Overflow help

[pennyguy23]

I don't really want to have holes drilled in my 65 gl tank, any suggestions on what to buy so that I can set it up? Everything I need to start a reef tank. I'm new, names and brands would be great from lights to filtration

[ufans]

Overflow: CPR CS100
- http://www.cpraquatic.com/products/overflows.html

Protein Skimmer: AquaC or Euro-Reef
- http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_protein_skimmers__index.asp?CartId=

Return Pump: Mag 7/9.5 or alternative (NO RIOs)
- http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_powerheads_pumps_danner_mag_drive_supreme.asp?CartId=

Live Rock: 75lbs
-
http://www.tbsaltwater.com/
- http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=397

Sand: Find LFS or local reefers (perfered)

Lighting: Ballast/Retro: Dual 175w MH
- http://www.hellolights.com/17methalbalk.html

Lighting: Bulb: 10K or 20K

Lighting: Supplement: VHO Actinic

Heater:
- http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_heaters__index.asp?CartId=

Refractometer:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_thermometers_refractometers_hydrometers_captive_purity_refractometer.asp?CartId=

Salt: Coralife or Oceanic

RO System (Optional for noobs)
- http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_reverse-osmosis-deionization__index.asp?CartId=

Test Kits (Ammonia, pH, Nitrate, Calcium, Phosophate)
- http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_test_kits_salifert.asp?CartId=

Carbon
- http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_filter_media_boyd_chemi-pure.asp?CartId=
- http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_filter_media_esv_granular_activated_carbon.asp?CartId=


That is enough for now....

[mike bracken]

There are many overflows that are reliable, I would stick with one that has tubes vs those thatdo not (http://www.wetdryfilter.com/Hang-on%20Prefilters.htm) . If you tank is empty now have holes drilled, much, much easier.

Good skimmers Euroreef, MRC, ASM, Percision Marine are a few. Other means of filtration live sand, live rock. Will you have a sump?

Lights depend on what you want to keep coral wise. Varieties include NO(normal output) flourecents, HO(high output) flourecents, VHO(very high output) flourecents. Within all of those you can choose T-numbers T5, T12 that is the bulb diameter. PC(power compact) lighting, and metale halide round out the most popular choices.
many people us combos of the lights to get what they want halide/PC or halide/vho.
Bulb temp is another factor sunlight is about 6500 Kelvin has a lot of red/yellow light, 20,000 Kelvin is very blue.


Lights have a huge price range from under $100 to several thousand. Study what you want to keep and then look at what lighting requirments you will need.

Pumps- there is a number of brands out there. Do you want internal(powerhead) types or an external pump?

This is just scrathing the surface of a very large topic. There is not a "you must do it this way" to set up a tank. Have fun with it mix and match until you find the combo that works best for you.

Study, study, study a $30 book could save your marine lives and hundreds of dollars.

[Avi]

I would recommend that you get an Amiracle overflow if you are going to use a hangon. I was apprehensive about it, but I didn't get a reef-ready tank when I got my setup. I had no idea how they work and it really concerned me. I have two and they are really trouble-free and I can't imagine that there is any better if you're going to have a hangon overflow.

[gbtrain]

I recommend lifereef for the hang on overflow.

http://lifereef.com/frame.html

[sjm817]

Lifereef or Amiracle for the overflow. Stay away from the CPR.

[Sugar Magnolia]

sjm, you ought to insert that phrase in your for rent area. ;)

FWIW, I wholeheartedly agree about using either the Lifereef or Amiracle overflow.

[sjm817]

Originally posted by Sugar Magnolia
sjm, you ought to insert that phrase in your for rent area. ;)

FWIW, I wholeheartedly agree about using either the Lifereef or Amiracle overflow.
If they would pay me, I would! :lol:

[pennyguy23]

Which one out of the two. Should I buy two just in case of a flood or no.

[Avi]

Those two brands are essentially the same overflow, made by different companies. They both use the U-tube and no airpump is needed to keep the syphon going. It really doesn't make much difference which you would chose.

Two overflows are better than one for a few essential reasons: better water circulation, better water surface oil cleaning, and more security regarding flooding. It's not absolutely necessary but it is a good idea. But it is true that it would be overkill probably in a tank that's less than 36-inches long.

[sjm817]

There is one significant difference between the LR and Amiracle. The LR has greater flow capability than the Amiracle. I used to run dual Amiracles which worked great, and now am running a single Amracle due to a new skimmer requiring a different plumbing setup. I may be getting a Lifereef because of the flow issue, but am on the fence.

For a 65G, a single overflow is fine.