Lifegard 24 gallon AIO mixed reef

[MarcosTacos]

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

 

[lopez052308]

Exited to see the progress!

 

[MoshJosh]

Hey I just had one of these tanks! I think the media basket is a good idea as I found the stock filtration set up lacking. . . Still a nice tank and excited to see your build!

 

[MarcosTacos]

Hey I just had one of these tanks! I think the media basket is a good idea as I found the stock filtration set up lacking. . . Still a nice tank and excited to see your build!

Yeah the stock sponge is not ideal. I also like the fact that media baskets with floss holders overflow when the floss is clogged, letting you know it is time to switch it out.

Is your tank still running?

 

[MoshJosh]

Nah just upgraded to a bigger tank.

 

[MarcosTacos]

Update. The tank has been running for almost a week. I used some dry rock as well as rock that has been sitting in a sump for a couple years from a local reefer.

I let the live rock soak in a tub for a couple weeks beforehand to remove the buildup on it as well as inspect for hitchhikers. A couple of critters were caught but nothing alarming.

I went to a local expo this weekend and picked up some corals. Most people would wait a couple months, but an article on reef builders as well as their nano series showed me that you don't need to wait for corals, and that adding them early on will provide some diversity which is essential for a healthy system.

Here are some pics of the tank.

Everything seems to be doing fine 3 days in, polyps are all opened up.

I will add a nero 3 in the upcoming weeks, as well as a second prime to combat the shadowing.

 

[MoshJosh]

HEY!!! 3 of those corals aren't softies!!! I want my money back!!!

But for real nice looking corals!

 

[MarcosTacos]

I know I know, but I got a great deal on all of the lps. I wanted some more leathers, but those were the only ones I found at a decend price. I will try to find a long polyp neon leather in the future, as well as some more zoas and mushrooms. I love the red one I got!

 

[DDenny]

Looking good did you widen the overflow? I have the lifegard 4.1g and I agree the overflow slots are not wide enough. I’m looking to upgrade as well but still unsure what tank.

 

[MarcosTacos]

Looking good did you widen the overflow? I have the lifegard 4.1g and I agree the overflow slots are not wide enough. I’m looking to upgrade as well but still unsure what tank.

I did not. I 3d printed a plug for the bottom hole and put the pump at full strenght. My display has a nice water volume this way, I can still fit the mesh top and the rear chambers are all at an appropriate level. I wonder if the people having issues are simply running their overflow water level too high. You need to have a drop between the baffles to create some water movement.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Update. The tank has been running for almost a week. I used some dry rock as well as rock that has been sitting in a sump for a couple years from a local reefer.

I let the live rock soak in a tub for a couple weeks beforehand to remove the buildup on it as well as inspect for hitchhikers. A couple of critters were caught but nothing alarming.

I went to a local expo this weekend and picked up some corals. Most people would wait a couple months, but an article on reef builders as well as their nano series showed me that you don't need to wait for corals, and that adding them early on will provide some diversity which is essential for a healthy system.

Here are some pics of the tank.

Everything seems to be doing fine 3 days in, polyps are all opened up.

I will add a nero 3 in the upcoming weeks, as well as a second prime to combat the shadowing.

Great looking corals!!!

 

[MarcosTacos]

Great looking corals!!!

Thanks! Just got a couple more softies from a tank teardown, also grabbed a G5 XR15 Pro for cheap which will replace the ai prime.

I will post more pictures when these guys open up some more!

 

[MarcosTacos]

Update!
XR15 and nero 3 setup! Love both of these, hate the mobius app.

Got a pair of clowns, some snails and blue hermits for the tank.

I also got a couple more corals from locals: yellow ring zoas, green torch, golden frammer, mush, toadstool...

Was 2 weeks overdue for a water change. Tank looked happy before and after, I like this "hands off" approach. I basically feed the fish every day and sometimes skip a day, change the floss weekly. Try to test once a week.

Here are a few pics from today, tank is about 6-7 weeks old.

 

[MarcosTacos]

So, long time since the last update.

The corals have grown and there are some things that were switched up here and there.
I removed the rock behind the overhang since I felt it didn't serve a purpose in the shade. I now feel like the tank is more open. I might try and add some more rock to the left piece at some point to provide more hiding places for the fish.

Speaking of fish, I just bought a springer damselfish, which I named Merlin. I got it to try and control the harmless but still present flatworm population in the tank.

I also sold off a couple corals (leathers, green torch, some baby mushrooms), i like to sell when someone is interested in the corals, I always find something i am willing to let go of in the tank.
I also bought some frags: gsp (classic coral which my gf loves), green stylo (easy and pretty, also a choice from my gf) and got a free candy cane coral with the purchase.

The hammers and zoas are growing in nicely, although the zoas all look a bit smaller than before and the colors are more vibrant but pale, its hard to explain. I suspect they were getting a bit too much light so I dialed back the intensity on the radion from 60% to 45%.

Plans right now are to add a bit more sps and lps corals, i'd like to fill up the top part of the overhang with sps like digis and easy branching sps. I am also on the hunt for some cool looking zoas, torches and gonis.

Maintenance wise, I will switch from doing water changes every two weeks to weekly, and from 10g to 5g. I figure doing smaller amounts more frequently will increase the stability of the parameters.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

So, long time since the last update.

The corals have grown and there are some things that were switched up here and there.
I removed the rock behind the overhang since I felt it didn't serve a purpose in the shade. I now feel like the tank is more open. I might try and add some more rock to the left piece at some point to provide more hiding places for the fish.

Speaking of fish, I just bought a springer damselfish, which I named Merlin. I got it to try and control the harmless but still present flatworm population in the tank.

I also sold off a couple corals (leathers, green torch, some baby mushrooms), i like to sell when someone is interested in the corals, I always find something i am willing to let go of in the tank.
I also bought some frags: gsp (classic coral which my gf loves), green stylo (easy and pretty, also a choice from my gf) and got a free candy cane coral with the purchase.

The hammers and zoas are growing in nicely, although the zoas all look a bit smaller than before and the colors are more vibrant but pale, its hard to explain. I suspect they were getting a bit too much light so I dialed back the intensity on the radion from 60% to 45%.

Plans right now are to add a bit more sps and lps corals, i'd like to fill up the top part of the overhang with sps like digis and easy branching sps. I am also on the hunt for some cool looking zoas, torches and gonis.

Maintenance wise, I will switch from doing water changes every two weeks to weekly, and from 10g to 5g.

Glad to see the tank is still doing well!

 

[MarcosTacos]

Well, I upgraded, new build thread here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/prostar-60-transfer.1016143/

If anyone is considering the lifegard tanks, I think they are well made, but for reefing there are other options which I would consider are maybe better, mainly because the back chamber setup is a bit weird since you can't run as much flow as you want out of the return pump. It is also a bit cramped but fairly deep, so getting stuff in and out of there can be tricky. The glass and the finish on the tank is very nice though.

 

[Cole_lol]

Hi! I looked your build over an I am looking at doing something similar. Did you happen to find a bulkhead for the return pump? I see you added a random flow nozzle. I just don't like the rubber piece that goes thru.

 

[MarcosTacos]

Hey there. I never have, always used the rubber piece.