Redsea 130D or Innovation Marine Nuvo 38?

[jonthany]

So I'm ready for my first tank. I live in an apartment and I will be eventually moving so I do not want to sent up anything elaborate that will be difficult to move down the road but I have caught the bug and I want something now. I have been doing research for a few weeks now and I have finally decided on an AIO but I cant make up my mind between the Redsea 130D and the Innovation Marine Nuvo 38. Both are relatively the same size and price range. I really like the LED set up of the Nuvo and I'm concerned about having to change out the T5s on the 130d. I am interested to see what anyone thoughts are and maybe you guys can help me make my decision.

[jonthany]

Really? No one has any thoughts on this??? Comeon guys give me a hand....

[justgeorge]

I'm just starting my own first nano tomorrow, and the tanks you're looking at were out of my price range. But, if they're both about the same price then I'd take LED lighting anyday due to the lower electric cost, less heat to your tank (or your house), and no bulb replacement.

[jonthany]

Thats what I was thinking as well. I also noticed that everyone with the 130d ends up putting additional flow pumpson the sides where the Nuvo has the spin stream ones.

[Flame_Angel]

I like the design of the 130D, but I have a few qualms about it. First, they always seem to run hot. Second, the protein skimmer is awfully loud. Other than that I like the design of them.

[Atela]

I like my Red Sea Max 130, but I think I'd go with the one with the LED. But then again, what is the quality of the LED fixture?

[mogo]

I had the same situation and dilemma 2 months ago. My first tank and evaluating both.
I took the Nuvo 38g (really 30) with 92w leds and I'm happy with it.
The extra equipment:
Skimmer eshopps 75h
ATO JBJ
Nano Glo Led (Refugium with chaeto alga)
Fan usb
heater

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w503/alday80/Nuvo%2038g/P1010457.jpg
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w503/alday80/Nuvo%2038g/P1010463.jpg
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w503/alday80/Nuvo%2038g/P1010765.jpg
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w503/alday80/Nuvo%2038g/P1010800.jpg
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w503/alday80/Nuvo%2038g/P1010812.jpg
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w503/alday80/Nuvo%2038g/P1010818.jpg
And now I have a yellow tang (temporal only to eat algae excess) and 10 snails
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w503/alday80/Nuvo%2038g/P1010872.jpg

[jonthany]

Nice set up! Looks great. I decided to go with the innovative marine as well only I haven't gotten it yet. My girlfriend decided that she wanted to go on vacation so now I have to pay for that first... :(

[tt quattro]

We are running a Hydor slim skim nano in our 38 IM, it does the job and there is nothing hanging off the back. it maintains the clean lines of this tank by hidding in the back.

[Omri]

hey, i just got my first tank as well, got the innovative marine 38g. haven't added any extras yet besides the for-tech mp10 as I just set the tank up today. i may be an idiot, but i filled the tank and realized it wasn't level, so i emptied the front part of the tank and the silicone holding the bak acrylic panel completely caved in :/

i was kind of ****ed but quickly emptied the back compartments and resealed them. i hope i did a good enough job and have no problems down the line.

i still have to figure lighting out and I want to get a protein skimmer next. any advice on the best brands out there?

[TundraGuy]

Hey mogo what size jug are you useing for the ATO? and where can I pick one up having a hard time finding somthing to fit in that space. I want atleast 5 gall of ATO if I can get it. So far I am loving this tank.

[kandikalistar]

Mogo, LOVE your tank.

My boyfriend and I have also decided to go with the IM Nuvo 38. We haven't bought it YET but we have finally finalized our decision. We, also, were thinking of the RSM 130d in the beginning but really like the way the IM Nuvo 38 looks better (so chic!) and really, in the end, it's not REALLY that much more money. So far this is what we are SURE of:

Mini 38G - Item #0501 Nuvo Aquarium Mini 38 - White Tank
Mini 38 Cabinet Stand - Item #0503 - White
Dual Spectrum Skyye Light - Item #6209 92 Watt - White

As far as protein skimmer it's been announced that IM has introduced the IM SkimMate Protein Skimmer into their lineup. From what I am to understand there are two different versions, desktop (approx $100) & midsized (approx $130). For 38G we would have to go with the midsized one. I emailed them this morning in hopes of getting the item number and availability. Any other skimmer anyone suggest?

We're new, as this is our first tank, so please go easy on us :D

[Jgoal55]

I also just purchased a Nuvo 38 and am looking for some add on options I might need. @mogo - what are these in your pictures?

Also, like kandikalistar asked, looking for skimmer recs?


http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj347/Jgoal55/P1010818_zpsd22daa42.jpg

[96slowbra]

Innovative marine

[Flame_Angel]

Jgoal, those appear to be the fan and heater.

[Jgoal55]

Thanks Flame angel. I think you're right. I guess the reflection is the fan spinning. Do you know what that clip might be?

[Flame_Angel]

Not sure, it's not a stock part on a Nuvo tank, I know that much.

[blacklab75]

Red Sea always looks like it was designed in the 1980's to me, big and plasticy.

[Mark SF]

I like the rimless tank that Nuvo makes. Seems like it was designed for more flexibility with mods for fuge and skimmer in the back.

The switch panel on Red Sea's are nice though for controlling all of the powered equipment.

[Jgoal55]

Not sure, it's not a stock part on a Nuvo tank, I know that much.

I ended up purchasing a Nuvo 38 and am very, very happy with it. That clip btw is what holds the glass lid that comes with the tank to the lip.

Im not using the glass lid so you wouldn't see it on mine.

I really like the look of the Nuvo better than the Red Sea. The furniture of the Red Sea never called my attention and also, I really liked the flexibility of modding the Nuvo. I added a Tunze 9004 skimmer as well a CPR Nano Reactor for GFO/Carbon. And then I added a JBJ Nano LED Refugium Light to the back so I could add some cheato.

Now that RC is back to normal operating speed, I'll post a build thread soon on my home forum and link to it here.

[mecheng]

How do you like the stand? I sent mine back as It was damaged (chipped and scratched in the box). It seemed overpriced for particle board I thought.

[Jgoal55]

I ended up getting a custom stand built for mine after I saw the Nuvo stand in person and thought the same as you. It actually ended up costing less than the IM stand and I like it way better.....here is the buld thread btw: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2281025

On another note, you live in one of my favorite cities in the world. I used to live in Atl and would travel to Savannah about twice a year. As long as it didn't smell, it was one of my favorite places.