My girlfriend just bought me my christmas present!

[reefNewbie]

I was so suprised, i have been talking about getting a bigger tank for some time now and there it was laying in my room when i got home. A 90 gal AGA tank! She had talked with the LFS guy and they wanted way too much for the Reef ready one, eventhough that was the one i had been talking about. He talked her into just using my current overflow box that i use now. I have a feeling though that its too small for the 90 gal tank. I wanted to get your guys opinion on what i should do. Should i buy a bigger overflow box, use my current one, or see about exchangind the whole setup for a reef ready one?

here is a current picture of my overflow box. I think the outlet tubing is about 1.5 to 2 inches. thanks guys!

 

[NaH2Ofreak]

Wow!!! What a nice gift!!! Here is what I'd do. I would have the tank drilled for a 1" or whatever bulk head. I would then go to a plastic's shop and have them make me an INTERNAL overflow box. Then silicone the overflow box into the tank, over the previously cut bulkhead. Wala! Instant reef ready tand for a pretty nominal price.

Dennis

 

[LA-Lawman]

Hi, You got one really cool girl there.

What is the GPH rating on your overflow. The AGA overflow only handles approx 550gph of flow. I own the tank and it is great. I get by just fine. I supplement with powerhead on a wavemaker. That is about 6 water changes and hour just with the return pump. If you want me to send u pics of my setup i will. let me know

my total flow is about 1440gph in a 90g AGA reef ready tank.

let me know

8)

 

[reefNewbie]

I am planning on hooking up an oceanrunner 3500 for the return. So what Overflow should i use?

 

[Kevin Day]

does your girlfriend have a sister?

 

[reefNewbie]

Actually she does, a twin

I cant wait to get this damn thing set up, im so excited i finally have a bigger tank. Im sick of that damn 30 gal. I just wish i could figure out what to do about the overflow. Im considering talking with the LFS and seeing if i could exchange it for a rr tank and pay the difference. Either that or make my own internal overflow. But i wouldnt no the first thing about that nor would i want to screw up my beautiful new tank drilling in it my self. so im lost as to what to do. please help!

btw any good plans, for newbies, that would be good for making my own internal overflow. I saw there were some in the library here on this site, but they were really vague. thanks

 

[Vixyswillie]

I don't suppose you live in the Houston area, do you? If so, Christian (http://www.wetdryfilter.com) will come to your house, drill the hole, and bulkhead it - all for $30. Can't beat that with a stick! He also sells a video for drilling it yourself, bits, internal overflow boxes, etc. I just bought his 36-inch EcoSump - very nice guy to deal with.

 

[SPC]

Im considering talking with the LFS and seeing if i could exchange it for a rr tank and pay the difference.

-Absolutly no question in my mind Tony, this is what I would do.

Posted by LA-Lawman:
The AGA overflow only handles approx 550gph of flow.

-Do you have 1 or 2 overflows in your tank?
Steve

 

[esmithiii]

I agree w/ SPC. Reef ready is the only way to go.

Ernie

 

[jamesw]

I second that. Go swap it for the reef ready. You will save yourself floods and frustration in the future.

But DON'T TELL THE GF YOU TRADED IT! Hopefully she won't notice. Instead she'll just say "Boy, this tank sure is quieter than the last one. Now I can watch Alias without hearing that slurping noise all the time."



Cheers
James

 

[Mac1]

Definitely get the Reef Ready. Her feelings will not be hurt if you show her some of the hundred's of threads on this board where people talk about their overflow boxes flooding the floor...

- Mac

 

[Marrowbone]

Yes, trade for the reef ready. It will make things much simpler.

Congrats on your new "big" tank. It sounds like a wonderful gift. However, It is just too important to get your setup the way YOU want it. I know I wouldn't want someone picking out my big toys for me. She should not be upset if you trade it in. It's a touchy one since she's your GF, but you might not want to encourage her to be buying you stuff for your reef without you there, unless of course she really does understand exactly what you want and how the whole thing works... You don't want her buying you too many tangs as a surprise, right? ...I'm sure she's better than that, but...

Again, congrats... great gift! 8) ...and don't listen to me, I no longer have a GF :lol:

 

[LA-Lawman]

Hola,

the Oceanrunner hadled approx 900gph of flow. You will need to use a ball valve. I had one and it was too powerful. I have a connection at AGA who is sending me specs on how to increase the flow of the overflow without drilling a bigger bulkhead. I will advise when i get them everyone will benefit.

The oceanrunner is a good pump. If you plumb it in the sump you will have a hard time starting it after feeding and so-forth. the impeller has a clutch. it will click for 20mins before starting.

I swithched to a sen-7000 - 700gph of flow and is super quiet, no clutch and low watts (70w) it does just fine. Also low heat transfer.

later

 

[Mac1]

You don't want her buying you too many tangs as a surprise, right? ..

That's how I got to watch an orange spotted filefish die in my tank... But the salesperson assured her it was reef-safe... Now I get gift certificates. It's just too complicated of a hobby.

- Mac

 

[ReefLion]

I will reiterate others' advice about exchanging the tank for a reef-ready tank, if only to provide you with a longer thread to print out and show your GF if you need to. Seriously, it is much safer in the long run to have internal overflows.

I also get gift certificates now. They usually come with a little fish knick-knack (eg, a little carved wooden fish), which I then place somewhere prominent.

Tim

 

[Gatortailale1]

At least you didn't say she gave you crabs for a christmas present.

I would exchange it for a RR tank. Be honest with your girlfriend. She was cool to you and got you a tank with the budget she had in mind to spend on you. Be cool to her and say thank you for the awesome gift.

It's more the thought than the tank style she got you. If you want more awesome gifts from her in the future be honest

8)

 

[ChrisRD]

To expound on Gator's comments - don't forget, when you show people your tank, the introduction should always go something like:

"And here's my reef tank that my beautiful, wonderful girlfriend got me..."

Make sure you say this even if you exchange it for another one. This will help with the quality of future gifts. :wink:

I do agree with everyone that built-in overflows are definitely the way to go. Personally, I'd keep the tank you have and drill it for oversized (like 1.5") drains and build my own overflow boxes because I don't like the standard pre-drilled setups, but that's another story...

Also, you can go with an Ocean Runner 2500 (700 GPH) if you're worried about the flowrate of the 3500 being too much (900 GPH). I use one for a return and I really like it - very quiet and cool running and only uses 38 Watts!!

Good luck with your new setup. 8)

 

[ChrisRD]

The oceanrunner is a good pump. If you plumb it in the sump you will have a hard time starting it after feeding and so-forth. the impeller has a clutch. it will click for 20mins before starting.

Interesting, I've never had this problem with my OR - it's totally silent when it restarts and starts pumping right away. Also, I've never taken mine apart, but I don't see a clutch in the schematic in my operating manual. Are you sure your pump is OK?

 

[reefNewbie]

Wow guys thanks for all of the good advice! (both about the tank and relationships) I really appreciate it. It is such a pain to get that tank back to the store, i guess she went through some real trouble getting this tank in her car and haveing it moved around. I will try and see about exchanging it, unless i drill it on my own like some people have recommended. I will take a look at that website about the DIY internal overflow. I am no where near Houstan so having that guy come drill it for me is a definate no. I will call the LFS as soon as possible. thanks

 

[bowfront]

Another vote for hauling it back for a RR even if you have to wait for a new one to be ordered.