Help Me Choose My Next Tank! (Innovative Marine AIO or EXT)

AIO or Sump model?

  • AIO

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  • Sump

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Maddlesrain

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I'm wanting to upgrade my system to something a little more modern looking, and have whittled down my options to two models:

1. SR Pro 2 80 AIO Aquarium w/ APS Stand
2. EXT 75 Gallon Complete Reef System

These two tanks are similarly sized and won't be overpowering in the space I have available in my apartment. I'm intrigued by the AIO system, but have never maintained one before! I do prefer a simplified filtration. If I can get away with a refugium to do most of the work, I'm happy. Most of the comments I see shying away from the AIO are worries about adding a skimmer—I don't currently use a skimmer, so this doesn't bother me so much.

I'm looking for pros / cons of each, especially from anyone that has maintained either model (or similar IM tanks). I appreciate the feedback!
 

divewsharks

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I actually recently looked at these two just recently. I currently have a IM40 AIO and a 150G w/ sump. While the AIO is a simpler setup-- no skimmer, just water changes. My ultimate preference is having the sump below and display up top. I get more room in the tank as its deeper front to back for coral growth/placement and fish swimming room, all the gear is below so fewer thing running up behind the tank.
Ultimately i ended up with a dark horse in the race, a UNS90R, one of my local shops just began carrying them, so i got to inspect and play with display they had just began cycling. They ordered one for me that arrives this week.
 
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Maddlesrain

Maddlesrain

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I actually recently looked at these two just recently. I currently have a IM40 AIO and a 150G w/ sump. While the AIO is a simpler setup-- no skimmer, just water changes. My ultimate preference is having the sump below and display up top. I get more room in the tank as its deeper front to back for coral growth/placement and fish swimming room, all the gear is below so fewer thing running up behind the tank.
Ultimately i ended up with a dark horse in the race, a UNS90R, one of my local shops just began carrying them, so i got to inspect and play with display they had just began cycling. They ordered one for me that arrives this week.
Thank you for the response! I hadn't even thought about UNS tanks—I have a 3 gallon model for freshwater. Is this the model you went for? https://buceplant.com/products/uns-reef-system-r90

I'll have to look more into them!

My current set-up has a sump, and I'm leaning that way the more I think about it. I like the ability to add on / automate things more freely. I have certain equipment I'd like to add such as a UV sterilizer that I'm realizing might not work well with the AIO setup.
 

divewsharks

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Thank you for the response! I hadn't even thought about UNS tanks—I have a 3 gallon model for freshwater. Is this the model you went for? https://buceplant.com/products/uns-reef-system-r90

I'll have to look more into them!

My current set-up has a sump, and I'm leaning that way the more I think about it. I like the ability to add on / automate things more freely. I have certain equipment I'd like to add such as a UV sterilizer that I'm realizing might not work well with the AIO setup.
Yes that is the tank that i have coming.
The flexibility of the sump is key, never know what the future holds.
 

edsbeaker

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I have had both, and prefer a sump. I like the option of having a full size skimmer, refugium, and hiding my heater. Even doing maintenance was difficult because of the tight space. I felt very trapped with a AIO.

I have a IM 75 EXT set up now, no refugium space but do have an algae turf scrubber. A new IM170 in my garage waiting to be set up. They are very nice tanks.
 
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Maddlesrain

Maddlesrain

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I have had both, and prefer a sump. I like the option of having a full size skimmer, refugium, and hiding my heater. Even doing maintenance was difficult because of the tight space. I felt very trapped with a AIO.

I have a IM 75 EXT set up now, no refugium space but do have an algae turf scrubber. A new IM170 in my garage waiting to be set up. They are very nice tanks.
I have a Deltec MC500 skimmer that I measured and I *think* I could get it into the AIO. I'm not even using the skimmer on my current tank because it wont fit properly in my sump—I wouldn't be able to get it out of my stand for maitenance. For some reason the idea of no sump is really appealing to me, but I also have always had sumps, so there's a comfort in knowing what to expect with the sump.

From your experience with the AIO, is the water level in that chamber about the same as the display portion? I feel silly asking, but I really don't have any frame of reference! Haha
Also, it's hard to tell from their website, but it appears that the back panels of the stands are open (for all of the tank models).

I really like the look of the IM 75 EXT. The only reason I'm talking myself out of the sump is because I like the idea of having all of the cabinet room to display all of my controller equipment and organize cords.
 

edsbeaker

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From your experience with the AIO, is the water level in that chamber about the same as the display portion? I feel silly asking, but I really don't have any frame of reference! Haha
Also, it's hard to tell from their website, but it appears that the back panels of the stands are open (for all of the tank models).

