Beginner Marine Aquarist - I Know It Is Often Asked But I Have Quite A Few Questions.

Thanks I'm sure I will too!

 

Hi,
I agree that nothing good happens quicky too, however bad stuff does.

But you can speed good stuff with coral by feeding them, ever since I started feeding my acan reef roids it grew 7-8 more heads.

Ethan

 

Thanks for the input!

 

I am looking around for return pumps for the custom aquarium but I can't seem to find return pumps with the same diameter as the return pump nozzles. The nozzles are around 20mm but the biggest diameter I can find is 12mm for a 600l/h pump which is a little over the recommended flow rate but there is also a 300l/h flow rate with the same diameter. Is there a way I can make this work?
Thanks a lot

 

Is there a set amount of flow it has to have to function correctly? (For example a chiller might require as much as 500 gph of flow). The 300 l/h pump should be perfectly fine, 300l is about 80 gallons, so that's plenty for a 20 gallon. Are you trying to connect the nozzle directly to the pump (this next part might sound really confusing, but I can get some pictures for you or reword something if needed) in my tank, I had to get a 700 gph pump to work as a return pump and a pump for my chiller, so a lot of the fittings were not the same. With the way my sump works, there's a pump, the nozzle, and tubing with different fittings to connect the nozzle and pump. I can take some pictures of it when I pull everything apart for cleaning either today or tomorrow, but that might be a way to connect things.

 

Thanks for the help although I didn't really understand what you meant with the tubing and different fittings. The pump I have found has a 12mm adaptor the largest I could find -
and the nozzle at the very least is 20mm -
Thanks for your help

 

Yeah I don't think I explained it too well. I'll be cleaning all my fish/reptile tanks today, so I can pull out the pump and attach a pic or if I can find the manual for the tank, I believe it explains it better and I can attach that. Seeing the items you attached, I can totally see a way to make it work, but it would be easier for me to show something visual (I suck at explaining this stuff).

 

Its ok I find it hard to explain some stuff too. Thanks though a visual explanation would help a lot. Much appreciated

 

Do you guys have any recommendations for lights that can be programmed like light intensity and the time they go on as well as switching from normal lighting to similar to moon like a dark blue? Ive looked at some kessils but they can be quite expensive with the controller, I understand that it is quite common but as this will be my first tank I would like to keep things cost effective. I'm not asking for something really cheap just reasonably priced.
Thanks a lot

 

Best bang for your buck is AI Prime for sure. Perfect lighting for an IM30 too. Its what Nart used to use... he just got Radions. But he says that the AI Primes are the best. Definitely better bang for your buck then the kessils

 

Thanks ill look into one of them. Are they programmable like with a controller possibly their own one if they have one?

 

They have an ap that you use!

 

Really! That's awesome can you set a timer on it and also when to switch colours?
Thanks

 

Perfect lighting for an IM25*
If you have a IM30... you'll want at least 2 x AI Prime HDs because of the length of the tank.

The AI Prime HD lights are via app controlled through your wi-fi. Lights hook up to your wi-fI and app hooks up to the wi-fi.
If you don't have wi-fI in a rare instance, then this light isn't for you. Otherwise it's a great light. Top notch customer service too if ever needed.

The AI app lets you set on/off times, sunset/sundown, etc... whole slew of lighting adjustments.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the help! I'm not too sure on the tank yet I keep going back and forth between either used Innovative marine 30l - not available here but seem to be for some people probably shipped- or to just get an IM20 new online around £190 with shipping so not bad.

 

Depends on the used condition of the tank. If it was lightly used for like 1-2 years with very minimal scratches I would go for the IM30.

 

I guess ill see when the time comes I mean I found one that's been setup for a year minimal scratches for 80 pounds! That's much cheaper but its around a 4 hour drive from me so ill have to see if anything else shows up in the meantime.
Thanks for the help

Nart I saw your 10 gallon frag tank and the way you built your AIO system on the side! That's exactly what I would like to do on my 12 gallon so I think ill do that. Are there any tips/things I need to know when building one?
Thanks a lot

 

Just take your time scoring the acrylic before you snap it. Better yet if you have a table saw.
Pretty easily otherwise.

 

Thanks I also watched the king of diy's video on how to do it and that was pretty helpful as well. For some reason I can't seem to find a return pump and nozzle with the same width. Is there a way to attach the two?
Thanks a lot

 

Usually people use bulk-heads and you'll have to find nozzle sizes.
I just went to my hardware store and brought my nozzle and matched a 90 degree elbow.

 

Thanks a lot that really helped! Do you know how I can match the return pump to the bulkhead if the width of the outlet is not the same?
Thanks much appreciated

 

I believe you need adapters.
If you go on bulk reef supply and go into their plumbing section. You should get an idea of what goes where.

