Office Tank Build - 15g IM AIO

[Mallissa]

I started gathering equipment for an AIO for our home office, life got in the way, and now I’ve lost my train of thought on the build.

What I’ve gathered so far:

• Innovative Marine Fusion 15 AIO
• AI Prime Light and mount
• SafeScreen™ Preassembled Aquarium Mesh Screen Lid - For Nuvo Fusion 15 Cube
• Helio 100 Watt PTC Smart Aquarium Heater [10-25 gallon]
• NUVO Roller PRO™ Automated Fleece AIO Filter [Desktop]
• SICCE Syncra Silent 1.0 Pump (251 GPH)
• Duetto2 Dual-Sensor Complete Aquarium ATO System
• IM Auqa Gadget 5 Gallon Hydrofill Reservoir
• TUNZE Eco Chic Waterproof Refugium LED Light
• Waterbox stand for 20g (off Facebook)

On my to do list:

• Protein skimmer?
• Wave maker?
• Live sand
• Inkbird
• Live rock
• cleanup crew

Goals:

• 2 clowns
• Some coral
• Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp OR Blood Red Fire Shrimp
• 1 goby
• Maybe an anemone?
• Automation with a Hydros or Neptune system

What am I missing? It feels like I’m starting in the middle of the process with no notes, because I basically am.

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

I started gathering equipment for an AIO for our home office, life got in the way, and now I’ve lost my train of thought on the build.

What I’ve gathered so far:

• Innovative Marine Fusion 15 AIO
• AI Prime Light and mount
• SafeScreen™ Preassembled Aquarium Mesh Screen Lid - For Nuvo Fusion 15 Cube
• Helio 100 Watt PTC Smart Aquarium Heater [10-25 gallon]
• NUVO Roller PRO™ Automated Fleece AIO Filter [Desktop]
• SICCE Syncra Silent 1.0 Pump (251 GPH)
• Duetto2 Dual-Sensor Complete Aquarium ATO System
• IM Auqa Gadget 5 Gallon Hydrofill Reservoir
• TUNZE Eco Chic Waterproof Refugium LED Light
• Waterbox stand for 20g (off Facebook)

On my to do list:

• Protein skimmer?
• Wave maker?
• Live sand
• Inkbird
• Live rock
• cleanup crew

Goals:

• 2 clowns
• Some coral
• Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp OR Blood Red Fire Shrimp
• 1 goby
• Maybe an anemone?
• Automation with a Hydros or Neptune system

What am I missing? It feels like I’m starting in the middle of the process with no notes, because I basically am.

I personally don't think you need a protein skimmer I don't run one on my 30 gallon but if you would like one I guess it wouldn't hurt I personally feel your list is really good honestly!

 

[BarryBenthic]

Is your helio just the heater itself or the full heater + controller? If the latter what do you hope to gain with an inkbird? Excited to follow!

 

[SliceGolfer]

You’re off to a good start. My recommendation would be to choose one primary export method, either the filter roller or the skimmer or the refugium. Personally, I would skip the refugium altogether. Too much hassle in an AIO. Since you have the roller, skip the skimmer (for now) and add later if water changes don’t provide the result you’re looking for.

With the upgraded return pump, you could add a random flow nozzle to start and then consider a wave maker if the corals demand it.

I own both Neptune and Hydros. Both would work well for your tank with considerations being will you need space for probes like temp or pH, and will you switch your ATO to an integrated solution through the controller?

Things you might still need:
Refractometer
Test kits like ammonia, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, phosphate
Salt mix
Buckets
Siphon hose for water changes
RODI water (from LFS or get RODI system and make own)
Later: Alk/calcium dosing solution, dosing pump(s)

 

[Mallissa]

Is your helio just the heater itself or the full heater + controller? If the latter what do you hope to gain with an inkbird? Excited to follow!

It’s the heater and controller, I’m more looking to gain some redundancy in case it fails more so than anything. The office itself going in gets pretty cold compared to the rest of my house, so a heater feels somewhat important to me if that makes sense?

