Still new, what about this setup?

[jaxteller007]

I'm looking going to a sump set up for our tank. I saw this package on marine depot. Looks like all I would need to add is the HOB overflow. We have a 75 gallon tank with just live rock and fish. Hope to add some coral down the road. Only issue with a sump is it would have to be all in the cabinet.

https://www.marinedepot.com/IceCap_...m_Sump_Units-IceCap-CV408361-FIFRBSCU-vi.html

 

[RobZilla04]

Sump is not totally necessary. The benefit is getting the additional water volume and equipment (mostly the skimmer). There are hang on the back skimmers, but they come with an unsightly appearance and added noise. With a hang on the back overflow, you need to be able to restart the syphon should a power loss stop the flow to/from the sump. When the power comes back on, if you aren't home, likely the return pump will drain the sump filling the tank and the syphon wont automatically restart draining water back into the sump.

Drilled reef ready is the way to go honestly. Since your system is already set up, look into a Toms Aqualifter Pump to hang beside your overflow box. When the power comes back on, it'll restart the syphon provided you have the tubes in the overflow correctly. I did this for months before upgrading from a 55g to a 90g drilled reef tank.

 

[scott11106]

as stated, definitely go with the sump, anything is better than nothing but bigger is better. You will thank yourself later for this as you will run out of space for live and mechanical filtration if you dont have one.

 

[jaxteller007]

Sump is not totally necessary. The benefit is getting the additional water volume and equipment (mostly the skimmer). There are hang on the back skimmers, but they come with an unsightly appearance and added noise. With a hang on the back overflow, you need to be able to restart the syphon should a power loss stop the flow to/from the sump. When the power comes back on, if you aren't home, likely the return pump will drain the sump filling the tank and the syphon wont automatically restart draining water back into the sump.

Drilled reef ready is the way to go honestly. Since your system is already set up, look into a Toms Aqualifter Pump to hang beside your overflow box. When the power comes back on, it'll restart the syphon provided you have the tubes in the overflow correctly. I did this for months before upgrading from a 55g to a 90g drilled reef tank.

Yea it's going to be awhile before we're ready to upgrade to a drilled reef tank so gonna have to make the best out of what we can do for now.

 

[mitch91175]

You do not have to wait to drill your tank. You can go with something like this: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eclipse-m-overflow-box-800-gph-eshopps.html

You could also make your own sump from a 40 breeder or similar tank. There is a ton of info online to do it. Won't cost you a lot to do, but you still get the benefit of it.

 

[E_reefer]

I'm looking going to a sump set up for our tank. I saw this package on marine depot. Looks like all I would need to add is the HOB overflow. We have a 75 gallon tank with just live rock and fish. Hope to add some coral down the road. Only issue with a sump is it would have to be all in the cabinet.

https://www.marinedepot.com/IceCap_...m_Sump_Units-IceCap-CV408361-FIFRBSCU-vi.html

That’s a good kit right there, maybe just need a fw reservoir for the ato. +1 on the aqua lifter pump to go along with your hob overflow for siphon loss due to power outage.

 

[jaxteller007]

You do not have to wait to drill your tank. You can go with something like this: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eclipse-m-overflow-box-800-gph-eshopps.html

You could also make your own sump from a 40 breeder or similar tank. There is a ton of info online to do it. Won't cost you a lot to do, but you still get the benefit of it.

Yea that's what we are looking at doing now. I was saying it was going to be awhile before we upgrade to a drilled reef tank so for now we will have to do something like this with the overflow box.

 

[jaxteller007]

That’s a good kit right there, maybe just need a fw reservoir for the ato. +1 on the aqua lifter pump to go along with your hob overflow for siphon loss due to power outage.

The only thing that bothers me is that it doesn't come with an overflow box and we already have a skimmer that will work fine. I wonder if they would be willing to swap the skimmer out for an overflow box? Seems like it would be a better deal for everyone.

