Overflow Box and Refugium Help For 38 Gallon Tank

[ballyhoe]

Hey Guys
I am planning on taking my 38-gallon tank to my lfs to get my back glass drilled in order to install an overflow box. Now for my questions, how big should the hole or holes be? How many holes should be drilled? I want to also add either a sump or a refugium , but I don’t know which of the two is the more beneficial one. I have a small space under my stand of about 26”L x 10.5”W x 17”H. I will be using a Prizm HOB skimmer so the skimmer does not really have to go in the sump. I was thinking that a refugium would be easier for me to build plus I could still put my heater and anything else in there. I am to this hobby and it would be better if you can make it as easy as possible for me.
Thanks
Jeff

 

[predator]

If I were you I would make a divider in whatever it is you plan on using for a sump/refugium. If you utilze all of your space you can very easiely have both a sump and refugium. All you will need is a divider in a tank. Just be sure that it does not come to the top of the tank. This way you have to chambers.
One will have your return pump as well as a power head with airline tubbing connected to the out put of it. This will take water out of your main chamber and gently push up and over into your refugium, causing it to overflow back into your main chaber.
Are you confused yet. I' hope not. If so just ask or I'm sure someone else willccome along.

 

[colorado_reef]

BallyHoe,
You could also buy an overflow box for your tank and you would not have to drill it. This is what I did for my refugium to my sump. I called to get my tank drilled and was told that it was not possible becouse it was a tempered glass tank.
The overflow box I bought works fine and if the pump turns of and restarts, The suction is still there so it doesn't cause any problems.

 

[bentrue]

i also have a hang-on overflow box that is working great. i am building my next tank myself, and will drill that one and bulkhead it for my sump/refugium, but the refugium i have now is using the hang-on overflow.