Overflow box vs Drilled overflow

mwoodruff964 · 12/12/2009, 07:32 PM

I would like to get your thoughts or inputs for both an overflow box or having a drilled overflow and why? I am starting to do make plans for starting a reef tank and I am going back and forth with both. Last tell me which you prefer and why? Thanks

bertoni · 12/12/2009, 08:02 PM

I had an overflow box, and I wouldn't use one again if I had the choice. I never trusted it to keep siphon, and it was an annoyance to set up. I also had to glue some acrylic in it to raise the gate.

egos4life · 12/12/2009, 08:04 PM

myself i have been using a cpr overflow and never had a problem I would much rather have built in overflows but like my bow front i got an unbelievable deal and couldnt pass it up. But either way I feel they are both pretty effecient if set up correctly.

teetimefun · 12/12/2009, 08:19 PM

I have two HOB overflows never had a problem with losing siphon. I would however drill my next tank as it does take up a significant amount of room and is unsightly in the tank. It does make some noise and limits a lot of option in the tank, ie powerhead placement, coral placement, cleaning, and other items.

Sisterlimonpot · 12/12/2009, 08:22 PM

+3 I have to say a drilled tank is better as well

mwoodruff964 · 12/12/2009, 08:52 PM

thanks guys that give me some things to think about

Sisterlimonpot · 12/12/2009, 08:56 PM

Drilling a tank isn't too difficult. You can get the drill bits cheap off ebay. Slap some bulkheads on there and you have a reef ready tank.

Hatz · 12/12/2009, 09:02 PM

I to had a HOB overflow on my tank. Never had a problem losing the siphon, but mine was to noisy, so I will be drilling my tank for internal overflow. Drilling the glass is not hard, just got to take your time.

Sisterlimonpot · 12/12/2009, 09:06 PM

It's as easy as this

mwoodruff964 · 12/12/2009, 11:05 PM

I think I I will want an internal overflow does anyone know where to find an internal overflow if it doesn't come with the tank

Sisterlimonpot · 12/12/2009, 11:11 PM

Did you check out my link? check out glass holes

mwoodruff964 · 12/12/2009, 11:25 PM

yes i did thanks, does it make much noise can't tell from the video sisterlimonpot

Sisterlimonpot · 12/12/2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwoodruff964

yes i did thanks, does it make much noise can't tell from the video sisterlimonpot

Not sure, but if it does get too noisy you can do things to make it quieter.

wrudge · 12/13/2009, 05:57 AM

My tank has a HOB overflow, but I'm looking to upgrade my tank and will definitely be getting it drilled. I just like the cleaner look of a drilled tank.

DarthAWM · 12/13/2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwoodruff964

I would like to get your thoughts or inputs for both an overflow box or having a drilled overflow and why? I am starting to do make plans for starting a reef tank and I am going back and forth with both. Last tell me which you prefer and why? Thanks

Drilled is by far the best way to go. Cleaner install, better options(durso, bean animal) and no u-tube to lose siphon(or have algea grow in

).

If you have a tank that can't be drilled a HOB is better than no overflow but its not the best.

Sisterlimonpot · 12/13/2009, 08:44 PM

bean animal's silent fail safe overflow is a great design

James77 · 12/13/2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

bean animal's silent fail safe overflow is a great design

Yes it is. I have been running mine for over six months. Completely silent with almost no bubbles.

Snookster · 12/13/2009, 09:42 PM

I had an overflow. I had a big mex turbo decide to try to take a trip down to the sump. I then had about 5 gallons of water on the floor.

My newer tank, I drilled myself. Very easy and I highly suggest it. If it makes you to uneasy to DIY, many glass shops will do it for you.

It's much quieter too.

ramblinreefer · 12/14/2009, 12:20 AM

I have an overflow box, if I were to do it again I would choose internal. It works pretty good, but more things could go wrong. If you choose external make sure to use an aqua lifter. It makes starting and maintaining siphonage a sinch.

12/12/2009, 07:32 PM	#1
mwoodruff964 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Grandview,MO Posts: 166	Overflow box vs Drilled overflow I would like to get your thoughts or inputs for both an overflow box or having a drilled overflow and why? I am starting to do make plans for starting a reef tank and I am going back and forth with both. Last tell me which you prefer and why? Thanks

12/12/2009, 08:02 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I had an overflow box, and I wouldn't use one again if I had the choice. I never trusted it to keep siphon, and it was an annoyance to set up. I also had to glue some acrylic in it to raise the gate. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/12/2009, 08:22 PM	#5
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	+3 I have to say a drilled tank is better as well __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/12/2009, 08:56 PM	#7
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Drilling a tank isn't too difficult. You can get the drill bits cheap off ebay. Slap some bulkheads on there and you have a reef ready tank. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/12/2009, 09:06 PM	#9
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	It's as easy as this __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/12/2009, 08:04 PM	#3
egos4life Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CEN CALI Posts: 123	myself i have been using a cpr overflow and never had a problem I would much rather have built in overflows but like my bow front i got an unbelievable deal and couldnt pass it up. But either way I feel they are both pretty effecient if set up correctly.

12/12/2009, 08:19 PM	#4
teetimefun Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 281	I have two HOB overflows never had a problem with losing siphon. I would however drill my next tank as it does take up a significant amount of room and is unsightly in the tank. It does make some noise and limits a lot of option in the tank, ie powerhead placement, coral placement, cleaning, and other items.

12/12/2009, 08:52 PM	#6
mwoodruff964 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Grandview,MO Posts: 166	thanks guys that give me some things to think about

12/12/2009, 09:02 PM	#8
Hatz Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 21	I to had a HOB overflow on my tank. Never had a problem losing the siphon, but mine was to noisy, so I will be drilling my tank for internal overflow. Drilling the glass is not hard, just got to take your time.

12/12/2009, 11:05 PM	#10
mwoodruff964 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Grandview,MO Posts: 166	I think I I will want an internal overflow does anyone know where to find an internal overflow if it doesn't come with the tank

12/12/2009, 11:11 PM	#11
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Did you check out my link? check out glass holes __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/12/2009, 11:25 PM	#12
mwoodruff964 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Grandview,MO Posts: 166	yes i did thanks, does it make much noise can't tell from the video sisterlimonpot

12/13/2009, 05:57 AM	#14
wrudge Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Farmingville, NY Posts: 80	My tank has a HOB overflow, but I'm looking to upgrade my tank and will definitely be getting it drilled. I just like the cleaner look of a drilled tank.

12/13/2009, 08:44 PM	#16
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	bean animal's silent fail safe overflow is a great design __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

12/13/2009, 09:42 PM	#18
Snookster Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Palm Harbor, Fl Posts: 661	I had an overflow. I had a big mex turbo decide to try to take a trip down to the sump. I then had about 5 gallons of water on the floor. My newer tank, I drilled myself. Very easy and I highly suggest it. If it makes you to uneasy to DIY, many glass shops will do it for you. It's much quieter too.

12/14/2009, 12:20 AM	#19
ramblinreefer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 41	I have an overflow box, if I were to do it again I would choose internal. It works pretty good, but more things could go wrong. If you choose external make sure to use an aqua lifter. It makes starting and maintaining siphonage a sinch.