After deciding to move to Plano and putting the house in Austin on the market, I was fairly certain I wouldn't have the room to take my tank with me or even have any tank in our new apartment, so I sold my 60 gallon and all the stuff that went along with it. Five months after doing that, I've got the itch for a new tank. I went to DNA on Sunday and fell in love with the IM Nuvo 16, which can be found here: http://innovative-ma...ano16-0302.html
I haven't been able to stay off DFWMAS, ARC, RC, or R2R since then. It has come down to either going to see Eric Clapton when he comes in March, or getting a new tank. While a new tank is going to cost me A LOT more in the long run, I figure I'll get more prolonged enjoyment out of it (even though I LOVE Clapton and I'll probably be kicking myself if this ends up being my last chance to see him live).
ANYWAYS....
I've been doing some reading on this tank, and it sounds like IM has had a fair share of issues with the silicone on these tanks, mainly the divider between the display area and the filtration (this is an AIO tank). This worries me quite a bit, but all the documented issues that I've come across were from 2011 and early 2012, so I'm hoping the problem has been addressed and fixed by IM. Has anyone here heard of anything regarding this?
I'm also considering upgrading the lights . The tank comes with "(2) 8 Watt SkkyeLight LED Illumination" which I believe is enough for mushrooms and softies. I'm wanting an LPS dominated tank and maybe a couple SPS pieces. I just don't know enough about LEDs to know what is going to be strong enough. I do know, however, that I want to do LEDs on this tank, mainly to help with potential heat issues. I can always add another 8 Watt SkkyeLight from IM for $100, but I still don't think that would give me enough light for what I want.
The tank has two returns with a Y fitting for one pump to be used. I plan on ditching the Y and using two return pumps to add flow. I also intend on upgrading the return into the tank by replacing those little fan fittings with the rotating ones. On the only tank I've owned, though, I had no sump and it was not an AIO tank, so I know absolutely NOTHING about return pumps. Can anyone suggest what I should use?
I've toyed around with the idea of just keeping it as a one-return-pump setup and buying an MP10 . Are they really worth the money? I just don't understand why the Vortechs are so much more expensive than other brands. I do like, however, how the motor will be on the outside of the tank, so that will help with potential heat issues, too (and, yes, I'm aware that running two return pumps will increase the heat). I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around dropping $250 on a single powerhead. Not to mention the fact that I'll have some serious explaining to do to my wife.
I've mentioned potential heat issues a few times because, well... it really scares me. We are on the second floor of an apartment and the only spot for this tank will be right underneath a window. If I bought a couple of small clip-on fans aimed at the filtration area, do you guys think that would be enough to keep the temp down during the summer?
The filtration area will be used for ChemiPure, chaeto, and the IM SkimMate Skimmer that was made specifically for this tank. The 60 gallon I had in Austin had serious GHA issues. I think it was a combination of the poor water I was using and not having enough flow in the tank from the beginning. I plan on buying my water from the LFS for this tank, but I also want to guard against potential GHA issues from the get go. Would anyone suggest I do anything different with the filtration?
I appreciate everyone's time in reading this (I know I tend to ramble). And of course, I welcome any and all comments/suggestions.
I haven't been able to stay off DFWMAS, ARC, RC, or R2R since then. It has come down to either going to see Eric Clapton when he comes in March, or getting a new tank. While a new tank is going to cost me A LOT more in the long run, I figure I'll get more prolonged enjoyment out of it (even though I LOVE Clapton and I'll probably be kicking myself if this ends up being my last chance to see him live).
ANYWAYS....
I've been doing some reading on this tank, and it sounds like IM has had a fair share of issues with the silicone on these tanks, mainly the divider between the display area and the filtration (this is an AIO tank). This worries me quite a bit, but all the documented issues that I've come across were from 2011 and early 2012, so I'm hoping the problem has been addressed and fixed by IM. Has anyone here heard of anything regarding this?
I'm also considering upgrading the lights . The tank comes with "(2) 8 Watt SkkyeLight LED Illumination" which I believe is enough for mushrooms and softies. I'm wanting an LPS dominated tank and maybe a couple SPS pieces. I just don't know enough about LEDs to know what is going to be strong enough. I do know, however, that I want to do LEDs on this tank, mainly to help with potential heat issues. I can always add another 8 Watt SkkyeLight from IM for $100, but I still don't think that would give me enough light for what I want.
The tank has two returns with a Y fitting for one pump to be used. I plan on ditching the Y and using two return pumps to add flow. I also intend on upgrading the return into the tank by replacing those little fan fittings with the rotating ones. On the only tank I've owned, though, I had no sump and it was not an AIO tank, so I know absolutely NOTHING about return pumps. Can anyone suggest what I should use?
I've toyed around with the idea of just keeping it as a one-return-pump setup and buying an MP10 . Are they really worth the money? I just don't understand why the Vortechs are so much more expensive than other brands. I do like, however, how the motor will be on the outside of the tank, so that will help with potential heat issues, too (and, yes, I'm aware that running two return pumps will increase the heat). I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around dropping $250 on a single powerhead. Not to mention the fact that I'll have some serious explaining to do to my wife.
I've mentioned potential heat issues a few times because, well... it really scares me. We are on the second floor of an apartment and the only spot for this tank will be right underneath a window. If I bought a couple of small clip-on fans aimed at the filtration area, do you guys think that would be enough to keep the temp down during the summer?
The filtration area will be used for ChemiPure, chaeto, and the IM SkimMate Skimmer that was made specifically for this tank. The 60 gallon I had in Austin had serious GHA issues. I think it was a combination of the poor water I was using and not having enough flow in the tank from the beginning. I plan on buying my water from the LFS for this tank, but I also want to guard against potential GHA issues from the get go. Would anyone suggest I do anything different with the filtration?
I appreciate everyone's time in reading this (I know I tend to ramble). And of course, I welcome any and all comments/suggestions.