Overflow or drilling holes???

Fortunato · 09/20/2016, 03:12 AM

Hello guys.

I'm new here.
I have a tank that I have bought witout hole to assemble the drain system. So I've searched for sollutions, because drilling holes is a bit of question, due to the size of the tank (148x65x70 cms, about 58,27x25,59x27,55 in).
It has something like 171gal.

So what do you guys think?
Is the external overflow a good solution?
Or is it fairly safe, to drill some holes in the 10mm thick glass?

mcgyvr · 09/20/2016, 05:03 AM

As long as the glass is not tempered drilling is the best solution...

Ron Reefman · 09/20/2016, 05:25 AM

I doubt that a tank that big has tempered glass, but i'd sure do my best to know for sure. Drilling tempered glass is a disaster 99.9% of the time.

If you drill, do at least 3 holes. A bigger one for a drain, a smaller one for a return to the tank (assuming you aren't doing something else like sea swirls that would be over the back of the tank) and a 3rd hole for an emergency drain in case anything blocks the primary drain. You may never need it, but it's great insurance.

If you do a siphon overflow, get one that can accept an aqua lifter pump and that has 2 drain lines. I know CRP makes one and I'm sure others do as well. The aqua lifter pump will eliminate the problem with bubbles breaking the siphon and the 2nd drain can be used as an emergency drain.

If you have the time and can drill the tank, it's the way I would go. But the siphon overflow works long term too.

rocsec1 · 09/20/2016, 06:08 AM

I had a 75 and used an overflow. I was always afraid it would fail and flooded the living room. I now have a drilled 40 breeder going and never worry about anymore.

kaz1961 · 09/20/2016, 06:51 AM

My brother and I have been keeping fish only saltwater tanks for about 20 years and have always used HOB overflows. Neither one of us has ever had one overflow on us. I know drilling the tank is the sexy thing to do these days but I think the dangers of an HOB overflow are greatly over exaggerated. YMMV but that has been our experience.

Fortunato · 09/20/2016, 07:54 AM

I am a little afraid of drilling holes in the tank.
Especially at this one, that is so big (at least for me it is)

The tank came with a DIY overflow made by water pipes, but I did no like it, because is too big and ugly. It takes too much space inside the tank:

So I got something like this

mitchb · 09/20/2016, 10:50 AM

As long as the glass is not tempered, look up Gl*******s overflows. They are quiet and almost unnoticeable in the corners of your tank versus other options. You may need two in that size tank. Oh, and a drill bit and template are included with the kit

mitchb · 09/20/2016, 10:51 AM

Glass holes

Ron Reefman · 09/21/2016, 04:53 AM

That looks a lot like the CPR siphon overflows I used. Get an AquaLifter pump (under $20 new) and add it to the system. Connect the air hose from the top of the overflow to the intake of the AquaLifter and then the outlet side hose can just dump water into the back side of the overflow or into the tank. With that, you should run trouble free.

kmbyrnes · 09/21/2016, 05:17 AM

I've run 2 tanks on HOB overflows without issue. They add a few items to your daily checklist, but I have found them quite reliable.

sde1500 · 09/21/2016, 06:56 AM

My HOB overflow, from EShopps works perfectly. I have never had an issue with it.

Side note, not sure that rock looks right for a saltwater tank.

Ron Reefman · 09/21/2016, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sde1500

Side note, not sure that rock looks right for a saltwater tank.

Oops! I meant to say something about that too. It looks more like rock from a freshwater tank. I'd seriously consider changing that.

Buddy55 · 09/21/2016, 11:25 AM

I ran a eshopps on my 55 without an aqua lifter pump for over a year. Just keep it clear of algea now and again

Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk

laguest · 09/21/2016, 11:39 AM

We just drilled our first glass tank a few weeks ago.

We are using the Eshopps Eclipse M overflow. It comes with a template and the hole saw that you use to cut the hole. They also have a video that shows them drilling a tank. There are also videos out there that show you how to tell if your glass is tempered. On our normal 75 gallon the bottom was tempered but not the sides.

We took our time and got a very nice clean hole in 2 hours or so.

Percula9 · 09/22/2016, 06:54 PM

If you drill the tank and crack it,the tank is lost.Even if the glass is not tempered that is no guarantee that it won't crack.I recommend the Eshopps overflow or life-reef.The Cpr overflow requires a lift pump.If the pump fails the Syphon will be lost and the sump will overflow the tank.Good luck.

