IM AIO Mechanical Filtration

[Tinklez]

Do you need mechanical filtration (filter floss, roller, etc) on each side of the drains going into the back sump for the AIO?

I’d like to get one roller to be on the back left to minimize the work of replacing filter floss or washing socks. Do I need to get one for each side? Or is just one enough? If it is enough, do I need floss on the back right?

 

[mmorrison55]

One is enough. I actually have the IM nano uv light in my opposite side.

AuqaShield 9 Watt UV Sterilizer/Clarifier (Desktop) - Innovative Marine

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[NanoSteam]

You can configure this however you want. I've seen folks do filter roller on one side and UV on the other, Tray on one side and filter roller on the other.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Agreed. What size IM tank? I'd say 50-gallons or less, you'd probably be fine if you wanted to do filter floss on one side, and a roller on the other. Is that what you were thinking?

 

[Tinklez]

Thank you for the quick reply! That’s good to know I can do it how I want. Maybe roller on one side, and tray with a bunch of media (no floss) on the other?

Also, I’m glad you brought up UV. Looks like IM has two different kinds, they have the one you linked, and the “universal” one with a “pump” in it. Does it matter which one I get?? Is one better?

 

[Tinklez]

50 gallon total. I was hoping to avoid having floss or a sock at all (don’t want to have to clean them out every few days)

 

[Sickness69]

For my IM 50 INT, one side I have their UV filter, other I have their caddy w/floss, bio rings, chemi pure blue, other chamber a skimmer.

 

[mmorrison55]

That one I linked to came in a package deal at my LFS. I have the im 25 lagoon. Just get which3ver one is best sized for your 50 gallon tank. You may want the bigger one, just make sure it will fit in your opening.

 

[Tinklez]

For my IM 50 INT, one side I have their UV filter, other I have their caddy w/floss, bio rings, chemi pure blue, other chamber a skimmer.

That sounds sweet! What UV light do you have?

 

[Tinklez]

That one I linked to came in a package deal at my LFS. I have the im 25 lagoon. Just get which3ver one is best sized for your 50 gallon tank. You may want the bigger one, just make sure it will fit in your opening.

Yeah it looks like there’s two different kinds that fit. One with the filter on top like yours, and then a cylinder looking one that just rests in the back. The cylinder one is a lot more expensive too

 

[mmorrison55]

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You may need the “midsize”…

 

[Tinklez]

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Is this one worth the extra money?

 

[Naekuh]

I dont see why you would need a UV steralizer.
Do you have an issue that would require you to have one?
And if you do, that UV wont work for what you probably are hoping for.

 

[Sickness69]

For my IM 50 INT, one side I have their UV filter, other I have their caddy w/floss, bio rings, chemi pure blue, other chamber a skimmer.

That sounds sweet! What UV light do you have?

I bought their IM desktop UV and skimmer that fits perfectly for their tanks.

 

[NanoSteam]

I'd likely leave the UV out and use it more as a tool if you're addressing a problem. You most certainly want it out during cycle period after that it's up to you.

 

[Naekuh]

I'd likely leave the UV out and use it more as a tool if you're addressing a problem

Even then it wont work. Maybe if you got green water, or a bacteria bloom. But the later would be marginally.
Flow rates need to be monitored, and UV absorption as well.

So if your using it to get paracytes, or to help you clear out algae outside of green water, then no. I think the OP has better ways to spend his money.

 

[NanoSteam]

Even then it wont work. Maybe if you got green water, or a bacteria bloom. But the later would be marginally.
Flow rates need to be monitored, and UV absorption as well.

So if your using it to get paracytes, or to help you clear out algae outside of green water, then no. I think the OP has better ways to spend his money.

The only reason I've used UV for is Dino's and both times it's worked wonders so that's my one and only reason I'd have one but not to use 24/7.

 

[JumboShrimp]

"If" you buy an IM sterilizer for an IM tank-- and 'yes' they do work nicely-- just be aware of the dimensions of your back chamber area. The 11-watt plastic top is quite a bit wider than the 9-watt unit, and you need it to seat itself properly in the chamber to work well.

 

[Tinklez]

This is all really helpful. Thank you guys so much! That’s interesting that you guys aren’t running the UV that often. I found different opinions on it, there are some videos of people who run the UV 24 seven and their water is pretty clear. Is this something that you guys don’t typically recommend, this will be done after the cycle of course.

 

[NanoSteam]

This is all really helpful. Thank you guys so much! That’s interesting that you guys aren’t running the UV that often. I found different opinions on it, there are some videos of people who run the UV 24 seven and their water is pretty clear. Is this something that you guys don’t typically recommend, this will be done after the cycle of course.

The reasoning behind it is it removes beneficial things for your corals and biome such as pods and bacteria as well on top of the bad things. If you were running a fish only system I suppose there's no harm in running it 24/7.