Waterbox 25 peninsula vs 35 Aio

[plumbdogmillionaire]

I won one of the Waterbox $500 gift cards…holla…

I have 0 experience besides my 100 hours of YouTube reef tank videos. I can’t decide because I am somewhat budget conscious as I just started my plumbing business. My main question is, besides quantity, is there any real difference in fish stocking options between a 25 and 35 (ish because AIO) tank? Are there any categories of fish I can get into with the 35 that I couldn’t with the 25?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Both tanks can house small nano fish only. IMO a 25 gallon can fit 3-4 fish, and a 35 gallon can fit 4-5 fish, possibly 6 if carefully selected.

 

[Luckki]

I have the 25 and I wish it was slightly larger. Fish are limited, but there are some good starter fish in the Nano tank fish selection which is what these tanks would be considered. With the 33.5 you could do a maroon clown most likely solo ( aggressive fish), Flame Hawkfish, a few more blenny choices over the 25, you can do a Royal gramma, Neon Dottyback, A few more goby choices too. So.. yes there are a few more fish you can choose from if you go with 33.5 gallon over a 25 gallon.

Just a heads up. The peninsula has a little bit of a flow issue, because the tank length. I had a huge issue with hair algae and I have had to add and change wavemakers/ powerheads. The obit 2 works fairly well for overall flow, VCA random flow nozzle helps with some diagonal flow and a Nero 3 to add random waves. A note of caution, if this is your first AIO, the baffles have a tendency to clog up, a sponge on a stick to wipe them clean will keep your return chamber from pumping dry. I also switched out my return pump with an Axis 40. The DC pump is quiet, and once calibrated can be adjust via app. With that being said, if budget is an issue, maybe the 35 will have better flow, because its a square and two overflows?

 

[plumbdogmillionaire]

I have the 25 and I wish it was slightly larger. Fish are limited, but there are some good starter fish in the Nano tank fish selection which is what these tanks would be considered. With the 33.5 you could do a maroon clown most likely solo ( aggressive fish), Flame Hawkfish, a few more blenny choices over the 25, you can do a Royal gramma, Neon Dottyback, A few more goby choices too. So.. yes there are a few more fish you can choose from if you go with 33.5 gallon over a 25 gallon.

Just a heads up. The peninsula has a little bit of a flow issue, because the tank length. I had a huge issue with hair algae and I have had to add and change wavemakers/ powerheads. The obit 2 works fairly well for overall flow, VCA random flow nozzle helps with some diagonal flow and a Nero 3 to add random waves. A note of caution, if this is your first AIO, the baffles have a tendency to clog up, a sponge on a stick to wipe them clean will keep your return chamber from pumping dry. I also switched out my return pump with an Axis 40. The DC pump is quiet, and once calibrated can be adjust via app. With that being said, if budget is an issue, maybe the 35 will have better flow, because its a square and two overflows?

Thanks! I did end up ordering the peninsula. I was able to get a Nero 3 and Sicce silent because the tank was $200 cheaper. Do you think one Nero 3 is enough? I was debating on buying a jebao gyre for up top and putting the Nero 3 lower on one side of the back. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Luckki]

Thanks! I did end up ordering the peninsula. I was able to get a Nero 3 and Sicce silent because the tank was $200 cheaper. Do you think one Nero 3 is enough? I was debating on buying a jebao gyre for up top and putting the Nero 3 lower on one side of the back. Thanks for the tips!

I’m not too familiar with the Jebao gyre, but it looks like it is close to the orbit. Your description sounds like how I have my orbit and Nero3. The fish and tank are loving it a lot more now. My algae is almost all gone and corals are growing much faster now! With the Nero3 I feel like my tank was not getting enough flow. Mind you the Nero3 is sitting at 1-30% random, high variance to avoid sand getting stirred up and dunes. Also I have the CVA random return nozzle that allows me to make a cross flow to help make the tank flow a little more random. Food pellets rarely stay on the sand now.

 

[JTP424]

Highly recommend the intank media basket (five star aquatics) for the waterbox AIO

 

[plumbdogmillionaire]

I’m not too familiar with the Jebao gyre, but it looks like it is close to the orbit. Your description sounds like how I have my orbit and Nero3. The fish and tank are loving it a lot more now. My algae is almost all gone and corals are growing much faster now! With the Nero3 I feel like my tank was not getting enough flow. Mind you the Nero3 is sitting at 1-30% random, high variance to avoid sand getting stirred up and dunes. Also I have the CVA random return nozzle that allows me to make a cross flow to help make the tank flow a little more random. Food pellets rarely stay on the sand now.

Perfect. I’m going to print a random flow generator and I’ll probably add a gyre of some sort later on. Thanks for the help

 

[plumbdogmillionaire]

Highly recommend the intank media basket (five star aquatics) for the waterbox AIO

I’ve got a 3D printer and it’s on the list of things to print. Thank you!

 

[Yooper Reef]

I have the 25 pennisula and love it.
Used a homedepot cabinet and piece of granite for the stand. It fits perfectly.

 

[Yooper Reef]

I also have a gyre ( AI orbit) and it helps provide great flow and works good in the back of the tank to keep the sides clean. I would not recommend the Tunze skimmer though - I have not had good success with it though it fits nicely in the back

 

[plumbdogmillionaire]

I also have a gyre ( AI orbit) and it helps provide great flow and works good in the back of the tank to keep the sides clean. I would not recommend the Tunze skimmer though - I have not had good success with it though it fits nicely in the back

Tank looks awesome. I was going to build my own cabinet (my dad lives close by and luckily has a woodworking shop) but I’ll check out Home Depot!