Innovative Marine 15 or HelloReef 15

panda0310 · Dec 31, 2025

This will be my first saltwater tank. Ive done a ton of research. Looking for opinions from other reefers. Should I get a HelloReef kit or build my own Innovative Marine 15g AIO. If building your own how would you set it up such as back chambers, lights, ETC

Fish Fan · Dec 31, 2025

The Hello Reef kit isn't bad, though I think you can do a little better just building your own IM 15. For example, I'd strongly suggest using real live rock, and not the CaribSea "life rock" that comes with the Hello Reef kit.

But it really comes down to what livestock you hope to keep and how much you want to spend. Do you know what kind of tank you want yet? Are you working with nearly unlimited funds like some of the big shooters here, or more of a budget minded reefer like myself?

Good luck whichever way you go!

Jamie9 · Dec 31, 2025

I haven’t had hands on a Hello Reef, but people seem to like them. I have an IM40 and I have only good things to say about it. If you check my tank build thread you can find a diagram of how I laid out all my rear chambers and what equipment I have (all purchased about 4-6 months ago so it’s recent.)

steveschuerger · Dec 31, 2025

I’d lean to the IM, but I’m biased having had 3 of them. The HR is pretty much plug and play , at least as far as reef tank set up goes. But I’d rather have the option to choose my components. That being said, I reiterate that Hello Reef is pretty darn good esp for newbies.

Tahoe61 · Dec 31, 2025

Having had 4 IM tanks, I am obviously a fan. However I think you do get a lot with the Hello Reef, with tutorials.
If it's your 1st tank think about the investment.
My perfect beginner AIO is a IM 20 or 40 long.

TJ42 · Dec 31, 2025

I sure recommend IM but I don't know about the hello reef kit so I can't compare. I think for addons to whichever kit it really depends on budget.

slingfox · Dec 31, 2025

I would stay away from CaribSea LifeRock. Search on this board and you will find several who had major issues with that rock.

panda0310 · Dec 31, 2025

Fish Fan said:
The Hello Reef kit isn't bad, though I think you can do a little better just building your own IM 15. For example, I'd strongly suggest using real live rock, and not the CaribSea "life rock" that comes with the Hello Reef kit.

But it really comes down to what livestock you hope to keep and how much you want to spend. Do you know what kind of tank you want yet? Are you working with nearly unlimited funds like some of the big shooters here, or more of a budget minded reefer like myself?

Good luck whichever way you go!

More budget friendly. Why I was leaning the IM tank. Getting my tank, fish and clean up crews established, then getting a really good light and working on the corals

panda0310 · Dec 31, 2025

Tahoe61 said:
Having had 4 IM tanks, I am obviously a fan. However I think you do get a lot with the Hello Reef, with tutorials.
If it's your 1st tank think about the investment.
My perfect beginner AIO is a IM 20 or 40 long.

I have room for the 20 long. Any particular reason why you favor it over the 15 cube

X-37B · Dec 31, 2025

My IM 15 today at 8 months.
You can do alot with only 9.5g's of water.
Floss carbon tunze 6040 for flow.
Gen 5 xr15 blue running ab+ @ 100%.
20% WC 2x a month.
Tunze ato
2 part esv on Kamoer dosers
20lbs live rock
30+ mixed reef
2 fish

Tahoe61 · Dec 31, 2025

panda0310 said:
I have room for the 20 long. Any particular reason why you favor it over the 15 cube

I like the foot print of long and shallow tanks over cubes, personal preference.

PointerReefs · Dec 31, 2025

My first tank is a Hello Reef 15g.. it has done well for me and I feel having it as a kit really helped me get into the hobby with less guess work if that makes sense.. then I was able to make upgrades and adjustments as I progressed. But now after maybe a year and a half in I’d probably lean towards a IM tank maybe even a 20g Cube to start. I think ultimately you’d be able to spend about the same money starting it up but with the IM tank you’d be able to start out with better options from the get.. so if you feel confident in getting all of your equipment together I’d go with IM but if it seems kind of daunting if you will, the helloreef in my opinion helped me with that switching from freshwater.