need some help please!

[SaltyNewb]

Guys,

I just won (in a raffle) a 75g tank with stand, canopy, T-5 lighting, and backpack 2R and an aquaclear filter.

I already have a 29 gallon (see website below), and plan to sell what I can to put into this 75g. I may keep all the rock and corals and fish, and sell the rest.

http://members.cox.net/draggio1


I have several questions, so please bare with me
I appreciate it very much!

1) Is it that much better to have a sump than HOT filters (remora pro, etc...). If so, is it that much more expensive to do this? I will use whatever money I get from the 29 gallon for this tank.

2) The tank is not drilled, and it has a tempered bottom, so is it worth it to drill the back? Or should I try and sell it and buy a used 75 g reef ready tank?

3) If I do drill it, how far down and over should I drill the hole on each side?

4) If I try to buy used as much as possible, can you give me an estimate on what it would cost to drill, put a sump, refugium, good skimmer (euro reef, or urchin, or comparible), and return pump? Is this all I need?

5) what is the best design for a sump you think? What size sump/refugium would suffice under my 75g tank (will have corals, LR, and fish).

Thanks for reading, if you could please give me as much info as possible so i can decide to go HOT or sump, and what kind of sump I would need.

Thanks again!

[ClintoninCali]

Wish I had one of those. Good catch.

I would not advise drilling the back of the tank unless you consider yourself a pro at it already. Look into a hang-on-back overflow. You oughta be able to pick one up for about $40 somewhere. Make sure you get one that will handle the flow enough to cycle the tank ten-ish times an hour. I'd say a good 20-40 gallon sump would do you well if you wanted to go that route. Hey, you already have a 29 gallon, perfect!! See if you can trade your LFS that backpack skimmer for an in-sump one if you don't want it hanging in the tank. That could save some bucks.

Return pump oughta cost about $100. Don't skimp on that for sure.

Since you have the tank lights stand and canopy you should be able to get away with a very workable reef tank in less than $200 once you're done plumbing and all that jazz. Have fun!

[kevinpo]

Hello,
Many people just use their old tank as a sump/refugium. A 29gal is typical for a 75gal tank. It costs about $25-$30 to drill a 1.5' hole. This will fit a 1" bulkhead. For a 75gal tank you only need one. A 6"x6" overflow box costs $29.99. An inexpensive light for your sump costs $14.99. I would use a Mag 7.5 ($54) for the return pump.
If you don't want to drill your tank you could use a CPR overflow box that just hangs on the back of the tank. They run about $100 (for the 600gph model). A Urchin Pro skimmer for the sump would work great. IMO a sump is much better because it provides extra water volume, grows plants, and you can put your heater in it.
The placement of the hole depends in the overflow box you use. I just hold the overflow box as close to the top trim as possible then mark the center of it from the outside of the tank using a Sharpie pen. Then take it to the glass shop. The ones here drill while you wait (takes about 10-15 min).

HTH,
Kevin

[Reefland]

Guys,

I just won (in a raffle) a 75g tank with stand, canopy, T-5 lighting, and backpack 2R and an aquaclear filter.

Congrats on winning this! Can we ask how you were able to win these?

1) Is it that much better to have a sump than HOT filters (remora pro, etc...). If so, is it that much more expensive to do this? I will use whatever money I get from the 29 gallon for this tank.

I think it's the difference between night and day personally. Utilizing a sump has not only functional advantages, but is also more aesthetically pleasing since you can place all equipment in it. Functionally, it provides more water volume for improved stability and allows you to place a good powerful protein skimmer on the system and other equipment such as heaters, etc. The other advantage is using a sump allows you to use a surface skimmer for the overflow which is were a lot of the organic matter accumulates. If you've ever run a tank without one, you know the film that develops on the surface. Surface skimming removes this film and sends it to the sump for removal through the skimmer.

2) The tank is not drilled, and it has a tempered bottom, so is it worth it to drill the back? Or should I try and sell it and buy a used 75 g reef ready tank?

You can have it drilled on the back with a bulk head, and get an acrylic fabricator to build you the surface skimmer box all put together with a bulkhead but personally, I find drilling tanks a bit nerving. I know a lot of people have tanks drilled and have no problem with it, as Kevin has mentioned above. If you do, it's important to make sure to find someone that will garauntee their work.

3) If I do drill it, how far down and over should I drill the hole on each side?

You should only need 1 drilled in a 75. Follow Kevin's advice to ensure the hole is placed correctly.

4) If I try to buy used as much as possible, can you give me an estimate on what it would cost to drill, put a sump, refugium, good skimmer (euro reef, or urchin, or comparible), and return pump? Is this all I need?

