Help me with pro/con list for new tank

hllb · Dec 3, 2024

I am moving and having a hard time deciding between tank type. I have put together a pro/con list and would like help adding to it, or get people's opinoins.


IM SR Pro 2 80 (AIO 80g)		IM EXT 75 (External Overflow 75g)		IM INT 75 (Internal Overflow 75g)
Pros	Cons		Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
Lots of storage	Very limited in space for skimmer		More space in display area due to no overflow	Limited Storage under tank so would need additional furniture piece	Lots of space for skimmer	Limited Storage under tank so would need additional furniture piece
Unlikely to ever leak or flood	Will see extra equipment in sump area		Lots of space for skimmer	Would need to attach lights to wall or ceiling	May be able to have refugium	Cannot put powerheads on back wall
4' for better swimming room	Can't have refugium due to space		May be able to have refugium	If bulkheads leak, would be on the floor	Easy installation of lights on back of overflow	More difficult to access bulkheads for maintenance
Easy installation of lights on back of sump area			Potentially easier access to overflow for maintenance	Would need to sit further from the wall	Can use existing lights	Need to find mounting area for controller
Would sit close to wall			Can place powerheads on back wall	More expensive	If bulkheads leak, would likely be contained in sump area and may protect flooring	More expensive
No need for additional furniture piece for storage			Can use existing lights		Would sit close to wall	Overflow takes up space in display
Less Expensive			Controller could likely be mounted behind tank



To buy:	2 new skimmers		To buy:	Wall or Ceiling Mount for lights	To buy:	Arm mounts for lights
	1 new light

JTP424 · Dec 3, 2024

I'd drop in approx costs to get everything up and running for each of them

I.E. you've got the "To buy" section, adding a dollar amount puts a more tangible/database point applied.
Might also want to add a "priority rating" to each line... will help you determine which are your high-hitting factors and allow a less subjective review

hllb · Dec 3, 2024

JTP424 said:
I'd drop in approx costs to get everything up and running for each of them I.E. you've got the "To buy" section, adding a dollar amount puts a more tangible/database point applied.
Might also want to add a "priority rating" to each line... will help you determine which are your high-hitting factors and allow a less subjective review

Good points. I'm not super concerned about the pricing, but I do like a good priority list. I had a numeric rating when we were house shopping that did exactly that LOL.

JTP424 · Dec 3, 2024

hllb said:
Good points. I'm not super concerned about the pricing, but I do like a good priority list. I had a numeric rating when we were house shopping that did exactly that LOL.

Awesome! They always help me look at it from a logical perspective...
I think you have a good list here, it comes down to preferences.

ninjamyst · Dec 3, 2024

IMO, this is easy decision. IM Ext 75.

- above 50g, you need space for equipments so AIO is out.
- IM INT wastes display space with no benefits and overflow becomes a nitrate factory filled with tube worms

This is coming from someone that went from 12g to 75g red sea reefer 350 to IM INT 200 peninsula.

hllb · Dec 3, 2024

ninjamyst said:
IMO, this is easy decision. IM Ext 75.

- above 50g, you need space for equipments so AIO is out.
- IM INT wastes display space with no benefits and overflow becomes a nitrate factory filled with tube worms

This is coming from someone that went from 12g to 75g red sea reefer 350 to IM INT 200 peninsula.

My big concern with the EXT (I have an internal overflow with sump now, a 65g custom acrylic tank) is potential leaks on the bulkheads (my current tank had a slow bulkhead leak, but because it was internal overflow, the leak just landed in the sump anyway, which was convenient), and the PITA that is attaching lights. I want to use the screen top both to keep fish in and keep cats out, and that means I'd have to either hang lights from ceiling or mount to wall somehow. That is complicated by the fact that the tank will likely be in front of a window, so, not even sure I could do a wall mount - I'm not sure how wide the window is exactly.

ninjamyst · Dec 3, 2024

hllb said:
My big concern with the EXT (I have an internal overflow with sump now, a 65g custom acrylic tank) is potential leaks on the bulkheads (my current tank had a slow bulkhead leak, but because it was internal overflow, the leak just landed in the sump anyway, which was convenient), and the PITA that is attaching lights. I want to use the screen top both to keep fish in and keep cats out, and that means I'd have to either hang lights from ceiling or mount to wall somehow. That is complicated by the fact that the tank will likely be in front of a window, so, not even sure I could do a wall mount - I'm not sure how wide the window is exactly.

In that case, INT will work. IM makes both for exactly these reasons and both will be great.

hllb · Dec 3, 2024

ninjamyst said:
In that case, INT will work. IM makes both for exactly these reasons and both will be great.

