As for the tank itself...WAY too loud. The overflow is nice and quiet but the water near the bottom of the drain is LOUD. I have no idea how to fix this though. I think its just going to either have to stay like that or I have to try to get someone over who can drill another hole with the tank half full. I don't like that second idea for obvious reasons.

Its hard without seeing the tank in person but if anyone has any ideasfrom the pics, let me know!

The overflow in my tank was also very quiet, with the noise of the water entering the sump way too loud. I had a 1" return line from the pump and a 1 1/2" drain, with a gate value to control the output. I was told by co-workers that I was probably creating a vortex at the gate valve because the drain was to big. I then reduced the drain size in the overflow to 1". There was a considerable reduction of noise at that point.

After that, just for fun and because I had it, I attached a Tee to the bottom of the drain, below the water level. I don't know why it worked but it made a considerable reduction in the noise. The Eheim pump is now the noisest part of the tank.

Cool thanks

I think I am going to try to get another hole drilled in the tank. If your in Vancouver and have a diamond hole saw for a 1" bulkhead and are willing to drill my tank, let me know!

Actually the other option and I don't know if I like this is to take down the FOWLR and set it up as a reef instead. I was debating this originally but didn't want to see my Puffers go. Now I am debating it again just because having two tanks in here is really taking up a lot of space and the maintenance is too much for me I think. The FOWLR looks horrible now because I am spending all my time on the reef.

Hard decision.

Well, how I had been discussing with you about myself setting up a FOWLR aggressive tank ... After starring at my reef tank, I questioned myself "Why the hell wouldn't I want a reef setup in a bigger tank??"

In small spaces, do you need 2 salt setups, 2 cats, and a terrarium? I guess thats a trick question.. of course you need it all! But you get the point :)

Actually the terrarium is with my brother now. But I get your point.

My fiance really, really wants just the big tank. She is too nice to admit it but I know she does. When I mentioned maybe just keeping the bigger tank as the reef and moving the big fish to a new home, she seemed happy :)

I am not sure yet though. I need to find good homes first. That is the most important part.

The nice thing would be that the big tank is already plumbed nicely. I would change a few things but most would stay the same. Plus I could probably keep my Niger Trigger as he is reef safe. I just don't know if I would or not.

Nice pad man, do you live right beside burger king......
No worries not trying to stalk you or anything just looks familiar I use to work down the street and had lunches at BK all the time I remember looking at the place thinking this would be nice to live in someday.....

I am right beside Wendy's on 8th ave. near Broadway and Cambie.

Did it used to be Burger King?

SO I think the decision has pretty much been made...the FOWLR is being taken down. I have a few good homes for some of the fish and will find homes for the rest.

The tank is not going though...it will be the sump for the 68G. Sounds confusing right? :lol: Its 6' long and the 68G is 2.5" long (or wide).

Well I am going to draw up some plans and I will post them tonight. Basically the 68G is going where the 130 is now as a room divider. The stand will be 6' long but the tank will only take the the left side. The rest will be a bar that faces the TV. So it will be a 68G display with a 130G sump/refugium. I think the 130G will be divided up so that 4' of it is a refugium with a bunch of LR. In this section I will most likely keep one of my puffers! I can't imagine not owning a puffer! I just have to decide which one stays. Actually two will stay. My Green Spotted Puffer will be living in the fuge for sure as well. Then its between the Burrfish and Dogface. Man...how can I make that choice???

Drawings to come.

I do have to still drill the 68G with another hole because I need to be able to set up the herbie drains.

How hard is it to drill a tank?