Choosing an all in one aquarium

[malupoo]

Hi guys and girls.

im a returning hobbyist and was looking at buying a aqua one mini reef.

in the past ive stayed away from all in one set ups and have built my systems piece by piece but finances wont allow me this time.

so i propose this question to you guys should i get a aqua one mini reef or should i wait that bit longer and spend the money on a red sea 170?

the one thing that appeals to me about the red sea is auto top up but it is me stretching my budget more than i ever intended to


thanks for any help

 

[Shewillbemine]

The Red Sea is appealing at first glance but here are things to consider. The built in ATO isn't that great, particularly a) It's not a big container and b) the mechanism can easily fail due to salt buildup. Also, the sump does not have a section for a refugium so people have had to be creative.

If you have had experience with building your own system before, then you're probably better off saving money to do that again. Everybody who buys AIO systems ends up trying to be MacGyver until they reach the inevitable breaking point of wanting the bigger, customizable system.

All that said, between those 2 choices, I'd still go for the Red Sea.