Micro-Reefs Aquariums 12.5 gallon AIO (Build)

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey Reefers,

I have been a hobbyist since 1991 when I at the young age of 21, purchased my very 1st saltwater aquarium from TruVu aquariums. Back then it was a 10 gallon rounded corners black back with euro brace acrylic aquarium. I had an under gravel filter with two powerheads maxi jets to drive the under gravel filter it came with a PC florescent cool white bulb. From that day, I was hooked in the saltwater world and never went back to fresh water which I had since a very young age.

Now, fast forward 2021, I am building a 12.5 gallon AIO system and want to share my experience from all the knowledge I have been exposed to all those years. Please feel free to chime in and ask questions and lets have fun learning and exploring newer challenges! :)

Equipment:
1/4 inch acrylic AIO 12.5 gallon system (Micro-Reefs Aquariums) w/independent cover tops
Eheim 1000 return pump (264) GPH
1/4 inch acrylic 3 stage media basket (Micro-Reefs Aquariums)
Aqua Illumination 16 HD prime (White version)
Aqua Illumination tank mount black
1/4 inch acrylic 32 inch stand (Micro-Reefs Aquariums) white version
1/2 inch bulkhead w/elbow
Loc-line directional nozzle with ball socket
ChillSolutions: Chiller w/Sicce nano pump 2.4watts@110gph
JBJ chiller installation kit: 2 U tube fittings with 12ft 1/2inchID hose
Coralife UV mini sterilizer 5 watt
Nero 3 Aqua Illumination 20 watt

Filter media:
RedSea charcoal (100 gallons) version using 1/2 charcoal
Filter Floss (Coralife)
2 Foam black blocks (Eshopps) one in media basket, second as pre-filter to return pump to work as bubble stopper.

Live goods:
20 lbs. live sand rock Bimini Pink (CaribSea)
10 lbs. live rock
Fritz 9 bacteria
(1) Yasha Goby, (1) Barnacle Blenny, (2) Striped Gobies, (2) Red-head Gobies

20210215_173913_HDR~2.jpg 20210224_182733~3.jpg 20210224_182721~3.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Thanks, I will post some more pics when I get home from work on how I installed the UV light 5 watt onto this very small AIO 12.5 gallon system.
 
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Look what Amazon dropped off for the 12.5 system. Now my entire reef is Wi-Fi controlled. One cable plugs into the outlet, you see nothing but a reef tank, zero cables all hidden inside the stand.
 

Attachments

  • 20210304_164625_HDR~2.jpg
    20210304_164625_HDR~2.jpg
    249.7 KB · Views: 69
  • 20210304_164806_HDR~2.jpg
    20210304_164806_HDR~2.jpg
    155.2 KB · Views: 75
  • 20210304_164824_HDR~2.jpg
    20210304_164824_HDR~2.jpg
    181.7 KB · Views: 73
  • 20210304_164759_HDR~2.jpg
    20210304_164759_HDR~2.jpg
    186.1 KB · Views: 85
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I also installed a Corallife 5 watt UV to my Eheim 1000 pump. Works flawlessly anf my water is crystal clear and water temps are stable did not go up more than .03 degrees.
 

Attachments

  • 20210227_195412.jpg
    20210227_195412.jpg
    132.2 KB · Views: 87
  • 20210227_183256.jpg
    20210227_183256.jpg
    151.7 KB · Views: 83
  • 20210227_183244_HDR.jpg
    20210227_183244_HDR.jpg
    149 KB · Views: 71
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
KASA Wi-Fi power strip connected to control 6 units, everything is at my control via a simple app to use anywhere there is internet for my reef tank.

Look how clean your system is with one outlet, one cable and no wires anywhere!

