What are these compartments for? Im AIO

[Anna K]

Hello!

Can someone tell me what these compartments are for? This is an IM 40L AIO.

 

[Peace River]

I have an IM tank but not that size. If I'm not mistaken, I believe that is a place for a customizable filter media basket.

https://www.innovative-marine.com/s...ilter-Media-Basket-w-Media-Midsize-p184826196

 

[Anna K]

@Peace River that's what my husband thought to, but it came with a media caddy. It's on the far right. It's what those white balls are in.

 

[ShaunMc]

Biological Filter Media. Chemical Filter Media. Protein Skimmer. Refugium. Heater. You can do a few things with them.

However, You really should do mechanical filtration on both sides in the first chambers. Did you get multiple filter socks? If so use them. If not, I’d go for a setup with first chamber(s) running filter floss with your bio media in a bag under them on each side. It is t that the media chambers are bad. But you really could just get media bag of Bio Balls, media bag of carbon or aquachar. Bag them into one bag. You could run chemi pure blue. Whatever. The media chambers are fine but I like doing filter floss and bags and I have knocked out mechanical and biological in the first chamber. Frees up the 2nd. Now as tank mature you can have the skimmer. 2 skimmers. A skimmer and a Refugium. Etc.

You can also run the IM UV on one side with filter floss on top of it.

Floss Holder

As for the 2nd chambers.
I’d recommend a Bubble Magnus Mini Q. The skimmer seems like a no brainer. It is rated at 20 gallons but I’d run one to start. They are cheap and great. I’d use it if I have a IM40L. I have one on my IM15.

 

[Anna K]

@ShaunMc I actually bought the filter floss holder and filter floss earlier today

 

[ShaunMc]

@ShaunMc I actually bought the filter floss holder and filter floss earlier today

Nice! I think you’ll like the ability to just rotate it and pitch it. Not have to clean socks.

 

[Peace River]

I agree with the mechanical filtration as the first box on either side, and then the filter caddy in the second box on each side, even if you choose to vary the media. If you really wanna mix it up, you could also use it as a place to grow a young mangrove!