I really like the look of the IM 75 EXT. The only reason I'm talking myself out of the sump is because I like the idea of having all of the cabinet room to display all of my controller equipment and organize cords.
My AIO was a Redsea, so I can’t give you any details of the water level in the back sump of the IM. The one thing I can say is that if you are going with IM EXT 75 sump, it does not have space for a refugium anyway, so you wouldn’t be giving that up with the AIO. The other thing is with the IM sump in the EXT 75 that cabinet has very little room for anything! So if you were hoping to use the cabinet space for controllers and plugs it will be a difficult fit. I think it would also be tight if you got your own sump.

Here are a couple of photos from the front and through the side door. You have about 3-4” of space on each side of the sump and probably 2” in the front and that’s about all.

IMG_0925.jpeg
IMG_0926.jpeg


I have a closet behind my tank so I have all my electronics, dosers, and trident in there.

IMG_0927.jpeg


Before I moved this tank to this location I had all of my equipment in a cabinet next to the tank. If you aren’t able to do that, then in your case, you may be better off with a AIO. Space to store things is an important consideration.
 
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Maddlesrain

Maddlesrain

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My AIO was a Redsea, so I can’t give you any details of the water level in the back sump of the IM. The one thing I can say is that if you are going with IM EXT 75 sump, it does not have space for a refugium anyway, so you wouldn’t be giving that up with the AIO. The other thing is with the IM sump in the EXT 75 that cabinet has very little room for anything! So if you were hoping to use the cabinet space for controllers and plugs it will be a difficult fit. I think it would also be tight if you got your own sump.

Here are a couple of photos from the front and through the side door. You have about 3-4” of space on each side of the sump and probably 2” in the front and that’s about all.

IMG_0925.jpeg
IMG_0926.jpeg


I have a closet behind my tank so I have all my electronics, dosers, and trident in there.

IMG_0927.jpeg


Before I moved this tank to this location I had all of my equipment in a cabinet next to the tank. If you aren’t able to do that, then in your case, you may be better off with a AIO. Space to store things is an important consideration.
Thank you for these images! This helps tremendously in adding to my pros and cons list for each! I'm in an apartment, so I really don't have much room to add additional cabinets. It looks like you've utilized the space you do have really well! Also, jealous of the fish closet haha! I think, ultimately, they're both solid tanks and I'd be happy (and at points annoyed) with either of them.
 

corosato

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I have the 80sr2 pro and I love it. I know everyone loves sumps but for me putting the tank where I put it, I wanted as much water volume as I could without going over what I was comfortable with for weight. Plus my wife preferred the idea of water not leaving the box lol.

IMG_1243.jpeg
 

corosato

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For water level in the back chamber, it's not the same as the display. I basically filled the middle section (where the return pumps are) just until the pumps quieted down. a few inches lower than the baffles.
 
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Maddlesrain

Maddlesrain

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I have the 80sr2 pro and I love it. I know everyone loves sumps but for me putting the tank where I put it, I wanted as much water volume as I could without going over what I was comfortable with for weight. Plus my wife preferred the idea of water not leaving the box lol.

IMG_1243.jpeg
How long have you had yours? I'm in the same boat as far as trying to maximize the space I have available. Luckily I'm on the ground floor so weight doesn't concern me too much.

Maybe you can help answer this question for me: I've been trying to figure out how much space is between the return pump outlets here (and how far into the back these potrude)?

Thank you for also answering the question about the water level! Hypothetically, though, you could raise it further if you wanted?
 

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corosato

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set mine up in July. the space between there is ~8 or 9 inches. you could raise the water level a bit but I like to have the slight waterfall there for extra aeration.
 
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Maddlesrain

Maddlesrain

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set mine up in July. the space between there is ~8 or 9 inches. you could raise the water level a bit but I like to have the slight waterfall there for extra aeration.

the returns stick out about 2 inches at the bend
Thank you! This information really helps. I bought so much equipment that I just have sitting around, and I think this may be my chance to use at least some of it.

Do you ever remove the pumps for cleaning? From your photo, it seems like a nice, sleek, setup!

Go with the AIO if you want to relax more. Go with the EXT (and sump) if you want more of a challenge and enjoy 'tinkering' with things.
Honestly, I'm hoping the AIO would take me to a new level that the sump I have currently isn't giving me. I don't want complicated, but I have a lot of external equipment that I'd love to be able to use. My hope would be that most of it could be hidden in the stand and feed into the AIO baffle. I'll have to see how much room there actually is and decide what's worth the hassle.

If you've had any AIO, is there any particular add-on you felt really changed the game for you?
 

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