The Debate - 75 or 90 ... or 100+

[chrisfont23]

The title pretty much says it all. The planning stage for the upgrade of my reef aquarium has begun. Fin, you're on notice

So a two parter:

1) I am stuck between three tank sizes. The 75 is my first choice for a few reasons but I won't sway the vote as to why. The extra few inches in height between a 75 and a 90 aren't a big deal but I am really struggling with the extra 20 inches or so in length (enter Austin Powers reference) I get by going north of 100g. Is it really worth it? Right now, I expect that the first 4-6 months, the tank won't do more than house a little extra live rock and become a new home for my (overgrown) 29g. The 29g will service as a FOWLR until I am confident the new tank is ready. After that, I have no plan but to put a more diverse selection of SPS coral in the tank. I doubt I will add many more fish than I have So for all you 75, 90 or 100+ reefers, why did you choose what you have? Any advice is welcomed!

2) The other question is drilling.I don't plan on doing this myself, rather purchasing a reef ready tank from my LFS but want to get it right. My LFS swears by drilling through the bottom, running the bulkhead there as opposed to the side. I don't get it systemically - wouldn't drilling the bottom leave me susceptible to pressure cracks from the weight of the rock and water and more prone to leaks? I am far from being even a drilling novice, so if I am off base, please tell me from your experience.

The research or tanks I see assumed the pump would naturally sit in the sump/fuge, push thru PVC up the back of the outside of the DST and into the tank that way thru the bulkhead. The overflow, in an opposite corner or side would just suffice for the return, but would be external (1d below) as opposed to internal (1a/b below). I know this is the basic concept, but want to make sure the overflow is done right and not "just because." I am also figuring on a 30g sump/fuge or some baffle laden contraption.

"Borrowed" from wikipedia:


Thx all!

[NoobSalt]

Not that I am an expert at all, I mean, at all, but while I am also in planning stages, I understand the plumbing as the image on the left as well. I mean i can do some basic plumbing, non tank related, and that diagram makes sense to me, as does your statement about the weight causing cracks.

Just my 2 cents.

[Reefing Madness]

I went with my 240g 8' long tank because I wanted Tangs, and everyone knows that tangs need back and forth swim room.
I would not go with either design that you have, if I were to drill the tank for overflows it would be for the Herby Overflow or the BeanAnimal Coast to Coast Overflow. My 1st choice would be the Bean Animal Overflow, as he has this thing perfected and 100% Failsafe.
BeanAnimal's Bar and Grill - Silent and Fail-Safe Overflow System