Looking for different experience ...

Justin Hartmann

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I would like to expand my experience and get into things from a different angle. My tank now is a very simple 30 gallon with a HOB filter, a couple heaters and a powerhead. I was looking around the forum and saw a tank set up I have never thought about. I believe it would be called an all in one nano tank. I have been doing research for the last day and saw a couple of tanks that I like the look of a lot. One of the questions for this part would be recommendations and experiences with the two tank I have narrowed it down to (other suggestions I would consider too). The two tanks are the Fluval EVO and the Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion 10. I wish I would have thought about this and found it earlier and could have gotten a 20 – 30 gallon one of these from the start, but that’s water under the bridge at this point.


My thinking is that these tanks have the separate set of compartments in the back with the overflow and return that would create more flow. Though I know this is no where near a sump it would be a lot closer than the HOB filter that I use now and give me experience with this style of system. I could also do more customization and get experience with skimmers, media reactors, fuge and that kind of thing as they are all available for this type of system. I also love the idea that I can hide the heater(s). I will say that a sump is just not something I can do at the current time with space. I also just don’t know how I feel about jumping into a full sump not knowing how to plumb, managae and design one not to mention all the equipment that can go along with one. I figured this would be a space saving way to be able to get to know some of the equipment and how things work with this type of filtration set up and not stress me out completely. I was surprised at how you can do different things with the little space in the back. I do have a 55 gallon tank that is empty from my first attempt at a saltwater tank (was not set up correct at all). I thought that once I have the space and am more experienced and comfortable with it I could drill this tank and set up the full thing. Is this a good/valid way to get the experience or am I just wasting time and money? Sorry for the long post and thanks!
 
If you are going with the 55gal in the future i would suggest that you save your money and stick with your current tank and learn all that is necessary to run a successful reef. Learn all you can about water quemistry, filtration media, flow, lighting, livestock and when you are ready jump into the bigger tank.
 
The AIO aquariums I've had experience with are the 29 gallon Biocube(Oceanic), Red Sea Max 250, and 12-gallon Nano Cube (current setup). I love every single one of these because of the AIO aspect of them. It's nice being able to throw in a heater or protein skimmer and not having to worry about it ruining the appearance of a reef.

If you're looking into a larger AIO, and if you have the budget, check out Red Sea. If you don't mind something on the smaller side, check out the new 32 gallon LED Biocube and the 28 gallon LED Nano Cube... I don't know much about the Nuvo and EVO in your post, but one recommendation I can give is finding one with LED lighting!!! It might be a bit more expensive, but will save you money and time in the long run. I had to get rid of my Red Sea because the T5 lighting and pumps heated up the water so much that I couldn't sustain anything. And I didn't want to make the $500 chiller investment after the old one broke down...
 
I have the IM Fusion 20 and agree with @NickNiz. The AIO aspect is great, everything out of site in the back and I was even able to get the right flow with just the return pump, no power heads.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%

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