My tank is tempered glass:(

[Denver5280]

Recently picked up the hobby with over a million questions but I will keep them for myself to find out through trial and error. My main question is the size of this “used “ glass tempered tank I purchased that I will be attempting to run a LPS ONLY along with a few fish this reef tank.. it’s a 120 gallon display box with a 40 breeder sump.sadly the display box is tempered and I will not be able to drill.. Will I be able to pull out enough flow to with ahang on over flow box ? Or should I pitch the tank and buy acrylic ? Any suggestions are much much appreciative

 

[Denver5280]

Buy an external overflow and drill the back

 

[Fish Fan]

As others have mentioned, do what you feel is best and what you're comfortable with. There are some decent hang on overflows, I think Eshoppes is a well liked one, but do some research.

I agree that very likely only the bottom pane is tempered. There are definitely ways to check if your side panes are tempered. If they are not, consider drilling the sides and adding something like a Synergy Shadow overflow. It's fairly easy to drill glass if it's not tempered.

 

[Denver5280]

Thank god I didn’t listen ,the entire tank is tempered glass

 

[cdnco2004]

Yeah, I am sure they would have been happy to pay to replace your tank had you listened.

 

[cdnco2004]

You can get one of these instead of a controller to turn off your pump if water level gets too high

AutoAqua Smart Level Security (CLOSEOUT)

Smart Level Security by AutoAqua prevents aquariums from overflowing or equipment from running dry. Magnetically coupled optical sensor mounts up to smooth surfaces 1/2 inch thick.Updated Model

store.coralvue.com

 

[Rjukan]

Right on and thank you for taking time to respond to my dilemma. Last question and this is in regards to my dry rock curing at the moment. Is it okay to ad fritz turbo to the trash can I have them in? Also I have a friend in Maui who is willing to ship me Rock pulled from that day , I just have zero knowledge on what I should expect months down the road by adding either option or rock? My display is currently completely empty of salt water and I’m debating to wait for the cure or have him ship rock tomorrow

Be careful with that rock from Maui.. that plan has jail time and or serious fines for both you and your buddy if somehow it's uncovered leaving Hawaii or entering the mainland.

 

[Denver5280]

Here, this everything he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^

HOB Overflow is fine just keep the pump sized to match the overhang. I tend to pick a pump that maxes out a little less than the overhang can support.

Also if you want insurance get a Hydros or Apex controller that has power control and get a water level sensor that way you can have the controller turn off the pump if the tank water level gets too high.

Da da

Yeah, I am sure they would have been happy to pay to replace your tank had you listened.

Yeah, I am sure they would have been happy to pay to replace your tank had you listened.

right lol . The tank was free but it’s still an amazing display considering the age of it and it is used. Truly thank you for being legit i would have hated to see it in pieces. Quick question about cycling this query reef rock I’m using,

You can get one of these instead of a controller to turn off your pump if water level gets too high

AutoAqua Smart Level Security (CLOSEOUT)

Smart Level Security by AutoAqua prevents aquariums from overflowing or equipment from running dry. Magnetically coupled optical sensor mounts up to smooth surfaces 1/2 inch thick.Updated Model

store.coralvue.com

very cool thank you , I’m ordering it right now. Hey quick question on a different note. If I’m running this tank with quarry dry rock , do I treat the cycling process on the rock the same as the fish cycle ? I guess what I’m asking is how do I know when the rock is cycled and ready for some basic soft corals, leathers/ Zia’s?

 

[Denver5280]

Be careful with that rock from Maui.. that plan has jail time and or serious fines for both you and your buddy if somehow it's uncovered leaving Hawaii or entering the mainland.

oh **** I didn’t know that, thank you l. I thought it was “fish” only that would get a person caught up by the law. I’m an idiot because 20 pounds of it is already packaged and on its way

 

[ReeferZ1227]

Recently picked up the hobby with over a million questions but I will keep them for myself to find out through trial and error. My main question is the size of this “used “ glass tempered tank I purchased that I will be attempting to run a LPS ONLY along with a few fish this reef tank.. it’s a 120 gallon display box with a 40 breeder sump.sadly the display box is tempered and I will not be able to drill.. Will I be able to pull out enough flow to with ahang on over flow box ? Or should I pitch the tank and buy acrylic ? Any suggestions are much much appreciative

How long do you plan to run the tank? My buddy gave me his used 125. I am extremely invested into it at this point. In hindsight i wish i would have bought a new tank, even if the same size. I also dont want to switch now, because my tanks doing really well growing coral.

Moral of the story is youre not invested into it right now. You could easily flip your current tank and move into another used tank thats drilled or has non tempered glass. You wouldnt be asking this question if you actually wanted to deal with HOB overflows. Could you make HOB work, yes, can you still change it for relatively low effort/cost? Yup. Once its setup, you become invested and obligated to that tank.