You could use the 29 gallon tank as the sump, and get a couple of inexpensive pieces of material from a hardware store to glue in place for baffles; these should cost you around $20. Drilling should be ~$20, good skimmer is going to cost you around $300 with a good pump and a good return pump will cost you ~$100 (I would go with a MAG 9). You should also consider some additional flow through the tank and now is the time to considered drilling for a closed loop or using internal pumps such as Maxi-Jett 1200's or maybe even a Tunze Stream. I would say you could get going with ~$500 but the enjoyment you will get is priceless.

[SaltyNewb]

Thanks for all the help guys.

At Rick's Reef in New Orleans (Metairie), if anyone who purchased $25 or more was put into the raffle. I spent about $100 on rock, etc., and I actually won. People had put several receipts in the box so I thought I had no chance. But I guess I was lucky!

Anyway, for an update, my roommate and I have decided to go the way of HOT things (I know I know...), but they will include the Remora Pro with mag pump, 24" CPR HOT refugium, and maybe the emperor or aquaclear for a power filter just to add some carbon or bio media. Since I go to LSU and live in an apartment, this is will be the easiest in case I have to move to another location or something, but you can bet when I graduate I'm getting bigger and better things!

Much LR will be included to help out, and I have decided to get a 3" sandbed and hopefully put a detritivore kit in there soon enough.

Thanks for everyone's help, I'll try to post progress pics.

[Reefland]

SaltyNewb,

I will recommend that you consider the HOT equipment options versus a sump one last time before you make any purchases. The HOT method is no easier than a sump method yet it limits you on equipment and future upgrades significantly. For the almost cost of the CPR 'fuge, you could have you a nice sump system set-up and will be unlimited on skimmer choices and upgrade options down the road.

[Poseidon]

Get the sump... You wont regret it... and you can hide your heater and also get more VOLUME to stabilize the system...

[SaltyNewb]

well I already put a little water and sand in my tank, I am guessing it is too late to get it drilled??

The only reason I think I went this way is because the LFS in New Orleans wanted to charge $90 for one hole in the back of the tank (bottom is tempered), and I didn't know of anyone else who would. Is it possible to get somebody to come to where I live and drill it? (I doubt it, ughh, I should have waited and not put sand in it, what am I supposed to do with that stuff now?)

If it's not too late, then maybe, just maybe I can convince my roommate to get the sump.

I would have to sell my CPR backpack and aquaclear skimmer (which I have no qualms about doing), and my 29 gallon tank.

I was looking at the EV 180 skimmer, I know these are expensive even used, can I get by with a lesser skimmer? or is this the lowest I should go on my 75g?

Also, should I drill the hole in the middle or the side of the back of the tank, if at all possible since I have already put 80lbs of sand in there.

[Reefland]

You can take the sand out and just put it in buckets; it's not live sand from your 29 is it?

[SaltyNewb]

No, it's sand from the LFS in New Orleans, and water is from my RO unit. I guess I am more concerned with the sand going bad because I can always make more water.

however, I don't have a truck to put my tank in, and I don't think my car is going to fit t

[SaltyNewb]

what is the going rate for getting tanks drilled on the back, and where would you recommend drilling it?


Someone told me 4" down but I didn't say how far over.

[Poseidon]

I think the location of the holes is purely up to you. As far as cost goes, up here they are 15-20 dollars per hole. $90 seems a little CRAZY to me! If you don't want to drill the tank, you can always get a hang on overflow, like the one I use http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...de=CPROverflow I still think your 29 would make a great sump for the 75, if you use it you will also cut down on the time it takes for the tank to mature since you will be starting with a semi-established tank at the beginning.

[SaltyNewb]

Yeh I have heard good things about the lifereef overflows, and I think I am going to get one for the 75g.

Do you think a mag 7 is what I need for the return?

[Poseidon]

Yeh I have heard good things about the lifereef overflows, and I think I am going to get one for the 75g.

Do you think a mag 7 is what I need for the return?

I would get a MAG 12, you can always use a valve to slow it down, if you get to small a pump you can't do anything to speed it up. Maybe a 9.5 would work to, there is not much price difference between a 7 and 9.5....

[SaltyNewb]

Well I called the guy at lifereef. For only a little more than what it costs to get the single overflow and pump, I can get a new 75g tank that is drilled on the bottom in the back corner, and they will run a standpipe in it and include the catalina 3000 pump. It won't have an overflow box, jsut the standpipe that comes from the bottom to just below the water line.

[Reefland]

You definitely want to overflow box, not just the pipe. It shouldn't cost but $20 or so to get someone to make you an acrylic overflow and glue it in place.