75 Gallon Build: Need Some Recommendations

J-West · Feb 23, 2017

Hi Everyone...
I've been reading the Forum for a while, but now I have some questions about my pending 75 gallon build, so I decided to join today, and I'm hoping you guys can help me out.
I have a 75 gallon, undrilled tank I bought during the Petco $1 sale. I want to turn it into a mixed reef with both SPS, LPS and a few fish.

So here are my questions:
1). If I have the tank drilled, should I do a single drain or dual drains ? Single or dual returns ?

2). I don't like the single, tall, corner overflows that come on most of the RR tanks today, as that corner overflow takes up a lot of floor space at the bottom of the tank that could be used for rocks and coral.
SO...What is the best (and least risky) type of Overflow I can get ? I'm a little nervous about adding water weight to the back wall of the tank. Seems like that "could" weaken the glass on the back of the tank and cause it to possibly crack and break. I like what I've read about the "coast-to-coast" overflows, but again, I'm a little worried about compromising the glass on the back of the tank. I don't ever want to come home to 75 gallons of salt water flowing thru my family room.

3). What's the best Sump I can get ? I will be using an "in sump" Reef Octopus Protein Skimmer, and I want a refugium on the sump.
Which brands and types are better for a mixed reef ?

Please post pictures of different options for drilling, drains, returns overflows and sumps - and tell me the PROS and CONS of each option.

Thanks !

USMC4Life · Feb 23, 2017

J-West said:
Hi Everyone...
I've been reading the Forum for a while, but now I have some questions about my pending 75 gallon build, so I decided to join today, and I'm hoping you guys can help me out.
I have a 75 gallon, undrilled tank I bought during the Petco $1 sale. I want to turn it into a mixed reef with both SPS, LPS and a few fish.

So here are my questions:
1). If I have the tank drilled, should I do a single drain or dual drains ? Single or dual returns ?

2). I don't like the single, tall, corner overflows that come on most of the RR tanks today, as that corner overflow takes up a lot of floor space at the bottom of the tank that could be used for rocks and coral.
SO...What is the best (and least risky) type of Overflow I can get ? I'm a little nervous about adding water weight to the back wall of the tank. Seems like that "could" weaken the glass on the back of the tank and cause it to possibly crack and break. I like what I've read about the "coast-to-coast" overflows, but again, I'm a little worried about compromising the glass on the back of the tank. I don't ever want to come home to 75 gallons of salt water flowing thru my family room.

3). What's the best Sump I can get ? I will be using an "in sump" Reef Octopus Protein Skimmer, and I want a refugium on the sump.
Which brands and types are better for a mixed reef ?

Please post pictures of different options for drilling, drains, returns overflows and sumps - and tell me the PROS and CONS of each option.

Thanks !

You need to think about the real estate under your tank as well as the head room under the tank. But if that's not a problem take a look at ghost overflows that can give you some ideas.

Eshopps Eclipse Overflow Box Kit Large by Eshopps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I5VV57C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_85ZRybQ4EQ5WJ

Eclipse S Overflow Box Small - Eshopps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0NYI5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_T7ZRybCZQTRZ0

USMC4Life · Feb 23, 2017

Or if you do not want to drill you can get a HOB overflow that self primes.

That's what I did.

KollerCraft TOM RP3 Overflow Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LYTE4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_M9ZRybDW64RV6

J-West · Feb 23, 2017

USMC4Life said:
Or if you do not want to drill you can get a HOB overflow that self primes.

That's what I did.

KollerCraft TOM RP3 Overflow Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LYTE4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_M9ZRybDW64RV6

How safe are these ? Is there any risk of overflowing and flooding with these ?

USMC4Life · Feb 23, 2017

J-West said:
How safe are these ? Is there any risk of overflowing and flooding with these ?

Not that I know off. They auto level so when the power is out it stops pulling water and the exhaust port has a vent in the back so when the water drops it exposes it so there is no back siphon.

J-West · Feb 24, 2017

So it has an auto "shut off", and an auto "restart" ? So if I lost power when I wasn't home, this unit would automatically shut off WITHOUT draining and flooding the sump, AND then automatically come back on by itself after power was restored without any human intervention ? If so... that's amazing ! Do all overflows work this way ?

USMC4Life · Feb 28, 2017

J-West said:
So it has an auto "shut off", and an auto "restart" ? So if I lost power when I wasn't home, this unit would automatically shut off WITHOUT draining and flooding the sump, AND then automatically come back on by itself after power was restored without any human intervention ? If so... that's amazing ! Do all overflows work this way ?

Yap. That's how my works.