IM 25G Lagoon Tank Build
 

Hello Everyone,

So I am finally putting fingers to keyboard and starting a build thread that started back in late March with the purchase of the 25G IM Lagoon Tank. I thought ahead and made sure I snapped photos along the way of everything I was doing...

In fact, thinking ahead is actually the single biggest reason it's taken so long to get started. I researched everything half to death even though this is not my first reef tank. I left the hobby 10 years ago as life took me in another direction. Oh how the technology sure has changed...and yet the basics haven't changed at all.

Why did I decide to go with a 25G Lagoon? Size, clean look and less maintenance and upkeep was the first thoughts. Of course less maintenance and upkeep isn't actually true with less water volume. So scratch less maintenance and add bigger challenge to the list.

I personally love the lagoon style tanks. If done right they really do look great. So here is to hoping I can do it right.

I am looking to do a mixed reef with fish. Bare bottom is the goal to help with nutrient control. Skimmer and reactor (biopellets) and live rock will drive the filtration. Although I am seriously debating the skimmer. ATO and dosing will be done to help reduce overall maintenance (ATO is actually a must here).

For lighting, the 26HD Hydra will support the corals.

More to come. It's really good to be back!

Because it's a lagoon the bare bottom approach seemed logical. I don't want a snow storm and honestly I like the idea of lower nutrient build up potential. Will certainly get me closer to ULM tank.

I am going with an mp10qd for flow. Although I will say these pumps are not as quiet as they lead on to be. Vert...vert..vert...
Ok no more pulsing modes for you!!

The Skimmer I am using is the IM desktop ghost. Fits really nicely and is pretty much hidden. I love that. But ..this thing is noisy. Almost out the window noisy. Looking to see if it's a pump problem or not. Makes me consider a skimmerless tank even more.

Still working on getting photos added. A clunky process..

So here is a photo of the tank cycling. This was prior to the mp10qd.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DsiR6sLUD7qSgZjy5

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DsiR6sLUD7qSgZjy5
As you can see, I was battling a number of different algaes out of the gate...

The tank is temporarily setup in my garage while I build the tank stand. More on that later.

Right by the breaker box, convenient, in case you need to add a few more electrical outlets.

Wish mine was near a breaker box.

Haha. Only temporary. It's been sitting there longer then I have wanted it to. Water evap right by a breaker box is not recommend...

It was supposed to be very temporary...

What does everyone else use to embed photos in their posts. I seem to have got it to work if I share a link via Google photos but others have the image right in their post...

I use Flikr. Upload pics to there, then copy the BB link and paste it here using the postcard icon with the mountain on it.

I have had success with IMGUR as well.

When it all started. Tank in box, April.2nd

https://flic.kr/p/PetAv2
https://www.flickr.com/gp/18875262@N00/kxoxG7

https://flic.kr/p/PetAv2

I have used flickr and google photos. Using the postcard icon. The photos do not display?