Diving in, follow AND_Reefing.

[spencjw]

So this is 100% all new to me. I have always wanted a saltwater tank, think they are just so beautiful, unique and fascinating. So.... I dove right in, pulled the trigger and purchased a 25 gallon IM Lagoon. It has arrived. Where I thought we were going to put it doesn't work, due to the amount of natural light that comes into the space. I shifted to my office/spare room. Not ideal but we will make it work. The new location means also, now I need a stand. IM doesn't sell the stand separately anymore for this tank and even if, the price was crazy, so in the process of building one. I almost went with the Ikea base cabinet hack but was worried since on second floor with the amount of weight, I wanted to feel comfortable knowing it wasn't going to break. I will start to post photo's because, I will not lie, one of the main reasons I love this sight is seeing everyone's tanks and processes to get ideas and inspiration. The level of knowledge and help that comes along with that is just out of this world. I appreciate everyone on here and I haven't even gotten started, truly learned so much and have gotten so many ideas.
I did not buy a full package, trying to piece things together as they come, balling on a budget over here. To date, I have the tank, which came with two small return pumps and 2 filter socks. I have purchased a used 5 stage RO/DI filter (BRS) and just waiting for the new filters to get it installed and running. I am about 60% with the stand, fully framed out (Pictures below), covering it today then just need to prime and paint. Next will be a heater, looking at the IM Helio PTC Smart heater (100Watt). Then wave maker, looking at the Nero 3. The lights are the most expensive so going to look into that after I get the tank up and running as I do not plan on having the light on regardless until my cycle is over. Thinking about the Kessil A80, getting one to start then expanding to two. I really like photos I have seen with their shimmer and appreciate the low to no noise. Well hope you all follow along and any advice or guidance you can provide if I may be straying off track would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
- Spence

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[Dragen Fiend]

Looks like a great start. The IM 25 at under $200 is hands down the best valued AIO tank on the market.

As for light choices. While Kessil A80 is a good light ( I own one and used on IM 15G before upgrading to noop K7 mini). For this tank size and future growth, plus current products and pricing. Its a bad choice for value. I'd rather go with 2x AI prime or a single noop K7 V3. It has a shimmer and it looks nice. Not as nice as Kessil. But you get way more power and smart control for the value.

 

[spencjw]

Looks like a great start. The IM 25 at under $200 is hands down the best valued AIO tank on the market.

As for light choices. While Kessil A80 is a good light ( I own one and used on IM 15G before upgrading to noop K7 mini). For this tank size and future growth, plus current products and pricing. Its a bad choice for value. I'd rather go with 2x AI prime or a single noop K7 V3. It has a shimmer and it looks nice. Not as nice as Kessil. But you get way more power and smart control for the value.

Thank you for that. I will definitely look into those. Hands down I feel the lights are most expensive so want to make sure I get best bang for the buck.

 

[spencjw]

So we have some updates. I was able to get the top on and the sides to the cabinet. I am still awaiting the hinges for the door which should be arriving today. I also purchased a power strip for the cabinet to try and hide all the wires and for easy access to control all the items power quickly. Keeping very excited to get this thing up and running. Below are some updated photos of the cabinet.
- Spence

 

[Dipolyps]

So we have some updates. I was able to get the top on and the sides to the cabinet. I am still awaiting the hinges for the door which should be arriving today. I also purchased a power strip for the cabinet to try and hide all the wires and for easy access to control all the items power quickly. Keeping very excited to get this thing up and running. Below are some updated photos of the cabinet.
- Spence

Nice work, following up.

 

[spencjw]

Things have been moving, not at the speed I want, but I think this is good to not have me rushing anything. I have the stand complete and even talked the wife into keeping it downstairs which will help a lot with water changes and allow for more viewing, which I am very excited about. Here are some pics of the stand with the tank. I will be ordering the heater, and ATO this week. Working on the RODI setup this week as well. Once I get them in it will be on to rocks and sand to get water in and cycle started. While that is going I will save and research lights. I am going with the IM Helio PTC 100Watt for the heater. Really only system I have found with great reviews and a small enough element. The ATO I choose is the Tunez Nano. Needing to do some more research on Salt and Rock. I am divided between the Red Sea Coral Pro and the Tropic Marine Pro Salt. For the rock, not sure if I want to spend the extra on purple rock or not. A ton of ideas on the scape layout as well so trying to narrow that down. I appreciate everyone following along.

V/r
Spence

 

[Fishy Guy]

Following along! I have an IM 25 as well and it's been a great beginners tank.

 

[spencjw]

Following along! I have an IM 25 as well and it's been a great beginners tank.

If you don’t mind, what lights did you use?

 

[Fishy Guy]

If you don’t mind, what lights did you use?

I’ve got a single AI Prime 16HD. I got the tank and light used from a friend for a really good price and don’t have many light demanding SPS so the single light has been sufficient. If I was going to do something different the Noopsyche K7 Pro III seems like it would be the best bang for your buck.

 

[spencjw]

I’ve got a single AI Prime 16HD. I got the tank and light used from a friend for a really good price and don’t have many light demanding SPS so the single light has been sufficient. If I was going to do something different the Noopsyche K7 Pro III seems like it would be the best bang for your buck.

