My DIY AIO tank

[Uzair Aiman]

Hello reefers! Im new to this hobby and Im thinking up of making a DIY AIO tank! Ill be attaching the design below and Id ask for your suggestions and comments. All dimensions and equipment I want to use will be listed also. Please give me comments and recommendations/tips in building this and if my design is correct.

ORTHO BACK

TOP SIDE

PARAMETERS
Glass - 8mm thick (the whole exterior build)
Acrylic - 6mm thick (For partition and baffles)

DIMENSIONS
Glass:
Exterior - (516x636x358)mm
Interior display - (500x500x350)mm - approx 25 US gallons

Acrylic:
Interior back compartment - (120x500x350)mm
Baffle length - 300mm
The return pump hole will be designed soon as Im not sure of what size pipe and exit joint I will use (any recommendations? I cant seem to find the exit valve(?) and how to install it)

EQUIPMENT PLANNED TO USE
First compartment:
Filter floss
Carbon
GFO (Any recommendations? cause I never used GFO before)
Bio media (maybe put into the second compartment)

Second compartment:
Might be optional but, Bubble Magus QQ protein skimmer (with these dimensions will it fit? cause it says the width is 120mm, will it exactly fit in the second compartment?)
Bio media

Third compartment:
A DoPhin 700LPH return pump


Any tips and comments/suggestions is welcomed cause I dont wanna scratch this project

 

[Alex Cataldo]

That sound like it would work perfectly. Generally AIO tanks are easier to clean and it’s the kind of tank I started with.

 

[Uzair Aiman]

That sound like it would work perfectly. Generally AIO tanks are easier to clean and it’s the kind of tank I started with.

Thanks for making me more convinced! May I know how you set up your exit pipe? the diameter and what valve exit you use, how you connected it to the hole at the acrylic without leaking water back into the back filter

 

[jurgenph]

i've converted two tanks to AIO. didn't built the entire tank though. just added the aoi section with acrylic section.
first one was a 20 tall, then a bit later a 40 breeder.

but pretty much the same layout you are building.

dimensions of the sections were a bit different, based on the equipment that i wanted to use.

for a return, i used a 1/2 threaded/slip bulkhead, slip on the filter side, with a 90 degree hose barb fitting, flexible host to the return pump.

return nozzle of your choice threaded in the display section.


J.

 

[Uzair Aiman]

Thanks for the info! if you dont mind, can I get a picture of how your return system looks like? cause Im not sure how a threaded bulkhead functions and can I have an example on how a return nozzle looks like? What filtration did you use for those sized aquariums?

i've converted two tanks to AIO. didn't built the entire tank though. just added the aoi section with acrylic section.
first one was a 20 tall, then a bit later a 40 breeder.

but pretty much the same layout you are building.

dimensions of the sections were a bit different, based on the equipment that i wanted to use.

for a return, i used a 1/2 threaded/slip bulkhead, slip on the filter side, with a 90 degree hose barb fitting, flexible host to the return pump.

return nozzle of your choice threaded in the display section.


J.

 

[jurgenph]

Thanks for the info! if you dont mind, can I get a picture of how your return system looks like? cause Im not sure how a threaded bulkhead functions and can I have an example on how a return nozzle looks like? What filtration did you use for those sized aquariums?

this is what i used...

you don't need to follow this exactly, you have options, depending on what return nozzle you like, or how you want to connect your pump

i assume you know what a bulkhead looks like... didn't grab a picture of that one

J.

 

[Uzair Aiman]

this is what i used...

you don't need to follow this exactly, you have options, depending on what return nozzle you like, or how you want to connect your pump

i assume you know what a bulkhead looks like... didn't grab a picture of that one

J.

Thanks J! did you use a laser cutter on your acrylic? Also, are all the piping common in any hardware store? or is it specially in fish stores, especially the loc one. Sorry for the late reply but thanks for the effort my man! appreciate it alot

 

[jurgenph]

Thanks J! did you use a laser cutter on your acrylic? Also, are all the piping common in any hardware store? or is it specially in fish stores, especially the loc one. Sorry for the late reply but thanks for the effort my man! appreciate it alot

i had a local plastics store cut the acrylic to my specifications.

the parts can be purchased from most retailers that sell reefing gear.

i just noticed your location, and i don't know any in Malaysia unfortunately.


J.

 

[Uzair Aiman]

i had a local plastics store cut the acrylic to my specifications.

the parts can be purchased from most retailers that sell reefing gear.

i just noticed your location, and i don't know any in Malaysia unfortunately.


J.

I see. thanks! Ill just roam around and see whats available