1 Gallon Night Light - AIO

[Atoll on me]

I purchased an Aqueon 2.5 gallon aquarium. My goal is to create a small AIO tank with a 1 gallon display that will house coral. This tank will fit in a small cubby in our hallway and will serve as a night light.

Because this tank is so small and will be in a cubby id like to build at ATO reservoir into the back “sump” area.

My original plan was to make the display cube shaped. After looking at the tank and cubby I realized I could also fit the tank length ways as well. This opens up the possibility for a slim display the length of the tank.

Below are two designs I’ve drawn up. I cannot decide which direction to go. I believe the cube would create better flow and the return and drain are in better locations. I like the slim display because I think it could be very interesting looking. Although I am concerned there would be dead area on the end opposite the return.
Please let me know your thoughts!

Cube:

Slim:

 

[edsbeaker]

I really can’t help with the design, but am so intrigued with the creativity of this project. That will be such a great little nightlight tank!

 

[Atoll on me]

I’m leaning towards the slim design. This does also limit light options but I believe it wouldn’t take much wattage to grow softies in this small area.

 

[jerricolaboy]

Cool idea but something so small I’d skip the aio all together. Keep it super simple Just a small wave maker for water circulation and a slim betta heater. Glass lid to minimize evaporation and you’re good. Do like 50% water change a week

 

[Kehy]

I wouldn't bother with much of that personally, but I'm a minimalist. I've done several tanks of just an internal filter and lights- after an incident I don't use heaters. A tank that small is a tank that can have frequent easy changes and with a proper lid won't evaporate much between water changes.

 

[VintageReefer]

I have a 1.1g pico with a good fitting acrylic lid, and I only need to add top off water every couple weeks.

 

[Atoll on me]

I do agree the built in ATO may be overkill, but my end goal if for this to hold very hardy softies where I may be able to avoid a weekly water change.

I did end up going with the slim design! I’m very happy with how the AIO insert turned. I’m hoping to silicone it all in today! I dry fit the heater, return pump, and ATO and everything fits great. I’m intrigued to see how the actual flow turns out.

 

[VintageReefer]

I do agree the built in ATO may be overkill, but my end goal if for this to hold very hardy softies where I may be able to avoid a weekly water change.

I did end up going with the slim design! I’m very happy with how the AIO insert turned. I’m hoping to silicone it all in today! I dry fit the heater, return pump, and ATO and everything fits great. I’m intrigued to see how the actual flow turns out.

If you plan a pico well…you won’t need weekly water changes. I set this 1.1g up in February and have not done a water change since…

Here is it at various points over the last year. I kept having to change out the centerpiece coral because they outgrow it. The last pic with the Cynarina is current. Figured I would put something in that will take years to outgrow the tank

 

[Nano_Tuners]

I do agree the built in ATO may be overkill, but my end goal if for this to hold very hardy softies where I may be able to avoid a weekly water change.

I did end up going with the slim design! I’m very happy with how the AIO insert turned. I’m hoping to silicone it all in today! I dry fit the heater, return pump, and ATO and everything fits great. I’m intrigued to see how the actual flow turns out.

Cool little setup

 

[Atoll on me]

Here is the completed build! The AIO works well so far, but time will tell if adjustments need to be made. I also built a little lid that slides over the top of the tank and houses the light. Although I prefer the open top or glass lid look I wanted to keep wires/lights “inside” the tank as much as possible.

I bought a cheap live rock from petco and smashed it to get the small rocks that I glued to the back. I went a little crazy with glue, but I’m hoping that will be covered by coral soon enough.

Next step is to get some coral! I’m going with Xenia in this tank because I like the way it looks but have never wanted it in my main tank out of fear it would spread. I also like how hardy it is if this “nightlight” doesn’t see the same level of husbandry my main tank does. More pictures to come when it’s in place and with better lighting!

 

[Atoll on me]

The “nightlight” has been placed!

I added a couple varieties of Xenia. Unfortunately the pulsing variety which is what I wanted died. The other variety seems to be doing good! I threw a Duncan in there and it seems to be doing well too!