AIOs make better beginner tanks?

VR28man · Jun 16, 2017

All,

Gotten conflicting advice on this, and looking for suggestions here.

Is an AIO more or less suitable for a beginning reefer? In particular I'm thinking of the IM Nuvo Fusion 40 (substantially cheaper) or Lagoon 50 (a bit more capacity, profile more to my liking than the cube). The Nuvo is a bit small for the recommended beginner size (people generally recommend 50gal or so). People also have said that a tank with a sump is easier to manage in the long run.

Thanks for any ideas!

saltyfilmfolks · Jun 16, 2017

IMO yea not as good a trainer model. You'd be happier with a sump.

shiftline · Jun 16, 2017

For a small tank I would 100% recommend an all in one (les than 40g ish). When you get to 60-100g and up it's nice to have a sump for more larger equipment

Tuffyyyyy · Jun 16, 2017

People recommend starting out with a ~50 gallon but I'd say 90% of the beginners on this forum start with a 10-20 gallon tank. Another reason that people recommend starting with a ~50 gallon is because they speak from experience that smaller tanks don't quench your thirst. I started with a 20 gallon to make sure that I'd liked the hobby and not 6 months later I had to get a 40 gallon. I love my Nuvo AIOs but the cheapest way to get into this hobby is hunting around on craigslist to find a used tank. You can find a complete 100+ gallon system, sump included, for cheaper than a smaller AIO

bellasdad0911 · Jun 16, 2017

Being in the hobby for about 15 years now, it is my opinion that as a beginner, nano's and smaller tanks are not suitable for starters. The reason being is reefs need a decent amount and tlc, and when you make changes or adjustments, what might seems as a small change in reality for the ecosystem of the tank it is in fact a large one due to the smaller amount of water volume. Larger tanks with sumps are way more forgiving. That being said, I just upgraded my AIO IM marine 25 lagoon back to a 120 gallon RR system but only because I ran out of space. The AIO systems are very easy to deal with mechanically and very bullet proof in construction. This goes for the IM's and red seas. So consider your space requirements in your home and how much time your willing to " learn the in's and outs " of reef keeping.

LetItReef · Jun 16, 2017

I have my IM 40 and love it. Even If I upgrade to a slightly bigger tank I will lean towards IM- design, modern look and simplicity of maintenance.
With my sked, AIO works best for me.

VR28man · Jun 16, 2017

Thanks all. Agreed with many here - especially "aios are better as small tanks" and "larger tanks are more forgiving".

Still trying to decide between a fusion 40, lagoon 50, and a 50 gal with 16 gal sump as a beginner tank.........

Velcro · Jun 16, 2017

Lagoon 50 gets my vote. The dimensions are very modern.

AcanthurusRex · Jun 16, 2017

How are you going to do a top off? To implement an Automatic Top Off you will need quite a bit of external equipment.
I was originally going to set up a IM Lagoon 25 non reef but the ATO led me to a RedSeaReefer. No advantage in an AIO if you are going to have to have external water storage.
Also the IM stands did not impress me; IM now has an Al stand now that looks nice.
Think about what and how you are going to implement everything; control, dosing ATO for a start.

tomte25 · Jun 16, 2017

I was also going to start with an AIO. Now I'm glad I didn't just for the sheer fact of how often I've had to fiddle with the skimmer. If I had the rear sump of an AIO, it'd be a challenge not being able to get around the side of it.

Sharkbate · Jun 17, 2017

I've two AIO and started off with my in wall custom , I've only been in the hobby for a few years so still a newbie! From my experience I've had no majors but do have a regime with maintenance and weekly water changes and so far so good . I like the smaller footprint and the fact they don't take lots of space . Obviously you have to be selective with what goes in and be conscious of compatibility due to the smaller scale . Read read read that's what I did oh and you tube ! Each to there own but they can look cool . Good luck ...I'll post a couple if pics .

Sharkbate · Jun 17, 2017

Nem Nano

reefwiser · Jun 17, 2017

In the past 30 so odd years I have had all kinds of tank. I currently have an AIO Fusion 40. It has not been my favorite tank. I got it because we moved into a patio home and my wife didn't want me setting up a big tank till I retire in 24 month's.

I have the tank getting under control now but it has been a bear compared to a larger tank with a big sump. Finding the sweet spot on parameters and getting my lighting just right took some time.
Now I am pretty picky about corals and knowing what is possible with them once everything is set. The small volume of water makes keeping stable parameters touchy and this has been one of my biggest issues. Lighting can be tough with small tanks either its just a enough or too much lighting or shading of corals causes issues. I am like SPS so they love stable water and I worked out a way to keep the water parameters stable but it took a few months of thinking and plotting the way to do it. Same with lighting I tried many types of lighting on the tank. Needless to say if I had to do it over and wife wife agrees that I should have gone and gotten my big tank and not messed with this smaller one. So I have 24 months left to deal with this little cup of water it has been a roller coaster ride for sure.

saltyfilmfolks · Jun 17, 2017

reefwiser said:
In the past 30 so odd years I have had all kinds of tank. I currently have an AIO Fusion 40. It has not been my favorite tank. I got it because we moved into a patio home and my wife didn't want me setting up a big tank till I retire in 24 month's. I have the tank getting under control now but it has been a bear compared to a larger tank with a big sump. Finding the sweet spot on parameters and getting my lighting just right took some time.
Now I am pretty picky about corals and knowing what is possible with them once everything is set. The small volume of water makes keeping stable parameters touchy and this has been one of my biggest issues. Lighting can be tough with small tanks either its just a enough or too much lighting or shading of corals causes issues. I am like SPS so they love stable water and I worked out a way to keep the water parameters stable but it took a few months of thinking and plotting the way to do it. Same with lighting I tried many types of lighting on the tank. Needless to say if I had to do it over and wife wife agrees that I should have gone and gotten my big tank and not messed with this smaller one. So I have 24 months left to deal with this little cup of water it has been a roller coaster ride for sure.

24 months ?!?! Woo hoo!!

And yea. My sumpless 30 cube is 10x easier than my JBJ cube.
I'm running a larger tunze skimmer and hob fuge.
The only reason I didn't sump this one is my coral qt is in the bottom of the stand.

Whisnantrider · Jun 18, 2017

VR28man said:
Thanks all. Agreed with many here - especially "aios are better as small tanks" and "larger tanks are more forgiving".

Still trying to decide between a fusion 40, lagoon 50, and a 50 gal with 16 gal sump as a beginner tank.........

As you see you will get every possible opinion on this and ultimately will receive no real help with your decision. I say flip a coin haha !

I've had several of both type setups and I always want to go back to all in one. I actually just did a few weeks ago, I just like it better. That said if you go all in one you are more limited to your equipment selections so just research your equipment and do some planning prior to purchase. Either way you go can be an epic fail or can turn out great.

My vote would be the lagoon 50. [emoji16]