choosing an overflow/ overflow design...

Moonstream · 05/29/2010, 03:16 PM

I dont want to risk drilling my 40br, so Ive decided on a HOB overflow. which leads me to the dilemma of which one to get/make.

I have the options of making one myself, or of buying one. system will be a 40br display with 29g sump/fuge, and a mag 7 return pump.

for a ready-made overflow, I really like the eshopp's design, but they're quite pricey.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=18358

pro's:
has a black inner box
very streamlined

con's:
expensive

for a DIY overflow, I was looking at two very popular designs. one is the classic box-style overflow, the other is a pipe overflow.

the box blueprint:
http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects...verflow/70.asp
pro's:
cheap while being pretty much the same as the eshopp's setup

con's:
the clear box will be easy to see through (though I was thinking about maybe using some superglue to glue rock rubble over it so that you cant se it anymore)
kinda bulky

the pipe design:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=45

pro's:
inexpensive
doesnt take up much room

con's:
ugly
hard to hide, even if it were painted to match the back of the tank

so... what say you, reef central? should I try a DIY box or just suck it up and get the eshopp's? Im thinking eshopp's at this point, im not a big fan of ugly...

sevendigitcake · 05/29/2010, 03:32 PM

i would suck it up and just get the eshops. I dont know how long you have been in this hobby, but you should know that going cheap, usually means buying twice. Get the attractive one and be happy knowing that you didnt waste money trying to diy something that will never live up to your standards.

Moonstream · 05/29/2010, 04:06 PM

yeah, you'd think after 4 years of fish I'd have learned that. I think I will be going with the eshopp's.

travis32 · 05/29/2010, 04:38 PM

Let me know how the eshopps goes for you. I was considering going with this too, as right now my HOB overflow is just a Jtube with some custom plastic sun screen fiber glued to the in tank overflow box. It's not pretty and so far it hasn't been fish proof.

So, I was thinking of sucking up the $110 to buy the eshopps or CPR.

05/29/2010, 03:16 PM	#1
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	choosing an overflow/ overflow design... I dont want to risk drilling my 40br, so Ive decided on a HOB overflow. which leads me to the dilemma of which one to get/make. I have the options of making one myself, or of buying one. system will be a 40br display with 29g sump/fuge, and a mag 7 return pump. for a ready-made overflow, I really like the eshopp's design, but they're quite pricey. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=18358 pro's: has a black inner box very streamlined con's: expensive for a DIY overflow, I was looking at two very popular designs. one is the classic box-style overflow, the other is a pipe overflow. the box blueprint: http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects...verflow/70.asp pro's: cheap while being pretty much the same as the eshopp's setup con's: the clear box will be easy to see through (though I was thinking about maybe using some superglue to glue rock rubble over it so that you cant se it anymore) kinda bulky the pipe design: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=45 pro's: inexpensive doesnt take up much room con's: ugly hard to hide, even if it were painted to match the back of the tank so... what say you, reef central? should I try a DIY box or just suck it up and get the eshopp's? Im thinking eshopp's at this point, im not a big fan of ugly...

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05/29/2010, 03:32 PM	#2
sevendigitcake Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 452	i would suck it up and just get the eshops. I dont know how long you have been in this hobby, but you should know that going cheap, usually means buying twice. Get the attractive one and be happy knowing that you didnt waste money trying to diy something that will never live up to your standards.

05/29/2010, 04:06 PM	#3
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	yeah, you'd think after 4 years of fish I'd have learned that. I think I will be going with the eshopp's.

05/29/2010, 04:38 PM	#4
travis32 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Fargo, ND Posts: 2,161	Let me know how the eshopps goes for you. I was considering going with this too, as right now my HOB overflow is just a Jtube with some custom plastic sun screen fiber glued to the in tank overflow box. It's not pretty and so far it hasn't been fish proof. So, I was thinking of sucking up the $110 to buy the eshopps or CPR.