Overflow Boxes - Should I Use or Not?

[filtermaniac]

I'm a FW guy converting my 75 gallon acrylic FW cichlid tank to SW. I plan on going FOWLR to get my feet wet in SW. My question is, I currently have a pair of Rena XP3 filters on this tank. I understand that filter pads & biomedia isn't the way to go with a FOWLR setup.

The main question is, how safe are overflow boxes? I'm looking at a 800gph model from oceanproaquatics.com right now. I have a 29 gallon glass tank for a sump & a QuietOne 3000 for my return.

Are overflows a good way to go? I *could* drill holes into my tank, but honestly am weary of that idea.

Any help in this matter would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Cheers,

FM

 

[hairymushroom]

Rather get somebody to drill your tank for you, overflow boxes are notoriously unreliable with overflowing and siphon breaks .... oh and almost forgot...

WELCOME TO REEF CENTRAL and i hope you have a good time here

 

[JaMan]

Drilling the tank and installing an overflow would be the best thing you ever did to the aquarium set-up! Overflow boxes break siphon and cause flooding from time to time. Having that little peace of mind that the tank is running smoothly while away is priceless!!

 

[Amador]

They're a good way to go provided you get the right kind. You want to look for the "U" tube style that have both ends of the tube submerged at all times. Some people like the CPR style that use a pump to maintain the siphon, but I like to let physics do the work for me.

Lifereef and Amiracle are the two big names for the U-tube style. The nice thing about them is that you'll never lose siphon provided your return pump is powerful enough to keep bubbles from forming in the U-tube. If your pump is underpowered you'll get a gradual accumulation of air bubbles in the tube which will eventually break the siphon and allow the return pump to overfill the display and send water everywhere.

However, if your pump is the right size (flow), you will never lose siphon, even in the event of a power outage. I've been using two of the Amiracles for awhile now and have yet to lose siphon or have any major problems.

 

[keithntracy]

DRILL IT!!! LOL

just drilled my fuge. wish i would have drilled my main tank!! the guy did it in 10 minutes from set-up to clean-up!

 

[filtermaniac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7370342#post7370342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by keithntracy
DRILL IT!!! LOL

just drilled my fuge. wish i would have drilled my main tank!! the guy did it in 10 minutes from set-up to clean-up!

How exactly was that done? The drill type, the bit, the optimal hole size & all that. I'm a newbie to the DIY stuff, but am willing to get my feet wet to do this the first time correctly.

I'm thinking of a 1" bulkhead, so what diameter would the hole need to be? Is there a place on the net with this sort of reference material?

Cheers

 

[keithntracy]

where do you live? we got a guy here in central fla that does anything you need done.

on the right is where he driiled the hole for a 1 inch bulkhead fitting

 

[keithntracy]

btw: in the diy forum there's a big thread on tank drilling

 

[filtermaniac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7370830#post7370830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by keithntracy
btw: in the diy forum there's a big thread on tank drilling

Yes, I just checked that one out. It's more leaning towards usage of a RotoZip tool. Great stuff to be sure!

For a 1" bulkhead, what size hole do i need to drill?

 

[GL]

I went through the same dilemma when I started my 90. Although everyone said "Drill IT" I chickened out because I could not find anyone who would drill the tank with any guarantee of not breaking it. I ended up putting in a LifeReef overflow box. While it has been almost 2 years and numerous power outages, maintenance outages etc, it has work flawlessly.

What I don't like is the space it takes up, and that "always in the back of your mind" what if it fails thoughts. Taking it off the tank and cleaning it is a pain as well but I imagine you would have to clean a drilled overflow too (like a mega flow).

Anyway .....

DRILL IT.... I wish I had.

 

[Safir]

I beleiv a 1" bulkhead needs a 1 3/4" hole, but check with whomever you et your bulkhead from, as they may vary some.

 

[sjm817]

I also have a Lifereef on a 90G. Also flawless. I cant see tearing down a fully stocked tank to drill it when there is no problem. If the tank is not set up, I would definitely drill it.

 

[yeame]

I have a S.O.S. skimmer box by marineland with fluval 404's for the return pumps it works great on my 75g. on my 125 I run 2 cheeper boxes incase one stops flowing it happened yesterday the water was even with the top of my tank but didn't over flow
any way you do it make sure their is 2 outlets (cant see drilling a $300 tank )

 

[shilo_1]

I just bought a Lifereef overflow - only heard excellent stuff on them !