Setting Up a 60 Gallon

[acraddock]

Hey guys! I have been a member for a while now but I am mainly just a lurker. I am upgrading from a 45 to a 60 gallon. I have always used a HOB filter on my 45 since it is so small and I have never had any issues but I am wanting to use a sump for my new tank. I have no idea where to begin. It seems like every site I go on says something different. Can someone please break down the steps to setting up one and what items I will need?

 

[sharis100]

Hey guys! I have been a member for a while now but I am mainly just a lurker. I am upgrading from a 45 to a 60 gallon. I have always used a HOB filter on my 45 since it is so small and I have never had any issues but I am wanting to use a sump for my new tank. I have no idea where to begin. It seems like every site I go on says something different. Can someone please break down the steps to setting up one and what items I will need?

Is your tank reef ready, drilled, or are you going the hob overflow method to reach your sump?

 

[acraddock]

Is your tank reef ready, drilled, or are you going the hob overflow method to reach your sump?

It is not drilled yet but I will be getting it drilled.

 

[tkallday]

I use an aqua clear HOB on my 75G with an HOB reef octopus skimmer and I have had no problems I used the same setup on my 40, and decided if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

If you’re comfortable with the HOB no need to be persuaded into “needing” a sump for a a bigger system.

 

[acraddock]

I use an aqua clear HOB on my 75G with an HOB reef octopus skimmer and I have had no problems I used the same setup on my 40, and decided if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

If you’re comfortable with the HOB no need to be persuaded into “needing” a sump for a a bigger system.

I'm definitely not against using HOB but I am really wanting to start using a sump so everything is hidden instead of having everything hanging on the tank.

 

[sharis100]

If you want a drilled tank, a bean animal set up is great, although lots of people safely use and love durso or herbie setups or modifications of these types. Some people use Maggie mufflers for keeping things quiet. There is no one best way. You can buy an overflow and it typically includes the drilling templates. With drilling, you need to make sure the tank is capable of being drilled so you don’t end up with a broken mess. Research what you want to accomplish, and see the pros and cons, make a decision and proceed . Account for if you are trying to feed a refugium or manifold and if you are going to use secondary drain to feed water to these other things, that will help you decide 1or 2 or 3 drains.

 

[Cook]

So it sounds like you already have a tank. A reef ready system, already drilled, makes things easier. I use the Herbie method for my overflows. There is always one primary drain that is regulated with a flow valve for a full siphon drain and an emergency drain that is wide open to prevent overflow issues.

https://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

I documented my frag tank build which should help provide an idea of other things to consider as far as your question of what is needed. This is just one way of doing things as @sharis100 has mentioned. I'm using the Eshopps overflow and I will tell you that it is not silent if that is something that is important to you. I have the flow restricted within the overflow to minimize it.

Cook's 40 Gallon Breeder Frag Tank

I drove down to Leesburg last month and bought Martin's 40 gallon breeder setup. I've been debating about what to do ever since as my original idea was to keep the Reef Angel gear and part the rest of the system out. It's never as simple as it sounds though. This tank's format size is better for...

atlantareefclub.org

Do you have an idea of what equipment you want hidden in the sump area?

 

[acraddock]

Thank you so much for all the information! The article and thread definitely break things down. The main thing that I am wanting to eliminate is the bulky hob filter I am currently using.