All In One Saltwater Aquarium

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Can we take a moment and just talk about the advantages and disadvantages of setting up an "all in one saltwater aquarium" or AIO over a traditional tank that you source all the pieces of needed equipment?

Why or why not an AIO Aquarium?

image via @Innovative Marine

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Both have their places. I think we can all agree smaller tanks are where AIO's thrive.

 

[Crabs McJones]

In my opinion. All in one's are fantastic for smaller setups that don't require big skimmers or alot of filtration. Someone looking to run a simple system with softies and LPS would have a very easy time with an AIO.
Bigger systems that require alot of filtration and big skimmers and big pumps, or sps corals with dosing systems definitely traditional.
That said, I'd love to get back in with a small AIO

 

[KQuillan]

I chose other. I loved my AIO Innovative Marine tank. When I got my 150, I love the traditional setup. Felt it needs that. For the record, I would take either :)

 

[Reefer Matt]

I had one, but it kinda crashed after a year. It was an all lps 29 gallon biocube. I may revisit the aio tank someday though. I think the lack of oxygen exchange had something to do with its demise as there was no skimmer. I prefer separate sumps on all my tanks though.

 

[vadryn]

I have a 90g sumpless with a hang-in refugium. Started as FW but would LOVE for it to have a sump. Just started a 40 B with a FIji AIO insert. Love that becuase of surface skimming and hiding equipment. Definetly seems to be a limiting size threshold for AIO.

 

[steveschuerger]

I have a “small” 90 AIO. All my tanks have been AIO, partly due to space and living in an apartment on the 3rd floor(less likely to leak potentially)

 

[backbayreef]

I prefer a sump to hide all the equipment - and can go for a bigger skimmer, return pump, heater, etc...

For QTs, I love my 20g AIO setup! You can get by with just a heater & return pump. In fact, you don't want other filtrations with meds.

 

[rtparty]

I have had multiple of both types and they both have their place. I think sump systems are far more complicated and much more intimidating for newer hobbyists. I think it is a disservice to recommend sump systems to most newbies.

I traded in my 250g sump system for a 25g AIO and so far I really like going back to an AIO. Beyond simple, very little maintenance, easy to get going, and easy to recommend to others.

I think most make this hobby far more complicated and harder than it needs to be. Setting up another AIO has brought me back to my roots and simplified decisions.

 

[backbayreef]

I have had multiple of both types and they both have their place. I think sump systems are far more complicated and much more intimidating for newer hobbyists. I think it is a disservice to recommend sump systems to most newbies.

I traded in my 250g sump system for a 25g AIO and so far I really like going back to an AIO. Beyond simple, very little maintenance, easy to get going, and easy to recommend to others.

I think most make this hobby far more complicated and harder than it needs to be. Setting up another AIO has brought me back to my roots and simplified decisions.

I think that this question can be answered due to tank size right, esp with you going from 250g to 25g. I don't think you can do an AIO (or be successful at it) having an AIO 250g; at least that's going to be very clunky since the filtration requirement for a 250g is much more substantial to support all livestock. Personally for me, anything 60g+, you'll need a sump to hide all the big gear.

 

[rtparty]

I think that this question can be answered due to tank size right, esp with you going from 250g to 25g. I don't think you can do an AIO (or be successful at it) having an AIO 250g; at least that's going to be very clunky since the filtration requirement for a 250g is much more substantial to support all livestock. Personally for me, anything 60g+, you'll need a sump to hide all the big gear.

I was pondering what a 250g AIO would look like and how to run it. Mine has dart frogs in it now so I can't test that theory yet....

but this system is large and sumpless. Super cool thread to read
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sps-lagoon-without-protein-skimmer.325433/

 

[B&CinB.C.]

Can we take a moment and just talk about the advantages and disadvantages of setting up an "all in one saltwater aquarium" or AIO over a traditional tank that you source all the pieces of needed equipment?

Why or why not an AIO Aquarium?

image via @Innovative Marine

I guess I'll find out . Leak testing a new flex 32.5 right now

 

[RWReefer]

I have had multiple of both types and they both have their place. I think sump systems are far more complicated and much more intimidating for newer hobbyists. I think it is a disservice to recommend sump systems to most newbies.

I traded in my 250g sump system for a 25g AIO and so far I really like going back to an AIO. Beyond simple, very little maintenance, easy to get going, and easy to recommend to others.

I think most make this hobby far more complicated and harder than it needs to be. Setting up another AIO has brought me back to my roots and simplified decisions.

Don’t mean to go off topic, but are you the same rtparty from THP?

 

[rtparty]

Don’t mean to go off topic, but are you the same rtparty from THP?

Yep

 

[RWReefer]

Yep

Thought I recognized the name. First one I’ve seen in the wild lol.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I've never been one for AIO's. I've always been of the belief they cut corners when put together. That being said, I have absolutely NOTHING to back that statement AND I've never owned one. Call me a control freak, but I prefer choosing my own tank and equipment on my own to best serve my needs. All this being said I came THAAAAAT close to getting one a few months ago just for the convenience of it all. There is something to be said for plug and play. But I decided against it. A BIG part of owning a system for me is researching, purchasing and putting it all together. .......But the thought still lingers........

 

[Daniel92481]

AIO’s are so streamlined these days. For the price of a few display inches, you get a functional setup without all of the (dare I say) unnecessary equipment. I think it all really depends on the type of fish you want to keep, the type of coral, and how much coral you want to put in it. Don’t get me wrong, I love a tank with a jillion corals but it is also nice to go small and really concentrate on a few of your preferred favorites.

All that being said, I have never owned a tank with a sump although I have thought about it once or twelve times. :)

 

[Nano_Tuners]

AIO all day… my two big positives being no threat of sump overflows and zero drain noise

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

So, I have both. Three with sumps and one AIO. I feel my AIO gives me more trouble with nutrients and detritus. It seems I can't get the flow I need. It is a 30L AIO. For me, it just seems more work and effort.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I started with an AIO tank and love mine. It is nice just having everything there and ready to go. Now, when I buy a bigger tank? I'll end up not doing an AIO