So here goes....

[Titleist1964]

@jiggysmb thanks the tips, I'll look into that Skimmer and the kits. I'm pretty much going to run a stock AIO without major upgrades to keep the initial cost down. Seems like with everything else lately, Out of Stock seems to the norm.

 

[KaitCorals]

For a nano tank an ATO is very helpful. Alternatively to manual top off you could get a glass top to reduce evaporation or dial in a single dosing pump set up to an RODI reservoir to automatically return some water. Post pictures of your journey!

- Love Kait

 

[tharbin]

Any of you guys running a Protein Skimmer?

I'm not. Personally I don't feel a skimmer is necessary on a small tank... if you do regular water changes. I do a weekly 2 gallon change in a 15 gallon AIO.

 

[Titleist1964]

@tharbin I guess I'm use to freshwater set ups, I never did the so called recommended water change intervals of 25% every few weeks. Trying to find that same simplicity in a small 2 fish coral tank. Not looking for anything complex, just fast growing colorful corals.

 

[Titleist1964]

Looking at ATO's. Do I need a heater for the ATO reservoir?

 

[Duncan62]

I've been looking into ATO's because I travel often for work. I haven't pulled the trigger on a set up yet because I'm afraid of being away for a few days.

ATO is a must for stability as well as lowering maintenance. Good luck!

 

[Duncan62]

@tharbin I guess I'm use to freshwater set ups, I never did the so called recommended water change intervals of 25% every few weeks. Trying to find that same simplicity in a small 2 fish coral tank. Not looking for anything complex, just fast growing colorful corals.

Algea scrubbers. No waterchanges in 4 years here. It's amazing if you can fit it in.

 

[2000se]

Looking at ATO's. Do I need a heater for the ATO reservoir?

IMO, No.

 

[Titleist1964]

@Duncan62 I wouldn't know where to begin looking at an Algea Scrubber for small 15 to 20gal tank.

 

[Duncan62]

@Duncan62 I wouldn't know where to begin looking at an Algea Scrubber for small 15 to 20gal tank.

HOG.5 Hang-On-Glass UAS Upflow Algae Scrubber-UAS-HOG.5

www.santa-monica.cc

I have seen these in action. Put a few strands of cheato in it and you'll be surprised. Hope this helps.

 

[tharbin]

Looking at ATO's. Do I need a heater for the ATO reservoir?

No. Properly set up (sensor in the return chamber), the ATO puts in a very small amount of water at each top up. Room temperature is fine.

 

[Freenow54]

....looking at the JBJ 20. Keeping it simple, corals, 2 clowns and a CUC, I know most people run this set up but looking for beauty and simplicity. Seems as though the set-up (JBJ) comes pretty much complete. I just need to add a heater and would like a wavemaker, looking at the Jebao MLW10, I think that should provide enough movement.

I don't know much about filter media, sand or rock, I've read several posts, learning as I go. I have some basic equipment picked out, RODI, Salinity tester, just curious on a basic test kit solution. Lighting will most likely be the ever-popular AI Prime HD.

Anything else I should know please feel free to school me.

Thanks

You should watch all the Bulk Reef Supply videos

 

[Titleist1964]

@Freenow54 I think that may be a great idea, 12 pack of fine IPA's and few hours in front of the laptop. lol

 

[tharbin]

I have two general suggestions that are interrelated. Go slow (be patient) and don't add unneeded complexity. Start with a basic off-the-shelf AIO setup, add a heater (few include one) and an ATO. Light if not supplied and cycle the tank with the lights off. Once you start to add livestock, watch your parameters. Add a flow pump if your livestock needs it. At first (after the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test for cycling) the main parameters to check are nitrate and phosphate. If you are doing regular water changes everything will probably be fine for many months, if not longer. Don't add skimmers or turf scrubbers or refugiums or UV without a reason (i.e. fixing a problem). You will learn more, spend less, spend less time on maintenance and keep as close as possible to what the idea behind an AIO is: simplicity.

 

[tharbin]

You should watch all the Bulk Reef Supply videos

Watch the 5-minute guide series and then pick a few specific videos for areas you want to learn more about. Pick the newest video on that topic that you can find as their thinking has changed some over the years. No sense watching videos that even BRS no longer agrees with...

 

[Freenow54]

@Freenow54 I think that may be a great idea, 12 pack of fine IPA's and few hours in front of the laptop. lol

You must be as old as me IPA? Toilet Water have to drink 50

 

[Freenow54]

Watch the 5-minute guide series and then pick a few specific videos for areas you want to learn more about. Pick the newest video on that topic that you can find as their thinking has changed some over the years. No sense watching videos that even BRS no longer agrees with...

Interested which ones are they?

 

[Titleist1964]

You must be as old as me IPA? Toilet Water have to drink 50

Yea I haven't had a cheap beer in I don't know how long hahaha.

 

[Titleist1964]

Tunze 3152 alternative? I did see a 3155 for sale but not sure that would be overkill in a 20 gall AIO Cube? Started rounding up gear, in negations for an AI HD Prime 16. Looking at heaters and ATO's, the 3152 is out of stock everywhere and I'm not sure I should purchase a cheap alterative for now and get the real deal when they become available, or buy the next best thing. Thoughts?

 

[tharbin]

Interested which ones are they?

There have been quite a few but a couple that come to mind are their changes in aquascaping when they realized that NSAs were not necessarily a good habitat for the fish and started making HNSAs or whatever they are calling them. Also they are starting to recognize the value of a diversified biome. For instance a video that was quoted in these forums was a BRS video that stated that (paraphrasing as I don't remember the exact wording) experienced reefer only use dry rock for new tanks to avoid pests. A video a year later mentioned that a tank is harder to start and more likely to have ugly stages with dry rock. They still haven't come completely around.

I think if a pole was taken of truly experienced reefers, the vast majority would recommend having at least some live rock. That first video was, in my opinion, just plain wrong. I like BRS videos but remember they are just hobbyists like ourselves. In general, look for their newest video on a subject that interests you. If you watch the older ones you may get additional info but remember we all evolve in the hobby.