Tank Design Question

[jacobbbb]

Hello Everyone,

I am just entering the salt water world. I have quite a bit of experience in freshwater tanks and that has definitely affected my design desires.

On that I’m setting up what I think is a relatively unique ish build.

I am using a UNS 90p tank and stand and mainly have a question on positioning of my life reef HOB overflow and return.

I have a custom sized sump being made that will fit within the stand.

On that I’m mainly wondering if it’s better to have my overflow and return on the back of the tank facing the front or on the the same or opposite sides of the tank.

The stand does have pre cut holes on the back but it also has cut slits specifically for tubes and wires or each side.

I feel like having them on the side will potentially look better over all with the rimless tank and from the fresh water world my instinct is to place the intake and overflow both on the same side of the tank.

I’m not sure if that would work well for a saltwater tank.

So I mainly see my options being

1. Overflow and return both on the back of the tank.
2. Overflow on one side and the return on the other.
3. Overflow and return both on the same side of the tank.


Also if it effects anything the tanks total volume is 48.9 Gallons and the sump is approx. 20 gallons.

The life reef is rated for 600gph and the return pump is rated for up to 800gph.

I do plan on purchasing a wave maker but haven’t nailed down which one yet or where to place it.

Additionally I ordered this bulky looking loc-line return but am curious if anyone has had success finding a clear return or using a lily pipe.

Thank you!

 

[phatwill]

I would put them on the right hand side so it’s easy to service them long term and away from the couch. You could go back but I like to make these easy cause it’s easier to maintain. It might look a little nicer in the back but you just gotta way if you are looking for the aesthetic or functionality. And you can combat the possible lack of circulation with a wave maker on the opposite side or the back corner. It’ll help turnover the water

 

[phatwill]

Cool tank btw

 

[mmorrison55]

Thought about painting that back glass to add contrast?

 

[jacobbbb]

Thought about painting that back glass to add contrast?

I like the look of the negative space but I was thinking about adding a black or darker back drop on the wall behind the tank prior to filling

 

[MasterClassReefs]

Thought about painting that back glass to add contrast?

Black vynil wrap or dark tint works well too.

 

[phatwill]

I personally don’t like it. I also dislike the idea of a permanent solution like that. You could always try some black water resistant board to see if you like the aesthetic first!

 

[jacobbbb]

I would put them on the right hand side so it’s easy to service them long term and away from the couch. You could go back but I like to make these easy cause it’s easier to maintain. It might look a little nicer in the back but you just gotta way if you are looking for the aesthetic or functionality. And you can combat the possible lack of circulation with a wave maker on the opposite side or the back corner. It’ll help turnover the wate

I would put them on the right hand side so it’s easy to service them long term and away from the couch. You could go back but I like to make these easy cause it’s easier to maintain. It might look a little nicer in the back but you just gotta way if you are looking for the aesthetic or functionality. And you can combat the possible lack of circulation with a wave maker on the opposite side or the back corner. It’ll help turnover the water

That’s what I was thinking as well. Luckily that is just a chair so I can also move that worst case scenario. I do think maintenance will be much easier with the side as well. Thank you!

 

[MasterClassReefs]

I personally don’t like it. I also dislike the idea of a permanent solution like that. You could always try some black water resistant board to see if you like the aesthetic first!

Vynil wrap or tint are removable and inexpensive. Works fantastic without making changes to the tank that are a pain later.

 

[jacobbbb]

I personally don’t like it. I also dislike the idea of a permanent solution like that. You could always try some black water resistant board to see if you like the aesthetic first!

That is pretty much what I planned to do. Just to keep the dimension in the tank from the empty space I was planning on using this DIY wallpaper on the wall behind to have it be a dark color but maintain the dimension