Serpentman's ADHD Multi Tank builds with some throwbacks

[Serpentman2024]

Greetings R2R friends! I guess this is where I will plant my flag on my current build project. First, a little history. I’ve been in and out of the hobby since college (early 90’s). I even graduated with a useless degree in Marine Biology lol (which has absolutely no relevance to my current career). Almost 15 years ago to the day (April 2009), I started a 300 gallon in-wall build with an adjoining fish room, etc (which I documented on another site under my former acronym Serpentman). Things were humming along, and the tank was developing nicely (see pics below) when I suffered a near fatal accident in 2012. At the time, it was decided to break things down and I took a hiatus from the hobby. Fortunately, I made a full recovery but extenuating circumstances kept me away. Fast forward to today, I’ve got the itch and decided to reenter the hobby. I currently do not have the space for a large tank so decided to focus more on quality than quantity for this build. I’m in the process of “relearning” as things have definitely changed in over a decade.

Given my limited space, I decided to go with an Innovative Marine NUVO 75 INT All-In-One setup. I would have preferred to go with the EXT model to give more room in the tank, but the INT fits the intended space absolutely perfectly. The tank has been ordered and is expected to ship next Monday (3/25). In the meantime, I’ve been on a massive spending spree to get everything ready. I have a bit of an equipment fetish so really must restrain myself given my space limitations. I will affectionately refer to this as my “alimony build” as I intend to upgrade houses in a few years (knock on wood).

Here is the current equipment list:

Aquarium

• IM NUVO 75 INT

Sump

• NUVO RFS 27

Return Pump

• Mighty Jet DC XL

Lighting

• 2 x Radion XR-15 Blue w/ diffusers

Flow

• VorTech MP40wQD

Filtration

• Reef Octopus Classic 152-S skimmer
• IM MiniMax™ Pro AIO Media Reactor - GFO & Carbon

Control & Monitoring

• Milwaukee MC811US pH/EC/Temp Monitor
• IM Helio 400 Watt PTC Smart Aquarium Heater

Auto Top Off

• IM HydroFill™ Ti ATO Pro Kit [5 Gallon] w/ APS Pedestal

Ca/KH

• 2 x Ecotech Versa dosing 2-part

Aquascaping

• 50lbs Marco Dry Rock
• 60 lbs CaribSea Aragonite Aragamax

 

[nuxx]

Good luck, sounds fun!

 

[Serpentman2024]

Here is the where the tank will go. This area measures 39" x 24" so this tank will fit perfectly.

 

[Kirklan]

Here is the where the tank will go. This area measures 39" x 24" so this tank will fit perfectly.

I just set up almost the exact same IM EXT 75 build as yours last weekend. Only difference is I went with XR15 pros and a different skimmer. Keep us updated on how it goes.

 

[Serpentman2024]

I just set up almost the exact same IM EXT 75 build as yours last weekend. Only difference is I went with XR15 pros and a different skimmer. Keep us updated on how it goes.

I was torn between the Blues and Pros. Would love to see pics once yours is set up.

 

[Serpentman2024]

My equipment pile. I'm excited to open these boxes!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Serpentman2024]

Oh happy day! Keeping Amazon busy! Picked up some odds and ends. Heading to my LFS soon to grab more stuff. So excited for the build. The anticipation is costing me a fortune!

EDIT: I have 50lbs of Marco rock coming tomorrow so looking forward to seeing how it looks.

 

[Cthulukelele]

My equipment pile. I'm excited to open these boxes!

Oh happy day! Keeping Amazon busy! Picked up some odds and ends. Heading to my LFS soon to grab more stuff. So excited for the build. The anticipation is costing me a fortune!

Lolol I think if I ever leave the hobby and come back this is EXACTLY what's going to happen to me. Buy all the new fun toys and 8 things I had wished I started with last time to make my life easier at the cost of a lighter wallet. Can't wait to see everything wet!

 

[Serpentman2024]

Lolol I think if I ever leave the hobby and come back this is EXACTLY what's going to happen to me. Buy all the new fun toys and 8 things I had wished I started with last time to make my life easier at the cost of a lighter wallet. Can't wait to see everything wet!

Its like Christmas every day

Lolol I think if I ever leave the hobby and come back this is EXACTLY what's going to happen to me. Buy all the new fun toys and 8 things I had wished I started with last time to make my life easier at the cost of a lighter wallet. Can't wait to see everything wet!

It has been fun....and expensive! Really looking forward to getting it going. Will have to temper my excitement and do things RIGHT lol. I want this to be a clean looking build so will be paying extra attention to keeping things neat and organized. We'll see how that works out lol.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Its like Christmas every day

It has been fun....and expensive! Really looking forward to getting it going. Will have to temper my excitement and do things RIGHT lol. I want this to be a clean looking build so will be paying extra attention to keeping things neat and organized. We'll see how that works out lol.

If you figure it out come help me figure out my maze of tubes and cables lol

 

[Serpentman2024]

If you figure it out come help me figure out my maze of tubes and cables lol

I envision it will look awesome and nice and neat for a few weeks and then degrade into chaos once things are running!

 

[Serpentman2024]

I just received my 50lbs of premium dry Marco rock from saltwateraquarium.com and let me tell you, I'm very satisfied. Nice big pieces and good shapes. Probably more than I needed but always good to have extra.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Anticipation of this build is getting expensive lol. Decided to incorporate a UV sterilizer. I’m going to go with a 15W Aqua Ultraviolet Advantage. Planning to run 700gph through it.

Fortunately, this is a smaller build so still not totally out of control cost wise.

Advantage 2000 Inline Sterilizer 15 Watt - Aqua Ultraviolet

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[Kirklan]

Look like for saltwater they recommend 233gph.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Look like for saltwater they recommend 233gph.

That is for total kill. I’m more interested in algae control (~30,000 um/cm2). According to their site, flow needs to be 700gph to achieve. I may slow it to 5-600gph.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Tank is on its way! Now the waiting begins

 

[Serpentman2024]

Impulse buy. Petco had a 50% off sale on aquariums so picked up a 40g breeder. Figure it will come in handy later.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Not a super exciting update. Installed an RO/DI. Source water TDS is 98 and output was 0 right out of the bat so that’s good news. Not thrilled about where I had to install it. Unfortunately this house doesn’t have much utility space.

 

[Serpentman2024]

Tank has arrived in good order.