Help Deciding On Tank

ASAG62 · May 4, 2019

Hello Everyone,
So I want to start a reef tank and can't decide which tank to purchase (driving my wife crazy

). I have room for a 20 - 30 gallon tank and would prefer an AIO. Every time I think I've found a tank it's out of stock. Would prefer to stay away from the Biocube but I can leave that at my 2nd or 3rd option. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

James M · May 4, 2019

Welcome to reef2reef !!!
Good AIO brands are waterbox and innovative marine.
I have the innovative marine nuvo 20 and the only complaint I have is that the stock pump is loud

ASAG62 · May 4, 2019

Yes,
I looked at those and there on my list. I did see that complaint about the pump in the reviews. THANKS

Mike.P · May 4, 2019

James M said:
Welcome to reef2reef !!!
Good AIO brands are waterbox and innovative marine.
I have the innovative marine nuvo 20 and the only complaint I have is that the stock pump is loud

+1 for Waterbox and IM, they make nice AIO's for sure.

Mastiffsrule · May 4, 2019

#WelcometoR2R

Can’t help on the tanks. But that is the coolest avatar. Where were you guys at?

GoVols · May 4, 2019

ASAG62 said:
Yes,
I looked at those and there on my list. I did see that complaint about the pump in the reviews. THANKS

I'd go with the Red Sea Max Nano or the Max E-170.

Your not going to beat Red Sea's customer support and Waterbox has issues in that area.

flchamp89 · May 4, 2019

The IM mighty jet in the fusion is not only a controllable upgrade in GHP but is dead silent. Amazon usually has the tank with the mighty jet installed.

ASAG62 · May 7, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
#WelcometoR2R

Can’t help on the tanks. But that is the coolest avatar. Where were you guys at?

THANKS, Those are my two boys about 11 years ago at Disney in Florida

JoshH · May 7, 2019

ASAG62 said:
THANKS, Those are my two boys about 11 years ago at Disney in Florida

Any particular reason you want an AIO vs a tank with a sump? Innovative marine has some excellent smaller tanks in your range that still have the ability to add a sump.

Jay Z · May 7, 2019

Jbj Rf 25

Tautog · May 7, 2019

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef !
I started with a 30 gal long, great starter tank.
Whichever size, go long not high!

ASAG62 · May 7, 2019

JoshH said:
Any particular reason you want an AIO vs a tank with a sump? Innovative marine has some excellent smaller tanks in your range that still have the ability to add a sump.

Mainly because of space, also this is my first reef tank and I've read these are easier to maintain. I've had a lot of freshwater tanks and now want to try a reef tank.

ASAG62 · May 7, 2019

Tautog said:
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef !
I started with a 30 gal long, great starter tank.
Whichever size, go long not high!

thanks

JoshH · May 7, 2019

ASAG62 said:
Mainly because of space, also this is my first reef tank and I've read these are easier to maintain. I've had a lot of freshwater tanks and now want to try a reef tank.

I find AIOs can be more difficult to maintain given the tighter space for equipment and filter media. But that's just me, when I stepped down from a 30g with a 20g sump to a nuvo 10 I experienced a lot more problems than I ever had with my 30g. Another downside to AIOs is you're pretty limited on equipment choices. This is easier to combat with smaller tanks as more frequent water changes can make up for it but that's more work, atleast it's a smaller amount of water which makes things easier.

Another advantage, especially with smaller tanks having a sump gives you as a new reefer is volume. From a chemistry standpoint the more water you have, generally the more stable it is. And when you're new to reefing the larger volume makes the tank... more forgiving so to speak for those newbie mishaps.

Oh my favourite tanks that are offered by Innovative Marine include the...

Lagoon 25 EXT
Lagoon 50 EXT
30L EXT

btmedic04 · May 7, 2019

I second the IM Lagoon 25 EXT, but if you cant swing it with a sump, the next best bet is the regular IM lagoon 25 AIO. the Nuvo 20 is great too but is more narrow than the lagoon 25 which causes you to get creative with your aquascape in order to create depth. I still love my nuvo 20, but wish I had gone for the lagoon 25 instead

Dr. Dendrostein · May 7, 2019

ASAG62 said:
Hello Everyone,
So I want to start a reef tank and can't decide which tank to purchase (driving my wife crazy ). I have room for a 20 - 30 gallon tank and would prefer an AIO. Every time I think I've found a tank it's out of stock. Would prefer to stay away from the Biocube but I can leave that at my 2nd or 3rd option. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

Do 30, if possible. More room for future expansion
I started 24 gallon, then 120 gallon, back 24, finally, 46 gallon, 24 gallon sump.