All in one vs sump

ZodiacNov · Jul 9, 2016

I'm completely new to the hobby and was looking at tanks to start with. I found 2. One is an all in one 40 gallon tank. Another is a 50 tank with a sump on the bottom. I know everything is up for personal opinion but I just don't know which one is best for beginners. The sump is my biggest concern since I've looked up so many sump and how to set it up it's just that every sump seems to be different and honestly a bit confusing as to where everything goes even though I've heard that it really isn't that complicated. Which one is more recommended for new people to the hobby?

Bunnee911 · Jul 9, 2016

I would start with an AIO. Lots to learn and it is a bit cheaper. Think Craigs List.

Kershaw · Jul 9, 2016

So a friend of mine started with a nuvo 30 all in one. Tank ran perfect. Anything he put in there grew great.
With that said I prefer a sump. It allows you to keep all the ugly equipment hidden and adds water volume, which can help keep things stable. It also allows you to adapt with equipment easier.
I have always wanted a pipe fish tank. If I do start one it will be with an all I one. Mainly because I would only keep easy Coral and pipe fish in it.

ahiggins · Jul 9, 2016

I have a 25 cube all in one. It's great but I wish I would have went bigger. I'm not a fan of sumps just because I'm new and have no idea how to do one.

Kershaw · Jul 9, 2016

My first sump was a 20 gallon tank with one acrylic panel 8 inches tall. All it did was maintain a constant water level for my protien skimmer. They can be that simple.

kevindo123 · Jul 9, 2016

I have both. If you are new to the hobby I would recommend AIO as you can get it up and running quickly and can enjoy the hobby

.

Waboss · Jul 10, 2016

I think it depends on what you're used to..........if anything. I started with a sump system, upgraded it several times and then took a break. Started back with and AIO and hated it, migrated back to a sump system and that's where I am now. AIO is nice, but VERY limited (for me), so I think that's why I lean towards a sump system.

ahiggins · Jul 10, 2016

I agree that it's limited. One thing I wish I had was a refugium.

FishOfHex · Jul 10, 2016

Im a big fan of having a sump for a couple reasons.. First it adds water volume that will help with system stability, second you can keep everything out of sight and allows for more of a selection when it comes to equipment. When you have an all in one most of the time you need to find that particular skimmer that fits in the back, from past experience i really didn't like them. So being able to have a big sump with a big skimmer and refugium is always what i look to do. Here is my sump setup a while back

ZodiacNov · Jul 10, 2016

Thanks for the advice! It's just that I understand the basic concept of a sump it's just that what confuses me is where things go in it. I'm looking at this one and it doesn't make much sense to me where to put things in the chambers. Like the refugium or the protein skimmer and the media. Whereas the AIO simply shows you where things go. The sump seems more beneficial it just seems the most confusing. I bet I'm just making this more confusing than it has to be.

Kaway · Jul 10, 2016

ZodiacNov said:
Thanks for the advice! It's just that I understand the basic concept of a sump it's just that what confuses me is where things go in it. I'm looking at this one and it doesn't make much sense to me where to put things in the chambers. Like the refugium or the protein skimmer and the media. Whereas the AIO simply shows you where things go. The sump seems more beneficial it just seems the most confusing. I bet I'm just making this more confusing than it has to be.

This picture is a SCA ? If so, I have the same but in 66gal.
Personally I didn't use the filter media what came with it, I have installed a sock holder instead (left/up chamber).
Have a pic of my sump in my member's tank thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/248041/

ZodiacNov · Jul 10, 2016

Kaway said:
This picture is a SCA ? If so, I have the same but in 66gal.
Personally I didn't use the filter media what came with it, I have installed a sock holder instead (left/up chamber).
Have a pic of my sump in my member's tank thread
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/248041/

I'm not sure what SCA stands for but it's a sump for a 50 gallon starfire glass aquarium. I really like your sump set up. What's that black canister outside the sump?

pelphrey · Jul 10, 2016

SCA is the brand. Your looking at the 50 gallon cube plug n play setup right?

ZodiacNov · Jul 10, 2016

pelphrey said:
SCA is the brand. Your looking at the 50 gallon cube plug n play setup right?

Oh gotchya. Yea. It comes with the tank, stand, sump, and other things.

Kaway · Jul 11, 2016

ZodiacNov said:
I'm not sure what SCA stands for but it's a sump for a 50 gallon starfire glass aquarium. I really like your sump set up. What's that black canister outside the sump?

SCA (southern California aquariums)
The black canister is a media reactor, I'm running carbon in it.

Luna · Jul 11, 2016

As a fellow newbie (lil over 1 yr) I would say A I O, cause it's plugNplay. At the same time your limited to the size of that tank size. Is the 50 gal drilled?

ZodiacNov · Jul 11, 2016

Kaway said:
SCA (southern California aquariums)
The black canister is a media reactor, I'm running carbon in it.

Is a media reactor necessary?

ZodiacNov · Jul 11, 2016

Th

Luna said:
As a fellow newbie (lil over 1 yr) I would say A I O, cause it's plugNplay. At the same time your limited to the size of that tank size. Is the 50 gal drilled?

That's what I like as well but it doesn't seem very customizable. You can only do so much but that's also what I kind of like about it for a newbie. It kind of seems fool proof. Yea the 50 is drilled.

TaylorPilot · Jul 11, 2016

To me it is the equivalent of an all-in-one computer to building your own. An all-in-one will get you going, but once you learn more and get deeper into the hobby, you will want to have things a certain way. A sump will allow you to design and tweak things just the way you want. If I was starting out I would get one of those RedSea systems. They are expensive, but they are almost turn key and will get you a really clean looking solution. Just remember the tank isn't the entire cost. You will need allot of support materials over the coming months. A QUALITY RODI system (unless it is small enough to lug around containers to the LFS), test kits, supplements, then finally livestock. So don't spend all your money on an awesome rimless tank then not have anything left to fill it up or maintain it