How to get water to the sump if the tank is not drilled?

Okay I am really new to the Saltwater world and I am still in the planning stage for my first tank. I have been doing lots of research and I am so grateful for all the information these forums provide. I have gained a lot of confidence just from reading what all of you have written here on these pages.
I started out thinking I would have to start with FO only due to my total inexperience then realized that a FOWLR tank was probably better but thought it was irresponsible to consider a REEF tank for my first tank even though that is what I am longing for.
I have since decided that I will start with a Reef tank but I will do so with the knowledge that I will have to take it very slowly and be prepared to spend all my "fun money" keeping it up.

I would really like to find a 75 gallon Reef ready tank and I am looking for one in my price range while I continue to research other aspects and make other decisions. If I find one, then great... if not then I will use my 55 gallon tank that I already have.

Someone has suggested I use a Pro Flex Sump and I am considering it... I have no better option at the moment, I like the model 4 but would hear thoughts on this as well...

My question now would be this...

Assuming that I used my existing 55 gallon tank and a Pro Flex sump, for example the model 4, how would I hook the sump to the tank? I understand that the 55g, ie - the display tank would need to be set up to overflow somehow, and run by hose down to the sump... and then a pump, also connected by a hose would pump the water back up to the tank...

But how do I set up an overflow for the tank... if the tank does not have a hole drilled in it?

I saw some things for sale called "overflow boxes" by Eshopps. They hang on the back and look like they would work pretty good but they have a sponge pre-filter in them that I would think would be a nitrate factory. So I don't know if that is a good idea or not. Is there a better way?

 

Hey Now . The Eshopps pf-300 is the one overflow box that most everyone seems to use for a 55 gallon tank and there are more threads, youtubes and info out there (it seems) on these than others that are either less/more $. There are two ways to have the foam tube in place which include cleaning it in WC water every 1-3 days to keep nitrates lower or even doing this under hot tap water to rid of any extra BB you don't desire - your choice. I would leave it at first to keep the noise of the box down and work as mechanical. Later you can look into removing the foam tube and customising the box and down pipe with a ball valve and piece of PVC to quiet it which is not hard to do (almost silence it) once you have it running right (there's tons of info of how to do this out there or ask here). Most HOB overflows out there are run by people who don't understand them or don't fiddle with them enough so be aware of people who say they don't work 'cause they do! Anyone who winds up really understanding them usually go to custom drilled or reef ready 'cause overflow boxes are silly compared to these other methods overall. hope this helps-later.

 

Well, I am still looking for a reef ready 75g, I have even add 90g to my search in hopes that it might open a door. But for some reason they are more money than they tanks with more volume. I can get a 250g tank for less! But my husband is against it and it does seem like a huge and expensive project for a beginner like me. Plus I am short and I think it would be hard to work in a tank so big! So I keep looking and waiting... but the waiting part is hard.

It makes me keep eyeing the 55 gallon that I already have. So I will do some research on the overflow box you suggest and see what I can find out.

Thanks for your input. I need all the help I can get.

 

Hope you find the tank you want. It's funny you mentioning the price of 150+g tanks being sooooo much less $ 'cause that's how I got my 150 gallon way back and now my acrylic 180g with stand. For anyone's info, just locate a BIG tank being sold slightly used and politely offer them much less for a future sale in case they don't sell it (which they usually cant). I ran across a 300g for even less than my 180 but would look ridiculous in my appt. and too much work. Please keep us posted on your progress . ttyl

 

HI and welcome to reefing. I have the eshops overflow and will be using it on my 55g. I have a 120 gallon that is drilled and it does spoil one! However, eshopps was great and I used it on my 90g till I upgraded to the 120g. I added the second saltwater tank-the 55g, just because! I am also planning a qt tank of 36g.
You could start with the 55 gallon and add a second tank!
You will love reefing, imo!

 

Well, today I called about 75 gallon tank on CL and left a message. I hope they call me back. I think it is a steal if he still has it. He posted it sometime yesterday. The stand needs some work as it looks like it was built into his home and he removed it. But I think my husband can do something with it to make it look okay.
Here is the ad.

It is my hope that nobody else wants it because of the stand... at least not yet.

What do you think of it? It says it is drilled in the top corners for overflow. It needs a good cleaning. But the price is right.