1 Gallon Night Light - AIO

[Marketplace Reefer]

I purchased an Aqueon 2.5 gallon aquarium. My goal is to create a small AIO tank with a 1 gallon display that will house coral. This tank will fit in a small cubby in our hallway and will serve as a night light.

Because this tank is so small and will be in a cubby id like to build at ATO reservoir into the back “sump” area.

My original plan was to make the display cube shaped. After looking at the tank and cubby I realized I could also fit the tank length ways as well. This opens up the possibility for a slim display the length of the tank.

Below are two designs I’ve drawn up. I cannot decide which direction to go. I believe the cube would create better flow and the return and drain are in better locations. I like the slim display because I think it could be very interesting looking. Although I am concerned there would be dead area on the end opposite the return.
Please let me know your thoughts!

Cube:

Slim:

 

[edsbeaker]

I really can’t help with the design, but am so intrigued with the creativity of this project. That will be such a great little nightlight tank!

 

[Marketplace Reefer]

I’m leaning towards the slim design. This does also limit light options but I believe it wouldn’t take much wattage to grow softies in this small area.

 

[jerricolaboy]

Cool idea but something so small I’d skip the aio all together. Keep it super simple Just a small wave maker for water circulation and a slim betta heater. Glass lid to minimize evaporation and you’re good. Do like 50% water change a week

 

[Kehy]

I wouldn't bother with much of that personally, but I'm a minimalist. I've done several tanks of just an internal filter and lights- after an incident I don't use heaters. A tank that small is a tank that can have frequent easy changes and with a proper lid won't evaporate much between water changes.

 

[VintageReefer]

I have a 1.1g pico with a good fitting acrylic lid, and I only need to add top off water every couple weeks.

 

[Marketplace Reefer]

I do agree the built in ATO may be overkill, but my end goal if for this to hold very hardy softies where I may be able to avoid a weekly water change.

I did end up going with the slim design! I’m very happy with how the AIO insert turned. I’m hoping to silicone it all in today! I dry fit the heater, return pump, and ATO and everything fits great. I’m intrigued to see how the actual flow turns out.

 

[VintageReefer]

I do agree the built in ATO may be overkill, but my end goal if for this to hold very hardy softies where I may be able to avoid a weekly water change.

I did end up going with the slim design! I’m very happy with how the AIO insert turned. I’m hoping to silicone it all in today! I dry fit the heater, return pump, and ATO and everything fits great. I’m intrigued to see how the actual flow turns out.

If you plan a pico well…you won’t need weekly water changes. I set this 1.1g up in February and have not done a water change since…

Here is it at various points over the last year. I kept having to change out the centerpiece coral because they outgrow it. The last pic with the Cynarina is current. Figured I would put something in that will take years to outgrow the tank