nemateleotris exquisita - a bigger yellow version of the purple firefish | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

The exquisite firefish, Nemateleotris exquisita, joins the small but illustrious group of reef fish which are endowed with equally flattering latin names. Hailing from the western Indian Ocean…

reefbuilders.com

This is my fire fish hanging out in the open near it’s cave.

 

[code4]

@GunnarH Have you added or given thought to using some sort of Doser? I am wanting to add one and looking for thoughts given there is limited room inside the cabinet. I have never used one before.

Thanks,
Shelley

 

[GunnarH]

Doser?

Hi Shelley,

Yes, I'm using a Hydros X10 controller for this tank, and it comes with 4 dosing pumps built-in. That doesn't really address your question of space, though. Where to put the dosing containers? TBH, the space issue is why I haven't even started using the X10's dosing pumps yet.

I've considered simply placing the dosing containers on top of the sump, with long enough tubing that I can move them when I need access to the sump. Obviously, this is less than ideal. I've also considered placing them on top of the external ATO reservoir, but again, less than ideal. I've even considered buying a matching additional APS stand and placing it next to the tank, but not sure how much use it would be given its dimensions (it's narrow). An APS EXT 50 stand would probably be ideal, but I don't really have room for it. Nor do I know if IM even sells them separately, or how much it would cost.

Here's a picture of how I have installed and arranged my controllers. They're attached to the inside of the cabinet door with Velcro. In the picture you can see the X10 (top left), there's a Wave Engine v2 (top right), and an XS (bottom left, underneath the X10).

And here's the ATO reservoir next to the tank stand.

I could easily place the dosing containers on top of the ATO reservoir and still have full access to top off the reservoir, since it fills through the front drawer. Bit of an eyesore, though.

Hm, I just had a thought. A side cabinet to hold both the ATO reservoir and the dosing containers would be perfect. I'd place it where the reservoir is now. On wheels, so I could move it a couple of feet when I need full access to the sump from that side.

What kind of ideas have you been playing with?

 

[X-37B]

@GunnarH Have you added or given thought to using some sort of Doser? I am wanting to add one and looking for thoughts given there is limited room inside the cabinet. I have never used one before.

Thanks,
Shelley

This is my ext 50 with 2 kamoer pumps and 2-2L containers. They sit on the skimmer lid. I dose 2 part.
Nice and compact for this small sysyem. Should work well on the 100.

 

[nickng]

This is my ext 50 with 2 kamoer pumps and 2-2L containers. They sit on the skimmer lid. I dose 2 part.
Nice and compact for this small sysyem. Should work well on the 100.

Noticed you run a tunze skimmer, is that the 9410dc and what water level works best for that skimmer. I have one in my ext100.

 

[X-37B]

Yes 9410dc at 6". I run 2,1 in my ext 50 and one in my RS170.
I also run a 9430dc in my ext 170.
Great set and forget skimmers.

 

[code4]

Looks like we are getting ideas. I am playing with attaching the shelf board that came with the tank to the inside back of the tank. Red Sea has a smallish dosing pump. Still thinking. Will let you know what I decide. I have also looked into the matching stand. To small. Your ATO looks great. I bought one that slides in behind my stand.

I also thought of putting one on the door. But not sure how that would work either. At least as far as the containers go. And wondering about the Red Sea Doser needing to use their bottles. Could I use something else. If I can buy them empty that would work I guess. Better go check into that.

Shelley

 

[code4]

This is my ext 50 with 2 kamoer pumps and 2-2L containers. They sit on the skimmer lid. I dose 2 part.
Nice and compact for this small sysyem. Should work well on the 100.

@X-37B This sadly won't work for me. I had to remove my skimmer section lid. Otherwise, my skimmer would not fit. I have an older ATB skimmer that I love.​

Shelley