You’re not the first to say that, need to look into that. Was initially thinking about 2 Kessil A80’s and add on some blue AI strips later if needed.

 

[spencjw]

it’s been a minute since I have updated but thing are progressing slowly. I have gotten my rock and wanted to post some pictures of my aquascape to get some feedback prior to getting her all glued and epoxied. Excited to hear your thoughts, I put a lot of time and thought into this and tried to take into count the room and space for the fish as much as layout and space for the corals.

 

[spencjw]

I have my new pump in, got my heater situated and will setup my ATO tomorrow. Once the glue drys for the aqua scape I get that in the tank and show some photos. Latest update also is I found a barely used AI prime light. I am going to go with that until I can save up for 1 maybe 3 Kessil A360’s and then will save to get two AI blades for front and back. That is my ultimate setup I want to run. Prime will fill in perfect for the time being. So excited to get this up and running. Just debating on salt now. Not sure if I want to go with Tropic Marine or Red Sea blue bucket. Thoughts?

 

[Fishy Guy]

Love the rock scape! Which pump did you go with? Also are you planning on having sand or bare bottom?

I wouldn’t overthink salt too much. I use IO because it’s relatively inexpensive and I can get it at my local Petco. If I was going to do something different it would probably be Red Sea blue as it closely matches the parameters I try to maintain.

 

[spencjw]

Love the rock scape! Which pump did you go with? Also are you planning on having sand or bare bottom?

I wouldn’t overthink salt too much. I use IO because it’s relatively inexpensive and I can get it at my local Petco. If I was going to do something different it would probably be Red Sea blue as it closely matches the parameters I try to maintain.

I got a Jabeo 528gph DC pump with controller. I have it Y’d to push both outlets. I will be doing Fiji Pink sand. I have read a lot about the salt not being that critical with the brand and to get the stuff that matches the parameters you want. Never doing this before I really don’t know what parameters I want, lol. I have some ballparks based on research and other people’s setups. I was thinking tropic marine since I have read a lot of great things about All for Reef for dosing so figured would work well with their salt.

 

[Fishy Guy]

I got a Jabeo 528gph DC pump with controller. I have it Y’d to push both outlets. I will be doing Fiji Pink sand. I have read a lot about the salt not being that critical with the brand and to get the stuff that matches the parameters you want. Never doing this before I really don’t know what parameters I want, lol. I have some ballparks based on research and other people’s setups. I was thinking tropic marine since I have read a lot of great things about All for Reef for dosing so figured would work well with their salt.

With the Fiji Pink you might get a lot of sand blowing around with a Nero 3. I tried the Jebao version of the Nero 3 and it was too much flow even turned down to lowest setting of 30%. Ended up going with a Hygger Mini 1600gph.

I aimed to more or less mimic NSW parameters, so Alk of 8-8.5ish and Ca of 420ish. Based off of info in this thread I don't test for Mg. Only thing I dose is AFR. As long as you're going with one of the big reputable brands I would choose whichever salt you can get the easiest/cheapest.

 

[spencjw]

With the Fiji Pink you might get a lot of sand blowing around with a Nero 3. I tried the Jebao version of the Nero 3 and it was too much flow even turned down to lowest setting of 30%. Ended up going with a Hygger Mini 1600gph.

I aimed to more or less mimic NSW parameters, so Alk of 8-8.5ish and Ca of 420ish. Based off of info in this thread I don't test for Mg. Only thing I dose is AFR. As long as you're going with one of the big reputable brands I would choose whichever salt you can get the easiest/cheapest.

That’s very interesting and wasn’t even thinking about that. I will look into something larger than the Fuji pink. Thanks for the info. I bought the brightwell dry rock cycle kit. Plan on doing that and leaving lights off for awhile. Want to make sure I take this slow. Did some visits to my LFS, really only two close to me. They have RedSea blue bucket readily available and one uses that for their tanks and sells mixed so will most likely go with that. Will does AFR when needed once I get fish and coral in and see swings in my parameters.

 

[spencjw]

My REDSEA test kit came in today. Running all the cables and trying to come up with some management. Getting everything setup prior to sand and salt coming in. Really wanted to go with Tropic Marin Pro but very hard to get in the area and online so going with Red Sea blue bucket. Will still be looking to dose AFR. Pic with rock in tank all glued and solid.

 

[SlyPuffer]

My REDSEA test kit came in today. Running all the cables and trying to come up with some management. Getting everything setup prior to sand and salt coming in. Really wanted to go with Tropic Marin Pro but very hard to get in the area and online so going with Red Sea blue bucket. Will still be looking to dose AFR. Pic with rock in tank all glued and solid.

Beautiful tank! What kind of fish/corals are you thinking about?

 

[spencjw]

Beautiful tank! What kind of fish/corals are you thinking about?

Once the cycle is over I am looking to get a pair of clownfish. I want a pistol shrimp and goby combo as well. For coral I want a GSP island, and split my rock into three kind of sections. One for Zoa’s, one for torches and hammers and other for SPS later down the road.