drilled tank vs hang on overflow

Timbor

Timbor

New member
Hi there,

I have been looking to get a used tank to setup as a frag tank, but many of the ones I have found are not drilled and use a hang on overflow. My current tank is drilled, and I think I would prefer a drilled tank. I was just wondering how reliable hang on overflows are, and whether it is worth using one or trying to drill the tank myself.

Thanks for the help!

Tim
 
Hang on overflows are not all the same. Some are much more reliable than others. Many tanks can be drilled through a side or back panel. That would be your best option.
 
The CPR hang on over flow box with the aqua lift pump works great together. No hiccups whatsoever..

And no inside overflow box= more room
CL
 
IMO, Drilled would be preferred.

However, if that isn't an option, a LifeReef overflow box is the only one that I would recommend/use. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to use a CPR overflow.
 
Yeah, I was thinking of drilling it myself and putting in a Calfo-type overflow so that the box stays near the top of the tank. I'm not sure what type of overflow comes with the system I am looking at.

How bad do you think it would look if I made the overflow box out of glass vs opaque acrylic?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278172#post15278172 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
IMO, Drilled would be preferred.

However, if that isn't an option, a LifeReef overflow box is the only one that I would recommend/use. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to use a CPR overflow.
Click to expand...

Life Reef over flow box uses a U-tube to draw the water. These types are not efficient, and to start syphon you have to feed an airtube to the top middle of the tube. With the CPR box you just hook up an Aqua lift airpump and it starts automatically and consistently..

CL
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278395#post15278395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coral_lagoon
Life Reef over flow box uses a U-tube to draw the water. These types are not efficient, and to start syphon you have to feed an airtube to the top middle of the tube. With the CPR box you just hook up an Aqua lift airpump and it starts automatically and consistently..

CL
Click to expand...

They are very efficient. The only time I have to use an airline to restart the siphon is when I clean out the U-tube -- that is about 2-3 times a year. With a U-tube design, I don't have to worry about an airpump always working to make sure air bubbles collect and the siphon is lost. Too many people have had their Aqua lifter pumps fail. The CPR are a poor design, IMO, wouldn't want to buy an overflow that requires an aqua-lifter pump to work properly.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278481#post15278481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
They are very efficient. The only time I have to use an airline to restart the siphon is when I clean out the U-tube -- that is about 2-3 times a year. With a U-tube design, I don't have to worry about an airpump always working to make sure air bubbles collect and the siphon is lost. Too many people have had their Aqua lifter pumps fail. The CPR are a poor design, IMO, wouldn't want to buy an overflow that requires an aqua-lifter pump to work properly.
Click to expand...

With the U-tubes you also start to get an air bubble trapped inside on the top. Which effects the flow rate. I had several of those types in the past both with the same problems. My CPR box has been running for 5 straight years without a hiccup..

CL
 
I have never once had any air bubbles trapped in the U-tube of my LifeReef overflow box. I have had it for 8+ years and it has never once lost its siphon, and I don't have to count an additional piece of equipment to make it work.

That is why I said I would only recommend a LifeReef one ---- there are design difference b/t it and other U-tube boxes.

IMO, if someone can't drill and non-reef ready tank, a LifeReef overflow is the only overflow box that should be used.
 
A properly maintained U-tube overflow does not fail. If you have enough flow going through the tube bubbles will not collect.
The siphon never breaks so it always works after a power outage, and there's no extra pump to quit or stick.

My .02
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278581#post15278581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vikubz
A properly maintained U-tube overflow does not fail. If you have enough flow going through the tube bubbles will not collect.
The siphon never breaks so it always works after a power outage, and there's no extra pump to quit or stick.

My .02
Click to expand...

I had great flow on both of mine and still got small bublles trapped inside on the top of the tubes. With that said, anything not well maintained is going to fail, or not function 100%. I guess as they say " different strokes for different folks"..

CL
 
The CPRs are very problematic since they always accumulate air and require an external pump to remove the air accumulation. There are multiple failure scenarios.

A good properly set up U Tube overflow will run indefinitely without issues. It requires nothing external to keep the siphon. I ran them for years and never once had a single issue. The CPR I had failed twice in 3 months.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278518#post15278518 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coral_lagoon
With the U-tubes you also start to get an air bubble trapped inside on the top. Which effects the flow rate. I had several of those types in the past both with the same problems. My CPR box has been running for 5 straight years without a hiccup..

CL
Click to expand...
I had this kind of hang on the tank overflow and when it lost siphon, it flooded my floor twice. Now I have an All Glass with the internal overflow and I would NEVER get an undrilled tank. Just speaking from past mopping experience.
 
I've never run the CPR so I can't comment on them, but IME bubbles collecting in the u-tube were due to insufficient flow. Once I upgraded my return pump, i never had problems with air bubbles getting trapped in the tube. I still prefer a RR over any HOB overflow though
 
I have always used a CPR and have never had a problem but I didn't use a lift pump. All you have to do is run a black vinyl tube (stops algae growth inside the tube to prevent blockage) from the top of the overflow to the little aeriator on the front of a maxi-jet powerhead and place it in the sump. Mine never lost siphon after i threw my lift pump in the garbage.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15279001#post15279001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GrimReefer82
I have always used a CPR and have never had a problem but I didn't use a lift pump. All you have to do is run a black vinyl tube (stops algae growth inside the tube to prevent blockage) from the top of the overflow to the little aeriator on the front of a maxi-jet powerhead and place it in the sump. Mine never lost siphon after i threw my lift pump in the garbage.
Click to expand...

I also have kind of same setup up for my 100gallon FO display tank.I have a internal power head hooked up with my CPR box. The powerhead is inside the tank and the airtube that the powerhead draws air is connected with my CPR overflow box. This is another way you can do it. This tank in my restuarant has been up and running for 2 years now..

CL
 
same thing i just don't like the powerhead blowing the occasional bubbles in the DT, i would rather them stay in the sump. but it's good to know that someone else has done the same as me :)
 
I used to have a U tube HOB filter and now I have drilled tank. Although I never had a problem with my HOB filter when I upgraded to my 125 and added a larger sump I wanted total pace of mind that I would never wake up to 60 gallons of sump water on my flour. I love my drilled tank and don't think I will never own a none drilled tank aging
 
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