built in vs. overflow box?

[geoff]

just wondering if there's a difference between having a built in overflow or just buying an overflow box. I haven't bought my tank yet but I'm thinking of the an Oceanic 46 so buying reef ready is an option, but I'm also not sure what type of filtration I'm going to use (sump no sump). Why are sumps so great anyway?
Thanks

 

[ironreef]

sumps =added water volume,place to hide equipment,better skimmers,can make a refugium,place to cool tank with fans, place to add calcium and buffer, place to add top of to keep water lever steady.you can create better water movemet with less powerhead if any= seaswirl,flex nozzels ect.... i would use internal =lesss chance for failure.

 

[tangs_in_pacifica]

Definately get a tank with a built-in overflow. Then you won't have to worry about your overflow box losing suction and flooding the house.

 

[old salt]

Built in the way to go. My new tank has the return built in as well (Nothing at all hanging outside the tank).

 

[marine qa]

I agree with above. Its taken me 3weeks to tweek the hang-on to maintain a syphon when the pump goes off. I will never buy a tank w/out a built in again.

 

[sonny]

If you can, definately get the built in overflow. It looks a lot better, and will be trouble-free compared to a hang on. It will end up costing about the same anyway, since you will still have to buy the overflow. Consider getting a bigger tank too... you can't go too big. IMO, you need at least a 75 gallon to do a good reef. I'm not saying you can't do a reef in a small package, but you would always wish you had more room. A really nice size they make now is the 120 gallon. It is 48 x 24 x 24 inches. Gives lots of nice room for stacking that live rock!
Sonny

 

[bobj]

Built in overflow without question. My current tank has nothing in it but rocks,sand, fish and water.