Overflowbox work?

[Andrés Garza]

> I have noticed that many aquarists express concerns about hang-on external overflow boxes. I would like to know whether these systems are truly reliable or if there is a significant risk of failure associated with their operation. I am seriously considering avoiding drilling my aquarium and using one of these overflow boxes instead. Could those with experience using them please share how they have performed in the long term, and whether you have encountered any issues?

 

[Entropy]

They have been used for decades and they work fine, but there is no way to make them as safe and as quiet as a drilled option. You are completely reliant on the syphon, and you don't have an emergency option (2nd or 3rd drain). There is danger involved in drilling your tank, but I think the results and options are completely worth it.

Cars used to not have seat belts and all the other safety features and they worked fine, but there is a lot to be said for the peace of mind of having them now.

 

[wvned]

My experience with them is they run reliably a long time and then a life event happens and they fail and water on the floor while you were busy.

 

[griss]

My experience with them is they run reliably a long time and then a life event happens and they fail and water on the floor while you were busy.

I share the same experience. One way to make them a little safer is to drill a hole in the top of the tube, glue a flow restrictor on the hole, attach airline tubing and then attach the airline to a powerheads venturi input or use an Aqualifter pump to help keep air rom building up and breaking the siphon.

 

[griss]

I share the same experience. One way to make them a little safer is to drill a hole in the top of the tube, glue a flow restrictor on the hole, attach airline tubing and then attach the airline to a powerheads venturi input or use an Aqualifter pump to help keep air rom building up and breaking the siphon.

Here's a video using an Aqualifter pump.