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

 

[Fish Fan]

I have several IM AIO tanks, and they are all really well made. I would recommend IM over some of the other budget brands.

I hope that helps and good luck!

 

[HossAquatics]

I have several IM AIO tanks, and they are all really well made. I would recommend IM over some of the other budget brands.

I hope that helps and good luck!

That’s what I’ve been seeing from a lot of people online but I couldn’t tell if they were just hyping it up. Thanks!

 

[Fish Fan]

In my very non-expert opinion, these IM tanks are really nice :-) They come in a 10-25 gallon AIO layout, and there's LOTS of after market media baskets and other things that make them really efficient tanks.

Did you have a question about them specifically?

I am personally a big fan :-) I think they are basically the "best value" in an AIO smaller tank.

Best of luck!

 

[HossAquatics]

In my very non-expert opinion, these IM tanks are really nice :) They come in a 10-25 gallon AIO layout, and there's LOTS of after market media baskets and other things that make them really efficient tanks.

Did you have a question about them specifically?

I am personally a big fan :) I think they are basically the "best value" in an AIO smaller tank.

Best of luck!

I think the after market item compatibility’s really what’s appealing to me. I’ve always done freshwater and this is my first saltwater tank so I’m looking forward to kind of trying different things out and seeing what works and what doesn’t.

And I didn’t really have any specific questions coming in lol but now that you ask, is there any IM tank that you’d recommend over others or a type that you think excels?

 

[Tahoe61]

I think the after market item compatibility’s really what’s appealing to me. I’ve always done freshwater and this is my first saltwater tank so I’m looking forward to kind of trying different things out and seeing what works and what doesn’t.

And I didn’t really have any specific questions coming in lol but now that you ask, is there any IM tank that you’d recommend over others or a type that you think excels?

You're absolutely right. The compatibility with regard to other manufacturer's products is great. You can use Tunze, Sicce Mightyjet. For skimmer Tunze and Bubble Magus. ATOs, the Tunze Nano.

 

[HossAquatics]

You're absolutely right. The compatibility with regard to other manufacturer's products is great. You can use Tunze, Sicce Mightyjet. For skimmer Tunze and Bubble Magus. ATOs, the Tunze Nano.

I might look into a skimmer if the filter sock can’t handle everything but those ATOs make me nervous even though I know with proper maintenance there’s a lot less of a chance of it malfunctioning and overflowing. I’ve heard tunze makes some awesome stuff

 

[Besieged]

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

You might consider joining the Atlanta Reef Club forums and keeping an eye out there. People are selling tanks cheap all the time, especially if you have a little patience. Also Facebook Marketplace can be a good place to find them.

 

[Rick's Reefing Adventures]

Waterbox Peninsula mini 15

 

[JTP424]

Waterbox Peninsula mini 15

Agreed with this

 

[slingfox]

If on a tight budget, you could checkout the AOO tanks on Amazon or AliExpress. That size tank is pretty straightforward to build so relatively limited risk of it falling apart.

 

[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

You might consider joining the Atlanta Reef Club forums and keeping an eye out there. People are selling tanks cheap all the time, especially if you have a little patience. Also Facebook Marketplace can be a good place to find them.

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

 

[Spare time]

The IM Nuvo 15 is nice but you run out of real estate space very quickly.

 

[HossAquatics]

Waterbox Peninsula mini 15

That’s actually one of the other ones I was considering, hence why I bumped the budget up lol. I have a waterbox 10g rn but the corners chipped bad. Seems like a really good quality build

 

[Spare time]

Have you thought about just a regular tank with a hang on back filter? Something like a 20 gallon?

 

[NC AL]

The innovative marine 20 nuvo AIO is an absolute deal. It is hard to beat the value in the tank which is often on sale for $130.

 

[HossAquatics]

The IM Nuvo 15 is nice but you run out of real estate space very quickly.

I’ve had hang on backs on my freshwater tanks in the past and I like them but they’re really bulky and I don’t like the expensive pads, even though I know I’ll have to buy filter socks for the AIO. This will be on my desk or on a small stand next to it so it might not have enough room for a hang on back. I saw a wwc video where they had a nano with just a hang on back and a couple powerheads and it looked awesome so it might still be something to consider for me since a generic 10g would be so much cheaper haha. Thank you for your recommendation

 

[JTP424]

That’s actually one of the other ones I was considering, hence why I bumped the budget up lol. I have a waterbox 10g rn but the corners chipped bad. Seems like a really good quality build

I've had mine for almost 4-5 years now? Absolutely love the simplicity of it.

 

[NC AL]

I’ve had hang on backs on my freshwater tanks in the past and I like them but they’re really bulky and I don’t like the expensive pads, even though I know I’ll have to buy filter socks for the AIO. This will be on my desk or on a small stand next to it so it might not have enough room for a hang on back. I saw a wwc video where they had a nano with just a hang on back and a couple powerheads and it looked awesome so it might still be something to consider for me since a generic 10g would be so much cheaper haha. Thank you for your recommendation

Most AOIs using filter socks can be easily modified to use filter floss which is cheaper/easier.

 

[HossAquatics]

The innovative marine 20 nuvo AIO is an absolute deal. It is hard to beat the value in the tank which is often on sale for $130.

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!

Most AOIs using filter socks can be easily modified to use filter floss which is cheaper/easier.

that’s probably what I’m going to end up doing because Ive always hated the idea of proprietary filter replacements when we all know it’s not necessary lol. There’s nothing worse than going to the store and in the aisle full of filters they don’t have the one for yours