Overflow Drilled or Hang on

[spankr]

I am in the process of aquiring a 220G perfecto aquarium. I would like to know if there is a good/reliable hang on overflow that is low maintenance.
I like the reliability of the drilled tanks. I am worried that the hang-on overflows will loose suction and the pump will drain the sump over the top of the main tank.
Someone put this problem to rest.
Thanks,
Chris

 

[coral boy]

I would think as long as you don't have any air in your U tube you should not lose your suction

 

[slick]

I have a drilled tank and I love it.

 

[fshhub]

If you are in the process of getting it, get the drilled.
Why complicate things by worrying about it? It is not like you already have the tank and are trying to decide whether to get a hang on.

 

[hnf2k]

well my hospital tank has a hangon filter, which i would guess would be the same as a hangon overflow and it sucks. because the water is pumped into it instead of it just overflowing it doesnt clean a damn thing. the dirt and stuff just gets stuck to the pump instead of overflowing into my filter. hang on sucks imo.

 

[starfishjackedme]

CPR hangon overflows are a PITA. I wish my tank had internal overflows, or was drilled.

 

[cap'n pete]

Built -in overflows are almost always going to be recommended over hang-ons. Less junk on the tank, better appearence, etc.. In tank overflows can malfunction too, but are normally extremely reliable. I would say the only issue you may have is cost, as I'm sure it will cost a pretty penny to have that glass tank drilled. Well designed hang-ons are also available. The most reliable (IMEO) are simple U-tube overflows. Properly designed, these will almost never fail, even after long periods of no power. The key is to have a good return pump that has enough capacity to keep any air bubbles out of the U-tube and are reliable after power outages. (I have a Rio style pump that needs convincing to restart after the power is out). Always plan for worst case scenario also. Have your return pump high enough in the sump that it can only pump enough water to fill the tank to max. without overflowing in case something goes wrong with the overflow. Also the sump must be large enough to hold any water the overflow will give in case the return pump stops working. Hope that helps.
ps- Sorry, cant resist....
If you need a good hang-on overflow, I know where you can get one!

 

[fishfood]

I'd get it drilled. Mine didn't cost that much at all. $20 per hole plus $60 for them to put in the wier. I love it though.

 

[spankr]

Thanks everyone. I am going with the drilled. I think I'm going to get the 180g instead of the 220g though. The price of the 220g is just too much.

 

[spankr]

Thanks everyone. I am going with the drilled. I think I'm going to get the 180g instead of the 220g though. The price of the 220g is just too much.

 

[j21kickster]

if you have the option from the start drilled tanks are the best- overflows are for after you have a tank setup and realize you want a sump

 

[msb27]

I think perfectos are made of tempered glass. All sides and bottom. I know my 55 is all tempered.
Scott

 

[newfishliny]

Originally posted by msb27
I think perfectos are made of tempered glass. All sides and bottom. I know my 55 is all tempered.
Scott
scott I e mailed all glass and they state they do not use
tempered glass on there tank , not even on there bottom.
I have a 90 and wanted to know , also my sump is a 30 gal and I want to drill a hole , they say no problem.
as for perfecto they say its tempered glass, sorry at first I thought you said all glass
OH now I found my glasses

 

[newfishliny]

A miracle makes a $$$ over flow box that hangs on and it is made top notch , no tubes , no adjusting level ., go to a store or
foster on line great stuff. I still drilled holes because it looks better
and I trust it more.
good luck

 

[spankr]

I just emailed Perfecto and they informed me that there are no tempered panels on the 220G.

 

[killyah]

drilled tank is the way to go!!!!

 

[jrb384]

I reccomend getting it drilled. You can either have your holes on the back wall and plumbed straight to the sump, or you can put a drain off, or ware (s.p.) the reason I reccomend this over a hang on is simple. 1, down the road when you want to add a chiller, or a calcium reactor, or a doser, or whatever, its much easier and better to have a sump to plumb all the stuff into. with a back pack you cant do all these things. 2, its probally quieter to have it all tucked away, under the stand enclosed. when you do plumb your tank, i'd suggest hard plumbing it with pvc, and not rubber tubing. and... get a check valve plumbed into it, that way if you ever lose power for whatever reason, the water doesnt drain out and overflow your sump. in my tank if i lose power, or even if i decided to take the skimmer and pump completely out of the system, not a drop would spill because of my plumbing. its sounds complicated but really isnt. hope that helps.

 

[sal t. nutz]

Drilled is far superior. If you do go hang on though, keep in mind, I don't think there is a single overflow that will handle the flow you will need on a 220 gal tank. Even the dual tubes aren't good enough. You will need to buy 2 overflow boxes, so take that cost into consideration, and it might be cheaper to get it drilled.

 

[clowning68]

Get it drilled.