So I am stepping up to a 55g. reef tank from a 30g. reef tank. I have been doing some research and figuring. My current setup is sumpless. I am going with the Aqueon ProFlex Model 2 sump with the Berlin setup and live rock. I guess I'll go with a HOB overflow box, Eshopps. I am also going to go with a Reef Octopus skimmer in sump. By the way, I only paid 75.00 for the tank itself and am going to build my own stand for it. I am def going to keep everyone posted in this build. As of now I have 0 knowledge on skimmers, sumps, overflow boxes, etc. I know the purpose and how they work but don't know "everything". So any comments as I begin this journey would be helpful.
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I am still going to have my 30g tank as well, and eventually trade it in for a store credit at the LFS I use. I would drill, but I am just going to stick with the overflow box. My first question is this, I realize how the water will enter the sump but after it gets to the last chamber, how does it then get back to the tank. My last chamber will be the skimmer....
CorallineAlgae
Aquarium Advice Addict
The skimmer should be in the first chamber where the water drains from the main tank into the sump. That way excess bubbles from the skimmer can escape the water before the return pump sends the water back into the display tank.
lovemyreef
Aquarium Advice Regular
It isn't pretty but here is what I made for the sump its a 30 gallon tank with three chambers. First is for the inlet from the overflow, it also has my skimmer in it.2nd is the refuge area with sand rock extra heater and cheating, and last I grew with above should be your return.
lovemyreef
Aquarium Advice Regular
Lol sorry cheato and agree with above post
oyf709
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Don't suggest hob type overflow if u r able to drill the tank before u start. Hob can fail and flood ur room quite easy especially when the lift pump fail to keep the air out from the hob
I appreciate everyones input, but there's no way I'm drilling this glass, although i would love to and know it's the better route to go. I don't trust myself to do it, and there's no one around here where I live that does it. About the sump, I am going to buy, either the Aqueon ProFlex Model 2 or the Trigger Systems Crystal/Ruby Sump. I don't want to have to mess with the headache of building one. I'm also going with a HOB overflow without a prefilter which can clog and lead to flooding. The setup on the Aqueon Sump can only be setup to run a Skimmer in the 2nd or 3rd chamber. Both have to pass through a sponge that rids the micro bubbles before being pumped back into the tank. I'm def going to overkill the filtration system so I can stock this tank without any worries.
oyf709
Aquarium Advice FINatic
your LFS can't drill the tank for u for a small fee?
Depends on the type of overflow you want and whether or not the bottom pane is tempered (a lot are). You could drill the sides back or bottom. My favorite way is the back pane but a lot of people like the bottom. The side panels are good for sumps and when doing rows of tanks.
San Raphael Catfish
Aquarium Advice Freak
Make sure it is not tempered glass. My 55 is all tempered glass. So no drilling and no HOB overflow box for me.
oyf709
Aquarium Advice FINatic
should be drill the top
San Raphael Catfish
Aquarium Advice Freak
If I could drill, I like the systems with a high drilled hole in the back for overflow. Seems like the safest to keep from completely overflowing IMO. Or maybe that is the system that I can get my head around the best.
SRC
SRC
CorallineAlgae
Aquarium Advice Addict
San Raphael Catfish said:
I like that method, too. Mostly because it means you can use a smaller overflow box that's more discrete in the tank.
CorallineAlgae
Aquarium Advice Addict
You'd probably need to contact the manufacturer or check their site for FAQs.
I will come back to drilling/HOB. In the meantime I am buying the Aqueon ProFlex Model 2 Sump. I would like to know what would be a good choice of Protein Skimmer. I am wanting more than enough filtration for this tank in case I move on up to a 75g tank. So my filtration needs to be more than sufficient... Any thoughts??
