Questions regarding DIY "AIO" filtration

[Keldek]

I'm looking to upgrade my 29 gallon reef tank to at least a 75 gallon, and I would like to go with an AIO type setup as opposed to running a dedicated sump. I'm looking into doing this because the stand that I'll be using isn't really designed for an aquarium so doesn't have the space in the lower cabinets to fit a proper sized sump. I also like the idea of having everything in the tank, less headaches for me with plumbing and such.

Anyway, my plan is to use the left and right sides of the tank for my filtration as opposed to the back side for various reasons. It's also a near necessity for me to use both sides as I'm pretty anal about balance and would hate a tank with the AIO on one side only.

The 75g tank I'm looking at getting is 48 x 18 x 21 inches, and I figure 3 inches on each side for the filtration areas, which would leave me a usable area of 42 x 18 x 21 for the display area of the tank, which equates to roughly 65g.

So the first question is whether or not corrugated plastic available from home depot would be safe (I can't create links it seems, so search home depot site for "24 in. x 36 in. x 0.157 in. Black Twin Wall Plastic Sheet") as I'm not sure where I'd be able to find black acrylic sheeting locally and would prefer to not have to paint anything (I want these filtration areas masked as much as possible). I'm not really worried about structural support considering there will be water on both sides, so little to no water pressure either way (unless I'm missing something here).

My next question would be about in-tank water movement, since I'd have an overflow and return on both sides of the tank, would it be suffice to have them counter to each other (looking directly at the left wall, have the overflow on the left side, and return on the right; then looking directly at the right wall, having the overflow on the right, return on the left.)? I assume I'd have to have one of them angled slightly downward to prevent a whirlpool effect from taking place on the surface, but would I also need to have wave makers lower on each side to aid in flow?

Also, for more details in case of any recommendations, here's my overall plan as far as filtration goes:

LEFT side filtration area would house mechanical (filter sock), reactive media (carbon & GFO) and the heater.

RIGHT side filtration area would house mechanical (filter sock), protein skimmer and refugium.

If I have time later today, I'll try to load up the tank in a 3d program and output some mock-ups.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Personally I’d look at the tunze
com line reef pack. It’s the same thing. Then it’s just two black rectangles in the tank.
One skimmer one floss chem filtration holder. I belive it also holds the heater.

A cpr aqua fuge or eBay clone would also perform the the same way with the skimmer and fuge in it. Then you just install and overflow (weir) box and put the fuge pump in it.

Water flow is done by powerheads.

Your diy Aio style would also work it sounds like and would be a pretty cool project.

 

[kkeller416]

This sounds like a fairly large diy project...seems like a hang on back fuge would be such a simple solution.
However yes I think the corrugated plastic would be fine..there's not a lot of pressure that I can tell between one side and the other.. My aio tank has a few baffles that ad support in the back.
So there's different chambers for pumps and media baskets under the overflows..
Good luck. If you do a project it would be nice to document it.

 

[Keldek]

This sounds like a fairly large diy project...seems like a hang on back fuge would be such a simple solution.
However yes I think the corrugated plastic would be fine..there's not a lot of pressure that I can tell between one side and the other.. My aio tank has a few baffles that ad support in the back.
So there's different chambers for pumps and media baskets under the overflows..
Good luck. If you do a project it would be nice to document it.

Yeah, I'd like to avoid HoB altogether for various reasons; and it's not just a refugium I'll need, I'll be doing the rest of the filtration on the sides as well.

Would love some more feedback on that corrugated plastic if anyone else knows.

Thanks.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You need solid acrylic.

 

[Keldek]

You need solid acrylic.

Would you mind elaborating a little more as to why?

 

[VSVP bet]

I just recently build an AIO setup in my 33 long (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/33-long-build.366016/) I chronicled the full build on my thread. I use acrylic to make the filter boxes, its been running for 3 weeks and ive had no issues.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Would you mind elaborating a little more as to why?

Basically that stuff is just cardboard made of plastic. I have a ton of it.
Craft stores carry it. It has little structural value.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I just recently build an AIO setup in my 33 long (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/33-long-build.366016/) I chronicled the full build on my thread. I use acrylic to make the filter boxes, its been running for 3 weeks and ive had no issues.

That’s sweet!

 

[VSVP bet]

That’s sweet!

thanks!

 

[Keldek]

Basically that stuff is just cardboard made of plastic. I have a ton of it.
Craft stores carry it. It has little structural value.

The problem is, black acrylic is pretty expensive, and looks like it'd cost more than the tank itself. So I was looking for an alternative, and painting sheets of clear acrylic doesn't sound optimal.

As far as the structural integrity, the way I understand it is the filtration areas wouldn't need to have much, if any, due to the fact that there will be flowing water on both side. I'd also section it off of course, with 2-3 inner baffles (to make 2-3 chambers depending on available room), as well as having an outer wall on each side as it were. So that's 4-5 "support columns" for the long front wall.

My main concern is whether those plastic sheets are safe for use in aquariums. They are very cheap, so even if I try and fail with them, I'm not out much; but I'm unsure about the safety.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The plastic probably is safe I believe. I’ve not seen anyone use it like this though.