AIO parts supply for a DIY build

[Ron Reefman]

I have a 16g DT that is just for getting started. It has a HOB filter.

I'm going to make my own 40g DT (24x24x20) and I'd like to make it more like an AIO rather than having a HOB filter and skimmer. So I'm looking for places that sell aio parts or systems (less the tank).

I've been in the hobby for 20+ years, but any small tanks (20g or less) have been very temporary as holding tanks (I do some wild collecting here in Florida). I sold my downsize 90g system and will now convert an older 40g DT that I built, from a tank with an overflow and sump, into an AIO. I have the skills, I just wonder if any of the AIO vendors sell parts or subsystems I could buy and use in my own build?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[gbru316]

In the past, I've just bought glass/acrylic, cut the panels, and built it myself.

 

[TheWB]

I have a 16g DT that is just for getting started. It has a HOB filter.

I'm going to make my own 40g DT (24x24x20) and I'd like to make it more like an AIO rather than having a HOB filter and skimmer. So I'm looking for places that sell aio parts or systems (less the tank).

I've been in the hobby for 20+ years, but any small tanks (20g or less) have been very temporary as holding tanks (I do some wild collecting here in Florida). I sold my downsize 90g system and will now convert an older 40g DT that I built, from a tank with an overflow and sump, into an AIO. I have the skills, I just wonder if any of the AIO vendors sell parts or subsystems I could buy and use in my own build?

Any help would be appreciated.

Hey Ron, Tenecor Aquariums has a lot of DIY AIO conversion kits made for specific tanks but they can also do custom sizes. Might be something to consider for your build. I have one to convert an Aqueon 20 long into an aio peninsula and while I have not used it yet the pieces dry fit perfectly.

Filtration | Drop in AIO Kits

Tenecor Drop in AIO Kits are the easiest low cost way to convert your glass tank into a full All in One Aquarium. They are offered in more sizes and styles than anyone. Precision CNC machined parts are guaranteed to fit.

tenecoraquariums.com

 

[Ron Reefman]

Hey Ron, Tenecor Aquariums has a lot of DIY AIO conversion kits made for specific tanks but they can also do custom sizes. Might be something to consider for your build. I have one to convert an Aqueon 20 long into an aio peninsula and while I have not used it yet the pieces dry fit perfectly.

Filtration | Drop in AIO Kits

Tenecor Drop in AIO Kits are the easiest low cost way to convert your glass tank into a full All in One Aquarium. They are offered in more sizes and styles than anyone. Precision CNC machined parts are guaranteed to fit.

tenecoraquariums.com

Thank you so much for this lead. I will look it over and give them serious consideration. I really appreciate your help.

Somebody else told me about Octo Aquatics and they too make custom aio units. Now I have a chance to shop more than one builder and design my own aio system.

 

[TheWB]

Thank you so much for this lead. I will look it over and give them serious consideration. I really appreciate your help.

Somebody else told me about Octo Aquatics and they too make custom aio units. Now I have a chance to shop more than one builder and design my own aio system.

I've always enjoyed your build threads. Looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've always enjoyed your build threads. Looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

Thanks for that. Here is what I have planned. I have a 40g rimless cube that I made a number of years ago. I recently took it apart. I will clean it and put it together again. The first build was a drilled version with a sump, then I re-did it with the holes blocked and used a HOB filter system. This time I want to design and have custom made an aio insert.

The reason for this tank is that it will be the only permanently set up tank I'll have and I want it safer and easier to care for when we go on vacations (which we do a lot more now that we are both retired). I'll aim for sps corals along with others, and a lot of CUC or odd animals but only 1 or 2 fish... if any! I will still do 5g and 10g holding tanks for things I bring home from snorkel trips, estuary dip net excursions and even beach walks.

When we go snorkeling, I always enjoy the life on the shallow, near shore reefs flats. There are fish in those environments, but most of them are juvenile. I can't justify buying young fish and then moving them on as the mature. Like I said, the idea is to make this one easy to maintain and care for. But there are hundreds of other animals there and many of them can thrive in an aquarium.

 

[TheWB]

Thanks for that. Here is what I have planned. I have a 40g rimless cube that I made a number of years ago. I recently took it apart. I will clean it and put it together again. The first build was a drilled version with a sump, then I re-did it with the holes blocked and used a HOB filter system. This time I want to design and have custom made an aio insert.

The reason for this tank is that it will be the only permanently set up tank I'll have and I want it safer and easier to care for when we go on vacations (which we do a lot more now that we are both retired). I'll aim for sps corals along with others, and a lot of CUC or odd animals but only 1 or 2 fish... if any! I will still do 5g and 10g holding tanks for things I bring home from snorkel trips, estuary dip net excursions and even beach walks.

When we go snorkeling, I always enjoy the life on the shallow, near shore reefs flats. There are fish in those environments, but most of them are juvenile. I can't justify buying young fish and then moving them on as the mature. Like I said, the idea is to make this one easy to maintain and care for. But there are hundreds of other animals there and many of them can thrive in an aquarium.

That sounds like a great project Ron. One piece of advise in doing the AIO, give yourself enough space for the equipment you want to run. Especially if you are planning in using a skimmer. Most AIO tanks in the 40 gal size are very limited in equipment you can use because of the relatively narrow AIO chambers. That really limits the choices for dc return pumps and skimmers. I would make sure you have at least 5” of space, front to back, for you AIO chambers. Makes it much easier to get your hands in there to work and you’ll have more choices for equipment. I’m upgrading from an IM Lagoon 50 AIO to one of the new Tenecor AIO Lagoons that has the 8” wide rear chambers specifically because I want to be able to run full sized gear and make maintenance easier on a larger AIO tank.