For those reefers that like just an aquarium in front of them and zero cables .
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20210305-192642~2.png
    Screenshot_20210305-192642~2.png
    253.1 KB · Views: 76
  • 20210305_190945~2.jpg
    20210305_190945~2.jpg
    125.9 KB · Views: 59
  • 20210305_190921~2.jpg
    20210305_190921~2.jpg
    166.8 KB · Views: 53
  • 20210305_190901~2.jpg
    20210305_190901~2.jpg
    132.2 KB · Views: 54
  • 20210305_190857~2.jpg
    20210305_190857~2.jpg
    112.2 KB · Views: 49
  • 20210305_190717~2.jpg
    20210305_190717~2.jpg
    81.4 KB · Views: 48
  • 20210305_190705~2.jpg
    20210305_190705~2.jpg
    87.1 KB · Views: 48
  • 20210305_190434~2.jpg
    20210305_190434~2.jpg
    82.7 KB · Views: 56
  • 20210305_190354~2.jpg
    20210305_190354~2.jpg
    143.3 KB · Views: 50
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My test kits all came in, enjoy using technology since coming back to the hobby, Hanna is dead on accurate!
 

Attachments

  • 20210309_180114_HDR~3.jpg
    20210309_180114_HDR~3.jpg
    143 KB · Views: 57
  • 20210309_180108_HDR~2.jpg
    20210309_180108_HDR~2.jpg
    223.2 KB · Views: 60
  • 20210308_103822.jpg
    20210308_103822.jpg
    107.9 KB · Views: 74
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I got my IM refugium light installed on my AIO system. I will pick up a small ball of cheato tomorrow as I set up a reverse lighting system for night time operation.
 

Attachments

  • 20210310_173831_HDR~2.jpg
    20210310_173831_HDR~2.jpg
    273.4 KB · Views: 65
  • 20210310_173835_HDR~2.jpg
    20210310_173835_HDR~2.jpg
    242.5 KB · Views: 61
  • 20210310_172159~2.jpg
    20210310_172159~2.jpg
    221.7 KB · Views: 55
  • 20210310_172155~2.jpg
    20210310_172155~2.jpg
    163.7 KB · Views: 61
  • 20210310_163748~2.jpg
    20210310_163748~2.jpg
    162.7 KB · Views: 58
  • 20210310_163625_HDR~2.jpg
    20210310_163625_HDR~2.jpg
    152.3 KB · Views: 54
  • 20210310_163532_HDR~2.jpg
    20210310_163532_HDR~2.jpg
    170.7 KB · Views: 53
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Had to make some quick modifications on my media basket to block out excessive light that was going everywhere on my media basket.

The basket was made prior to me deciding I wanted a refugium. But 15 mins later the basket had the add-on and the results were perfect!
 

Attachments

  • 20210312_194016~2.jpg
    20210312_194016~2.jpg
    115.5 KB · Views: 65
  • 20210312_194940_HDR~2.jpg
    20210312_194940_HDR~2.jpg
    219 KB · Views: 67
  • 20210312_195128_HDR~2.jpg
    20210312_195128_HDR~2.jpg
    207.2 KB · Views: 60
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Fabricated my own black acrylic cover to trap any red back scatter from escaping into the room. Fits like a glove.
 

Attachments

  • 20210313_181408_HDR.jpg
    20210313_181408_HDR.jpg
    207.7 KB · Views: 60
  • 20210313_181432.jpg
    20210313_181432.jpg
    181.2 KB · Views: 59
  • 20210313_181542_HDR.jpg
    20210313_181542_HDR.jpg
    192 KB · Views: 61
  • 20210313_181611_HDR.jpg
    20210313_181611_HDR.jpg
    207 KB · Views: 56
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Results of growing Cheato in my AIO 12.5 GALLON. Pictures 1-4 show the growth from just six days vs pictures 5-6 when the Cheato was first started. I am impressed with IM 9watt refugium LED.
 

Attachments

  • 20210320_125118_HDR~2.jpg
    20210320_125118_HDR~2.jpg
    230.7 KB · Views: 48
  • 20210320_125152_HDR~2.jpg
    20210320_125152_HDR~2.jpg
    222.3 KB · Views: 54
  • 20210320_125713~2.jpg
    20210320_125713~2.jpg
    239.8 KB · Views: 44
  • 20210320_125718~2.jpg
    20210320_125718~2.jpg
    226.9 KB · Views: 44
  • 20210312_194940_HDR~2.jpg
    20210312_194940_HDR~2.jpg
    219 KB · Views: 52
  • 20210312_195128_HDR~2.jpg
    20210312_195128_HDR~2.jpg
    207.2 KB · Views: 57
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Reef Glass simmer came in for both my 12 and 30 gallon AIO systems. Smallest air driven skimmer on the market!
 

