Best Overflow for a 180 Gallon

[asonitez]

I recently acquired a 180 Gallon Tank

54X 32 X 24


It does not have built in overflows and I was looking for the best way. I know the best and easiest way is the Hang on overflow which I'm all for. But which one?? Lol. Can anyone reccomend a good overflow for me? I want it to have th slimmest profile possible in my tank.

 

[kar93]

The best IMO is to drill the tank providing it isn't tempered. You can do external overflows which dont waste any space in the tank or you can do internal which will waste space in the tank.

 

[OneDayMatt]

LifeReef systems sells really nice overflows. An overflow is a pretty simple device, but the LifeReef overflows have some pretty good features. I've got one of their slimline overflows on my 72. On a 180, I'd get two of their double overflow units. That'd give about 2400 GPH capacity. Obviously, you do not have to pump 2400 GPH, but you'd be able to.

 

[asonitez]

The tank is not tempered but I don't want to go through the hassle of drilling it. The glas was hella expensive to risk drilling and cracking it.

 

[Hop]

Can you put an overflow on it? The euro-bracing on some custom and larger tanks won't allow an overflow. I would have a glass shop drill it. Why set up a nice big tank and cut a corner right off the bat with a HOB overflow?

 

[asonitez]

I don't consider it cutting a corner. I'd rather the HOB overflow than the built in ones. The HOB offers me the chance to reposition the overflow where I want it. I love wrasses and Anthias. My 90 which is overstocked they constantly jump into my overflow causing me to pull out my durso and catch them. A HASSLE to say the least. Not to mention cleaning that area of the tank is very difficult. I like the simplicity of the built in ones but I hate the Overflows in the tank taking up realestate. I dont consider myself cutting corners using the HOB. Less Equip inside and easier to maintain while accomplishing the SAME task with Comparable Turnover.

I purchased the CPR CS150 DX with the Aqua Lifter Pump just now. Its name brand, reliable and with the addition of the Aqualifter (I have one which has been in operation for almost 2 years now with NEVER a problem) I feel pretty safe.

 

[Hop]

Well I would still say look and make sure one will fit. Then I would recommend a lifereef overflow.

Sorry if you took the words cutting corners as an insult. It's just my opinion that is just another weak point in a large system. but I ran a lifereef dual overflow for years without an issue. it was just another thing to clean and maintain

 

[asonitez]

I find I have to clean and de algae my built in overflow fairly normally because the water does not move through that area as fast sand and detrius settle to the bottom of the overflow and within the walls of the overflow. i fish a lot of things out of there lol. I did not take it as an insult. I had the opportunity to look at the life reef and the cpr side by side and I liked the slimmer line of the CPR. Both look well built. I think one thing large systems suffer from is if you don't have a fish room its not easy to maintain.

With my Hang on overflow I retain the space inside of my tank without any black boxes and I still accomplish an acceptable amount of flow.

 

[IndyReefMan]

I have used the CPR CS overflow for over three years and have never had any problems with it. It gets bashed a lot by people on this site for its potential to fail. It works great, as long as you keep the air nipple clean and have a reliable pump hooked up to it. Unfortunately, the aqualifter pump is not all that reliable. I prefer to hook the venturi of a maxijet to it because I trust the reliability of it much more than the aqualifter. I use maxijets for tank circulation any way, so I'm killing two birds with one stone.