09/20/2016, 03:12 AM	#1
Fortunato Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Sesimbra, Portugal Posts: 3	Overflow or drilling holes??? Hello guys. I'm new here. I have a tank that I have bought witout hole to assemble the drain system. So I've searched for sollutions, because drilling holes is a bit of question, due to the size of the tank (148x65x70 cms, about 58,27x25,59x27,55 in). It has something like 171gal. So what do you guys think? Is the external overflow a good solution? Or is it fairly safe, to drill some holes in the 10mm thick glass?

09/20/2016, 05:03 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	As long as the glass is not tempered drilling is the best solution... __________________ Who me?

09/20/2016, 05:25 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I doubt that a tank that big has tempered glass, but i'd sure do my best to know for sure. Drilling tempered glass is a disaster 99.9% of the time. If you drill, do at least 3 holes. A bigger one for a drain, a smaller one for a return to the tank (assuming you aren't doing something else like sea swirls that would be over the back of the tank) and a 3rd hole for an emergency drain in case anything blocks the primary drain. You may never need it, but it's great insurance. If you do a siphon overflow, get one that can accept an aqua lifter pump and that has 2 drain lines. I know CRP makes one and I'm sure others do as well. The aqua lifter pump will eliminate the problem with bubbles breaking the siphon and the 2nd drain can be used as an emergency drain. If you have the time and can drill the tank, it's the way I would go. But the siphon overflow works long term too. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

09/20/2016, 10:50 AM	#7
mitchb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 55	As long as the glass is not tempered, look up Gl*******s overflows. They are quiet and almost unnoticeable in the corners of your tank versus other options. You may need two in that size tank. Oh, and a drill bit and template are included with the kit __________________ I guess I am an old-timer now. Recently back in the hobby. May 1998 Aquarium Frontiers TOTM for 240g SPS. One of Steve Tyree's original Reef Farmers. Volunteer Aquarist at Birch Aquarium at Scripps

09/20/2016, 10:51 AM	#8
mitchb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 55	Glass holes __________________ I guess I am an old-timer now. Recently back in the hobby. May 1998 Aquarium Frontiers TOTM for 240g SPS. One of Steve Tyree's original Reef Farmers. Volunteer Aquarist at Birch Aquarium at Scripps

09/20/2016, 06:08 AM	#4
rocsec1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Medina oh Posts: 1,782	I had a 75 and used an overflow. I was always afraid it would fail and flooded the living room. I now have a drilled 40 breeder going and never worry about anymore.

09/20/2016, 06:51 AM	#5
kaz1961 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 191	My brother and I have been keeping fish only saltwater tanks for about 20 years and have always used HOB overflows. Neither one of us has ever had one overflow on us. I know drilling the tank is the sexy thing to do these days but I think the dangers of an HOB overflow are greatly over exaggerated. YMMV but that has been our experience.

09/20/2016, 07:54 AM	#6
Fortunato Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Sesimbra, Portugal Posts: 3	I am a little afraid of drilling holes in the tank. Especially at this one, that is so big (at least for me it is) The tank came with a DIY overflow made by water pipes, but I did no like it, because is too big and ugly. It takes too much space inside the tank: So I got something like this

09/21/2016, 04:53 AM	#9
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	That looks a lot like the CPR siphon overflows I used. Get an AquaLifter pump (under $20 new) and add it to the system. Connect the air hose from the top of the overflow to the intake of the AquaLifter and then the outlet side hose can just dump water into the back side of the overflow or into the tank. With that, you should run trouble free. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

09/21/2016, 05:17 AM	#10
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	I've run 2 tanks on HOB overflows without issue. They add a few items to your daily checklist, but I have found them quite reliable. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

09/21/2016, 06:56 AM	#11
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	My HOB overflow, from EShopps works perfectly. I have never had an issue with it. Side note, not sure that rock looks right for a saltwater tank. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

09/21/2016, 11:25 AM	#13
Buddy55 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 171	I ran a eshopps on my 55 without an aqua lifter pump for over a year. Just keep it clear of algea now and again Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk __________________ 90 gallon DT w/40 gallon sump

09/21/2016, 11:39 AM	#14
laguest Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Jose Posts: 63	We just drilled our first glass tank a few weeks ago. We are using the Eshopps Eclipse M overflow. It comes with a template and the hole saw that you use to cut the hole. They also have a video that shows them drilling a tank. There are also videos out there that show you how to tell if your glass is tempered. On our normal 75 gallon the bottom was tempered but not the sides. We took our time and got a very nice clean hole in 2 hours or so.

09/22/2016, 06:54 PM	#15
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	If you drill the tank and crack it,the tank is lost.Even if the glass is not tempered that is no guarantee that it won't crack.I recommend the Eshopps overflow or life-reef.The Cpr overflow requires a lift pump.If the pump fails the Syphon will be lost and the sump will overflow the tank.Good luck.