Overflow VS Drilled

One more reason for drilled is that you can push your tank and stand closer to the wall. With the hob overflow, hob skimmer, hob filter... you'll need more clearance back there.
And once you buy one of the more expensive return pumps, I'm sure you won't want that to be your sacrificial piece of equipment to burn up if the overflow box clogs.

 

Everything you said applies to a HOB overflow too. You can add a standpipe to a HOB overflow box, and you can add a strainer to prevent clogging. You can also add a siphon break to the return line in either setup (drilled or HOB). Still no advantages to either setup, just personal preference, as they both work. Now, if I had a tank of 200+ gallons, then I'd probably opt for a drilled setup since most HOB overflow designs top out at around 1600gph. With a drilled setup you can exceed that number.

If I were to buy a tank (used or new) that was drilled, I'd have no qualms about using it. If you have an already set up and running tank then an overflow may just be the right choice. If you don't mind emptying the tank, then drilling it, then restocking it, well, drilling it may just be the right choice. If you have a new setup, and want to get it up and running right away, then an overflow may be the right choice. If you don't mind buying the correct hole driller and doing it yourself (or sending out the tank to a glass shop to have them drill it), then a drilled tank may be the right choice for you. Or maybe not.................

 

As far as losing the prime:

I don't see how this is possible with a u-tube setup (HOB overflow). Yes, if you use the more expensive (and crappier designed) overflows, you can lose the prime. But the fact that those more expensive HOB overflows require an aqualifter pump to keep the air out should be your first clue that they are improperly designed. I use a u-tube HOB overflow, and I have never lost the prime. Try spending less money on a better designed overflow (more expensive doesn't always mean better), and you'll never have to worry about it.

Eshopps overflow is what I use. They range from about $37 - $70 dollars.

The so-called "better" ones (more like more expensive but crappily designed) range from about $80 - $130 (some are even higher priced than this). Add in the aqualifter pump ($11) and the price goes to $91 - $141.

Give me the Eshopps any day over those "better" ones.

Also, the 3 inches of room I need for my HOB overflow, HOB skimmer, and HOB filter is a good thing. Ever have something fall behind your tank? If you have about 3 inches of room you can actually reach behind and get it out. What happens if you only have 1 inch of room behind your tank? Do you just leave it there? Or in the case of a fish: Do you just let it rot, or hope you can manage to find something thin to use to reach behind the tank? Me, I'd rather have the 3 (or so) inches of clearance. Even if I didn't have any HOB items, I'd still keep that much clearance from tank to wall.

 

drilled
wont clog(you need to use pipe like all glass aquarium sells)
looks better
less crap on your tank

 

Hy thanks.
What do you mean about the " You can also add a siphon break to the return line in either setup " Is that a failsafe for the4 return pump ? How do you make it ? Remember, I have all HOB equipment now so I don't know all the fancy tricks yet..


|cheers

 

Anyone who has a non drilled tank and they are just starting out and they use a HOB overflow and not drill the tank , Well they just made their first huge mistake period .. Good luck with what ever way you decide ..

If a drilled tank is set up with the proper overflow box then it can not overflow unlike a HOB that can and do loose siphon a Properly set up and drilled system there is no way to creat a overflowing problem .

 

I approve this statement. I would take a drilled tank over a OFB ANY DAY. I've had both and theres a night and day difference. Luna

 

I would have to strongly disagree with this statement. How on earth are you going to get a standpipe high enough in a HOB OF to get any pressure...? :-/ 6" high is not going to get much pressure on the bulkhead and I haven't seen any that can take a standpipe much larger then that. You need water volume to create pressure with gravity.
Try it sometime in an experiment, I done it because I was thinking just like you and it didn't work.

 

OK, Ok,

So If the tank can? be drilled, and I can find someone to drill it, get it there, have it drilled for ??$$, then what, add one of these units ?
Aquarium Filtration & Water Quality: All-Glass Aquariums MegaFlow Overflow Accessory Kit

Or is it make the PVC, then find the plastic shield somewhere.
Is center and Corner unit just preference ?

 

Get it drilled.
I have an overflow box and hate it.
Plus, many more things to fail on you.
And, having it drilled looks more professional too