 

[cdnco2004]

very cool thank you , I’m ordering it right now. Hey quick question on a different note. If I’m running this tank with quarry dry rock , do I treat the cycling process on the rock the same as the fish cycle ? I guess what I’m asking is how do I know when the rock is cycled and ready for some basic soft corals, leathers/ Zia’s?

I use the same dry rock. Use 1 source of bacteria to cycle the tank with the water, dry rock and sand to cycle all of it. Like get 1 bacteria in a bottle like Dr Tims or Fritz Turbo Start, or get live sand like CaribSea DirectOcean live sand. Stuff works great.

 

[cdnco2004]

@Denver5280 also always good to meet another Denver reefer

 

[Denver5280]

Here, this everything he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^

HOB Overflow is fine just keep the pump sized to match the overhang. I tend to pick a pump that maxes out a little less than the overhang can support.

Also if you want insurance get a Hydros or Apex controller that has power control and get a water level sensor that way you can have the controller turn off the pump if the tank water level gets too high.

Da da

Yeah, I am sure they would have been happy to pay to replace your tank had you listened.

Yeah, I am sure they would have been happy to pay to replace your tank had you listened.

right lol . The tank was free but it’s still an amazing display considering the age of it and it is used. Truly thank you for being legit i would have hated to see it in pieces. Quick question about cycling this query reef rock I’m using, Dr

How long do you plan to run the tank? My buddy gave me his used 125. I am extremely invested into it at this point. In hindsight i wish i would have bought a new tank, even if the same size. I also dont want to switch now, because my tanks doing really well growing coral.

Moral of the story is youre not invested into it right now. You could easily flip your current tank and move into another used tank thats drilled or has non tempered glass. You wouldnt be asking this question if you actually wanted to deal with HOB overflows. Could you make HOB work, yes, can you still change it for relatively low effort/cost? Yup. Once its setup, you become invested and obligated to

How long do you plan to run the tank? My buddy gave me his used 125. I am extremely invested into it at this point. In hindsight i wish i would have bought a new tank, even if the same size. I also dont want to switch now, because my tanks doing really well growing coral.

Moral of the story is youre not invested into it right now. You could easily flip your current tank and move into another used tank thats drilled or has non tempered glass. You wouldnt be asking this question if you actually wanted to deal with HOB overflows. Could you make HOB work, yes, can you still change it for relatively low effort/cost? Yup. Once its setup, you become invested and obligated to that tank.

I have no idea how I tagged my question “emergency “ truly appreciate the good advice. The tank was free, I could care less what happens to it , I’m going to go ahead and purchase a new tank

 

[Denver5280]

@Denver5280 also always good to meet another Denver reefer

303 baby!! I’m about to hop on Santa Fe with a new tank I got for next to nothing from them boys at murmanns. I’m a native and I still love ya if your not , thanks for the good advice my friend

@Denver5280 also always good to meet another Denver reefer

 

[Denver5280]

You will. Years ago it was our only option. At times was a pain in the rear to get primed but once flowing was great

Thank you for the positive and good advice, I’m going to roll it old school and keep it the way it is.

 

[Denver5280]

The 180g in my aquarium showcase has been running for years with two hob overflows and basement sump. Drilled is better IMO but not a necessity.

EDIT. I have never lost syphon in 6 years and turn pumps off and back on with no issue. The only risk of flooding that I have seen is if the return pump is too strong and pushes water faster that the returns can handle which can happen in a drilled tank as well. Most of the horror stories of hobs flooding are from people that did not run them correctly and I think many stories are from people that have never even run hobs but read online about them causing floods and it just gets repeated over and over.

 

[Tcook]

Take a look at the hob from Life Reef. I ran one of those on a tank and it never lost siphon.

 

[Denver5280]

Very cool and thanks for sharing the great advice. I’m attempting to have a basement sump as well. I’m very close to abandoning this idea tho. I finished a rough concept idea (demoing ) for the the hard plumbing between the two levels of the house today, leaving me with mixed emotions necessitating this concept of running max volume of water. Any tips or advice on running a basement sump would help immensely! I investing in a high end equipment , mainly the 2 GPh return pumps, 1 is a back up unless I should run both a lower setting? I don’t know , I’m rambling , hope to hear back

 

[Denver5280]

Very cool and thanks for sharing the great advice. I’m attempting to have a basement sump as well. I’m very close to abandoning this idea tho. I finished a rough concept idea (demoing ) for the the hard plumbing between the two levels of the house today, leaving me with mixed emotions necessitating this concept of running max volume of water. Any tips or advice on running a basement sump would help immensely! I investing in a high end equipment , mainly the 2 GPh return pumps, 1 is a back up unless I should run both a lower setting? I don’t know , I’m rambling , hope to hear back

 

[Joekovar]

I've run a 55G with a float switch and siphon kickstart contraption for 3 years. I won't do it again. My new frag system is drilled, and a lot easier to manage.

 

[Denver5280]

I've run a 55G with a float switch and siphon kickstart contraption for 3 years. I won't do it again. My new frag system is drilled, and a lot easier to manage.

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