how am i doing so far?

philly180 · 09/11/2007, 09:57 PM

hello i've been reading posts on this site for quite a while and now that im ready to start my tank i figured id post and ask some questions... i hope i can get some good help from you guys...
so just to give you some background, i have 20 yrs experience in high end herps herps and freshwater tanks but new to saltwater... im looking to do this all correctly the first time and have all the patience in the world... this is why im asking these couple questions.... and thanks to anyone that responds, i really appreciate it...
so for the past couple weeks ive been gathering(buying) most of what i hope i need... below ill post pics of everything and PLEASE let me know what you think, what i need, or what i dont need...
so here go my first couple questions before i let you tear me apart

1. this is the major question that i have and its pretty much whats keeping me from getting started... i have a 150 gallon oceanic thats not exactly new in age but looks great... it is not drilled... i bought a wet dry rated at 200g that has an external overflow... question is, should i keep this setup or attempt to drill the tank and go that route.... i could take the external back if need be... even though its rated for 200g it seems to me that the box couldnt accomidate the flow... i have an 1800gph pump(pics below)... the tanks bottom is tempered but not the sides... so what u think? oh and by the way how do those 2 damn plastic u shaped tubes work on the overflow box?

2. what would steps 1 through, lets say, 3 be in the setup process with what i have?? im going to go fish only for a couple years and probably one day go reef...

3. ive had my ro/di unit running on my utility faucet for about a week... is she ready to go now?

4. i plan on using that 220 line that you see behind the tank for my setup as its already a dedicated line straight to my breaker box... of course ill be switching it to 110... any thoughts?

THANKS A MILLION FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE!!!

philly180 · 09/11/2007, 09:59 PM

vr697getta · 09/11/2007, 10:08 PM

looks like a good start
if you can get the tank drilled if the siphon breaks on the overflow box your tank will over flow
and how big is your sump for when the power goes out make sure there is enough room for the extra water
i have the same skimmer and it works great

ihopss · 09/11/2007, 10:24 PM

I have a external overflow and it works fine, with that pump you will have no problem.

vr697getta · 09/11/2007, 10:46 PM

if a snail or something stops the flow or even slows it down the pump will still pump the water back to the tank and it will over flow
i allmost got the same box as you but alot of people talked me out of it and i am gald they did

vr697getta · 09/11/2007, 11:14 PM

what is the gph on the overflow box i just saw that you are using a mag 18 if you use the box you might want to add another box i have 3 holes drilled in my tank and i have a mag 9.5 you might want to put a ball valve or a gate valve on

Mavrk · 09/11/2007, 11:20 PM

Are you sure you want to use the bio-balls? They have a reputation for being Nitrate factories.

ACBlinky · 09/11/2007, 11:43 PM

Nice start! I love looking at brand new tanks and equipment - so much potential, and everything's so CLEAN!

I'd get rid of the bio-balls before you even start, if you're going to use live rock there's no need (the rock will provide all the biological filtration) and it could end up becoming a real nitrate headache.

I've never used an external overflow box, but I will say that I've seen quite a few posts where people say if you've got the choice, go drilled wherever possible. My 90g came drilled (on the bottom), and it's wonderful. Because you're starting with an empty tank and have the opportunity, you can take the time to design your plumbing and really make the system work exactly the way you want. Then again, if putting holes in the tank scares you, or you think you may want to change/sell the tank later on, the external might be a good idea. It's a perfectly serviceable way to go, as well as being less work.

Since you're looking for feedback, you might want to start a build thread, detailing every step as you go - people will comment and offer suggestions, and it can be very helpful if you run into a snag. It's also a lot of fun for the rest of us to follow along and see another system coming to life.

One thing I wanted to mention, even though you didn't ask about it... I'd suggest painting the back of the tank before you set things up. Krylon Fusion or a similar spray paint is easy, works incredibly well, and makes a gorgeous backdrop. I used a glossy black on my 90g, and LOVE it. I have removable plastic backgrounds (black) on my 21g QT and 30g reef, and there's no comparison. No matter how smooth you get a plastic background, or how well you apply window tinting, or paper, or cardboard, nothing looks as good as paint.

Have fun!

philly180 · 09/12/2007, 12:18 AM

thanks for the great replies! so here goes...
the sump is rated at 200g so im told that if the power goes out i will be good

wmullins how does your external work?

im going fish only for a couple yrs so should i still take out the bio balls? i understand that the live rock would handle the burden but if i go fish only... what should i do?

i really do want to drill the tank but is there any difference with drilling the side as far as flow, etc? i dont mind drilling but its an oceanic so its quite thick... any thoughts on that?? i called them and they said that only the bottom is tempered... i will be keeping this tank im sure forever so customization is a go if need be....

painting is something i will definetly do... and i didnt mention it because i forgot all about it! so thanks!

the flow and power of the pump is what i was worried about with the size of the box... im not sure of the gph of the actual wetdry but i guess it makes sense that it needs to be at least 1800 gph huh... so i guess the general concensus is to do away with the external...

if i take this wetdry back, i can get the next size up which is rated at 300g for only an extra $20 but it comes with no external... but if i drill i wont need it...

ccmarkab · 09/12/2007, 05:42 AM

Hi,
Although I would agree that drilled overflows are the better route to go. You can purchase (or build) overflow boxes that utilize a full width vacuum chamber as opposed to using tubes to siphon the water. These are nearly impossible to be plugged up by a stray snail or fish and potentally siphon a greater volume of water than J tubes. If you add a float switch or two to your setup you all but eliminate the possibility of your tank overflowing due to a loss of siphon.

