Albert's Fusion 10 Nano
 

So I remembered reading about Innovative Marine's Fusion series on RB earlier this year and had been eagerly anticipating their arrival since. I had previous, favorable experience with their Nuvo 16, having set up a small tank for my friend's (now ex) girlfriend and felt that this would be a substantial upgrade to the AIO tank market. Anyway, I'm a builder, not a writer, so without further ado, here is the story (thus far) in pictures and links:

http://reefbuilders.com/files/2014/0...ion-nano-3.jpg

First off, here's the original article that got me going - http://reefbuilders.com/2014/07/28/i...10-20-gallons/

Then they sweetened the deal by throwing in the light:

http://reefbuilders.com/2014/10/07/f...vative-marine/

Here's the actual product detail on IM's website:

http://innovative-marine.com/nuvo-aq...fusion10.html#

Just this past month, they became available at the wholesaler, so I picked one up. No unpacking pics, but it's a tank... So it wasn't very eventful.

Some of my observations:

• The media tray came with three foam blocks. A regular one, a carbon impregnated one and a green one which I didn't bother to read up on. Into the junk tub they went (we all have one, don't we? Full of old powerheads, busted heaters and chunks of tubing too short to be of any practical value, but I digress). I replaced this with some cycled Hydroton media from one of the display tanks.

• The light (http://reefbuilders.com/2014/10/06/i...kye-led-light/) seemed of reasonable build quality and output for the price of the unit but lacked an on-off switch. Clearly, they expected it to be connected to a timer.

http://reefbuilders.com/files/2014/1...ed-light-2.jpghttp://reefbuilders.com/files/2014/1...-led-light.jpg

• The screen top was a nice touch. The screen itself was a bit opaque, so I replaced it with some finer, more translucent netting to improve clarity.

• Glass quality was very nice for the price point. Polished edges, trimmed and even black silicone. 10/10 all things considered.

• Footprint was a little awkward, being biased towards the front/back dimensions to accommodate for the subtank section. This is fine with me. It's still very 'cubey'.

• The acrylic bracket for mounting the light was a little hokey. I busted it by overtightening the plastic thumb bolts. Nothing a little Weldon couldn't fix, but it was an annoyance nonetheless. Still, properly installed, I have little more to complain about.

• The return pump and overall operation of the system was surprisingly quiet.

IMHO, the entire package packed a ton of value into an alarmingly affordable price. This system blows the Oceanic Biocube and JBJ Nano-Cube, etc out of the water in terms of quality-of-life touches. The fact that it isn't sporting any of that cheesy crap plastic molding is a big plus when considering it alongside home decor.


With the aquarium unpackaged, my next step was to deal with the aquascaping. A few of you may be familiar with my work and know that I am a bit particular when it comes to rock structures. I don't like stacking rocks and I don't like using liverock. Here's what I came up with:

Front

http://i.imgur.com/nqqBdgpl.jpg

Back

http://i.imgur.com/p2E03bnl.jpg

Side

http://i.imgur.com/eRRkwxPl.jpg

Side 2

http://i.imgur.com/3aEZlrnl.jpg

Top View

http://i.imgur.com/QbNkGZQl.jpg


Overall, I was happy with the shape and structure of the rockwork. I went on to glue a few hardy corals to the structure while the concrete was curing (Zoas, Palys, some soft corals and a photosynthetic Gorgonian).

With this step completed, my next step was to fill the tank with some freshly mixed saltwater and seeded filter substrate (Hydroton). I also added a small Koralia powerhead.

Here's the tank with the first structure in place:

http://i.imgur.com/EtvZOTLl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tA7Yofwl.jpg

It felt a little flat, so I deliberated over that for a bit. 24 hours later, after I felt that the water seemed stable enough, I resolved this agenda by unloading the contents of my 3.5 gallon home display into the tank:

http://i.imgur.com/3mw3VNNl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4TjRAgJl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MpXTIYil.jpg

I also threw in a couple of fish, a Swalesi Basslet and a Royal Gramma. Debating on what my next livestock choices are going to be.

Anyway, that's it for now. I'll update this post with more pictures soon :D

That's awesome! So packed

Nice work Albert looks great

Looking good
Nice work!!!

Very cool. I like it!

Wow, that looks fantastic! Almost makes me want to set up my Nuvo tank thats sitting in the basement. Need more time...:twised:

Just saw this tank today and was really impressed.also,talked to Paul about getting a tank custom made which I'm pretty excited about.upgrade time!!!

I have a Nuvo 24. Very sleek little tank Your tank off to an awesome start!

Looks great Albert. I think I will pick one up for my quarantine tank.

Gorgeous. A few great looking Nanos are being set up lately. Thanks for a very informative writeup w pics (something we all appreciate)

Saw this little beauty a couple of days back when I dropped into Oceanic Corals, very impressive nano build Albert. :first:

Ahh man. Def makes me wanna get a nano ;)
Good work like always albert

Very, very nice! Inspiring rockwork to say the least.

