Waterbox AIO or Landan 44 gallon rimless.????

[Elmareefer]

Well things have certainly changed in 18 years or so since I left Reefing. the AIO are pretty nice but I've been noticing a lot of folks still end up hanging a lot of stuff off the back like UV sterlizers and protein skimmers.

I'd like some opinions on this as the start up costs are a lot more for the Waterbox 50.3

 

[griss]

I've never heard of the Landen brand. Waterbox has been around a while and has a good reputation in the hobby.

 

[wvned]

I think AIOs are nice and a great way to start. They are extremely limited in space for things we do out of sight. If you want to keep a few sea things it's a great way to go but for long term growth somewhat limited.
I had a nanocube and quickly went to 20, 30, 50, 75, 240 and 75, 240 and 180, 240,180 and 75. It's like an addiction for some of us.
From a cute little sump under the tank to an entire room of stuff gurgling and whirring all the time.
Save yourself and run away now.

To do this hobby cheap learn to make and do. A Waterbox 50.4 costs $1500. A Marineland 75G tank and stand is $500. You drill it yourself.
You can make a stand and cut that price down too.
Tanks come in many sizes these days, cubes hexagons, rectangular, bow fronts.
My 180 plus materials for the stands I made was about $1500 not too long ago. It was a reef ready tank from a LFS.

Then there is the used market. People quit all the time and take 20 cents on the dollar they invested. You can get a quality setup with lights and all for $1500. With rocks and livestock often.

 

[Elmareefer]

I think AIOs are nice and a great way to start. They are extremely limited in space for things we do out of sight. If you want to keep a few sea things it's a great way to go but for long term growth somewhat limited.
I had a nanocube and quickly went to 20, 30, 50, 75, 240 and 75, 240 and 180, 240,180 and 75. It's like an addiction for some of us.
From a cute little sump under the tank to an entire room of stuff gurgling and whirring all the time.
Save yourself and run away now.

To do this hobby cheap learn to make and do. A Waterbox 50.4 costs $1500. A Marineland 75G tank and stand is $500. You drill it yourself.
You can make a stand and cut that price down too.
Tanks come in many sizes these days, cubes hexagons, rectangular, bow fronts.
My 180 plus materials for the stands I made was about $1500 not too long ago. It was a reef ready tank from a LFS.

Then there is the used market. People quit all the time and take 20 cents on the dollar they invested. You can get a quality setup with lights and all for $1500. With rocks and livestock often.

Thanks.
I was looking at this design . It would be all hang on stuff. Way less than the water box AIO

 

[wvned]

I did the hang on back life. It can be messy.

a 50 gallon column


It's your vision. What do you want to have?

 

[Elmareefer]

I did the hang on back life. It can be messy.
View attachment 32415711 a 50 gallon column


It's your vision. What do you want to have?

What filter are you using?

 

[Uncle99]

Hang on the back filter (AquaClear 110), Coralife 165 skimmer, 2 Hydor wavemakers, but replaced with 2 Jebao OW-25
Used on an inexpensive Aqueon 60g,48”.

 

[griss]

Here's an archived article about Therman's tank back in 2001. He had an amazing tank in a dorm room on a college student's budget.

 

[wvned]

That had a Reef Octo HOB skimmer.

 

[Elmareefer]

Coralife 65 or 165?

 

[Uncle99]

Coralife 65 or 165?

I used the super skimmer 165 on a 60g for 3 years. Every 6 months you need to remove the Venturi inlet, soak in vinegar, then using a drill (or similar tool) ream the Venturi air intake. About 15 minutes.This process is the same for virtually all skimmers. Calcium can build up over time and when this hole gets plugged, skimming diminishes.

I would think if your going 30-50, then the super skimmer 65 or maybe 120 will work well.


I used this on a standard, Petco Aqueon 48” tank, not rimless, has a plastic rim around the top, brace in the middle.

While it will work well on rimless, kinda wrecks the clean rimless look a bit, some thought it looks more like a science project, so depends on what your idea of a display is.

Enjoy

 

[Agent Kooper]

I started up a Waterbox 50.3 AIO ten months ago and really like it.

 

[griss]

I started up a Waterbox 50.3 AIO ten months ago and really like it.

View attachment 32415749

Awesome rock work. Very nice.

 

[Jimbob]

I started up a Waterbox 50.3 AIO ten months ago and really like it.

View attachment 32415749

Looks great! Love the rock structures and general reefscape… well done!

 

[Guygettnby]

I really like my IM Nuvo 40. I have had 2 of them. Had to sell 1 of them due to space restrictions. Had both setup with the same equipment after countless hours of research and testing what works the best. Here's a picture of one.