Can we make HOB overflow safe?

[star99]

The tank I have is not intended for saltwater, so it's not pre-drilled. I have NO experience in drilling through glass, I've cut glass a few times but never drilled into it.

I am afraid of trying this on my tank and screwing up. Is there any way of making a HOB overflow safe? Maybe a physical way to force water into it in case of power failure of the pump? Or I was thinking of some sort of sensor that could monitor either the water level in the tank or the power in the overflow and automatically stop the sump pump from sending more water into the tank?

Or.. If I really need to drill my tank, do you have a good post for drilling glass for beginners? Somehow I am afraid that the vibration from the drilling would fragelize the rest of the tank, or even crack it near the drilling hole. Also I am not even sure my drill is strong enough to go through glass!

Edit: yeah, definatly not equiped for drilling in glass, according to this video..
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/...rnal-overflow/

[ReeferCraig]

As long as the glass its not tempered, drilling is not difficult to do. Gl*******s.com sells the kits and even the matching bulkheads. They have videos at the site as well that show you how it's done. As far as the first question, I'm sure there is a way to set up a float switch that would do it, but I really don't know how. I'm sure someone here can give you some ideas if that's the route you want to go. But imo, drilling is the only foolproof method

[madweazl]

Originally Posted by star99

The tank I have is not intended for saltwater, so it's not pre-drilled. I have NO experience in drilling through glass, I've cut glass a few times but never drilled into it.

I am afraid of trying this on my tank and screwing up. Is there any way of making a HOB overflow safe? Maybe a physical way to force water into it in case of power failure of the pump? Or I was thinking of some sort of sensor that could monitor either the water level in the tank or the power in the overflow and automatically stop the sump pump from sending more water into the tank?

Or.. If I really need to drill my tank, do you have a good post for drilling glass for beginners? Somehow I am afraid that the vibration from the drilling would fragelize the rest of the tank, or even crack it near the drilling hole. Also I am not even sure my drill is strong enough to go through glass!

Edit: yeah, definatly not equiped for drilling in glass, according to this video..
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/...rnal-overflow/

Power outage wise, most stay primed just fine. You could use something like an aqualifter to provide redundancy but I've yet to have one fail me. Keep them maintained at least monthly and you'll be fine.

[LuvMyBlenny]

Yup , plug the return pump into a manual reset GFCI , power won't return till the breaker is reset .

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Tower-Man...4-08/202510258

[Ron Reefman]

I used standard siphon overflows for 5-6 years. Then I found 2 CPR overflows which use an Aqualifter and I love them. My tanks are drilled but didn't have a 'spare' emergency overflow. So I put a CPR siphon overflow and Aqualifter on the tank and converted one of the drilled overflows to be an emergency overflow. It's been 6 months or more and I'm very happy with them.

[FlyPenFly]

Yes, float switches that can disable outlets will make it relatively safe if maintenance is kept up with.

[chris.francis14]

I have never had a tank that is not drilled until now... I was considering a HOB overflow. You ask how can we make a HOB overflow safe, but what is it that makes it not safe? What is wrong with a HOB overflow?

[Fr0zEn4244]

I used a eshopps HOB overflow for over a year I never had a problem with it, even with power outages. Its super easy to clean to, HOB overflow was quiet aswell.

[star99]

Chris Francis, the problem is the aquarium isn't drilled is that you need a pump to force the water in the HOB overflow tank, as opposed to when the tank is drilled. If I undertstand correctly, when the tank is drilled, if the water goes up too high it will go down the pipe when the water reaches the hole in the glass, it cannot go higher than the drilled hole. The freshwater aqauriums aren't drilled as they don't need a sump.

When the HOB overflow pump breaks, then sump pump can continue to pump water in the tank, thus overflowing.

Ok, thanks everyone for the imputs.

How do I know if it is tempered glass?

[FranktheTankTx]

^^^ I used eshopps overflow for several years without failure. They are well built & fail proof, imo. Just keep adequate flow thru u tube so that air bubbles do not form.

You do not need a air pump. I operated HOB overflow for years without airlifter pump.

[star99]

Great, I was also looking at eshopp, I found some at a LFS near me. Thanks.

[Timber77]

Just drill your tank, its really not rocket science. You don't need a high powered drill, the bit does the work.

[moondoggy4]

Usually the LFS can drill the tank for you and then install the overflow kit, Reef Savvy makes a really nice one. Lifereef makes a overflow that has never failed when matched with the correct pump, of course he will tell you which pump and overflow box to use, he would rather speak on the phone but your are in Canada ?

[Boston21]

I use a PVC tapped at the U Tube part and a aqua lifter to hold siphon. If the pump turns off because of power, then when its restored the aqua lifter self-primes the overflow and start's going again. I believe the ESHOPP's overflow have a similar way of connecting a lifter to the U-Tube?

[Bpb]

Been using a hob overflow for 2 years and had multiple power outages. Never had a flood. I know they're not all designed the same, but my eshopps overflow never loses siphon in the event of a power outage. The u tube stays filled no matter what unless I physically lift it up. Other than that, I cannot think of one single instance where it would be any less safe than a drilled tank.

[Craigsmini]

+1 on lifereef, best quality out there period,

[FranktheTankTx]

Eshopps is the same as a Lifereef... Ask Jeff @Lifereef & he'll tell you how they stole his idea. lol

[Yogre]

I agree on the Lifereef overflow, very reliable overflow. I ran one on my Cichlid tank for two years. I shut the pump down weekly to do water changes, and the overflow never failed to restart after I was done.

Jeff, the owner of Lifereef will want to speak with you prior to the sale, so the phone call from Quebec will probably cost a bit, but I'd say it would be worth it to get this overflow.