 

Thanks for the help! Do you think its worth the time if I wanted to build sort of a peninsula style 20 gallon or is it just better to buy a ready made tank like the IM fusion 20. I would love to be able to do some custom work on a tank but at the same time I don't want to mess something up and waste a lot of time trying to get things back to how they were. My dad will be helping me so should be good but I feel like it may not turn out as good. Any tips and tricks are much appreciated.
Thanks a lot

 

Just buy it imo.
The craftsmanship on the IM tanks are above and beyond. Quality, low iron glass is used to better viewing, black silicone, etc...

That's why I ended up just buying my IM10. I was very unhappy with the 10G build.

 

Thanks! you really have helped me. I have been eyeing the IM tanks they look fabulous. Really appreciate your help. Couldn't have came to a conclusion without any of you guys!

 

Of course! I love enabling
Trust me though. You are going to be so happy with any of the IM tanks. Totally worth the money splurge.

 

Thank you I really appreciate your help

 

Agree with Nart you'll love the IM tank! Sorry I haven't gotten those pics for you, I haven't been able to get my tank cleaned yet, but it sounds like you shouldn't need them with the IM tank!!

 

It's ok I probably will go with the IM tanks.
Thanks for all the help though!

 

Would it be possible to use this as a saltwater setup :
It comes with a hang on back filter and was thinking of modding it as it seems quite big. Any thoughts/tips I should know?
Thanks a lot

 

Yes! You can really use any aquarium advertised as fresh or salt for a saltwater aquarium. I don't know much about the lights on that tank, but it looks like there's only a small line of white LEDs, which is fine for a FOWLR, but if you plan to keep corals, I'd switch it out. I didn't see the filter, but I'm sure you'll be able to work with it.

 

I plan on removing the hood and maybe adding an AI prime HD for corals. Although now that ive been looking at some used red sea max nano tanks and even the larger models for around 100-200 pounds I don't think its worth it even for the new one at 500 pounds it comes with an AI light already and everything you need for filtration. I guess ill just have to see.
Thanks for the help though, I really do appreciate it.

 

No problem! If you plan on removing the hood and changing a lot of things, I would agree, probably not worth it to buy a kit that includes mostly stuff you won't use. I almost did the same with my first salt tank, I was originally going to buy a 20 long, but when I got to the store, noticed a 36 bow front kit with a filter, heater, cheap LED, some water conditioner, and some other things I'd never use for a little over $100, there was also a 40 gallon for about $80. I stood there for over an hour deciding and finally got the 40 haha, and I'm glad I did (although it doesn't much matter now as I use basically nothing from that first tank) because I would've thrown everything from that 36 kit out and the glass tank wasn't worth over $100. If you have the option to get a tank like a Red Sea or IM tank, I would do it! I definitely prefer my Red Sea to my standard 40b, it's a much nicer design (although I never put too much into my 40 as I always planned to upgrade) and it really feels like a display now. Although the standard tanks can look just as nice if the work is put into them, it really depends on what your preference is. The best advice I can give is, get a tank YOU are 100% happy with, you'll enjoy working on it a lot more, and save a lot of money by not switching out tanks and purchasing new equipment.

 

Thanks for the reply I honestly can't thank you enough. I agree I will most likely enjoy the tank that I'm most happy with. I will have to see. It really depends on in a few months if the IM tanks are available or if I can find some nice Red Sea tanks.
Thanks for the help much appreciated
Edit: I thought I sended the reply but I hadn't however luckily it was saved as a draft - sorry if it appeared a bit lousy of me.

 

Haha no problem, this site can be glitchy, sometimes things don't send or they send multiple times. Glad I could help! Both Red Sea and IM are really good quality tanks, it will just come down to which one looks best to you, and which one has the components you're looking for.

 

Thanks I really appreciate your help. Can't wait to get this tank setup!

 

OMG!!!! Look what I found guys!
My dad said hes going to order it on the weekend with shipping it will be around 120 euros which is like 80 pounds - I think - they also have the IM10 for 61 euros!!
Guys I can't wait so happy I found this. All the hours looking online paid off!

 

OMG!!!! Look what I found guys!
My dad said hes going to order it on the weekend with shipping it will be around 120 euros which is like 80 pounds - I think - they also have the IM10 for 61 euros!!
Guys I can't wait so happy I found this. All the hours looking online paid off!

Wow, what a find, I've found it pays off to do research.

 

Yo aren't you in the uk? Why don't you get the IM10 man it would look awesome for some corals. Ive also seen a few of these for sale online like ebay or gumtree. Where do people get these ive only been able to locate one shop that sells them here and they've run out of stock on pretty much all their IM products. Check them out though - Charterhouse aquatics

 

OMG!!!! Look what I found guys!
My dad said hes going to order it on the weekend with shipping it will be around 120 euros which is like 80 pounds - I think - they also have the IM10 for 61 euros!!
Guys I can't wait so happy I found this. All the hours looking online paid off!

Awesome!!! Its finally starting!