Designing the Perfect Small AIO. Post your feature request, or wish list & let's build it!
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OP
OP
Jim emailed me March 9th saying the tank would ship last week, but I haven't heard anything since
OP
OP
Good morning everyone. I am been traveling several daysand do not always have internet access. By way of update, several units shipped last week and almost all of the rest of the promotional tanks will ship today and tomorrow. We got buried with orders but catching up. They turned out quite nicely and hopefully all of you will approve. Thank you for your patience
OP
OP
This is something we have been considering. They are selling for around $150 correct? We were considering selling our version that would silicone into the back of the tank rather than having a full back. Interested in this version?
OP
OP
"TxS"is thread on the bulkhead side and slip on the stem.
OP
OP
I don't have any pics. I will check with our production team later today. Not in Arizona at the moment
Mhamilton0911
BitterSalty
The one I bought was 129.99. The larger sizes were a bit more. But yes, extremely interested in another option. I was planning on completely sealing the insert against the back, so having that extra back panel isn't really needed in my situation, and would certainly reduce cost.
Actually, would it be possible to have all the required pieces cut and basic assembly instructions? That would be able to be flat pack shipped and reduce shipping costs.
I'm also wanting to add an aio insert to my 75g tank so if you are able to offer larger sizes that would be sweet.
OP
OP
Exactly what we had in mind. Please draw up the pieces with dimensions. We will send you one at no charge
Okay. Here are some shots of the tank.
As it arrived
After a little cleanup
Back left
and back right
So what do I like and what would I change? Well first off my wife took one look at it and said she really likes the look of an acrylic tank much better than even our low-iron glass tank. It looks really nice. The acrylic is nicely finished. I like the tank--a lot.
The sump dimensions are roughly (the dimension in parentheses is to the top of the bulkhead plate) the other height is to the overflow grate.
AIO Section
Chamber 1: 4 x 3 x 8 (9 11/16)
Chamber 2: 4 x 2 1/8 x 3 5/8 (6 3/4)
Chamber 3: 4 x 4 x 3 5/8 (6 3/4)
Bulkhead 1/2" TxS
Display Section
5 3/8 x 9.5 x 7 3/4 (9 5/8)
It is a very generous sump. Maybe too generous. I think if I were designing it I would have made the sump depth 3.5 " instead of 4.0" to give a slightly larger display and still big enough for most suitable pumps. I think the chamber 2-to-chamber 3 plate is to short and the grate starts too low. I will block off part of the grate to raise the chamber 2 height enough to fit more small heaters. I think I will try to make an adjustable grate-gate for that plate, probably a piece of acrylic with two thumbscrews... someday. Right now that is conjecture because until I get it wet and watch how the sump works I'm basing my observations on assumptions.
I'm actually not sure what I'm going to do with the tank at this point as the lack of lid changes things. I'm glad I have it though and it will get used even if I have to have a custom lid built.
As it arrived
After a little cleanup
Back left
and back right
So what do I like and what would I change? Well first off my wife took one look at it and said she really likes the look of an acrylic tank much better than even our low-iron glass tank. It looks really nice. The acrylic is nicely finished. I like the tank--a lot.
The sump dimensions are roughly (the dimension in parentheses is to the top of the bulkhead plate) the other height is to the overflow grate.
AIO Section
Chamber 1: 4 x 3 x 8 (9 11/16)
Chamber 2: 4 x 2 1/8 x 3 5/8 (6 3/4)
Chamber 3: 4 x 4 x 3 5/8 (6 3/4)
Bulkhead 1/2" TxS
Display Section
5 3/8 x 9.5 x 7 3/4 (9 5/8)
It is a very generous sump. Maybe too generous. I think if I were designing it I would have made the sump depth 3.5 " instead of 4.0" to give a slightly larger display and still big enough for most suitable pumps. I think the chamber 2-to-chamber 3 plate is to short and the grate starts too low. I will block off part of the grate to raise the chamber 2 height enough to fit more small heaters. I think I will try to make an adjustable grate-gate for that plate, probably a piece of acrylic with two thumbscrews... someday. Right now that is conjecture because until I get it wet and watch how the sump works I'm basing my observations on assumptions.
I'm actually not sure what I'm going to do with the tank at this point as the lack of lid changes things. I'm glad I have it though and it will get used even if I have to have a custom lid built.
OP
OP
We built that? the width is easy to change. The second baffle we made lower to accommodate a light mount. The lids will be finished soon. Can't a heater mount on the first baffle?Okay. Here are some shots of the tank.
