Feedback on Tank Planning

[NSimpkins]

Live in the Southern New Jersey area and looking to potentially start a new 75 or 90 gallon tank. Thinking might as well get 90 gallon since I am going to need to get it drilled for 4 holes (I do not want to drill the tank myself!!!).

Planning to start as soon as I feel good about the system design and obviously the money to start. I would be getting tank first, then sump, then all the rest.

Planning on a Marineland Perfecto tank and a Trigger Systems Sump (not sure if Ruby or Crystal?)

Attached is a diagram. I would love feedback on over all design.

Questions I have:
#1. Should I use schedule 80 or is it overkill? I am ok to use 40? If I use 80 what size would I need to get my holes drilled?
#2. Any thoughts on a stand? I want something modern looking that can house my sump under. As a consideration I live on a 2nd floor condo. So the more weight I can disperse the better.
#3. Do I have a big enough return pump?
#4. I want to get the Trigger Systems Sump question is Ruby or Crystal. Ruby is cool but is it worth the extra? Thinking of also using blue PVP through the entire system. I know many are going to say make my own but much like drilling I'd rather buy than DIY.

 

[NSimpkins]

Sorry forgot to attach plan. Also anything else I am not thinking about?

 

[izzyish]

I bought a Trigger System 36 Crystal Elite and wish I would have went with the Ruby. I would have liked the probe holders that the ruby comes with. I like there new Emerald series but I'm not sure if trigger systems has started selling it. Make sure the specs of the sump fit the inside of your stand. My stand was fine but I had to replace the hinges for my sump to fit in.

 

[RocketEngineer]

Your questions:
#1: Schedule 40 is fine. Purchase the bulkheads FIRST as the holes vary slightly from one brand to another. See my comments below before you do that.
#2: A plywood box is plenty to hold up a 90g tank. See if anybody near you has a woodshop that can help. You would be amazed at the kind of help you can get just for the asking (or maybe a case of beer).
#3: Probably. I've never used their pumps but eheim has been in the hobby business for decades so they are a safe bet.
#4: My DIY sump was very easy and cost a lot less than buying one. The glass cost me $40, I got the tank at a $1/g sale so that was another $45 including tax, and the silicone was like $16 with shipping. Took me a weekend and it was done and exactly what I wanted. Just a thought.

My comments:
1) While Marineland makes decent tanks, the commercially available overflows are painfully small with even smaller plumbing. Since the purpose of an overflow is to pull water from the SURFACE, the small plastic things don't fit the bill. Most of us who know better buy either a basic tank and drill it ourselves or a drilled tank and then we add a coast-to-coast overflow. This gives you the maximum amount of surface skimming. Also, because it just runs along the top of the tank it has minimal impact on the usable footprint within the tank for aquascaping.

2) With #1 in mind, I recommend 4 holes in the BACK of the tank. Three of these are used in a BeanAnimal Drain arrangement. Do your research on this as there are lots of ways to mess it up. Mine uses 1" plumbing for a 125g setup and I couldn't be happier. My vortech pumps make more noise than my drains. The return can also be 1" which would make plumbing easier with everything the same size.

3) I personally like my return pump between the skimmer and refugium sections of my sump as it allows me to have a very tall refugium baffle (more volume). Also, I supply my refugium from the return pump manifold plus it gets the drains from my reactors. The flow past my skimmer is much higher.

4) I'd ditch the UV as it really doesn't do much. Some big tanks can make it a viable addition but the contact time isn't long enough in most of our hobbyist applications to be worth the expense.

5) Given that this is your first tank, I try to direct folks towards T5. It is less expensive to start with and allows you to adjust the appearance of the tank just by exchanging a bulb. Once you get your husbandry down and start advancing into the harder to keep corals, THEN pay the money and upgrade the lighting.

HTH,

 

[NSimpkins]

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Didn't think of a coast to coast overflow. To be honest I'm a little intimidated about drilling and putting in my own overflows etc.

Certainty would be willing to trade beer for experts in my area.

 

[RocketEngineer]

See if you can buy the tank with the back drilled. That is the scary part. Adding the overflow is as simple as laying a bead of silicone.

 

[NSimpkins]

How about pipe size...do i want to go 2" pipes (I do) but is it too much flow (can that exist) for a 75 gallon tank?

 

[DivingTheWorld]

I have a Ruby30s and it's a really nice sump. That said, with the exception of the flashy red color and the slightly expanded width, I don't see much difference. I can tell you that the probe holder is basically useless. I have an Apex and it doesn't hold any of the probes well. Instead I went with the Neptune Systems MPR Probe Holder. I highly recommend it.

Personally, I'd go Crystal unless you want the additional width.

 

[lllesley]

I have the coast to coast bean animal set up & couldn't be happier. Silent and almost bullet proof with regards to accidental flooding. Would def consider it as an god option.

 

[pdiehm]

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Didn't think of a coast to coast overflow. To be honest I'm a little intimidated about drilling and putting in my own overflows etc.

Certainty would be willing to trade beer for experts in my area.

Honestly, I was in the same boat as you. AS long as it's not tempered, it's a piece of cake.

You can make a jig out of a 1x4 to keep the bit from bouncing, or buy a portable drill press from BRS (I did).

Took 20 minutes total to drill 3 holes in my oceanic that I had. I was scared shitless. ONce I was done, I was like...what a dork, no reason to be scared. Really is a piece of cake.

I'm currently awaiting the arrival of a new tank, which I'll void the warranty within 1 hour of it being at the house.

 

[dfm34]

I have the exact setup 75 gal reef ready and crystal sump. I just sent you a pm