 

[Mallissa]

I personally don't think you need a protein skimmer I don't run one on my 30 gallon but if you would like one I guess it wouldn't hurt I personally feel your list is really good honestly!

Thank you very much! I wasn’t sure if I would need one with what seems like a heavy bioload for such a small tank. I may buy one to have on hand (my LFS are a little over an hour away) and only use it if I feel like I need it.

 

[Mallissa]

You’re off to a good start. My recommendation would be to choose one primary export method, either the filter roller or the skimmer or the refugium. Personally, I would skip the refugium altogether. Too much hassle in an AIO. Since you have the roller, skip the skimmer (for now) and add later if water changes don’t provide the result you’re looking for.

With the upgraded return pump, you could add a random flow nozzle to start and then consider a wave maker if the corals demand it.

I own both Neptune and Hydros. Both would work well for your tank with considerations being will you need space for probes like temp or pH, and will you switch your ATO to an integrated solution through the controller?

Things you might still need:
Refractometer
Test kits like ammonia, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, phosphate
Salt mix
Buckets
Siphon hose for water changes
RODI water (from LFS or get RODI system and make own)
Later: Alk/calcium dosing solution, dosing pump(s)

Thank you!

I think since I have it I’m going to start with the filter roller and see what happens. I do have a random flow nozzle but I got the wrong size so I have to get the correct one. Do you think that would work better than one of the split nozzles?

My thought is if I go integrated, I’ll switch everything to the controller and keep the old equipment as backups or use it for a second tank.

I hadn’t looked too far into the testing equipment yet because I wasn’t sure if it had a shelf life before I had to buy it again? I’ve been going back and forth on buying my own RODI system or buying RODI water since it’s such a small tank (and I’m on well water).

 

[Mallissa]

You’re off to a good start. My recommendation would be to choose one primary export method, either the filter roller or the skimmer or the refugium. Personally, I would skip the refugium altogether. Too much hassle in an AIO. Since you have the roller, skip the skimmer (for now) and add later if water changes don’t provide the result you’re looking for.

With the upgraded return pump, you could add a random flow nozzle to start and then consider a wave maker if the corals demand it.

I own both Neptune and Hydros. Both would work well for your tank with considerations being will you need space for probes like temp or pH, and will you switch your ATO to an integrated solution through the controller?

Things you might still need:
Refractometer
Test kits like ammonia, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, phosphate
Salt mix
Buckets
Siphon hose for water changes
RODI water (from LFS or get RODI system and make own)
Later: Alk/calcium dosing solution, dosing pump(s)

You’re off to a good start. My recommendation would be to choose one primary export method, either the filter roller or the skimmer or the refugium. Personally, I would skip the refugium altogether. Too much hassle in an AIO. Since you have the roller, skip the skimmer (for now) and add later if water changes don’t provide the result you’re looking for.

With the upgraded return pump, you could add a random flow nozzle to start and then consider a wave maker if the corals demand it.

I own both Neptune and Hydros. Both would work well for your tank with considerations being will you need space for probes like temp or pH, and will you switch your ATO to an integrated solution through the controller?

Things you might still need:
Refractometer
Test kits like ammonia, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, phosphate
Salt mix
Buckets
Siphon hose for water changes
RODI water (from LFS or get RODI system and make own)
Later: Alk/calcium dosing solution, dosing pump(s)

Since you have experience with both Neptune and Hydros, do you have a preference between the two? Or find one to work better for some things than others?

I mostly want a controller because I do like to be able to be away from home for a few days for vacations, and occasionally for work. My thought is to have it automated through a controller, and add a redundant water sensor or two for leaks (I have some in my smart home already), add a camera or two when I’m going to be gone to be able to check on it if a water sensor goes off when I’m not home.

 

[SliceGolfer]

Both controllers have their perks.

My Apex controller has Ethernet connectivity so I have never experienced wireless connection issues. All modules connect via cables so again, no loss of connection. Expanding the system requires multiple individual purchases, like probes, sensors, interface modules, etc. This takes up space in the cabinet or mounting panel. Integrated dosing pumps are expensive for only two dosing heads but are very precise.