Thanks for the comments guys -- Feel free to AMA about the tank!

Here's some more pics :D

http://i.imgur.com/Jx6qxCHl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5nrgQ4hl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sqOuexNl.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/KR6Fpail.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GaHxfNhl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ztsnPifl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7zahTmsl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KXuwTnXl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/g9R8GOgl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KqyOxsYl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/MgBuZDml.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Pn7GVTZl.jpg

Looks great albert... now the question is... are any of the corals in that tank for sale? :)

Isn't everything for sale for the right price?

LOL!!

While I understand the tank hasn't been set up for long, how do you deal with the constant sloughing of rock and the bare bottom? (or is it just me, my current nano has little piles everywhere. It doesn't even have any life in it except for a few ricordea). Are some types of rock just prone to this or are we destined to siphon constantly?

I haven't really had this problem in my nano tanks. Are you using liverock? I've always just used stuff that's been bleached out or acid washed.

Yes, I just took some "extra" pieces out of my display tank. Never been acid washed or bleached.

Yah, I think if you acid wash them, the problem should subside in a big way. Give it a go with a couple extra pieces! Also, brittle stars are awesome. They eat tons of debris.

cool. I want one of these for my bedroom!

Also, I think ricordia mushrooms poop.

Nice set up and rock work Albert!

ROFL! only if they get fed :razz:

looks great!

how thick is the glass? I need a little nano for my office but the catch is I want to tie it into my sump so I'd need to drill it.

*Shakes head*

I'm disappointed Brett; my gloves were on waiting for you, and here you are with this very cordial, very agreeable commentary. Sigh...

Looks like 4mm to me.

Shame to put gloves on those pretty boy hands :)

And I stand by what I said. I'm sorry man it just looks great I've got nothing else for you lol.

lol, you're never going to drop that, are you!

Anyway, thanks for all the comments guys! Just added more fish. Pics up in an hour or two :D :D :D :D :D

I hear tell good things are happening at Oceanic Boxing day, I think I'll check it out. :gossip:

lol... Maybe eh?

Okay, as promised:

Full tank shots

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...87&oe=553D461F

Then I added some new fish

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...5d&oe=553D09CC

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...04df17b4d0e926

New Ringtail Cardinals

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...5eb912[/b]

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...26&oe=55383352

https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...99&oe=5532AD9A

Previously lurking

Royal Gramma

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...15&oe=55357887

Swalesi Basslet

https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...69&oe=550375F4

Coral Closeups

Dendro started to open up, hopefully it'll be at its full extension after the weekend :D

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...18&oe=54FC16DF

Really nice orange and green Fungia

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...f1b910d990bc2a

Bright green Fungia - Loooooooove this piece! Some interesting history, this dude was grown by Spit.Fire from a tiny hitchhiker that he got off another coral about four years ago.

https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...2d&oe=55082460

Toxic Tiger Chalice - This piece doesn't have the strong green streaking that made this piece such a prize... I sold all of those guys at the frag swap :(

https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...6e&oe=55063E2D

Pulled this awesome Paly from a cluster of wild stuff. Forgot where the Ultra Rainbow Acan came from though

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...56f4a478e45994

Another Ultra Rainbow Aussie Acan, some Sherbert Zoas, a super cool People Eater-type Paly, Utter Chaos and some Aussie Yellow Zoas

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...3a0151fa3031e9

Tyree Green Toadstool I set towards the back of the tank

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...38&oe=54FBAF9C

OC Fuzzy Blue Rhodactis

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...48&oe=54FFE40A

Some more Ultra Acans and Sherbert Zoas

https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...05&oe=554578AC

I'm thinking of adding one of these guys to the tank :)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...26f6f3f4f20f22

That's it for now!


PS - and before someone calls me on it, yes there are some of those red planaria on my rocks. Drives me nuts, but it's from my 3.5 gallon nano that I never did any maintenance on. I'll deal with them soon enough :(

The mouth on that fungia is incredible. Mad jealous!

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/...psh1vm5eep.jpg

nice work albert..need to visit OC to fill up my biocube..

Nice tank Tedster! You might not even need to fill it up much! I'm lovin the simplicity :D

There are severe diminishing returns when it comes to adding a skimmer to a super small tank. Just do 90% water changes.

90%? So just like having new tank everytime??

No, all of the bacterial ecology that keeps your tank stable remains exactly where you left it -- In the rockwork, substrates and any media you are using. The idea that water carries some sort of "stabilizing" bacteria is anecdotal wuju juju :)

Thank you...

More pics post feeding!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...37a9b2641bc51f

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...9f&oe=55012CAC

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...b0f0c909a74a61

Also found out that the Tail Ring Cardinals will eat stray bristleworms :)

saw this tank in person! AMAZING!!! this is the best word I can come up with!!