Attachments

  • 20210327_134111_HDR.jpg
    20210327_134111_HDR.jpg
    144.3 KB · Views: 48
  • 20210327_134157.jpg
    20210327_134157.jpg
    126.8 KB · Views: 52
  • 20210327_134200.jpg
    20210327_134200.jpg
    170 KB · Views: 56
  • 20210327_134722_HDR.jpg
    20210327_134722_HDR.jpg
    136 KB · Views: 62
  • 20210327_134822_HDR.jpg
    20210327_134822_HDR.jpg
    171.6 KB · Views: 55
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Unbelievable how this skimmer is the smallest in its class and how my tank has all the variables you need for my SPS corals, soon to arrive!

Here are the pics:
 

Attachments

  • 20210330_215434~2.jpg
    20210330_215434~2.jpg
    190.2 KB · Views: 41
  • 20210331_171753_HDR~3.jpg
    20210331_171753_HDR~3.jpg
    163.9 KB · Views: 46
  • 20210331_171800_HDR~2.jpg
    20210331_171800_HDR~2.jpg
    147 KB · Views: 44
  • 20210331_171907_HDR~2.jpg
    20210331_171907_HDR~2.jpg
    185.9 KB · Views: 44
  • 20210331_171912_HDR~2.jpg
    20210331_171912_HDR~2.jpg
    197.4 KB · Views: 47
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Update: April 4th @11:20pm



Salinity 1.025

Temp 77.5

PH 8.3

Phosphates ULR 0.00

Alkalinity DKH 6.9

Nitrate .48

Calcium 481



So, my Alk stayed the same, PH went down by 1.0, read 8.4 last Sunday. Interesting that Phosphates are not detectable again, however I upped the feeding to each day frozen brine, what the 6 gobies can eat, and sure enough, I have readable low range Nitrates at .48 and the Cheato grew from a golf ball to a tennis ball, in just 1 week, WOW! My refugium is way to awesome and that is on a AIO with black out acrylic using IM 9watt LED. That red and blue is killer man. Calcium went down, since I used non reef salt, just regular, it went down slightly. I will take a picture of the cheato so you can see comparison when I pruned it last Sunday and 7 days later.
 
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Ur gonna need a new.skimmer man.
Nice media basket and tank. Looks great.
Yes technology has moved since 1991. Lol
D
For heat and space, nothing else would fit in my AIO, so nano glass skimmer was the only choice and better than nothing.

But did you see my crazy cheato growing? Only 1 week and this.
 

Attachments

  • 20210405_070830.jpg
    20210405_070830.jpg
    147.3 KB · Views: 39
  • 20210405_070824.jpg
    20210405_070824.jpg
    160.9 KB · Views: 39
  • 20210405_070819.jpg
    20210405_070819.jpg
    203.6 KB · Views: 38
  • 20210405_070733.jpg
    20210405_070733.jpg
    186.2 KB · Views: 37
  • 20210405_070718.jpg
    20210405_070718.jpg
    179.6 KB · Views: 34
OP
OP
Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Micro-Reefs Aquarium

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 28, 2021
Messages
560
Reaction score
417
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Replaced the 5 watt Coralife Biocube UV. It is set to run 24 hours a day. Removed it off the schedule it was set on. I don't want to burn another!
 

Attachments

  • 20210405_163356_HDR.jpg
    20210405_163356_HDR.jpg
    138.5 KB · Views: 36
  • 20210405_194212_HDR.jpg
    20210405_194212_HDR.jpg
    199.1 KB · Views: 39

monkeyCmonkeyDo

7500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 4, 2019
Messages
8,288
Reaction score
8,087
Location
Puyallup, Wa USA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I tried it on my last tank. Aio 8g or so. Eventually water stopped going into the body of the skimmer and it ended up just being a big air pocket gap.
Hope it works better for you. Keep it clean.
D
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 21 51.2%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 22 53.7%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 8 19.5%
  • None.

    Votes: 7 17.1%
  • Other.

    Votes: 3 7.3%
Back
Top