AIO With Cabinet For Hardware Or...

Genomecop · Jun 26, 2018

Evening. So at some point I WILL have a tank, Im just taking forever to decide. I like the WaterBox tanks, esp the 'cubish' ones, Silver Marine 40.2.

So my question...if I get one of the tanks that they offer that is an AIO and get the cabinet, I will have room for dosing and some equipment. If I get the tank with a sump, Platinum 75.2 or such, there is NO room for additional hardware but I can run a bigger skimmer ect.

Is an AIO an actual good choice in an aquarium or should I go sump no hardware. Sigh. So many choices.

ScottsTot · Jun 26, 2018

I’m having the same dilemma. Choosing my first tank. I’m thinking of the water box 40.2 or the Red Sea 170. Both have a similar display area and the sump is the big diff. I’m leaning towards the reefer just because most seem to prefer a sump over an aio. I don’t want a die cabinet but that may be better than having a harder time doing maintenance? Let me know what you go with too.

I’m also thinking of a longer one like the 40 breeder or Red Sea 250 too so maybe something for you to consider as well.

ilyad · Jun 26, 2018

I have had both, an AIO and a tank with a sump. Having a sump is a million times more convenient (heaters, chillers, dosers, ATO, reactors) all feed out and into the sump, leaving the top nice and clean. Also, just because you have a sump, that does not mean you cannot get gear into the tank. You can add shelves or find gear that can mount to the inside of the cabinet. You can also cut a hole in the back of the stand and route a lot of gear "outside" in a cabinet that will sit next to your tank.

On my 18x18 nano, I have a small sump with a single shelf. On top of the shelf is my doser, I have dosing containers on the bottom near the sump. I also have a media reactor and ATO attached to the insides of the stand wall. I do have my ATO container, chiller, and an external Pax Bellum reactor near the tank, but its very neatly organized and not a huge eye sore. Just look at all your options and start planning on how you can utilize as much as you would want in the space you can have. Its often tight, but very doable.

Check my Instagram link in the signature. Scroll towards the start of the account and you can see a lot of the gear and how it was fitted.