As it arrived
After a little cleanup
Back left
and back right
So what do I like and what would I change? Well first off my wife took one look at it and said she really likes the look of an acrylic tank much better than even our low-iron glass tank. It looks really nice. The acrylic is nicely finished. I like the tank--a lot.
The sump dimensions are roughly (the dimension in parentheses is to the top of the bulkhead plate) the other height is to the overflow grate.
AIO Section
Chamber 1: 4 x 3 x 8 (9 11/16)
Chamber 2: 4 x 2 1/8 x 3 5/8 (6 3/4)
Chamber 3: 4 x 4 x 3 5/8 (6 3/4)
Bulkhead 1/2" TxS
Display Section
5 3/8 x 9.5 x 7 3/4 (9 5/8)
It is a very generous sump. Maybe too generous. I think if I were designing it I would have made the sump depth 3.5 " instead of 4.0" to give a slightly larger display and still big enough for most suitable pumps. I think the chamber 2-to-chamber 3 plate is to short and the grate starts too low. I will block off part of the grate to raise the chamber 2 height enough to fit more small heaters. I think I will try to make an adjustable grate-gate for that plate, probably a piece of acrylic with two thumbscrews... someday. Right now that is conjecture because until I get it wet and watch how the sump works I'm basing my observations on assumptions.
I'm actually not sure what I'm going to do with the tank at this point as the lack of lid changes things. I'm glad I have it though and it will get used even if I have to have a custom lid built.
Well, it has your serial tag on the bottom...
It is actually quite nice. The overall height of the second plate is pretty good and it will work quite well with any light I would use. Well done. The problem is the grate starts too low. Yes, a heater could go easily in the first chamber but as many small AIOs use the first chamber for additional bio-media and, of course, mechanical filtration it usually isn't the best place for the heater. I personally always use the second chamber for the heater/skimmer/etc., anything that needs a consistent water height. I plan to make, or have made, a simple media basket for chamber 1 to hold some floss and a media bag.
I just got it wet. So far it is passing the leak test with flying colors. Based on that I am also going to look into some kind of a weir plate for the overflow. I feel the display looks best with the water level 3/4" to 1" below the top lip.
Disregard my comments for now. I'm going to have to get a pump in it before I assume further. I just realized that I've never worked with an AIO where the return is lower than the overflow weirs. I'm not sure what that will look like under power. So my next step is to find a small pump and the bulkhead fittings needed to power it up.
OP
OP
What I meant is the heater can mount on the first baffle but be in the second chamber. This is a wet/wet system. Unless I am missing something, the water level will always be the same in the filter as it is in the main view area. This is why we did not use any adjustable weirs. Back in the day, we built our AIO's in this manner before going to a full wet/dry system. In the wet/wet like this the water level does not change. In our Simplicity Wet/dry we have an adjustable gate right before the trickle plate. Changing the baffle slots is no big deal. We can raise them. It was designed like this to ensure unhindered water flow in case of media being placed in the first and second chambers.
Mhamilton0911
BitterSalty
I don't really know much about the design and placement of baffles, chamber sizes etc. But i did measure my tank height at 17 3/4" from the bottom glass to the plastic trim ring.
I did find this example from OceanBox Designs
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OP
OP
Another design we build mostly in very large 350+ gallon peninsula tanks is what we call a "stacked" wet/dry. inlet slots, to open cell sponge which sits on a trickle plate under which sits bio media. Finally at the bottom is a bulkhead to the external sump. In smaller peninsulas, the bulkhead is replaced with a return pump like in the image below. This was another design option we considered for these small tanks. If you haven't seen the entire family, check it out. Quite a few options now. >>>> https://tenecoraquariums.com/collections/miniquarium. Our next project is the frag tank lineup. We did not realize there was such a demand for small tanks. Our main work is the big stuff 350+ and sometimes we lose sight of the smaller aquariums. We also introduced a line of jellyfish tanks with similar filtration.
OP
OP
How wide is the inside dimesnion of your aquarium?
Okay, I understand. I'm sure it will work out fine.
I guess I prefer the AIOs with the back designed more like an in-tank sump. Chamber 1 is full display height. Chamber 2 is lower and constant height. Chamber 3 is lower still for the return. That way you can have media in chamber 1, anything that requires, or at least benefits from, constant height in chamber 2 and just the return and ATO sensor in chamber 3. That is the best for consistent salinity as most electric/electronic ATOs require about a 1" drop in height to trigger a refill. In an all-the-same height AIO that means the entire tank has to drop 1" whereas the (standard sump design) for a lower return chamber only has to drop the 4"x4" section (in this tank) 1" to trigger the refill. Much less evaporation before the refill.
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