drilled tank vs overflow

[ineedhelp]

can someone let me know what is better in your opinion drilled tank or overflow i think i am understanding but let me know ok if your tank is drilled there is less of a chance of flooding your tank cuz u can control the amount that goes into the sump (unless a snail or something gets stuck) but with a overflow pretty much every time your power goes out or flashes your going too flood the tank is this correct

 

[twogirls]

I don't know about a drilled tank, but I have a HOB overflow and it works just fine. I have unplugged my pump to see how much water will go to my sump and there is still about an inch and a half of room before disaster. It's a matter of trial and error until you figure out where your water level should be and then mark your sump. There are a lot of people on here that are really helpful.

 

[ineedhelp]

but what if your syphon breaks on the overflow

 

[twogirls]

the way the overflow box is set up there is a box that goes into the tank and a box that hangs on the back of the tank. the box on the back of the tank then drains from the top to the filter and hose, so both of the boxes never go below 5 to 6 or so inches so the syphon is never broken.

 

[almostclueless]

Most come with a pump that restores the syphon.

 

[ineedhelp]

so are u saying the overflowes are fool proof as long as some thing dont clog the overflow

 

[trigger11]

If you are referring to a U-tube style of overflow box then for the most part yes. Unless something were to get clogged in the U-tube the syphon will not break. There is a caveate though. The overflow box needs to be in the style like a company named Lifereef makes. Essentially there is an extra baffle on the back compartment which will always have water in it. And the U-tube will be below that water line.

 

[cmaxwell39]

If you are getting a new tank and are going to be going with sump of some sort I would look at a drilled tank. I like the clean look of nothing hanging off the back and all of your plumbing coming in from underneath the tank. Less to try and hide.

 

[cj7eagle]

I have had my overflow break siphon even though both ends were in water. What happened was i would start the siphon without being able to get all of the air out of the tube. then tiny air bubbles would collect over time at the top of the u-tube, slowing down my flow, and increasing the water level in my tank. my overflow didnt come with a pump to constantly pull the air out. what i did was buy an aqualifter, drilled a hole in the u-tube and and glued an airline

[hr]
to the u-tube. then hooked up the air lines to suck the air out of the u-tube, through the aqualifter, and back into the tank, since it will suck both water and air.

 

[ineedhelp]

instead of buying a aqulifter could i use a venturi style power head

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by cj7eagle
I have had my overflow break siphon even though both ends were in water. What happened was i would start the siphon without being able to get all of the air out of the tube. then tiny air bubbles would collect over time at the top of the u-tube, slowing down my flow, and increasing the water level in my tank. my overflow didnt come with a pump to constantly pull the air out. what i did was buy an aqualifter, drilled a hole in the u-tube and and glued an airline

[hr]
to the u-tube. then hooked up the air lines to suck the air out of the u-tube, through the aqualifter, and back into the tank, since it will suck both water and air.

U tube style overflow boxes dont require lifter pumps and are fail proof as long as a) it doesn't get clogged which if it gets clogged that bad you are damn neglective anyway and b) your return pump is adequate enough.
If bubbles are collecting in the U tube that means your return pump is not pushing enough water to prevent it.
lifter pumps are for CPR type overflow boxes. I clean my internal overflow box with my hand in there every which way slapping the u tube from side to side, accidently stick my kent scrapper over the U tube opening and all kind of shinanigans without breaking the siphon.

 

[sleasia]

you can drill your own tank using a dremel and a roto zip tile bit...there are a number of threads showing this in the equipment section...