AIO or sump?

[Maximus]

I ordered a 22g AIO tank from PicoAquariums.com and just ordered a stand. My original plan was to put it on my computer desk but I came across a relatively inexpensive stand at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I1M66W/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details ) and thought wait a minute, why not turn the AIO into a tank with a sump? I sent a few (ok, a few thousand lol) emails to Chris at Pico and he said he could make it any way I want. I can't say enough good things about Chris as he kept fielding my questions left and right without hesitation. Anyways, I called up my buddy and asked him about the sump and he asked me why I wanted one? I told him I wanted to hide the heater, wires etc. He asked me if I was going to run a skimmer and I told him definitely not as I would just do frequent water changes. As I thought about this, my buddy and I came to the conclusion that I did not need a sump. The AIO would essentially hide all the equipment and wires in the back. I think the AIO would simplify things (the main reason why I took down my 100g) and would still look great without the sump. What do you guys/gals think? Keep it an AIO or add the sump?

 

[Maximus]

Bumparoo!

 

[KafudaFish]

Could you have it made with the sump in mind but run it as an AIO for now?

It would allow for flexibility down the road.

 

[Maximus]

Unfortunately, that wouldn't work out but it's a good idea.

 

[pulit]

i went with the sump and i love it . more room for better equipment , and i do all my dosing and ato in the fuge. it does cost alil more for the xtra gear and plumbing but there is alot of diy that will really save you money . also it added to my water vol. i have a 24g aquapod w/ 10g fuge . less water changes, cleaner water ,aliitle more stable , more room , more fun

 

[fickle1]

I currently run both. I have a 30 gallon cube with a 10 gallon sump at home and an 8 gallon AIO at work. I much perfer the sump setup. While they both hide the equipment, trying to do anything in the back chambers of an AIO is cumbersome at best. I can't see behind my tank where I have it setup so I have to use a flashlight and a mirror to try and do anything back there.

With nano tanks, the more water volume you can add the better. You can use full sized equipment with a sump and not have to worry about buying sub-par equipment just because it "fits". Also, you get a larger area for you display tank by not losing the back 4" or so to the filter chambers. This gives you more room for corals and for fish to swim.

Bottom line for me, if you can, go with a sump.

 

[Maximus]

Great points, pulit and fickle. You guys just made my decision much harder!

 

[Willster]

Sump simply because a small tank needs all the stability it can get.

 

[kaxt]

I like AIOs. You don't have as much flexibility but if you do your research and planning before hand it's not a big deal. The AIOs take up less space and need less equipment.

 

[Willster]

"need less equipment" not entirely,

smaller maybe, but you still have a "return pump", as well as a skimmer, assuming its used, lights, heaters, wavemakers, etc. With a sump, there is more room to get bigger and better quality stuff, than an AIO system IMO.