Has anyone used this AIO system before?

[Dezbian]

So, in another one of my posts I got a lot of advice to look at an AIO. I'm new and I was told this maybe the best way to go about starting my first saltwater tank. Now I don't like the way they look but after research, I don't think I've ever spent this many consecutive hours on a computer before, and being continually overwhelmed by the thought of a sump I've landed on this system. I have questions though...has anyone ever used the 25 NUVO Fusion Lagoon PRO 2 AIO Aquarium Bundle - Innovative Marine? Do I need additional powerheads with this system? There are two flow valves that I can use to direct water around the tank, but I don't know if it needs more than that. Also, what media does everyone else use? I know I want to use carbon because I want pristine water (yes, I know this is a big ask but I'm going to aim for pristine sparkly clear water lol). What is filter floss? Do you have to use filter socks in a AIO or is it like a HOB? So many questions and I feel like no matter how much research I'm doing I can't get them all answered. Also, one more question... I want to use an ATO for the tank as well, so I don't end up messing up my salinity due to evaporation, but I don't even know how these things work. I've looked them up but how to you use them with an AIO, do they like go under the tank? If so, how does the water top off the aquarium? All I see are reservoirs and no way of getting the water into the tank when it evaporates....This world is so confusing I'm starting to question if sticking with my freshwater systems isn't the way to go lol

 

[nuxx]

Interested as well. MIGHT be doing an AIO soon for a species only tank. Have no idea what direction to go.

 

[dedragon]

An ato works by using a sensor (either optical or mechanical) to sense the water level. When it drops past the point on the sensor it will trigger the pump in the ato reservoir to turn on and deliver water back to the tank

 

[Dezbian]

An ato works by using a sensor (either optical or mechanical) to sense the water level. When it drops past the point on the sensor it will trigger the pump in the ato reservoir to turn on and deliver water back to the tank

so you have to buy the pump separately? Are they loud?

 

[dedragon]

The filter floss can go into the caddy so you dont need the filter socks but they might help polish the water a bit more if you are having issues with floating particulates.
For media you can run carbon like many people do (including myself) or just filter floss and bio media (bio media isnt always necessary depending on the amount of rock in the tank)
As for flow it will depend what sort of corals you are keeping as well as how you clean the tank. I prefer high flow and intermittent flow using pulse or reefcrest on powerhead controllers as it causes most of the detritus to get swept up into the flow and at some point off into my filters(and for sps but that will get more confusing so not going into coral choices just yet)

 

[dedragon]

so you have to buy the pump separately? Are they loud?

depends on the pump and ATO system, a lot come with pump included. The pump can have a slight hum usually, especially in your case as you wont be using a teeny-tiny pump because you will need to pump up to the tank level from the reservoir

 

[Dezbian]

The filter floss can go into the caddy so you dont need the filter socks but they might help polish the water a bit more if you are having issues with floating particulates.
For media you can run carbon like many people do (including myself) or just filter floss and bio media (bio media isnt always necessary depending on the amount of rock in the tank)
As for flow it will depend what sort of corals you are keeping as well as how you clean the tank. I prefer high flow and intermittent flow using pulse or reefcrest on powerhead controllers as it causes most of the detritus to get swept up into the flow and at some point off into my filters(and for sps but that will get more confusing so not going into coral choices just yet)

Yeah, I know I want corals but have no idea where to even start on that. The more rock I have the more corals I can have. Is that how that works? And someone else said that having live rock is like having bio already so if that's the case would I just need the filter floss and carbon in my actually filter? And good because I hate the idea of filter socks lol

 

[Dezbian]

depends on the pump and ATO system, a lot come with pump included. The pump can have a slight hum usually, especially in your case as you wont be using a teeny-tiny pump because you will need to pump up to the tank level from the reservoir

Can I put the reservoir for the ATO beside the tank so it's not pumping up?

 

[surlytx]

I have the Fusion 40. I-M tanks are really nicely constructed.

The included DC pump is dead quiet.

 

[dedragon]

Can I put the reservoir for the ATO beside the tank so it's not pumping up?

Yep, you can def do that

 

[Dezbian]

I have the Fusion 40. I-M tanks are really nicely constructed.

The included DC pump is dead quiet.

What's a DC pump? LOL SOOO MANY QUESTIONS

 

[Dezbian]

Yep, you can def do that

Awesome thank you for the info!

 

[dedragon]

DC as opposed to AC. The dc pumps are usually also controllable so yoou can increase or decrease the flow depending on what you need. DC powerheads are still better as they can be fully controlled to ramp up or down and created intermittent flow patterns

 

[Tcook]

I have the IM Nuvo 20 and 15. I use the JBJ ATO on the 20 with a Neptune pmup located in the glass IM reveoir. Use a Tunze 3155 on the 15. Both work great.

Also. If you get the IM stand then the resevoir fits perfectly. The pmup handles the height fine.

 

[Dezbian]

I have the IM Nuvo 20 and 15. I use the JBJ ATO on the 20 with a Neptune pmup located in the glass IM reveoir. Use a Tunze 3155 on the 15. Both work great.

Also. If you get the IM stand then the resevoir fits perfectly. The pmup handles the height fine.

well, my partner was watching the videos with me on ATO and is terrified of the ATO systems malfunctioning, so it looks like I'll be doing this by hand for a while

 

[dedragon]

I get that, but in case you do get one I would recommend going with something with 2 sensors (i prefer mechanical). 1 sensor is for the water level dropping and the second is in case the water fills too high, it will automatically shut it off for you

 

[Dezbian]

I get that, but in case you do get one I would recommend going with something with 2 sensors (i prefer mechanical). 1 sensor is for the water level dropping and the second is in case the water fills too high, it will automatically shut it off for you

Yeah, she just looked at me like there's no way in hell I'm letting you get one of those right now lol. I'm lucky she agreed to another tank TBH. Thanks for the info!

 

[Tcook]

Never had an issue with either overfilling. Tunze has an adjustable time out feature. You can also run a third optical or float sensor to shut it off through apex.

 

[Dezbian]

Never had an issue with either overfilling. Tunze has an adjustable time out feature. You can also run a third optical or float sensor to shut it off through apex.

Thanks for the info but it has been decided lol. The partner has vetoed the option. POINT BLANK were her eyes when looking into my excited face.

 

[SpyC]

I use the apex atk v2. Lots of mixed reviews but so far no issues. It has two optical sensors and a float on it. If the water rises to a certain point the float blocks the water from entering the tank. it is also set to auto shutoff if it runs for 5 minutes. You will find keeping up with the top off manually will become annoying and make traveling impossible without somone checking on your tank frequently. You also get the added bonus of better salinity stability. Maybe after some time without the ato she will change her mind.

This is difficult with an aio setup, but I also ensure my Reservoir does not hold enough water to cause the sump to overflow in case all safety measures fail.