Aio or Cannister filter for first tank ?

[DaddyFish]

My best running tank at the moment is a 90-gal with a Fluval FX6 and Seachem Tidal-110 HOB. I'm a huge fan of HOB with integrated skimmer intakes (like the Tidal) for skimming, polishing and special purposes like extra carbon bags, nitrate pad or such when needed.

AIO is also a great solution. My buddy has a 110-hex AIO that has run flawlessly for several years. There are some very nice AIOs hitting the market now like the Fluval Flex Saltwater 32.5. Add options like the integrated skimmer, even their autofeeder option and it makes a very clean setup.

 

[Cwentz758]

How was maintenance on the Cannister vs the Aio?

AIO i just take things out and into a bucket. the canister you just have to have a utility sink or hose. the canister also can be a pain to put back together.

Also i think most AIO have a good DC pump option and that means you can snag an Icecap battery backup

 

[Vsrt17]

My best running tank at the moment is a 90-gal with a Fluval FX6 and Seachem Tidal-110 HOB. I'm a huge fan of HOB with integrated skimmer intakes (like the Tidal) for skimming, polishing and special purposes like extra carbon bags, nitrate pad or such when needed.

AIO is also a great solution. My buddy has a 110-hex AIO that has run flawlessly for several years. There are some very nice AIOs hitting the market now like the Fluval Flex Saltwater 32.5. Add options like the integrated skimmer, even their autofeeder option and it makes a very clean setup.

Thanks for pointing out the power filter with surface skimmer, I hadn't heard about those.

The fluval flex 32.5 was my first choice but I was limited by dimensions and I was able to get all of the equipment listed plus a few extras for half the cost of the flex 32.5 so far. Still a good looking tank for sure.

 

[Vsrt17]

Just some of the colors in my tank.

Those look great! Good to know that people have been successful with either.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I'm using a Fluval FX4, with an AquaMaxx 1.5 hob skimmer, they work wonderful on my aquarium..it's all super quiet too

 

[sfin52]

Running reef octopus classic 1000

I'm using a Fluval FX4, with an AquaMaxx 1.5 hob skimmer, they work wonderful on my aquarium..it's all super quiet too

 

[smacbride]

I've been running the RSM 130d for 11 years now. I really love it. Mostly I've kept a pair of clownfish and sometimes an angel or royal gramma, but not a huge amount of fish. I've also kept soft corals over the years. I recently upgraded the light to an Orbit IC LED and I'm planning on posting a DIY thread on the process I went through to upgrade the light.

Only maintenance I do is water changes/vacuum the substrate and occasionally the back chambers. I had to take apart the skimmer pump because it was making a loud noise. It was clogged with algae.

Still running all the original pumps. I replaced the heater once due to it not working.

I give it a thumbs up!

 

[Vsrt17]

I've been running the RSM 130d for 11 years now. I really love it. Mostly I've kept a pair of clownfish and sometimes an angel or royal gramma, but not a huge amount of fish. I've also kept soft corals over the years. I recently upgraded the light to an Orbit IC LED and I'm planning on posting a DIY thread on the process I went through to upgrade the light.

Only maintenance I do is water changes/vacuum the substrate and occasionally the back chambers. I had to take apart the skimmer pump because it was making a loud noise. It was clogged with algae.

Still running all the original pumps. I replaced the heater once due to it not working.

I give it a thumbs up!

Good to hear the 130d has worked well for you, seems to be a quality tank. The previous owner seriously undersold it as just a tank and stand and I needed a stand for the other 45 gallon I already had. Gave me a great price and when I got there they also had a couple boxes with all the original equipment.

Did you have any corals with the stock lights?

 

[smacbride]

I mostly keep just soft corals. For me the heat with the stock lights was a concern. In the summer the tank would get way too hot and we had to run the AC just to keep the tank cool while we were on vacation etc. I also wanted to ramp the lights up and down for sunrise sunset etc.

I also made a plexi cover that goes over the top opening that holds an auto-feeder for vacations. I'll attach a pic.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Do you have a skimmer / is a skimmer necessary when using a Cannister filter?

I currently run with a Eheim cannister and no skimmer. I clean the cannister once a month and now realize the need for a skimmer. Yucky stuff hangs around on the top of the water unless I agitate it. I don't see how you can get by with cleaning the canister out less frequently and it is a pain to deal with.