using it as a HOB overflow might work well, even for others, if you simply cut the back part out and added one or two bulkheads, it simply wouldn't flow over and back into the tank, and if the bulkhead gets clogged, it wont overflow, it will jsut cascade back into tank. Plus you dont have to worry abouit a siphon, simply cover the bulkhead up and fill the tank with water and turn the pump on.
sounds like it would work to me, might use that idea for a smaller tank build.