Will i regret getting an AIO?

[jsmkmavity]

Hope you have seen all the posts of red sea tank failures before you chose a tank. What are your long term goals, and is price the main reason for an AIO?

 

[Shanel]

Hope you have seen all the posts of red sea tank failures before you chose a tank. What are your long term goals, and is price the main reason for an AIO?

I own one of those heartbreaking moments.

 

[cba191]

does anyone make a 24" cube? or 24x36 peninsula that's not red sea?

 

[cba191]

Hope you have seen all the posts of red sea tank failures before you chose a tank. What are your long term goals, and is price the main reason for an AIO?

moving up from an aio essentially doubles the price.

 

[SavAqua20]

I’ve had both styles and enjoy the benefits of both. Currently running an IM Nuvo 20 AOI. It’s been a fantastic tank to run. I run a good bit of equipment on it. It is nice to hide everything in the stand without the need for an additional electronics cabinet. I’ve grown some really nice pieces in it over the years.

 

[Shanel]

does anyone make a 24" cube? or 24x36 peninsula that's not red sea?

I would look at waterbox, IM or the biocube. I own a biocube 32 and overall happy with it.

 

[cba191]

I would look at waterbox, IM or the biocube. I own a biocube 32 and overall happy with it.

my problem is that where it's going, I need/want a peninsula. Ideally, 24x36x24ish. 24"x3 gives me a full 60g display though

 

[Shanel]

my problem is that where it's going, I need/want a peninsula. Ideally, 24x36x24ish. 24"x3 gives me a full 60g display though

Short of a custom built tank, these are closest to those dimensions in peninsula.

Fiji Cube Pro Series 38 Gallon Peninsula Rimless AIO Nano Aquarium
Waterbox Aquariums AIO 25 Peninsula

The 24x24x24 aquariums that I've seen are just blank aquariums. I've not seen one that is AIO. You could add HOB filtration to it. There are plenty of different manufacturers out there that make it.
some can get pricey for the better brands. Marineland makes them too. I wouldn’t get their Rimless. I've owned multiple Marineland tanks in the past. I've had mixed success with them.

Another option is JBJ 45g Rimless Flat Panel Aquarium. It a bit wider than you want. 26.5 × 22 × 19 in

 

[Indiana Reefin]

If you want a peninsula that really limits your options for equipment. I have a 9 gallon eshops Deskmate peninsula that I love but that isn’t near big enough for what you want to keep. I agree that 4’ long tank is a must for a bristle tooth tang so a 70 gallon +

 

[cba191]

it's empty, but comes with the return pump, skimmer, and 2 AI primes. Not sure if it's a good deal though.

 

[Shanel]

it's empty, but comes with the return pump, skimmer, and 2 AI primes. Not sure if it's a good deal though.

My question would be how old is it and is it a G2 model? Get some up close pics of the seams or better yet check them out yourself. My old red sea tank did not have a triangular piece of plastic to cover the corner seams. My new one does and it also has euro bracing, the only reason I didn't opt for the exchange under warranty and went with the upgrade. Now we are talking two different animals here but the point is the seam conditions of the corners. Look for inconsistent coloration of the silicone between the 2 pains of glass. This would indicate a problem.

 

[Shanel]

Oh not too bad on the price if it's fairly new. If it's old not really IMO

 

[IceNein]

I started with an AIO and I'm going to echo what others have said. It limits what you can add, in a good way. Before I ever got a tank, someone told me you could just get a glass box and a couple of power heads to move the water around, no other equipment needed, and looking back, they were dead right.

The things you NEED to run a reef tank: Flow, rocks, temperature control, appropriate lighting.

Things you do NOT need: Dosing pumps, skimmers, calcium reactors, UV sterilizers, controllers, media reactors, reef mats, refugia, etc.

 

[Shanel]

I started with an AIO and I'm going to echo what others have said. It limits what you can add, in a good way. Before I ever got a tank, someone told me you could just get a glass box and a couple of power heads to move the water around, no other equipment needed, and looking back, they were dead right.

The things you NEED to run a reef tank: Flow, rocks, temperature control, appropriate lighting.

Things you do NOT need: Dosing pumps, skimmers, calcium reactors, UV sterilizers, controllers, media reactors, reef mats, refugia, etc.

Kinda have to agree. My first tank was just a filter and lighting. Weekly water changes with real ocean water and it just flourished. Now want came into play and ruined everything. Lol

 

[cba191]

Oh not too bad on the price if it's fairly new. If it's old not really IMO

4 years

 

[Indiana Reefin]

I would pass. I would be concerned with any Red Sea tank at this point. I would look to buy new and go with a water box or IM if you want AIO. I would also give Cade a look as well if you decide to go the dump route

 

[Shanel]

4 years

So a Reefer 170, the new design has thicker glass and beveled edges from what I have read in the past. There are different improvements in the sump and returns but the main focus for me would be on the structure. I honestly would say no to an old one.

 

[Indiana Reefin]

If price is an issue, look a a Fiji AIO kit. You could probably put a nice setup together for $300-$400. They sell AIO kits for up to 75 gallons

 

[X-37B]

If you know how to maintain a system aio tanks can be real fun.
They can grow in quite fast. I run an IM15 aio that's 1 month old and love it.
This is my old 18" aio nano cube.
Zero to 10 months. Aio systems can grow anything you want.

 

[addictswife]

I love my aio. Tideline 47.