Howdy, Chris here, back from 10 years of a 120 Gallon saltwater tank.

[Aqua2Infinity]

Hello. Glad to be a part of this reefing forum. Just got off the phone with Innovative Marine Systems. Back in the the day I had a 120 gallon reef. Looking to get back into it. Been looking at 25 gallon lagoon system AIO. Had a Biocube 29 back in the day, and for whatever reasons didn’t turn out well. The 120 did ok. To the reef aquarium experts… Better off with a 50 to 60 gallon with sump, or a smaller AIO? Thanks in advance. Chris

 

[revhtree]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!
Going to depend on your size constraints and your preference and end goals. Me personally i'd do the 60 gallon with sump.

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[clowndaddy420]

dude! go for the 120 of course

 

[edsbeaker]

Hello and welcome!
I have had an AIO and sump, and prefer the sump. The problem with the smaller IM tanks with sumps is that the sump takes up the entire cabinet space, so not much room for controllers and other equipment. This was the case for my 75 gallon, but I had a fish room behind my tank. If you don’t have room for a separate cabinet or separate fish room you may want to consider the AIO. It’s a personal choice with pros and cons for each.

Either way I wouldn’t go any smaller then the 60 gallon.

 

[mad city fish]

Hello. Glad to be a part of this reefing forum. Just got off the phone with Innovative Marine Systems. Back in the the day I had a 120 gallon reef. Looking to get back into it. Been looking at 25 gallon lagoon system AIO. Had a Biocube 29 back in the day, and for whatever reasons didn’t turn out well. The 120 did ok. To the reef aquarium experts… Better off with a 50 to 60 gallon with sump, or a smaller AIO? Thanks in advance. Chris

Welcome! Your question is such a personalized one in that it depends on so many factors. I am currently setting up a 75 with sump, after having just set up an IM Nuvo 20 AIO a few months ago. I, like you have returned to the hobby after a break. I previously thought I wanted to “keep it small”, but found myself wanting a bigger tank. Long story short, I’ll be breaking down the 20 soon. So, if you have the time and budget, go bigger. I don’t think you’ll regret it. But some of the most beautiful tanks I have seen are smaller nano tanks. They can really pack a punch.

 

[Just John]

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[eggie]

Hi Welcome Back

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome Chris!

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board. hello from PA!

 

[fishface NJ]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!

 

[RockRash]

 

[oliver1812]

Welcome to Reef to Reef!!

I would start with the 60gal or larger tank, just to get your reefing legs under you. If you find that you love the hobby, then go as big as you can go. Get informed, define what you will call successful this first time out of the gate and set the correct expectations for yourself. Do those three things and you will love it.