So far it's not bad. You could add a sump to the setup but it would require some thought to get it right. I was going to add one but didn't feel like putting the time and money into it. By the time I added a sump, pump, and return / intake lines, I might as well upgrade the tank to something that is designed with an internal overflow and used with a sump setup.
The tank setup is similar to the Sea Clear System II setups with the filtration system integrated into the back of the tank behind a false wall.
The tank is "somewhat" easy to maintain and the skimmer works really well.
The stock lighting is a bit lacking at only 110W but I upgraded that to 192W of PC before I started the tank. I think Finnex offers an M-Tank with HQI lighting now. I will upgrade to a Halide lighting system sometime in the near future (if I don't upgrade the whole tank first
)
I'm not a big fan of those rain trays either. In order to remove them you have to disconnect the return pump which makes changing filter media a hassle. I only run two of the four rain trays and of those two only the top one uses a 100 micron filter cloth that I can easily change when it gets dirty. The other sits empty. I run carbon in a media bag in the skimmer compartment.
The bottom line; If I did it all over, I'd skip the M-Tank and get something in acrylic with an internal overflow that could be connected to a sump underneath the tank.
I miss having my 55 with the hang on overflow and the Marineland Tidepool underneath the tank. It was so much easier to work on.
(If things go well at least).
