Help with my project

[Bathel]

I'm in the planning phases of a new reef tank. Right now I'm running a 45H tank with various coral, fish and inverts.

I'd like to setup a 75 Hex tank. Here is what I've looked at so far. Nothing has been bought, yet.

TANK: 75g tenecor hex tank
LIGHTING: Coralife Aqualife Pro 24" 250w MH, 2x65w Actintic, 1w 470mm LED moon.
ROCK/BASE: 120+ lbs of live rock, 4"-5" live sand
HEATING/COOLING: 2x150w heaters and 1/10hp chiller if needed.

What I'm having an issue with is a sump/refugium. The stand will be custom made by me to fit a nitch in my wall. I should have plenty of room to fit what I need.

The question I have is what size sump/Refugium would you recommend? Should I have the tank pre-drilled or use an overflow box? What size pumps whould you recommend for the return?

In my current system, it uses a canister filter and a hang on filter with a lot of live rock and sand. I have no experience with sumps and my LFS is not much help.

I've tried to read as much as I can on the subject, but without getting my feet wet it's a little hard to figure out. I'd like to make sure I get what I need the first go around. I have no issue with making my on sump if needed.

I'd like to have the option to host SPS, LPS and inverts ... maybe one fish .... but almost 100% coral an inverts.

Also, I'll be adding a skimmer to the sump and several powerheads to the system as need for flow.

If you see any areas you would do differnt, please make suggestions.

 

[alten78]

what are the dimensions of the tank? I have a small hex and hate it because there is no room whatsoever for a sump/fuge underneath.

 

[Bathel]

Here is a link to the dimensions:

Tenecor 75g Hex

I don't see too much of an issue with with area as it will be a custom stand that is built into a nitch in the wall. I will most likely custom build a sump/refugium to fit that area ... but is there a minimum size that I need to be aware of before I design it? I was thinking I could work a 20-25g sump. Would this be enough?


I guess the only other question that really needs deciding is to pre-drill the tank or use an overflow? I've not had experience with either of these and don't know which one would work the best. What are the pros/cons for predrilling and also for overflow?

 

[dicjones]

Hex tanks are not a good idea...from what i have read. They are taller than they are long which doesn't allow for enough surface area. Hex tanks don't allow for proper gas exchange at the air/water interface. It will suffer from poorer oxygenation, compared to "regular" tanks. They require greater mechanical assistance and properly sized protein skimmers to compensate for lack of surface area.

 

[Bathel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6795654#post6795654 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dicjones
Hex tanks are not a good idea...from what i have read. They are taller than they are long which doesn't allow for enough surface area. Hex tanks don't allow for proper gas exchange at the air/water interface. It will suffer from poorer oxygenation, compared to "regular" tanks. They require greater mechanical assistance and properly sized protein skimmers to compensate for lack of surface area.

I'm not thinking that will be a problem. I am thinking of doing a sump/refugium 15"x35"x12" of actual fill volume (27g). I'm sure I can figure a way to add O2 in the sump if that surface area doesn't cut it.

What do you guys feel about Drilling a tank as opposed to using an overflow? Pros/Cons ... Anyone?

 

[dicjones]

I have an overflow and wish my tank was already drilled. I'm tired of the whole siphon thingy. As for drilling one yourself....well, i'm not that brave.