Looking stellar Keenan you found the magic recipe for red tables on this one! Looking forward to your future successes!
-
TCMAS Spring Saltwater Expo 2026
The pre-sale forum is open for the spring expo!First, read the pre-sale rules!Then head to the pre-sale forum
Fishfoo's IM170 EXT (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Fishfoo
- Start date
What are you doing with your light, reusing?
I assume so... I still need my measurements whenever my meter shows up.
I assume so... I still need my measurements whenever my meter shows up.
OP
OP
Taking in the last few weeks with the tank
OP
OP
Yes, plumbing it now and will try to transfer things over after
Any updates for us Keenan?
OP
OP
Will try to update with where I'm at currently within the next couple days-week. Trying to decide if I want to start a new thread or not. Most likely will since it's a new tank and sump (and with that new problems
)
OP
OP
Decided to keep this build thread going instead of starting a new one. My reasoning behind it is that the rock, livestock, and majority of the equipment is the same. Just a new tank and sump
Going to do a water change/clean up the tank a bit, then will try to provide a long overdue update
Going to do a water change/clean up the tank a bit, then will try to provide a long overdue update
FINALLY!!Decided to keep this build thread going instead of starting a new one. My reasoning behind it is that the rock, livestock, and majority of the equipment is the same. Just a new tank and sump
Going to do a water change/clean up the tank a bit, then will try to provide a long overdue update
OP
OP
New house, job, and two kids in the last year and a half. I’m just happy I was able to keep it up and running through it allFINALLY!!
I’m starting a SPS dominant tank soon and will be following closely. Always been jealous of your coral color and growth good luck on the new tankDecided to keep this build thread going instead of starting a new one. My reasoning behind it is that the rock, livestock, and majority of the equipment is the same. Just a new tank and sump
Going to do a water change/clean up the tank a bit, then will try to provide a long overdue update
Kudos man you’re busier than a one-legged man in a kicking contest! I’m just barely able to keep mine going with 1 infant and working part time.New house, job, and two kids in the last year and a half. I’m just happy I was able to keep it up and running through it all
OP
OP
Alright finally getting around to the first update since the move.
Update 01/23/2022
The move happened in April of last year to the new house. It was only an 11 minute drive between the old and new houses, so that wasn't too bad. I had the tank professionally moved, and then I moved everything else myself over a 24 hour (straight) period. It was chaos but I was able to get the new tank on life support (heater, return pump, etc) within that time.
I kept everything the same, aside from the tank, sump, and 80% new sand. Even with basically putting my entire old reef in a new glass box, and doing my best to limit stress during the move, I still lost A LOT of sps, and continued to slowly lose them over a 6+ month period.
This is only a portion of what was lost, but unfortunately is the only pic I documented
I've finally stopped the dying (I think), and things are starting to color back up/grow. What I found funny was that some sticks that were growing like weeds either stopped growing, lost color, or died. Yet I have other frags that I've had for years that hadn't grown an inch, but the minute they were put into this new tank they started sprouting new tips and growing. This hobby is a weird one that's for sure.
Here is the new setup. My dslr battery was shot so you all will have to settle for phone pics
Innovative Marine IM170 EXT Euro Braced Aquarium
Geo Reef SU36R-PRO-AFR Sump
Nyos 160 Skimmer
ATI Powermodule (8 T5 bulb, 3 led pucks)
Red Sea Varios 8 Return Pump
4x Ecotech MP40's
1x Red Sea Octo Pulse 4
x2 Finnex 500Watt Heaters controlled by an Inkbird Controller
Clarisea AFR
AquaUV In-Line Sterilizer
GHL Profilux
GHL KHD
2x 4-Head GHL Doser 2.1
Current Livestock
Hawaiian Black Longnose Tang
2x Watannabei Angels
Male Blue Star Leopard Wrasse
Male Pintail Wrasse
Tomini Tang
My male rhomboid and flame wrasses died unexpectedly a month or so ago, only 2 days apart, which is odd because I hadn't had a fish death in a long time. Not exactly sure what happened with them but sucks nonetheless. I definitely am low on livestock.