Hydros is flexible, but wireless only. I had to purchase a stand alone wireless router and configure it as a 2.4ghz access point to avoid connection issues. And I needed to mount the router two feet from the wireless power bar for it to maintain connection. If I did this over, I would purchase the XP8 bar over the wireless bar. The Launch looks like a great all inclusive starting point to the Hydros system. Couple the Launch with the ATO kit, then add a Minnow or the micro dosing pumps and you’re good to go.

Programming wise I find the Apex to be more advanced. Dollar wise the Hydros would come out on top if you are factoring in one or more DOS units.

If you end up with multiple tanks (it’s a real syndrome!) then Hydros would be better in this case. Unless you can run cabling to connect all the Neptune devices, wireless connection wins out over Apex.

Hydros offers a “collective” for managing multiple control units where multiple Apex controllers are independent of each other.

Both controllers have app and web browser access. I connect to both via the web when away from home.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mallissa]

Both controllers have their perks.

My Apex controller has Ethernet connectivity so I have never experienced wireless connection issues. All modules connect via cables so again, no loss of connection. Expanding the system requires multiple individual purchases, like probes, sensors, interface modules, etc. This takes up space in the cabinet or mounting panel. Integrated dosing pumps are expensive for only two dosing heads but are very precise.

Hydros is flexible, but wireless only. I had to purchase a stand alone wireless router and configure it as a 2.4ghz access point to avoid connection issues. And I needed to mount the router two feet from the wireless power bar for it to maintain connection. If I did this over, I would purchase the XP8 bar over the wireless bar. The Launch looks like a great all inclusive starting point to the Hydros system. Couple the Launch with the ATO kit, then add a Minnow or the micro dosing pumps and you’re good to go.

Programming wise I find the Apex to be more advanced. Dollar wise the Hydros would come out on top if you are factoring in one or more DOS units.

If you end up with multiple tanks (it’s a real syndrome!) then Hydros would be better in this case. Unless you can run cabling to connect all the Neptune devices, wireless connection wins out over Apex.

Hydros offers a “collective” for managing multiple control units where multiple Apex controllers are independent of each other.

Both controllers have app and web browser access. I connect to both via the web when away from home.

Hope this helps!

Thank you very much for the input!

 

[gbabbly]

I started gathering equipment for an AIO for our home office, life got in the way, and now I’ve lost my train of thought on the build.

What I’ve gathered so far:

• Innovative Marine Fusion 15 AIO
• AI Prime Light and mount
• SafeScreen™ Preassembled Aquarium Mesh Screen Lid - For Nuvo Fusion 15 Cube
• Helio 100 Watt PTC Smart Aquarium Heater [10-25 gallon]
• NUVO Roller PRO™ Automated Fleece AIO Filter [Desktop]
• SICCE Syncra Silent 1.0 Pump (251 GPH)
• Duetto2 Dual-Sensor Complete Aquarium ATO System
• IM Auqa Gadget 5 Gallon Hydrofill Reservoir
• TUNZE Eco Chic Waterproof Refugium LED Light
• Waterbox stand for 20g (off Facebook)

On my to do list:

• Protein skimmer?
• Wave maker?
• Live sand
• Inkbird
• Live rock
• cleanup crew

Goals:

• 2 clowns
• Some coral
• Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp OR Blood Red Fire Shrimp
• 1 goby
• Maybe an anemone?
• Automation with a Hydros or Neptune system

What am I missing? It feels like I’m starting in the middle of the process with no notes, because I basically am.

Hey man do you already have the automated fleece roller? If so, could you take a picture of the power cord for me and post it here when you get the chance? I want to return mine but misplaced it amongst the other cords in my build. Have had a hard time getting the information from innovative marine. Thanks

 

[Mallissa]

Hey man do you already have the automated fleece roller? If so, could you take a picture of the power cord for me and post it here when you get the chance? I want to return mine but misplaced it amongst the other cords in my build. Have had a hard time getting the information from innovative marine. Thanks

I do already have it, I’ll take a photo when I get home and post it. What made you decide to return yours?