20L AIO build

[waldoz]

So my son and I picked up a 20L tank from @righttirefire .  Can't thank him enough because we were going to do a 2 gallon jar.  So my son wanted to go with the AIO and I am trying to stay out of his choices as much as possible. LOL.    So here we are trying to figure out what to do we cut some cardboard and need some ideas as and help. I have been reading a lot and trying to figure out what to do.  So far he wants a notch in the first chamber so if it clogs it will flow over and not flood the tank. This is what we have so far with our first try.  Prob do 2 more card board layouts and final will be in 1/8 foam board from dollartree. 

 

Here is the basic layout.  We have not figured out what pump we want to use but he does not want a power head in the tank.   I don't think we can fit anything more than a Sicce 1.0  (251 GPH) and I think thats about what we have for pump budget. There should be a  end of the year sale also looking at used ones too.  He also does not want any noise from the pump since this will be in his room.  

 

 

 

Here it is in the tank. Tried to get a the spacing as far as the walls but it seems there are bunch of options.  

 

 

The cuts are not not to accurate but the weir will be even with the bottom trim of the tank. from what I am reading it should raise the water level 1/8 to 1/4 inch. The back wall will be even with the middle shelf so we can put some kind of cover to  keep the evaporation down as much as possible. 

I figured would have a spill way and maybe angle it like the IM tanks but no slots.  On the right side we will use material to space out the 3/8 worth of lip on the tank. He does not want to cut the plastic lip so we will make it flush. That way we can do some sort of media basket.

 

Thats it so far looking for some advice. Thanks!

[righttirefire]

For chambers. Think of what you plan to use them for and make sure youre "return" chamber is big enough for the pump you desire. And make sure your hands fit in. With the addition of the piping to connect the pump to the aio wall. And if you add an auto top off you'll need space for that in your return chamber too. 

 

Personally I'd use something more that 251 gph for flow. Thats a good flow through your filteration, but some corals desire more flow in the tank, which is the reason powerheads are added.

 

What do you plan to use the 2nd chamber for?

 

Remember. Hours, days, months of research will pay dividends. 

 

I started with a 20 tall and switched to a 20 long within a few months, sumped it a few months later. And ran it for 2 years until i moved, built a new sump, and my system has been up for over 2 years now. 

 

There will be some growing pains with a new system until you figure out what works for you, what you like, what you want to try and it will evolve into a system you enjoy.

 

Ask @spectra how many tanks, systems he's been thought. I can count 6 different systems he's run in the 4 years ive known him

[I'm Batman]

Hit up @cromag27 or @cromag09 who built my baffled for me with acrylic.

[I'm Batman]

Also you might want to consider finding an intank basket that you like and make the overflow chamber to those dimensions. I made my baffles around the 30l/ 40/ 50 lagoon InTank basket and it’s flawless

 

[spectra]

Not much from me as the AIO tanks I had were IMs and not built by me..............

 

But can say I have a Sicce 1.0 so hit me up if thats the rout you want to go..............I may also have a ATO that would work for you...............whats the plan for rock ? Have a couple extra pieces of the purple stuff floating around to..............

[waldoz]

Taylor W in forest Grove has a five gallon bucket brewing on hold. Just don't have a place to store it and I have to pick it up.  I don't know how much though few football size ones.  Baby steps 😁 I will pm you though.

 

Anyone have any other suggestions on layout? I also did message intank see if he had generic sizes he suggested the IM sizes also.  More reading LoL.  This tank is going to have to last a long time so want to make sure it's good.😉

[waldoz]

Found a small shop to cut the acrylic that ReefBoox recommended. Just need to nail down the dims and if we want slots or just strait cut on the weir portion.  Prob wait till we get the pump.  As far as spacing on the dividers up and down 1.5 seem good.   Wish I could find some scrap material and do some wet test. LOL But maybe I am over thinking this.

[I'm Batman]

As far as width, I personally just built the one baffle at 9 because the Sicce pump I used takes up like 5&1/2”. There’s not a lot of space for the sump area on a 20g but I put the pump, biocube bubble skinner and the auto aqua micro ato in there and has been fine. 

[I'm Batman]

As far as width, I personally just built the one baffle at 9 because the Sicce pump I used takes up like 5&1/2”. There’s not a lot of space for the sump area on a 20g but I put the pump, biocube bubble skinner and the auto aqua micro ato in there and has been fine. 
 

