10-15g AIO Recommendations

[HossAquatics]

Hey everybody, I’ve been keeping freshwater all of my life, always wanting to have a saltwater tank and now I’m finally able to. I want to stay on a budget but still buy something that is good quality. I’d say my limit is around $300 since I want to get something nice but also keep the price down so I can afford everything else. Doesn’t need to have a light cuz i already have one in mind for after it’s cycled. I’ve been looking at the IM nuvo 15 since it’s pretty cheap (compared to others), had good reviews, and has a lot of options when it comes to customization and upgrades, but I wanted to get some suggestions on tanks from y’all before I just went out and bought it

 

[NC AL]

I’ll have to look into that one, the only thing I’m concerned with is moving with it. My 20g freshwater tank I just take the livestock out into their own container and drain it enough to pick up and move it. I’ve got no clue how to move a saltwater tanks. Something for me to look into. And I’ll keep an eye out for that deal cuz you’re rigThanks!

How often will you have to move it? I have a 5 gallon tank I keep on my desk (High School Teacher). When I go to move it, I take out 50% of the water and then move it. I made a based board so I am not lifting on the glass. I only have to move it 2-3 times a year.....and it is only 5gallon.

If you think you will have to move the tank often, you might want to consider a bare bottom tank. You can use silicone to the dry rock to the tank bottom and then it wont shift during transport. It will take a little longer to cycle but there are several benefits to it.

 

[dewy]

I have 5 IM tanks ranging from 10g to 150g. The quality of their stuff and the packaging it comes in is really nice.

I’ve had a 15g up and running for a little over a year now and love it. I just have a light, uv, heater, and ato. The return pump that comes with it works but is something I would upgrade to a bigger one.

 

[HossAquatics]

How often will you have to move it? I have a 5 gallon tank I keep on my desk (High School Teacher). When I go to move it, I take out 50% of the water and then move it. I made a based board so I am not lifting on the glass. I only have to move it 2-3 times a year.....and it is only 5gallon.

If you think you will have to move the tank often, you might want to consider a bare bottom tank. You can use silicone to the dry rock to the tank bottom and then it wont shift during transport. It will take a little longer to cycle but there are several benefits to it.

Well, I try not to move much but I’ve moved a few times in the past 5 or so years due to better deals. Im really tired of moving so it might be a good time to get a bigger tank. I had a 5g in school and that thing probably moved a few times a year lol but you’re right, siliconing the hardscape is definitely a good idea. I’m leaning towards that in this build as I don’t want an unexpected shift in the rocks to crush a coral or scratch the glass

 

[HossAquatics]

I have 5 IM tanks ranging from 10g to 150g. The quality of their stuff and the packaging it comes in is really nice.

I’ve had a 15g up and running for a little over a year now and love it. I just have a light, uv, heater, and ato. The return pump that comes with it works but is something I would upgrade to a bigger one.

That’s really all I plan on running since I want to keep it a relatively simple build with simple maintenance. I’d like to upgrade the pump like you said and get some sort of random flow generator so I’m not spending so much money/tank real estate on a small power head even though that might be more efficient

 

[dewy]

That’s really all I plan on running since I want to keep it a relatively simple build with simple maintenance. I’d like to upgrade the pump like you said and get some sort of random flow generator so I’m not spending so much money/tank real estate on a small power head even though that might be more efficient

The mightjet and spinstream are great upgrades. I have both on multiple tanks and happy with both.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I had an Innovative Marine 20g and absolutely hated it—I got rid of it after just a few months. I had all the upgrades for it too. I was constantly tinkering with it every day just to keep things running.

Switched to the Red Sea Nano Max 20g, and I couldn’t be happier! Salinity stays stable, no more dealing with filter socks thanks to the automatic roller, the built in skimmer is awesome, and it looks a thousand times better. It just runs!

Before both, I had the Fluval Evo 13.5g and loved it too. Given your budget, that’s what I’d recommend—it allows for a lot of modification and is an excellent starter tank!

You can find it at Petco, often on sale for under $175.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

The mightjet and spinstream are great upgrades. I have both on multiple tanks and happy with both.

My experience with both was terrible. I used the MightyJet Mini in my Fluval 13.5g, and it was great, but the MightyJet 326 in my former Innovative Marine 20g, I suspect had unlevel flow despite no setting changes, which messed with the ATO. The SpinStreams eventually got stuck and were really noisy.

 

[HossAquatics]

My experience with both was terrible. I used the MightyJet Mini in my Fluval 13.5g, and it was great, but the MightyJet 326 in my former Innovative Marine 20g had unlevel flow despite no setting changes, which messed with the ATO. The SpinStreams eventually got stuck and were really noisy.

