Dont qoute me on this but I think I remember reading the nexus is set by the level with the highest nexus... So if level one has a nexus of 60 and all the others have 40 the nexus will be set to 60.
As for needing to rebuild Im not quite sure to be honest. I dont think so because if I remember right I had a level that the nexus was too low on an after setting it and saving it I beleive it ran fine.
You could build a quick test level and add abunch of entities and what not and set the nexus real low. Try to run it and if it gives you the nexus to small error try adjusting it and running it again.. If it works youll know for sure you dont have to rebuild.. If not I guess you do.