IM 25 Lagoon AIO Return Pump and Skimmer Suggestions

[Fish Fan]

Hey guys! I recently ordered an IM Nuvo Fusion 25 gallon AIO lagoon tank to use as something of a Frag/Invert QT tank. I had wanted a larger tank for this project, but I'm also planning a new 150 gallon display tank, so my budget was kind of limited, and I almost threw up a little when I saw the prices of some of the 30-40 gallon AIO's lol! This 25 lagoon is currently 20% off, if anyone else is interested.

I'm looking for suggestions on a return pump for this tank. This tank has dual return nozzles, and I have on hand a IM MightyJet 538, which I can use with the "Y" spliter to feed both returns. But, last night I found a reefer here on R2R selling two brand new MightyJet 326's for a great price, so I grabbed them. I thought I can just fit them both in this tank, then I'd have slightly more water flow potential and some redundancy to my return pumps. I have definitely heard of people running two return pumps on this tank.

But I'm newly concerned that there's not quite enough room to fit both of the smaller MightyJets in the return section of this tank. The specs on the pumps say that they are 4.13" long and the return section of the tank measures 8.7" long. So there's "just" enough room for the two pumps, but I'm concerned that it's so tight that the water flow will be reduced.

What do you guys who have this tank do for return pump(s)?

And though I plan to start without one, could someone please suggest a skimmer that fits this tank, actually works, and Ideally is pretty low-profile?

Thanks guys!

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks! I was just looking to do that!

Anyone out there have this tank?

 

[BristleWormHater]

I have this tank!
I think the mightyjet 538 is really your best bet, should be plenty of flow.

 

[Fish Fan]

I have this tank!
I think the mightyjet 538 is really your best bet, should be plenty of flow.

Awesome, thank you! I know some reefers do use two pumps on this tank, I just don't know if they are using the MightyJets or maybe a couple of small Jaebo's or something like that.

 

[Jason Coy]

I'm not familiar with the tank you are using but what is the size of the return area front to back? If you wanted to use two pumps could you turn them 90° and put both of them in there that way and maybe have more room? Not sure the dimensions of the pump but unless they're square, the width of the pump is probably less than the length and would give you more room side to side if they will fit the other way. Hope that makes sense and helps.

Something else you could try is if you have all three pumps, try the single and try the two pumps and see which one puts out more flow if all you are concerned about is losing flow with the two pumps.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm not familiar with the tank you are using but what is the size of the return area front to back? If you wanted to use two pumps could you turn them 90° and put both of them in there that way and maybe have more room? Not sure the dimensions of the pump but unless they're square, the width of the pump is probably less than the length and would give you more room side to side if they will fit the other way. Hope that makes sense and helps.

Something else you could try is if you have all three pumps, try the single and try the two pumps and see which one puts out more flow if all you are concerned about is losing flow with the two pumps.

Thank you for your reply! I'm not sure, but I don't think any of these pumps fit the tank if I turn them sideways.

I'm less concerned about flow than I am about just having some redundancy to my return pumps.

The tank was delivered, but I have not had a chance to open the box and see what pump(s) may fit best.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[misturrtinnie]

I use a mighty jet and a bubble magnus protein skimmer.

 

[reefiniteasy]

I used the IceCap AIO 120 in my IM 25 Lagoon.

https://www.coralvue.com/icecap-aio-120-all-in-one-aquarium-protein-skimmer

 

[Jason Coy]

I use a mighty jet and a bubble magnus protein skimmer.

Is that the smaller internal skimmer?

 

[Fish Fan]

I use a mighty jet and a bubble magnus protein skimmer.

Thank you! I'm trying to figure out if I should use my 1 MightyJet 538, or my two MightyJet 326's. I'm more concerned with having the redundancy of two pump rather than the slightly greater potential flow.

I'm just not sure if the two MightyJet 326's will fit. I have the tank now, but I've been too busy to even crack the box to look lol!

 

[Fish Fan]

Oh, and for a skimmer (if I even need one), I was kind of liking the newer IM NuvoSkim:

https://www.innovative-marine.com/s...I1x6LRMG3tVrNggRcTUCZq254DZ_ZTaHuoSOZOQV-t_m6

 

[Jason Coy]

Thank you! I'm trying to figure out if I should use my 1 MightyJet 538, or my two MightyJet 326's. I'm more concerned with having the redundancy of two pump rather than the slightly greater potential flow.

I'm just not sure if the two MightyJet 326's will fit. I have the tank now, but I've been too busy to even crack the box to look lol!

Doesn't the tank come with 2 pumps? Maybe you could use 1 of them and then use 1 of the mighty jets. Redundancy would be nice.

Another option might be to place one of the pumps on a makeshift stand so it sits above the other pump. Maybe that would give you more room?

 

[Aaron75]

I really like these for AIO return pumps. Incredibly small footprint , cheap, and they definitely move some water.

 

[Jason Coy]

Oh, and for a skimmer (if I even need one), I was kind of liking the newer IM NuvoSkim:

https://www.innovative-marine.com/s...I1x6LRMG3tVrNggRcTUCZq254DZ_ZTaHuoSOZOQV-t_m6

That skimmer looks nice

 

[Fish Fan]

That skimmer looks nice

It does, I like the low profile, and they say it out performs their older desktop skimmer.

 

[Aaron75]

As for skimmers, the Bubble Magus Mini Q is really good, took a long time for microbubbles to clear up. Also, a company here om R2R, IOAIO has skimmers that you may be able to try for free. Look for the thread and let em know you're interested. I use one on my tank and it skims.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Tunze has a skimmer that fits this tank perfectly, definitely on my list of pick ups!

 

[Fish Fan]

Doesn't the tank come with 2 pumps? Maybe you could use 1 of them and then use 1 of the mighty jets. Redundancy would be nice.

Another option might be to place one of the pumps on a makeshift stand so it sits above the other pump. Maybe that would give you more room?

I think it does, but they are not that great, and worth replacing, in my opinion.

I really like these for AIO return pumps. Incredibly small footprint , cheap, and they definitely move some water.

I like that, it looks like a knock off of the MightyJet mini, which has a similar footprint. But, I already have both 2 MightyJet 326's and 1 MightJet 538. I know the 538 with a splitter will work, just wondering if I can fit the two small pumps.

 

[Fish Fan]

Tunze has a skimmer that fits this tank perfectly, definitely on my list of pick ups!

That's an option for sure.