Lifegard 24 gallon AIO mixed reef

[EchoRomeo]

This is the one I was going to make. But have not yet.

https://www.printables.com/model/216813-lifegard-aquatics-25g-aio-bi-level-media-basket
Are you in the process of setting yours up? I’d love to see it. I’ll get some pictures of mine here today.

Yeah I've had mine set up for a few months now. Working out all the issues with the sump area before I stock it. Had to file down the installed with a 3 mm diamond glass file. I bought a mighty jet but it was too powerful because of the intake size issues. Also there's not really any media baskets that are any good for this tank so I'm trying to get one custom made. And you got to watch out cuz if your filter media gets dirty at all at least with my filter the ATO kicks on because it fills up the display. And if it wasn't for this tank being beautiful I would have gotten rid of it by now.

 

[Cole_lol]

Yeah I've had mine set up for a few months now. Working out all the issues with the sump area before I stock it. Had to file down the installed with a 3 mm diamond glass file. I bought a mighty jet but it was too powerful because of the intake size issues. Also there's not really any media baskets that are any good for this tank so I'm trying to get one custom made. And you got to watch out cuz if your filter media gets dirty at all at least with my filter the ATO kicks on because it fills up the display. And if it wasn't for this tank being beautiful I would have gotten rid of it by now.

Did you say you filled down the intake slots?
I was wanting to do that with mine but didn’t really know what the best way was to go about it.

I’m not a fan of filter floss or filter socks in an AIO. The attached file I was going to print and make a slight adjustment to so that if the filter floss got plugged it would just overflow to the back so nothing would really get out of balance.

I printed some mesh boxes that I put ceramic media in.

You can see my top. I need to stiffen it up so that’s going to get printed next.

I’m wanting to move my skimmer to the back again but I found the water fluctuation caused it to run very inconsistent. But I think I have corrected that issue.

Again. I’d like to know more about how you went about filling.

Here are some pictures. Forgive my algae. I need to clean a bunch of stuff.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Great looking tank. Are you familiar with the Neat (brand) feeding port that can easily be added to your screen top? You might like one. ;)

 

[Cole_lol]

Great looking tank. Are you familiar with the Neat (brand) feeding port that can easily be added to your screen top? You might like one. ;)

I have one that is built into mine. But my top is 100% 3d printed.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Sweet!

 

[cgr124]

Did you say you filled down the intake slots?
I was wanting to do that with mine but didn’t really know what the best way was to go about it.

I’m not a fan of filter floss or filter socks in an AIO. The attached file I was going to print and make a slight adjustment to so that if the filter floss got plugged it would just overflow to the back so nothing would really get out of balance.

I printed some mesh boxes that I put ceramic media in.

You can see my top. I need to stiffen it up so that’s going to get printed next.

I’m wanting to move my skimmer to the back again but I found the water fluctuation caused it to run very inconsistent. But I think I have corrected that issue.

Again. I’d like to know more about how you went about filling.

Here are some pictures. Forgive my algae. I need to clean a bunch of stuff.

I’m about to purchase this same Lifegard tank but also considering IM, Fiji cube, or waterbox. But this one just looks nicer IMO. Are you still running this tank? Any recommendations for the rear chambers? I was just going to run some live rock, marine pure, a purigen media bag, mighty jet pump, and maybe an IM media reactor. It comes with a strainer plug below the drain that I plan to use. Would you recommend this tank or is it not worth the headache? Thanks

 

[cgr124]

I am currently planning my next build as I just shut down my IM lagoon 25. I was due for a reboot with some fresh equipment, test kits and overall better knowledge I have acquired from my last build.

This time around I wanted a simpler tank, I realized my last build had its issues, mainly that I tried a bit too hard to make everything perfect and had a bunch of stuff I didn't need on the tank (skimmer, dosing pump). This is why this build is going to be a softie dominated tank with my goal being to replenish elements and control nutrients through weekly / bi-weekly water changes.

I originally wanted a larger tank, something around 40-60 gallons where I could have a sump. The only thing is I live in an apartment where I can't have an aquarium over 20 gallons. So i found this lifegard AIO, which is 24 gallons (close enough). The tank is very clean, it has these beautiful 45 degree edges and I love the rimless look. It also has more height than the 25 lagoon which I like. The only issue with the tank is the inlet for the sump area. The holes that let the water through are a tad bit too small which makes the water level uneven between the sump and the display. I plan to widen these to allow better flow to the sump.

I also plan to build a custom stand, which I will document here.

Also, I would like some input on the hardware I have in mind for this build:

• Filtration : custom 3d printed media basket with filter floss
• Hardscape: I have some dry base rock, some live rock from a sump and special grade live sand which I rinsed
• Lighting: ai prime 16 hd, might add an other
• Flow: I currently have an older mp10 lying around, might try that but I would also like to try the nero or jebao slw/mlw pumps. I also plan on using a rfg nozzle for the return flow. I will use the included quiet one 240gph pump, but might upgrade to a controllable return pump if it is too noisy (it is).
• Test kits: Hanna for alk and phos, salifert for nitrate and ph, aquaforest for mag and unsure about calcium (went with salifert)
• Salt: I had the red sea coral pro before and found the alk way too high, thinking of using the red sea blue bucket instead
• Other: I plan on building a simple mesh top, I also have a kamoer ato which worked well on my older setup, if you have any other recommendations please don't hesitate.

That's pretty much it. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or comments about my build plans!


Edit: This has turned into another mixed reef, can't resist the urge to get some more lps / sps corals :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

Curious if you are still running this tank and recommend it? I’m planning to buy the same one but not sure about the rear chambers? Thanks

 

[Cole_lol]

It has served its purpose and I am still running it.
This is my first AIO. I am not super happy with the rear chambers. They are hard to keep clean they limit the number of accessories. The Lifeguard is not a main stream aquarium so there are not many options for add ons made for this specific aquarium.

I did upgrade the pump and removed existing nozzle. I 3d printed a clip to hold a different locline nozzle in place.

I am contemplating smoothing out the return slots as they seems to be rough and catch a lot of stuff.

I plugged the bottom strainer as I wanted it to surface skim and I think it would also get plugged up also.

My skimmer is a hang on back and seems to work ok. The water in the chamber is a little lower than the tank and it worked better when hung in the main.

I’m not sure an IM media chamber will work in this aquarium. I think they are too large to fit in the back. I again 3d printed a mesh box to hold some ceramic media. I did link a Lifeguard media older that can be 3d printed in a previous post.

If I was to do it all over again I would probably buy this one:

https://www.innovative-marine.com/shop/Fusion-25-AIO-Lagoon-Aquarium-Desktop-Starter-Kit-p647391065
IM has a nice supply add on line and more people that tinker with it.

But for the price I paid for it I really can’t complain. It has been an adjustment but has filled the aquarium void I had prior.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have some other questions.