40 Gal Nuvo.

Hey everyone, I just had a couple questions. My LFS has one of these tanks for a really good price, and I was looking into purchasing it.. but I’m just a little confused about my lighting, and which type of sand to buy.. I don’t plan on doing any sps but I want a light that would be able to do both kinds if I ever chose to... so I’d be grabbing an mp10wQD for my powerhead, Tunze 9001 for my skimmer, I have an eheim 200W heater from my freshwater tank.. the lights I was looking at were either maxspect ethereal 130W led or 1 Radion XR30W G4.. probably JBJ ATO.. using reef crystals.. BRS ro/dI system. Not sure if I’m missing anything equipment wise.. but I’m looking into this because I’ve always wanted a saltwater tank after countless successful freshwater tanks, my heart is in the ocean for sure. Also looking at something to help me quit smoking and use the money I usually spend on cigarettes with something a little more rewarding then hacking up my lungs anymore.. so I figured use the money for something I’ve always wanted rather then killing myself. I’ve been doing tons of research, everyday, every minute I have free. I’m always reading something to do with marine tanks but I just need a little guidance and reassurance!
Thanks so much in advance
-Tom

 

You have respactable equipment and reasonable space what do you prefer as a substrate crushed coral ,the normal caribsea or finer sand ? It all really depends on the flow you prefer I usally have med.-low flow so I use fine sand lots of options for lighting I been looking into some new fluval lights but the radion I have seen good results in nano tanks it all depends on your view

 

I'll be following this thread, just bought the nuvo 40 for my first reef tank today. And also confused with how I'm going to light the tank. Thinking about a AI prime then adding a second if needed.
I plan on using caribsea live sand since a lot of people recommended it.
Also I've noticed this tank is awkward to scape since it is so tall. But I don't have a great eye like some people. Just food for thought.

 

I’ve looked at the scaping ideas from other people’s nuvos and they build a tall center scape with a few swim throughs but you can’t get too close to the glass for cleaning and things growing on the rockwork which is harder than one would think. I’ll grab probably the caribsea also.. is that still able to be moved around and or sifted easy by the bottom critters ?

 

There's a couple options for the caribsea. My LFS carries the FijI pink and they use it in their tanks. The shrimp seem to move it around just fine. I'm tempted to use the direct ocean the varying grain sizes seems interesting to me.
Yeah I have a few ideas working now that I played with the rock a little last night. Just going to be a tad more challenging then expected.

 

Hey everyone, I just had a couple questions. My LFS has one of these tanks for a really good price, and I was looking into purchasing it.. but I’m just a little confused about my lighting, and which type of sand to buy.. I don’t plan on doing any sps but I want a light that would be able to do both kinds if I ever chose to... so I’d be grabbing an mp10wQD for my powerhead, Tunze 9001 for my skimmer, I have an eheim 200W heater from my freshwater tank.. the lights I was looking at were either maxspect ethereal 130W led or 1 Radion XR30W G4.. probably JBJ ATO.. using reef crystals.. BRS ro/dI system. Not sure if I’m missing anything equipment wise.. but I’m looking into this because I’ve always wanted a saltwater tank after countless successful freshwater tanks, my heart is in the ocean for sure. Also looking at something to help me quit smoking and use the money I usually spend on cigarettes with something a little more rewarding then hacking up my lungs anymore.. so I figured use the money for something I’ve always wanted rather then killing myself. I’ve been doing tons of research, everyday, every minute I have free. I’m always reading something to do with marine tanks but I just need a little guidance and reassurance!
Thanks so much in advance
-Tom

Honestly unless you are planning on really difficult corals, the Radion is overkill for what you need. As mentioned a pair of AI Primes would give you some pretty solid lighting (keep in mind that Ecotech Marine owns AI). I run a pair of AI Hydra 26HDs over my 90 gallon and they work well.

 

So one AI Hydra would be fine over the 40 NUVO?

 

So one AI Hydra would be fine over the 40 NUVO?

How wide is the tank?

 

L-23.62 W-15.94 H-18.89

 

L-23.62 W-15.94 H-18.89

A single AI Prime should be able to handle that. Although I would keep your corals that demand more light on the top of the rocks.