 

[jaxteller007]

I talked to one of their folks on the phone and he said I needed this
https://www.marinedepot.com/Tom_Aqu...low_Boxes-Tom_Aquatics-OE11371-FIOFOA-vi.html

For this overflow box
https://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_CS9...Boxes_for_Aquariums-CPR-CR1513-FIOFEB-vi.html

Can someone explain to me why?

 

[scott11106]

well i would ask them why you would need that as it makes no sense to me.

 

[mitch91175]

well i would ask them why you would need that as it makes no sense to me.

He doesn't have a drilled tank so he is doing a make shift HOB overflow to go to his sump and having his return pump from the back, so it make sense to me.

 

[mitch91175]

I talked to one of their folks on the phone and he said I needed this
https://www.marinedepot.com/Tom_Aqu...low_Boxes-Tom_Aquatics-OE11371-FIOFOA-vi.html

For this overflow box
https://www.marinedepot.com/CPR_CS9...Boxes_for_Aquariums-CPR-CR1513-FIOFEB-vi.html

Can someone explain to me why?

as long as you aren't drilling your tank, then what they recommended for the HOB will work. I do not know about the aqualifter and its purpose. Why did they say you needed the aqualifter?

 

[scott11106]

oh, i see the aquapump is to make sure the overflow box keeps its syphon. that way if the syphon was broken from a power outage ect.. the pump would restart the syphon.

 

[mitch91175]

Good luck with the HOB. I personally would just bit the bullet and get the tank drilled for a different type of overflow. You can drain some water, drill the back glass, and add an overflow that way. Much less likely to flood your house that way and you will appreciate it being drilled and not have to purchase another tank. That's just what I would do. I personally never would trust a HOB anything for my reef.

 

[Retro Reefer]

HOB overflows work just fine.. I have found you need to match overflow size with your return pumps output, you want to push the upper end of what they will handle flow wise to help keep air bubbles from forming inside the U tube and I also try to block any light from getting to the U tube I had cut a piece of dark plastic and propped it over the U tube on my last tank that had a HOB overflow.. never had a lost syphon in the 13 years it was running.

 

[mitch91175]

HOB overflows work just fine.. I have found you need to match overflow size with your return pumps output, you want to push the upper end of what they will handle flow wise to help keep air bubbles from forming inside the U tube and I also try to block any light from getting to the U tube I had cut a piece of dark plastic and propped it over the U tube on my last tank that had a HOB overflow.. never had a lost syphon in the 13 years it was running.

I know they work fine, I just personally wouldn't use one. Keyword being "personally". Question would you say that you have a greater chance of the HOB flooding than you do with one that is drilled? Also you have more experience that the OP so that helps as well. Not attempting to sway the OP one way or another, just providing what I think are things to consider.

He also mentioned that he would eventually get a drilled tank, so the question that I have is do you really need a sump right now or can you take the money that you are going to spend on a makeshift temporary solution and save it towards what you really want for your next system?

 

[jaxteller007]

When I say eventually get another tank I'm talking a few years from now at best.

I like what I've read about that tank and its abilities. Now to read up on how to set it up as far as filter material, etc l.

 

[jaxteller007]

Actually need to order screen tops too so that I can make them match up with the new stuff.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I know they work fine, I just personally wouldn't use one. Keyword being "personally". Question would you say that you have a greater chance of the HOB flooding than you do with one that is drilled? Also you have more experience that the OP so that helps as well. Not attempting to sway the OP one way or another, just providing what I think are things to consider.

He also mentioned that he would eventually get a drilled tank, so the question that I have is do you really need a sump right now or can you take the money that you are going to spend on a makeshift temporary solution and save it towards what you really want for your next system?

Sorry my post wasn’t a rebuff of your’s we where probably typing at the same time.. lol, To answer your question I honestly wouldn’t know how to respond.. It’s probably a toss up between the two but this forum is full of people posting about failed internal overflows, leaking gaskets, clogged down-flow pipes and broken tanks during the drilling process and although there are probably plenty I don’t recall ever reading a post about a failed HOB overflow..