How to set up reef ready tank

[toeknee]

Have a 58g reef ready tank.

there are 2 holes inside the overflow box about 1 1/2" each
1 for out and in.
Do I have to look for anything special when purchasing a wet dry or canister filter? I have never set up anything like this.
Any diagrams available that I can look at to get an idea?
Also difference between canister filter and wet dry?
advantages to disadvantages
Might purchase a Eheim Pro Wet / Dry Canister Filter 2227
the tubes going into and out of the canister are tiny, what do I use for the holes in the tank?
Sorry for the beginner questions
thanks

 

[al mc]

The best way to go with areef ready system would be a sump/refugium IMO.
Of the alternatives you have listed I would choose a wet/dry over a canister.
Most people use canisters when they do not have the reef ready holes/drains
in their tanks.
There are many threads about sump/refugiums with many people posting diagrams of ones they have built themselves. You can also purchase a pre made sump/refugium from many of the online retailers and at local fish stores.
Good luck with you decision(s), and if no one else has welcomed you to this forum...Welcome

Ask lots of questions.....You will avoid many of the problems I (many other members also) have made in this hobby.

 

[toeknee]

Originally Posted by Al Mc
The best way to go with areef ready system would be a sump/refugium IMO.
Of the alternatives you have listed I would choose a wet/dry over a canister.
Most people use canisters when they do not have the reef ready holes/drains
in their tanks.
There are many threads about sump/refugiums with many people posting diagrams of ones they have built themselves. You can also purchase a pre made sump/refugium from many of the online retailers and at local fish stores.
Good luck with you decision(s), and if no one else has welcomed you to this forum...Welcome

Ask lots of questions.....You will avoid many of the problems I (many other members also) have made in this hobby.

Thank you,
I have been trying to research sumps etc.. but most of them come with the overflow box which im guessing I dont need. I will try to find some diagrams on here thanks.
Also I have a lot of power outages in my area and I am worried about the wet dry filter overflowing.

 

[al mc]

The wet dry is normally designed not to overflow with power outages. Also, there is a very good site about DIY sump/refugiums on line set up by an avid
reef aquarist. I can give you a hint, but can't post the site out of respect for our host, swf.com. If you google the words ' melev' and 'reef' you should find the site.

 

[sh00tist]

The 2 holes in your overflow box are both for 'out' water wont come back in your overflow it only goes out. You will have to return the water to a different spot,preferably far away from your overflow,so your returned water isnt leaving the display upon entering. You can buy a cheap small glass tank to make a sump with or perhaps a rubbermaid container,unless you are made of money and want a fancy premade one,you will see it all clear at melevs.

 

[al mc]

The 2 holes in your overflow box are both for 'out' water wont come back in your overflow it only goes out. QUOTE]
I have to disagree with this. In a reef ready tank with two holes one hole is to drain the water to the sump, the other is to return the water from the sump. These holes are located side by side in the overflow box. You should have the proper PVC , fittings and instructions with that came with the tank that will allow you to set it up to both drain and return water.

 

[toeknee]

Originally Posted by sh00tist
The 2 holes in your overflow box are both for 'out' water wont come back in your overflow it only goes out. QUOTE]
I have to disagree with this. In a reef ready tank with two holes one hole is to drain the water to the sump, the other is to return the water from the sump. These holes are located side by side in the overflow box. You should have the proper PVC , fittings and instructions with that came with the tank that will allow you to set it up to both drain and return water.
Thats the thing I do not have the proper PVC fittings or instructions.!

 

[al mc]

Options: You can go to the manufacturers web site and see if you can get
the parts from them or try an online retailer like swk.com or the '2 doctors'...

 

[redman1221]

Originally Posted by Toeknee
Have a 58g reef ready tank.

there are 2 holes inside the overflow box about 1 1/2" each
1 for out and in.
Do I have to look for anything special when purchasing a wet dry or canister filter? I have never set up anything like this.
Any diagrams available that I can look at to get an idea?
Also difference between canister filter and wet dry?
advantages to disadvantages
Might purchase a Eheim Pro Wet / Dry Canister Filter 2227
the tubes going into and out of the canister are tiny, what do I use for the holes in the tank?
Sorry for the beginner questions
thanks
You need to buy an all glass overflow kit it comes with everything you need and you need to buy a sump or wetdry. I have a 58g reef ready tank and that is what I bought. You can get it from your LFS or on one of these sites online. Good luck

 

[toeknee]

Originally Posted by redman1221
You need to buy an all glass overflow kit it comes with everything you need and you need to buy a sump or wetdry. I have a 58g reef ready tank and that is what I bought. You can get it from your LFS or on one of these sites online. Good luck
I will probably goto my lfs and hope they can steer me in the right direction, what would be an acceptable price to pay for a "Kit" that will work with my reefready tank?

 

[snakeblitz33]

The "kit" may cost up to 70 to 90 dollars, depending on your location.
Sumps are open systems and are highly recommended for reef ready aquariums. Canister filters can not push water high enough to not show the water line in the aquarium.
Sumps are used for a variety of reasons, mainly because people do not want to see the equipment inside the display aquarium. Sumps can hold heaters, filters, protein skimmers, refugiums, kalkwasser reactors, float valves, calcium reactors, phosphate reactors, carbon/phosphate/nitrate sponge media bags, UV Sterilizers, pumps, and a variety of other equipment.
The sump should be big enough for any water overflow and the excess water in the overflow box(s). I hope this helps, happy reefing!

 

[swalchemist]

Just get a Tunze Comline filter, no tubes or mess. Easy to clean and just as good as a canister filter or small sump, plus it adds a bit more flow.