scubasubiker
Community Member
So I just got this preowned tank on the cheap to see if I like AIO. Nothing came with it but a stand, so I have a blank slate on what I can put in it. I bought it wanting to get into reefing again. Plan is mostly coral, inverts, mandarin, firefish, couple tangs, clownfish, fire angel, and I really want another Pom Pom crab and a clam. My previous experience was with a 29 gallon HOB 20 years ago no sump. I was fairly successful then, given the cheap fluorescent lighting I had to work with and the chaeto I had stuffed behind the rock to supply my mandarin’s food. I really hated all the crap hanging on the back, but at that time it was all I could afford.
So my question: I provided pics of my AOI sump layout here. I’m Trying to have as little stuff hanging off the tank as possible. I know I want a nano protein skimmer in there, and a refuge in there. I also was trying to get away from socks that I have to wash out often. How would you guys lay out the space? And what would you buy?
I considered cutting out the sock holes and sliding in an innovative marine custom caddy or 2, using one of the other sections for a nano skimmer and using the other for refuge…below is what I got from research, what might fit and prices. Anyone know of good threads for this also please share and I will continue to comb through AOI threads
Protein Skimmer that fits:
Sicce shark 300 $169, med load 50, light 80
3.3x4.9x9.6”, or the tunze comline doc 9004, similar dimensions but it only goes to 60 light load and is more $199. Sicce looks easier to clean too. How important is going up in size on this if I have a small Refuge with chaeto?
Heater: 200 watt titanium dual redundancy w/ helio WiFi controller. 10.25” horizontal placements. $225 Or is there a better bang for my buck still protecting my investment?
Refugium: should I put a small pump in there to keep more water movement? Or would that be counter productive? I want to make sure I have the maximum amount of food available for my male mandarin I look forward to having!
Pumps: can someone direct me to good educational info on how to choose this? How do I calculate the flow rate through the filter media, refuge and how many gallons per min or hr should this be moving to sustain a reef. I’m from the pool/hot tub industry and understand calculating feet of head, gallons/hr, turnover, and filtration, but not how it differs for aquariums. I would imagine you would want low flow moving slowly through the sump and higher velocity inside the tank, while controlling the turbulence to cut bubbles. Then again, turning on an air blower in a hot tub raises ph and in an aquarium we’re wanting high ph, alk and CH….
Next after I get this stuff squared and waiting on cycling, I’ll be researching lights and auto top off.
Thanks in advance!