I just switched out the bubble skimmer (which worked great) for a reactor with chaeto. 

[waldoz]

You have the 1.5 right? That is a bit bigger than the 1.0  and going to make our own media baskets.  To many unknowns as far as size.   I noticed that some people have double wall with 1/2 inch gap in between.  ||.      ||.  Why do they do that?   Probably going to do two more mock ups and finalize next week. If we could cram a skimmer and some cheato that would be sweet will find out more when we pick up the pump. Oh I also broke the news that he is going to have to have a wave powerhead thinking a Jebao.  I don't know what size though as mp10 was suggested for 20l.  Jebao has some wide stream wave maker that looks sweet.

[I'm Batman]

That gap 1/2” double wall is usually used to make sure the water level in the middle chamber is always the same height. I wanted to have one and ideally I think most sump systems have the double wall but there is not a lot of room in the sump area and the 1.5 Sicce I have was just too large. 
 

Turned out, by not having the double wall it allows my ato to be mounted in the pump chamber. For the return nozzle I used a Vortex which actually creates quite a bit of flow. Since flow only blows the one direction I have a maxspect gyre with just one side running to push water the other way. 
 

Personally I would consider having a slotted grate style weir as well. 

[waldoz]

Found this weir calculator and I think I have figured out what we need for the 251gph.  As for the middle chamber needs to be at least 4 inches for a doc tunze 9001 skimmer down the road. :)

[waldoz]

On 12/10/2019 at 6:14 PM, I'm Batman said:

 

Personally I would consider having a slotted grate style weir as well. 

How did you figure out spacing on the slots and how deep?  If I just do a flat weir it needs to be level with bottom of the trim on the tank.   Still trying figure this stuff out.lol

[waldoz]

Well did two more mock ups.  5" and 4.5 deep.

 

This would give lots of room for upgrades down the road.

He wanted to have it little lower in case of overflow.

Lot of room but think he didn't like it to much as it was taking his viewing space up. LoL

 

So think we or he settled on this last one.

Leaves 25" for tank viewing area.

Plenty of room for just about anything. Also 1/2 inch drop down for over spill just to be safe.

He also did not want to cut the bezel to get the media basket in that we will build.  But he seems pretty happy with this one.  As far as I can tell I hope the slots will be good enough.  He doesn't want to risk the flat weir with any fish. We are open to suggestions as we are guessing right now. If you know anyone point them here please 😁

[I'm Batman]

I cut the bezel on the trim just in the Media basket slot. For the weir spacing they were just the size of the router used to slot them. I think they’re 1/4” wide and an inch and 1/8” deep. 

[waldoz]

Ok we did one more and I think this is the final. 🙂   Two things he wants...  Chaeto and Skimmer.     So what do you guys think of this template?  We will make a basket for the Chaeto and rotate it every water change from what I gather.  Media basket on the  right and there is enough room for a skimmer down the road. He said he is ok with cutting the lip on the tank....

 

 

 

Its still 4 1/2 so we could cram a mighty jet pump in there still down the road if need be.

I can still get my hands in there so thats good. I don't think there is really anything else we would want to put in the back chamber, is there?

 

So for controlling the water level I think we can use something like this as a surface skimmer to move the level up and down.   Prob figure out some way to attach it or just the pressure of the water will keep it in place.

 

The heater can go behind the media basket  as It will prob be 3x3 or so depending how it looks.  We are waiting on some fittings for placement of the bulkhead just to be sure its in the right spot.  When we do ato it will prob be put in the pump chamber.  That seems to be all for now and please give any suggestions.   This is not set in cardboard for nothing.  LOL   

[waldoz]

@righttirefire

 

"But if you'd like my opinion. I prefer my pump chamber is "fed" front the top. I think its better, but only have arguable reasons why i like it. 

 

I dont rotate or tumble my cheato, more out of laziness. I let it fill the chamber about basketball size and rip it down to about softball size."

 

Can you explain this little better as far as the pump being fed?

 

 

 

[righttirefire]

1 hour ago, waldoz said:

@righttirefire

 

"But if you'd like my opinion. I prefer my pump chamber is "fed" front the top. I think its better, but only have arguable reasons why i like it. 

