Jim's Nuvo Mini 38

still a great thread

 

Great thread, lots of good info. If I missed it I'm sorry but how did the spin stream nozzles perform?

 

spin stream nozzles still going great. only maint. I do is brush the inside with toothbrush weekly.

 

Another Nuvo 38

Jim-

I've enjoyed "lurking" and reading your thread and got some good ideas. I decided to post my 38 which has been up and running for several months.

here is the link: RGS Innovative Marine 38 Nuvo - 3reef Forums

 

Glad to have provided an assist. Read your thread - nice, keep the updates coming.

 

So i finally decided to pull the trigger and I went to order it and its back ordered...

 

Excellent thread Jim, thanks for all the detailed info. Perhaps this is not the right forum for me to post this question, and I apologize in advance on taking this post offtopic, but I could not find any other site that had users with such a high level of experience on this particular product as this one does.

I am pretty much a novice (again) as the last time I ran a saltwater tank was over 20 years ago.

What I have in mind is a set-up with fish and some live rock, but no corals (at least not now). I love the look, size and simplicity of this system, and I am sure it will do well for what I have in mind.

I am planning on getting the lower output LED lamp and having some small fish, like Damsels, a yellow tang, a flame angel, a trigger, a couple of clowns and perhaps a small anenome, as well as a few shrimps and snails. Perhaps around 8 fish alltogether (or is that too much?) - I will def. consult my LFS about compatibility, don't worry!

My main questions are these:

- will I need a protein skimmer? (even if not needed, would it help?)
- what modifications/improvements would you make to the filtration system for such a set-up?
- would you recommend a UV light?

Thanks in advance for any tips you can give me.

 

Kaigoss69- I also have a IM Nuvo 38 which has been running for about 6 months. See link above.

8 fish will work but I'm not sure about the compatibility of of your choices. I have an "overstocked" tank and all is good, but the key is to have a protein skimmer (Hydor Slim Skim Nano will fit in the back chamber and works well), have plenty of live rock, and do frequent water changes (weekly or at least every 10 days).

I don't use a UV light, haven't had the need. I would suggest a simple mod to the filtration by taking the two stock media baskets, remove the sliding panels and then place them "back-to-back" and then put back into one of the filtration chambers. I run filter floss, chemipure elite, then purigen in mine.

If you think you will want a variety of corals later, I would suggest the 92 watt light which will support anything you might want to put in the tank.

 

This is how I created a refugium in the back of my Nuvo Mini 38.

I put the pump at the bottom of the center chamber, cut a small piece of florescent light grating (home depot) on top and add the cheato on top. I attached a small LED to the back and it seems to be working well.

 

Main pump issues

Well - I just replaced the third Innovative Marine main pump. This time I went with a MAXI-JET 1800. The IM pumps can't seem to handle being shut down and started back up at feeding time daily. After a few months they make the most annoying rattling sound and the water flow drops off. Interesting that after installing the MAXI-JET, my water temp dropped by almost two degrees allowing the controller/heater to take back control of the tank temp, and it is soooo quiet.

I suggest that you purchase a spare (preferably one other than Innovative Marine) main pump replacement.