Yeah, I keep going back and forth in my brain...and then the storage in the AIO is so attractive. Hence my post....then I remind myself that I have an INT now, and while it has some things I don't like, it's mostly worked. Trying to work on that leaky bulkhead was a real pain though, so the EXT was attractive for that. Initially I thought I could mount the lights on the back of the overflow, but I emailed IM and they said a definite no.

edsbeaker · Dec 3, 2024

I am upgrading from my IM 75 EXT to a IM EXT 170 right now. I love having the EXT. If you didn’t have the concern of the leaky bulkheads, it’s IMO the winner! No other tank configuration gives you the additional space. It makes aquascaping and flow patterns a breeze having that flat wall in the back, and that extra space is a gift! INT would be my second choice. Have you ever had an AIO? Some like them but I found them very limiting and prefer sumps.

hllb · Dec 3, 2024

edsbeaker said:
I am upgrading from my IM 75 EXT to a IM EXT 170 right now. I love having the EXT. If you didn’t have the concern of the leaky bulkheads I would say get the EXT for the additional space. It makes aquascaping and flow patterns a breeze having that flat wall in the back, and that extra space is a gift! INT would be my second choice. Have you ever had an AIO? Some like them but I found them very limiting and prefer sumps.

I had a 32g AIO and did find it limiting. I had had a sump in the past and missed it.

ninjamyst · Dec 3, 2024

hllb said:
Yeah, I keep going back and forth in my brain...and then the storage in the AIO is so attractive. Hence my post....then I remind myself that I have an INT now, and while it has some things I don't like, it's mostly worked. Trying to work on that leaky bulkhead was a real pain though, so the EXT was attractive for that. Initially I thought I could mount the lights on the back of the overflow, but I emailed IM and they said a definite no.

If your concern is light and you got the money for it, just get a custom lid built. For my INT 200, the IM top was too flimsy and I had to get a custom lid anyways. They can make cutouts for your lights and pump cords

edsbeaker · Dec 3, 2024

I’ve been keeping tanks for 30 years, and after initial set up and fixing any plumbing issues I haven’t experienced any bulkhead leaks later on. That would be a pain, but I’m not sure how often it really happens, but definitely can understand the concern there.
One thing, regarding a possible Refugium. The 75 gallon only comes with 3 sections, the drain, skimmer and return, so really no place for a Refugium. I was able to fit an algae turf scrubber in my return, though.

hllb · Dec 3, 2024

edsbeaker said:
I’ve been keeping tanks for 30 years, and after initial set up and fixing any plumbing issues I haven’t experienced any bulkhead leaks later on. That would be a pain, but I’m not sure how often it really happens, but definitely can understand the concern there.
One thing, regarding a possible Refugium. The 75 gallon only comes with 3 sections, the drain, skimmer and return, so really no place for a Refugium. I was able to fit an algae turf scrubber in my return, though.

Thanks, I did know there isn't a refugium section, but I had a couple of ideas for possibly fitting in a small one. I am not currently keeping a fuge, though I had one, and after 3 years, the chaeto just randomly died. Not entirely sure why, my corals were thriving. So if I couldn't fit in a fuge, it would be status quo to my current tank.

edsbeaker · Dec 3, 2024

ninjamyst said:
If your concern is light and you got the money for it, just get a custom lid built. For my INT 200, the IM top was too flimsy and I had to get a custom lid anyways. They can make cutouts for your lights and pump cords

Or hang them???

hllb · Dec 3, 2024

ninjamyst said:
If your concern is light and you got the money for it, just get a custom lid built. For my INT 200, the IM top was too flimsy and I had to get a custom lid anyways. They can make cutouts for your lights and pump cords

I had thought of this, and then promptly forgotten. Do you have photos of your custom lid, and where you got it?

hllb · Dec 3, 2024

edsbeaker said:
Or hang them???

Yeah, it's definitely an option. It's not one I love, but is an option.

X-37B · Dec 3, 2024

I have an ext 170 and ext 50.
I have had the standard corner overflow for 30+ and prefer the ext variation.
I mounted my lights on both systems using 8020.
With the aoi or the im internal you can easily mount the 8020 to the back of the stand.
It a little harder with the ext due to plumbing constraints but doable.
This is my ext 50 with 3 xr15's for reference.

hllb · Dec 3, 2024

Looking at the Kraken reef lids. Other suggestions? Expensive, but I'm OK throwing money at things to get the function I want. I like the idea of an EXT tank. I could likely put a protector behind the tank in the off chance a bulkhead leaks. I think it would be less likely to leak with an EXT than my INT, as it'll be easier to access and tighten. My INT was a real pain to tighten those connections.