 

I dont rotate or tumble my cheato, more out of laziness. I let it fill the chamber about basketball size and rip it down to about softball size."

 

Can you explain this little better as far as the pump being fed?

 

 

 

No i really cant.

 

I just think and build my own systems so water is fed into the top of my pump chamber. I think it helps aerate the water and can keep particles suspended in the water column so the pump can pick it back up and pump it into the tank.

 

Both of which are arguably bad points. You dont want air in your pumps and you dont want to pump suspended particles into your tank.

 

Good points

Surface agitation increases evaporations/cooling but oxygenates the water which is beneficial to your fish and corals.

And whatever "particles" are suspended in your water column gives its a change to go back through your system and not deteriorate in your chambers releasing nitrates.

 

So I realize thats of little help as its both a pro and con.

 

As for tumbling cheato, I just dont do it. I tried to have it tumble in my sump but as its grows it stops turning and its easier to just "harvest" it and not worry if its turns or not in my opinion/experience. Others might be able to weight in on this.

 

Hope that helps. Again this is just my opinion, experience, and preference. Which might not be supported by all.

[waldoz]

I see what your saying now.  You think your done and another idea comes in your head. Its all cardboard now but soon will have the parts cut.  I am almost thinking of black abs instead of acylic.  It would save a bit of $ but don't think it will be as nice.

[righttirefire]

Ive always used tap plastics in tigard and got black abs

[mitten_reef]

On 12/31/2019 at 12:41 AM, waldoz said:

 

 

Not a big fan of the two baffles on the left. AND the second baffle is too high/tall, any nano skimmer will stick out like a sore thumb in order to have the water at right level, even the low-profile tunze 9001. And I agree with @righttirefire that the last chamber should have the water tumbling in to it, not fed from under.  I dunno the reasons, other than most premise tanks have I’ll been design that way. 

you shouldn’t need both chaeto and skimmer for such a small tank. Check out the innovative marine 30L back AIO, best layout in my opinion. 

[righttirefire]

1 hour ago, mitten_reef said:

Not a big fan of the two baffles on the left. AND the second baffle is too high/tall, any nano skimmer will stick out like a sore thumb in order to have the water at right level, even the low-profile tunze 9001. And I agree with @righttirefire that the last chamber should have the water tumbling in to it, not fed from under.  I dunno the reasons, other than most premise tanks have I’ll been design that way. 

you shouldn’t need both chaeto and skimmer for such a small tank. Check out the innovative marine 30L back AIO, best layout in my opinion. 

Ive never run a skimmer always ran macro algeas. But im not a "model" reef keeper. Ive had plenty of nice tank months and plenty of ugly tank months.

[waldoz]

1 hour ago, mitten_reef said:

Not a big fan of the two baffles on the left. AND the second baffle is too high/tall, any nano skimmer will stick out like a sore thumb in order to have the water at right level, even the low-profile tunze 9001. And I agree with @righttirefire that the last chamber should have the water tumbling in to it, not fed from under.  I dunno the reasons, other than most premise tanks have I’ll been design that way. 

you shouldn’t need both chaeto and skimmer for such a small tank. Check out the innovative marine 30L back AIO, best layout in my opinion. 

I have been trying to find the layout of the 30L but don't seem to be any manuals online, unless I am missing it.

 

[mitten_reef]

56 minutes ago, waldoz said:

I have been trying to find the layout of the 30L but don't seem to be any manuals online, unless I am missing it.

 

The doc link is on the bottom of the page

 

https://www.innovative-marine.com/product-page/nuvo-fusion-30-gallon-midsize

 

 

[waldoz]

I work better with hands on visuals.  So Made a rough model of the 9001 skimmer.  

 

 

So I re did  the baffles and lowered the left side down and set it up to run over instead of under.

I added a magnet so we could get an Idea how it would sit in the middle chamber.

 

The way the chamber is set up is deep enough and wide enough to put the skimmer in either way.

 

Heater and pump.

 

8  x 4 1/2   baffle

 

 

 

 

Heater and pump... fits

 

Now I think this is the final and my son says he likes it. 🙂  Lots of room for options...    If there is any other suggestions we are open to them.  My holiday vacation is over and have to head back to work tomorrow so things might slow down some. 😕