Here is the rest of the setup
Sump/ATO: Since I had the room, I wanted to move the sump out from under the tank. It got too annoying trying to clean and get to things under there in my previous build, and I'm very happy I plumbed it this way. The plumbing could definitely be more level and look better, but I was in a bit of a rush at the time and can always redo it if it bugs me enough.
Equipment Cabinet: Powerhead controllers are all stored under the tank. Everything else is stored in here to help hide all of the wires and modules. Serves its purpose and I like that it's taller and can be used as a nice work counter as well.
View of Everything
Water Change Station: Same as the old one. Two 60gal storage tanks plumbed off of a large pond return pump. Fresh RO water goes directly into the right tank and then goes into the left where it's mixed with salt and eventually goes out to the tank. Nothing fancy.
I really wanted a utility sink in the basement like the old house. The good news was, the plumber was able to make that happen. The bad news was that this was the only spot he could fit it Better than nothing.
And that's basically the short and sweet of it. I've just been trying to stabilize the new system as much as possible and help it catch its stride once more. I miss the success of my old tank, but do enjoy new challenges with this one (aside from the coral deaths). I've also been pretty busy/lazy and haven't given much time to the tanks/hobby, which has slowed progress further. Trying to get better at that part.
Current Issues: At the moment I have the tiniest leak in the main drain line, off of a union. Should be an easy fix but I haven't quite gotten around to it yet. The white stuff is salt that has basically closed it up, it's that small of a leak. However it does need to be addressed soon.
The more urgent issue, which I thankfully discovered shortly after it started by the looks of it, is a leak coming out of a crack in the bulhead (possibly?) that again is very small, but more persistent. Of course on of my mp40's was directly under it as well, which I'm trying to see if I can repair. I've tried to super glue the leak as a quick fix until new parts come, but it's been an ongoing battle. So weird that it's a crack that randomly formed in the bulkhead itself though and not just a result of improper glueing.
Will try to take some cool macro shots soon now that the dslr is out of storage and charged up
Update 01/23/2022
The move happened in April of last year to the new house. It was only an 11 minute drive between the old and new houses, so that wasn't too bad. I had the tank professionally moved, and then I moved everything else myself over a 24 hour (straight) period. It was chaos but I was able to get the new tank on life support (heater, return pump, etc) within that time.
I kept everything the same, aside from the tank, sump, and 80% new sand. Even with basically putting my entire old reef in a new glass box, and doing my best to limit stress during the move, I still lost A LOT of sps, and continued to slowly lose them over a 6+ month period.
This is only a portion of what was lost, but unfortunately is the only pic I documented
I've finally stopped the dying (I think), and things are starting to color back up/grow. What I found funny was that some sticks that were growing like weeds either stopped growing, lost color, or died. Yet I have other frags that I've had for years that hadn't grown an inch, but the minute they were put into this new tank they started sprouting new tips and growing. This hobby is a weird one that's for sure.
Here is the new setup. My dslr battery was shot so you all will have to settle for phone pics
Innovative Marine IM170 EXT Euro Braced Aquarium
Geo Reef SU36R-PRO-AFR Sump
Nyos 160 Skimmer
ATI Powermodule (8 T5 bulb, 3 led pucks)
Red Sea Varios 8 Return Pump
4x Ecotech MP40's
1x Red Sea Octo Pulse 4
x2 Finnex 500Watt Heaters controlled by an Inkbird Controller
Clarisea AFR
AquaUV In-Line Sterilizer
GHL Profilux
GHL KHD
2x 4-Head GHL Doser 2.1
Current Livestock
Hawaiian Black Longnose Tang
2x Watannabei Angels
Male Blue Star Leopard Wrasse
Male Pintail Wrasse
Tomini Tang
My male rhomboid and flame wrasses died unexpectedly a month or so ago, only 2 days apart, which is odd because I hadn't had a fish death in a long time. Not exactly sure what happened with them but sucks nonetheless. I definitely am low on livestock.
Here is the rest of the setup
Sump/ATO: Since I had the room, I wanted to move the sump out from under the tank. It got too annoying trying to clean and get to things under there in my previous build, and I'm very happy I plumbed it this way. The plumbing could definitely be more level and look better, but I was in a bit of a rush at the time and can always redo it if it bugs me enough.
