It's time to say Goodbye...
 

to my 120 gal fresh tank. It has an overwhelming desire to become a reef.

The tank is 24x24x48, with a sump size to be determined when I figure out how to design the system and where to put things. To start out the tank will be set up with overflow boxes. Has anyone had experience with a good brand? What else is needed to make them work properly? How loud are they and how big a pain in the ___ are they? Would one big box or two small boxes be better? How much flow through the sump would be required? I know drilling is better, but the tank is probably going to be moved in the next couple years and the setup will be different. I'll drill it when I move it.

I'm also seriously considering trying the GARF method of cultured DIY LR. Mud and sand in the fuge with lots of macro.

First thoughts on the equipment list:
Tank
25 gal sump with fuge or another fuge added draining into the sump, all depends on how the space works out.
Frag tanks above the sump etc. I have lots of vertical space but a small foot print. T5's also.
Over flow boxes
T5 8 bulb lighting,
Skimmer, in sump Tunze, Deltec, ASM or similar.
Flow Koralia's, have had good luck with them.
Calcium, phosban reactors, probably not on initial setup.
Sand, I like the look of it, but hate the problems associated with it.
ATO, probably DIY.

Stocking list:
3 or 4 fish, Only for sure is a Mandarin.
SPS
LPS
Clams
Large CUC
Tuxedo urchin.

This project is a long way from happening. Lots of thought has gone into it. Now that I have SWMBO onside, it should happen this winter sometime.

TIA

Good to see another one moving over to the SW side, from your list for potential equipment it looks like you are well on your way and have done the research. I will let someone with more knowledge chime in on overflows. For the Mandarin you should wait till the tank is established before putting one in, as it needs it's food source to be thriving in the tank already.

Lots of things to consider when planning a conversion.

I would definitely recommend getting the tank drilled and going with a sump...for many many reasons. Also, plan on getting the best skimmer you can afford, do not skimp on the skimmer as it is essentially the most important piece of equipment you will buy. Good luck and have fun with it.

It will be drilled at some point, just no time soon. Layout and space considerations are the reason for the overflow boxes. Someday this tank would make a nice sump for a bbbbiiiiggg tank, but for that to happen the kids would have to move to the barn, the wife says that isn't going to happen!

Most of the system has come together in my head, the only unknown is the overflow boxes. I've never seen them used, or heard much about them for that matter. That has me thinking there is reason why they aren't more common.

Why what's so wrong with that??

http://coolboom.net/tag/traditional-inspiration/

If you do go with an overflow box Lifereef is widely acclaimed to be the best with the lowest failure rate. There is another company in the U.S. that apparently makes Lifereef knockoffs for 1/2 price, I can't recall their name. I don't have any personal experience with this but I read up on it a fair bit planning my own tanks.

I just want to post some general comments based on my experience.
The difference between fresh and marine is that marine is less forgiving. You have to go slow, have patience or problems develope early.

There is no problem with sand. IME a sand bed of 3inches provides various life forms that your future fish and coral relish.

Plan the additions of your fish adding one per month rather than four at the same time.

Add the mandarin 9 months after cycling to give your tank a chance to mature and the critters it needs to survive to flourish.

Start SPS and clams after one year.

Sorry if I posted basic info that you already know.
Good Luck eh and welcome.

All good info except the start sps after 1 yr comment. If the tank is started with the intention of being an sps tank, it is better to start with pioneer sps corals (montipora ect.) then to start with softies and later move to sps. Softies leave little bits of themselves behind which can plague the tank for years after, they also can release toxins that make it difficult for sps to thrive.
There is no reason why you can't start adding some hardy sps at the 2-3 month mark

I meant to say acropora. The pne year comment came from the vendor who gave me advice on keeping acropora and the books I have read.
Thanks for correcting my error.

After more research it seems the lifereef overflow is the way to go. I don't want to depend on aqualifter pumps, I despise pumps, and I'm not lucky enough to have them start everytime. We have frequent power outages, that's what you get for living in the boonies. What flow rating overflow would Canreefers put on this tank? I have my own idea but would like others with more experience to give their opinions.

I'm a newb but not a total newb, my tanks atm are a 5 gal softie, 24 gal nano reef, and a 33 with a diy 11 gal sump reef. I've started with the smaller tanks to gain knowledge and understanding of reef setups to make the jump to this 120.

As for sand one of my tanks has it, one had it and one has always been BB. This one will probably have it, I seem to be getting a handle on what animals work to keep the sand clean.

As for stocking there isn't much chance there will be any livestock in the tank before the end of Feb or sometime in March. Too much work to do in the mean time. The Mandarin will be the last fish added. I would like to get the overflow in and running while it's still a fresh tank, just to make sure the basis of the system will work out. Go slow and have fun, the only way to reef.

Thanks for all your input so far, keep it coming.