VCA makes a random flow generator that has no moving parts that might work out if you ever wanted to try again

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

VCA makes a random flow generator that has no moving parts that might work out if you ever wanted to try again

I've tried them, it works great if your return pump is powerful. It requires certain flow rates, and if you're using two it's even more.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I will say, though, that I use the Innovative Marine heaters and absolutely love them. I have multiple, even for water changes. In my opinion, they’re the best heaters on the market!

 

[HossAquatics]

I will say, though, that I use the Innovative Marine heaters and absolutely love them. I have multiple, even for water changes. In my opinion, they’re the best heaters on the market!

I was thinking of going with the neotherm. I watched a test of multiple heaters and their ranges and the neotherm literally stayed to the degree while the others had small to large fluctuations. But I will definitely keep IM heaters in mind when I’m looking for a heater

 

[Dragen Fiend]

IM 15. Comes with everything but the light and heater. For the price. Its the best.
It was my first tank and I never had issues with it.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

I have a UNS tank. The tanks are really nice. But you will want to throw away the equipment. I saw also about moving it around and possibly smaller. You could go with a 5 gallon rimless. Just add a wave maker and a fairly tight lid to stop evap. Run an air pump as well. Or if not much evap then just use wave maker. I recommend barebottom and using rock pice completely glued to remove as needed. I was able to throw everything into a 5 gallon bucket and go. I evacuated from hurricane and setup in hotel room lol. If you go culiner tank you could even plop the whole thing in a 5 gallon bucket and don't even need circulation pump just air pump.

For 10 to 15 I have heard good things about IM tanks as well.

 

[HossAquatics]

I have a UNS tank. The tanks are really nice. But you will want to throw away the equipment. I saw also about moving it around and possibly smaller. You could go with a 5 gallon rimless. Just add a wave maker and a fairly tight lid to stop evap. Run an air pump as well. Or if not much evap then just use wave maker. I recommend barebottom and using rock pice completely glued to remove as needed. I was able to throw everything into a 5 gallon bucket and go. I evacuated from hurricane and setup in hotel room lol. If you go culiner tank you could even plop the whole thing in a 5 gallon bucket and don't even need circulation pump just air pump.

For 10 to 15 I have heard good things about IM tanks as well.

Thanks! An air pump would definitely be useful. We used to use them when we went netting for stuff for my friends tank so I know they can be good

 

[Besieged]

I was checking marketplace a while back but a lot of them were in horrific shape. I mean they just let all the water just evaporate with everything inside. I’ll keep looking though cuz I know there’s always a good deal in there. Is ARC pretty active? I’ve seen it different places, can’t remember where, but it seems like a good resource

It's reasonably active, a lot of great members, and indeed is an excellent resource - members help each other out quite a lot.

The forums are as much buy/sell/trade/auction as general chatter. LOTS of corals.

FWIW, since rejoining myself at the beginning of January, I've picked up a Waterbox 50 gallon AIO tank and stand w/ Apex controller (+3 probes) and 7-stage RODI for $500, and a 75g and a custom-built 220g for free. Also, enough rock for said 220 and 60lbs of black sand for free, and some solid discounts on a few other items.

 

[dewy]

My experience with both was terrible. I used the MightyJet Mini in my Fluval 13.5g, and it was great, but the MightyJet 326 in my former Innovative Marine 20g, I suspect had unlevel flow despite no setting changes, which messed with the ATO. The SpinStreams eventually got stuck and were really noisy.

All 3 of my spinstreams were noisy for the first month or so but have been super quite since. I've had on spinstream running for almost 5 years with no issues. Think I've only cleaned it once.

 

[HossAquatics]

All 3 of my spinstreams were noisy for the first month or so but have been super quite since. I've had on spinstream running for almost 5 years with no issues. Think I've only cleaned it once.

You think it just needs some time to wear in?

 

[Fish Fan]

Some of these are freshwater, but I have two IM Fusion 10 gallon AIO's, two IM Fusion 15 gallons, one IM 40 gallon non-AIO (now discontinued), and I very recently got their 25 gallon Fusion Lagoon shallow tank to use as an invert QT tank. Admittedly, I don't have water in this 25 gallon tank yet, but I have it setup and I'm working on the 'scape currently. The price of this tank vs. other AIO's drove me to purchase this tank for this project, but had you asked me when I ordered it would I like the shallow height, I would have said no. I would have said that a tank has to be taller. But, now that I have it, I am really liking the dimensions. It's really no shallower than the IM 10 gallon AIO's but it has much greater front to back depth, and that's what makes it great.

I think the OP would do best with either the IM Fusion 20 gallon or 25 gallon AIO's :)

 

[Fish Fan]

You think it just needs some time to wear in?

I had SpinStream years ago, and it was nothing but noise, and that was at the time a common complaint.

 

[dewy]

You think it just needs some time to wear in?

I think so. Mine were very noisy at first but now I can't hear them.