lion's den starting to build

so im starting my lion fish tank

what i have

tank- 72g bowfront, with stand and glass top
lighting- a DIY led check out the mother ship complete lol with pics^^
skimmer- eshopps psk-100
sump-20g long with the glass i managed to cut

what i need for sure is

overflow- either 700 gph Overflow Box Complete Kit or a HOB (still decideing im nervous drilling the tank)
wave makers- was thinking 2 hydor 750's
return pump- either a mag drive 5 or 7
substrate- debating on either a black sand or going fiji pink sand


possible other stuff

gfo reactor- more than likely no
monitors/controller- either reefangel or reef keeper

anything else i missed/need let me know, this will be a FOWLR tank


my live stock (ik will be awhile)
3 dwarf fuzzy lion fish (1 male 2 female)
a cockatoo fish
either a foxface, tang or squirrel fish (still looking at all the pro's/con's)

 

Interesting overflow box, altho it seems a bit anemic in terms of flow rate (do they offer one with a higher flow rating?). I'd be looking at 10x turnover rate at least for a lion setup. If you're going to drill the tank anyhow, you might simply consider using an external "semi-Durso" standpipe with no box, and fit the bulkhead with a strainer on the interior of the tank. Otherwise, look into a HOB U-tube type overflow with two drains.

If you're on the fence about the pump rating, I'd look at the Mag 7 or equivalent, and run two returns thru a SCWD. You may find you won't need the PH's, but you can always add one or more if you need to.

If you go with black substrate, it will look kinda dirty after a short while, so I'd recommend something like the salt-n-pepper stuff, such as Carib Sea Ocean Black. You will still get the feel of the dark substrate without all the white "dirt". You can also make your own mix.

I can't say I'm thrilled with the ReefKeeper (unless they've improved dramatically, DA's customer service was lacking, for one thing), and if I had to do it again (and we might), I'd go with an Apex.

Can't wait to see your build!

 

Ok the scwd sounds cool ill look into

 

Fo you have any recommendation for a hob overflow

 

I am a big fan of the Eshopps HOB overflows. I have a PF-1000 (dual drains) and have been using it now for a year. Thousands of starts and stops, and it is never once failed to restart siphon. They are on sale right now at Drs. Foster & Smith too

 

Well I plan on doing a huge buy in the next few days (finally got my money saved for it). Basicly BRS marinedepote etc who ever hqs the best Deal over all

 

Ok so a scwd. Im still debating on hard plumping it or using tubing I think hard cause then I can kinda make it look nicer but ik all the sharp corner do reduce the amount of gph. And from I read the scwd should be set up close to the top of the tank. Am I right?

 

Drill baby drill ... You won't be disappointed!

 

There is actually nothing wrong with flexible hose. I use it on to go from my overflow to my sump since it came with my sump. Took 2 minutes to install, and can easily be modified if I ever needed to. Don't get hung up on hard piping!

 

Well I was thinking tubeing since its easier but not as nice looking. Should I get clear or black to prevent algae from growing in it?