Equipment Cabinet: Powerhead controllers are all stored under the tank. Everything else is stored in here to help hide all of the wires and modules. Serves its purpose and I like that it's taller and can be used as a nice work counter as well.
View of Everything
Water Change Station: Same as the old one. Two 60gal storage tanks plumbed off of a large pond return pump. Fresh RO water goes directly into the right tank and then goes into the left where it's mixed with salt and eventually goes out to the tank. Nothing fancy.
I really wanted a utility sink in the basement like the old house. The good news was, the plumber was able to make that happen. The bad news was that this was the only spot he could fit it
Better than nothing.And that's basically the short and sweet of it. I've just been trying to stabilize the new system as much as possible and help it catch its stride once more. I miss the success of my old tank, but do enjoy new challenges with this one (aside from the coral deaths). I've also been pretty busy/lazy and haven't given much time to the tanks/hobby, which has slowed progress further. Trying to get better at that part.
Current Issues: At the moment I have the tiniest leak in the main drain line, off of a union. Should be an easy fix but I haven't quite gotten around to it yet. The white stuff is salt that has basically closed it up, it's that small of a leak. However it does need to be addressed soon.
The more urgent issue, which I thankfully discovered shortly after it started by the looks of it, is a leak coming out of a crack in the bulhead (possibly?) that again is very small, but more persistent. Of course on of my mp40's was directly under it as well, which I'm trying to see if I can repair. I've tried to super glue the leak as a quick fix until new parts come, but it's been an ongoing battle. So weird that it's a crack that randomly formed in the bulkhead itself though and not just a result of improper glueing.
Will try to take some cool macro shots soon now that the dslr is out of storage and charged up
Dang that’s a bittersweet update.
Moves are hard, and bigger acro colonies just can’t handle it sometimes. I’ve got my finger on the new sand as the issue. New sand soaks up carbonate and phosphate like a sponge until it gets biofilm. Not that I would have used the old sand but after moving a mature tank I’m convinced it’s best to go barebottom at the destination and slowly add the new sand later. That was probably enough of a shock that it takes some time to come back from. My Walt Disney and a couple other corals are JUST now waking up from my move in early 2020.
Look at the bright side: you got a fun new canvas to paint with corals!
You tank at its “worst” looks better than mine at its best. Coming back strong man!
Moves are hard, and bigger acro colonies just can’t handle it sometimes. I’ve got my finger on the new sand as the issue. New sand soaks up carbonate and phosphate like a sponge until it gets biofilm. Not that I would have used the old sand but after moving a mature tank I’m convinced it’s best to go barebottom at the destination and slowly add the new sand later. That was probably enough of a shock that it takes some time to come back from. My Walt Disney and a couple other corals are JUST now waking up from my move in early 2020.
Look at the bright side: you got a fun new canvas to paint with corals!
You tank at its “worst” looks better than mine at its best. Coming back strong man!
Last edited:
I like the MP40 setup on the back glass. I think I may copy that on my 36” tank set up. Would you consider your flow as high, medium, or something else? Also how important do you believe the UV Sterilizing is for SPS tank. Even when your corals are “recovering” they look awesome colors are always so bright. Sorry you lost so many but on the bright side you have lots of room to start new colonies
OP
OP
Yeah I think you may be onto something here. It was tough to decide how much sand to bring over, and ultimately I feel like any amount would've cause problems for the reasons you mentioned. I just personally am not a fan of bare bottom so I had to take the risk. Appreciate the kind words though, and your tank has really been hitting its stride lately!
High flow definitely. 4 mp40's with the Octo 4 is definitely overkill, but I like a lot of flow. Especially towards the top. As for the UV, I think it's important, however I have no idea if mine is even flowing at the correct rate to be effective or not. I just threw it on this build as I already had it. It may be doing nothing at all for me at the moment lol, according to some BRS videos.
I think I may just be looking to add something I don’t have. Still researching UV sterilizing
For what do you attribute your already amazing color and growth? That Acropower on a doser and a bunch of blue T5s?? Sorry I’m always prodding you for information no wonder you post so seldomly
Last edited:
Very German. NO DISTRACTIONS FROM REEFING EXCELLENCE!