AIO or Sump?

[30reef]

Hey guys
So I'm deciding between an all in one tank (innovative marine) or making/getting a sump.

I was thinking of either the lagoon 25, lagoon 50 or the SR60. I currently have a 55 Gallon with a HOB filter because I haven't gotten around to taking it down and setting it up as a reef.

I know I want soft coral and only a handful of SPS. For fish only a wartskin Angler.

Which set up would be cheaper then the other? Obviously this hobby isn't cheap and I like the equipment that's better and more reliable but what set up would over all with all the equipment be cheaper?

 

[BoneXriffic]

Shop craigs list...imo when the right tank is the right price and you fall in love,buy it. Got a heck of a deal on my 90 this way

 

[Fishgeek88]

Cant stand AIOs, sump all the way!

 

[Slries]

Hey guys
So I'm deciding between an all in one tank (innovative marine) or making/getting a sump.

I was thinking of either the lagoon 25, lagoon 50 or the SR60. I currently have a 55 Gallon with a HOB filter because I haven't gotten around to taking it down and setting it up as a reef.

I know I want soft coral and only a handful of SPS. For fish only a wartskin Angler.

Which set up would be cheaper then the other? Obviously this hobby isn't cheap and I like the equipment that's better and more reliable but what set up would over all with all the equipment be cheaper?

I'm curious as to what you decided to do on this - sump or aio? I'm having the same debate right now as I'm trying to plan for a frag tank and don't know which would be the cheaper route.

 

[JohnnyReef]

I had a 55 with a sump and took it down to set up a 45 aio about a 10 months ago. I kind of regret doing it, I should have kept the 55 with the sump. Having the sump gave me more water volume so it was really a 75 gallon system so I was easier to maintain. That’s just my opinion and experience so far, once the aio ages a little more my feelings may change.

 

[Orm Embar]

I went back and forth many times before buying my current tank (Red Sea Reefer 170); in retrospect, I'm very happy that I went with a sump. I use a refugium for most of my filtration needs (which is much easier with a sump), dealing with additives or other equipment is much easier, and the mechanical complexity isn't much higher.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd get the sump again.

 

[samnaz]

Well, if you really want better equipment, you'll have to take the sump route.

Instead of getting the IM 30L, I got the non AIO version of it (Nuvo Black 30L) and a sump. Couldn't be happier with my decision. Yes it was more expensive but only slightly and TOTALLY worth it.

Awesome fish choice btw.

 

[Slries]

Awesome guys. Thanks for the info. I love my biocube aio but, like you said, it is more difficult to get my hand in the back of it to change things, and harder to get to.

Being new to sumps, is it hard to drill your tanks, or are there tank+sump buying options out there already? Or would you say building your own sump is cheaper?

 

[samnaz]

Awesome guys. Thanks for the info. I love my biocube aio but, like you said, it is more difficult to get my hand in the back of it to change things, and harder to get to.

Being new to sumps, is it hard to drill your tanks, or are there tank+sump buying options out there already? Or would you say building your own sump is cheaper?

In general, I'd say building your own sump is the cheapest way to go. But all the planning required and materials needed to make one wasn't worth the lower price to me. I found a great deal on a used Trigger Systems sump on the selling forum here. I recommend checking your local classifieds periodically, if you're patient you'll come across an awesome deal :)

There are tank+sump options available but they typically come with a stand as well, and I'm not aware of any cheap ones.

Drilling is not hard. It's quite simple, really. So long as you learn all about it beforehand and follow all the rules, you should be fine. Watch one of the many how to videos on youtube. One very helpful tool is a drill guide, which holds the drill level and makes the job way easier.

 

[sundog101]

I would go with a sump if you’re able. Maybe it’s just me, but maintanence was a nightmare on my IM 40 nuvo. Just my opinion.

 

[J Rog]

Sump for sure. I debated going AIO and the more I thought about it the more I cringed.. lol the sump seems like more work but it’s so much easier to deal with and you have more room for better equipment then you could put in an aio

 

[JohnnyReef]

Look around online bc there are sump kits for like $50-60 and all u need to do I glue it in. I’ve never used one but I did use a homemade sump when I did have one.

 

[Slries]

Look around online bc there are sump kits for like $50-60 and all u need to do I glue it in. I’ve never used one but I did use a homemade sump when I did have one.

I'll have to look into this. Is there any particular you-need-this-size-sump-for-this-size-display rule?

 

[sundog101]

You normally hear the go as big as you can rule. I like to say get one big enough and make sure you still have room to work under your stand. Space is golden ;)

 

[JohnnyReef]

+1 on space nothing worse than being crammed into a tight space and trying to work on sump