Regards,
Mark

Quote:

Originally posted by vr697getta
looks like a good start
if you can get the tank drilled if the siphon breaks on the overflow box your tank will over flow
and how big is your sump for when the power goes out make sure there is enough room for the extra water
i have the same skimmer and it works great

09/11/2007, 09:57 PM	#1
philly180 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 12	how am i doing so far? hello i've been reading posts on this site for quite a while and now that im ready to start my tank i figured id post and ask some questions... i hope i can get some good help from you guys... so just to give you some background, i have 20 yrs experience in high end herps herps and freshwater tanks but new to saltwater... im looking to do this all correctly the first time and have all the patience in the world... this is why im asking these couple questions.... and thanks to anyone that responds, i really appreciate it... so for the past couple weeks ive been gathering(buying) most of what i hope i need... below ill post pics of everything and PLEASE let me know what you think, what i need, or what i dont need... so here go my first couple questions before i let you tear me apart 1. this is the major question that i have and its pretty much whats keeping me from getting started... i have a 150 gallon oceanic thats not exactly new in age but looks great... it is not drilled... i bought a wet dry rated at 200g that has an external overflow... question is, should i keep this setup or attempt to drill the tank and go that route.... i could take the external back if need be... even though its rated for 200g it seems to me that the box couldnt accomidate the flow... i have an 1800gph pump(pics below)... the tanks bottom is tempered but not the sides... so what u think? oh and by the way how do those 2 damn plastic u shaped tubes work on the overflow box? 2. what would steps 1 through, lets say, 3 be in the setup process with what i have?? im going to go fish only for a couple years and probably one day go reef... 3. ive had my ro/di unit running on my utility faucet for about a week... is she ready to go now? 4. i plan on using that 220 line that you see behind the tank for my setup as its already a dedicated line straight to my breaker box... of course ill be switching it to 110... any thoughts? THANKS A MILLION FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE!!!

09/11/2007, 09:59 PM	#2
philly180 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 12	more pics...

09/11/2007, 11:43 PM	#8
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	Nice start! I love looking at brand new tanks and equipment - so much potential, and everything's so CLEAN! I'd get rid of the bio-balls before you even start, if you're going to use live rock there's no need (the rock will provide all the biological filtration) and it could end up becoming a real nitrate headache. I've never used an external overflow box, but I will say that I've seen quite a few posts where people say if you've got the choice, go drilled wherever possible. My 90g came drilled (on the bottom), and it's wonderful. Because you're starting with an empty tank and have the opportunity, you can take the time to design your plumbing and really make the system work exactly the way you want. Then again, if putting holes in the tank scares you, or you think you may want to change/sell the tank later on, the external might be a good idea. It's a perfectly serviceable way to go, as well as being less work. Since you're looking for feedback, you might want to start a build thread, detailing every step as you go - people will comment and offer suggestions, and it can be very helpful if you run into a snag. It's also a lot of fun for the rest of us to follow along and see another system coming to life. One thing I wanted to mention, even though you didn't ask about it... I'd suggest painting the back of the tank before you set things up. Krylon Fusion or a similar spray paint is easy, works incredibly well, and makes a gorgeous backdrop. I used a glossy black on my 90g, and LOVE it. I have removable plastic backgrounds (black) on my 21g QT and 30g reef, and there's no comparison. No matter how smooth you get a plastic background, or how well you apply window tinting, or paper, or cardboard, nothing looks as good as paint. Have fun! __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

09/11/2007, 10:08 PM	#3
vr697getta Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: white oak Posts: 1,974	looks like a good start if you can get the tank drilled if the siphon breaks on the overflow box your tank will over flow and how big is your sump for when the power goes out make sure there is enough room for the extra water i have the same skimmer and it works great

09/11/2007, 10:24 PM	#4
ihopss Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gilmer,tx Posts: 751	I have a external overflow and it works fine, with that pump you will have no problem.

09/11/2007, 10:46 PM	#5
vr697getta Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: white oak Posts: 1,974	if a snail or something stops the flow or even slows it down the pump will still pump the water back to the tank and it will over flow i allmost got the same box as you but alot of people talked me out of it and i am gald they did

09/11/2007, 11:14 PM	#6
vr697getta Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: white oak Posts: 1,974	what is the gph on the overflow box i just saw that you are using a mag 18 if you use the box you might want to add another box i have 3 holes drilled in my tank and i have a mag 9.5 you might want to put a ball valve or a gate valve on

09/11/2007, 11:20 PM	#7
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Are you sure you want to use the bio-balls? They have a reputation for being Nitrate factories.

09/12/2007, 12:18 AM	#9
philly180 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 12	thanks for the great replies! so here goes... the sump is rated at 200g so im told that if the power goes out i will be good wmullins how does your external work? im going fish only for a couple yrs so should i still take out the bio balls? i understand that the live rock would handle the burden but if i go fish only... what should i do? i really do want to drill the tank but is there any difference with drilling the side as far as flow, etc? i dont mind drilling but its an oceanic so its quite thick... any thoughts on that?? i called them and they said that only the bottom is tempered... i will be keeping this tank im sure forever so customization is a go if need be.... painting is something i will definetly do... and i didnt mention it because i forgot all about it! so thanks! the flow and power of the pump is what i was worried about with the size of the box... im not sure of the gph of the actual wetdry but i guess it makes sense that it needs to be at least 1800 gph huh... so i guess the general concensus is to do away with the external... if i take this wetdry back, i can get the next size up which is rated at 300g for only an extra $20 but it comes with no external... but if i drill i wont need it...