I need advice!

reefdreamers · Apr 30, 2017

Ok guys so I'm new to the forum and I'm going to be setting up a mixed reef aquarium in my new home. I've been out of the hobby for around a year now due to moving. I have never really had alot of money to dump into aquariums so most of my set ups where diy or the cheapest equipment I can find. But they always worked! Lol. So I finally have the money to get a more permanent aquarium that I can love for years to come. I'm having a hard time spending crazy amounts of money tho on things for example red Sea aquariums. HERES WHERE I NEED HELP. I'm so confused on what's best for me and my aquarium. Should I look into the AIO aquariums like innovative marine or fluval. Or should I look into the reef ready aquariums like the red Sea reefers or the cadlights versa? My goal is to have a mixed reef aquarium that I will mostly house lps and softy's. If anyone has any advice or knows about any of these aquariums please let me know!

Jack Eskay · Apr 30, 2017

Welcome to R2R! I will totally recommend a plumbed tank, in the long run you'll be able to do so much more and your tank will look much sleeker and cleaners. (Hides all the equipment) I've had both and would take a sump any day! There's plenty of other reasons and info but I'll leave that for the others who I know will comment, good luck!!!

CindyKz · Apr 30, 2017

I am very new to the hobby, having just started researching my build in Feb 2016 and set it up in Sept 2016. It's a 75 gal mixed reef.

I looked closely at the Red Sea Reefer and was really close to pulling the trigger. ( I looked at several AIOs also but decided early on that I wanted a sump). In the end I bought a standard reef ready tank, a custom stand (I am short LOL), and many of the major components (lights, skimmer, sump, RODI) used through our local club. The things that I bought new I tried to get on sale. Since I was taking my time - I had to wait for our flooring to be redone and we were on a waiting list - I was able to plan. This worked out really well for me and in the end I think I got a lot more for my money.

As beautiful as the reefer series is, I just couldn't justify the cost. I think when making the decision of sump vs. AIO you really have to consider available space. I am blessed with plenty of room. Also, the nice thing about buying individual pieces is that you can pick and choose how you set it up - for example with my custom stand I was able to choose the color, height, location of doors, etc. I did some DIY on the sump and it's pretty much the way I want it without huge expense. It was more work, but it's the way I want it and I learned a lot.

reefdreamers · Apr 30, 2017

CindyKz said:
I am very new to the hobby, having just started researching my build in Feb 2016 and set it up in Sept 2016. It's a 75 gal mixed reef.

I looked closely at the Red Sea Reefer and was really close to pulling the trigger. ( I looked at several AIOs also but decided early on that I wanted a sump). In the end I bought a standard reef ready tank, a custom stand (I am short LOL), and many of the major components (lights, skimmer, sump, RODI) used through our local club. The things that I bought new I tried to get on sale. Since I was taking my time - I had to wait for our flooring to be redone and we were on a waiting list - I was able to plan. This worked out really well for me and in the end I think I got a lot more for my money.

As beautiful as the reefer series is, I just couldn't justify the cost. I think when making the decision of sump vs. AIO you really have to consider available space. I am blessed with plenty of room. Also, the nice thing about buying individual pieces is that you can pick and choose how you set it up - for example with my custom stand I was able to choose the color, height, location of doors, etc. I did some DIY on the sump and it's pretty much the way I want it without huge expense. It was more work, but it's the way I want it and I learned a lot.

Awesome thanks for the reply. I'm pretty sure I want a sump honestly but it's so hard to pass on aio because of peoples success rate. The reefers are beautiful tanks and the quality seems excellent but they are so dang expensive lol. The cadlights versa series seems like a great option but there are not many post on quality that's my concern. I would piece together an aquarium like you did but I hate the thought of having to figure it all out when I can buy a tank already made with a sump ya know?

mtraylor · Apr 30, 2017

Sump ...Sump....Sump and go for the biggest size aquarium you have been thinking about so you don't have to do it again.
That would be my advice. Keep doing what your doing to save costs. Its seems to have worked for you.

If you plan on doing a small aquarium for a desktop....I guess an AIO may be better.

Broadfield · Apr 30, 2017

First off, how big of a tank are you thinking of?

Zack K · Apr 30, 2017

mtraylor said:
Sump ...Sump....Sump and go for the biggest size aquarium you have been thinking about so you don't have to do it again.
That would be my advice. Keep doing what your doing to save costs. Its seems to have worked for you.

If you plan on doing a small aquarium for a desktop....I guess an AIO may be better.

The problem is... their is always bigger ones on the market[emoji23]. And you always "run out of room"

mtraylor · Apr 30, 2017

blkhwkz · Apr 30, 2017

I started with AIO tanks and then got a Red Sea Reefer XL425. Now that I have a tank with a sump, I am going to slowly replace my AIO tanks. I'm replacing a Biocube with an SC Aquariums 50 gallon. I would check the SC tanks before getting a Cadlights. One of the other AIO's will probably be replaced by a Reefer 250 since it is in the same room as the XL425. I wish I had started with larger tanks and with sumps.

reefdreamers · Apr 30, 2017

Broadfield said:
First off, how big of a tank are you thinking of?

Honestly the biggest I can go will be around 50- 70 gallons. I know I should get the biggest tank I can but money wise it won't work for me lol. The bigger I go the more the cost and the cost to keep up with the tank.

reefdreamers · Apr 30, 2017

mtraylor said:
Sump ...Sump....Sump and go for the biggest size aquarium you have been thinking about so you don't have to do it again.
That would be my advice. Keep doing what your doing to save costs. Its seems to have worked for you.

If you plan on doing a small aquarium for a desktop....I guess an AIO may be better.

True I think I'm definitely sticking with a sump. I wish I can go as big as I want but cost wise it wouldn't be in the budget so I'm sticking around 50 gallon

mtraylor · May 1, 2017

Well you are doing it right. Cost is the number 1 factor to determine what comes next. The sump gives you essentially more water volume to deal with. This helps you keep stability easier. Get as big as sump as you can fit in your arrangement.

reefdreamers · May 1, 2017

Ok so after doing some extreme research and getting one heck of a deal I decided to go with the cadlights versa 42. I honestly couldn't pass it up and I think it is the perfect size for me to get back into the hobby. Plus it comes with a 16 gallon sump. If needed I can always upgrade my sump because of the area I am putting the aquarium. I also ordered a bubble magus nac 3.5 in sump skimmer. My lighting for now will be the current USA orbit marine until I save for something like an ai prime. Thank you guys for all the response