Question on Overflows

[koolaid]

I am debating on how to go about adding a overflow to my tank. Should I have the tank drilled or purchase a hob overflow? I here the most reliable is the J-tube overflows. If the power goes out, will they prime and start flowing? or will it spill over when the pump kicks in? I have been debating this for 3 weeks now. I am not concerned about taking everthing out of the tank if I have to to drill the holes myself. I have even read where someone has drilled there tank with everything in it. I dont beieve I would do that. It is a 29g. I would really like to here from someone who has had both and would like to hear good/bad experiences with both. If I go with a HOB, which is the best?

 

[shanev]

IMO, if there is an option a drilled tank is better. Its just more relaiable and you never have to worry about syphons.

 

[qwiksilver360]

if your tank is glass i would not recommend trying to drill it yourself take it some where instead but i like the drilled tanks more cause you dont have alot of stuff hanging on the back of your tank it is all underneath but if you get it drilled you will need to install a corner overflow kit i have two drilled allglass aquariums and they are great allglass also sells the whole kit from their website and if you add it up the two options are pretty close in price

 

[koolaid]

If I drill, why not drill close to the top and avoid the over flow kit? Might sound like a dumb question but it sounds easier and avoids the box running down the middle of the tank.

 

[qwiksilver360]

no that doesnt sound dumb its just a different approach than ive seen im just use to the corner overflow kit but hey whatever works for you but when your tank is overflowing back down to the bottom to your sump you will probably get some noise associated with the way you plan on doing it with the corner kit it has a prefilter sponge and a float which make it really quiet but you could figure out a way to make your way quiet

 

[koolaid]

What would you do to quiet the noise? Any ideas?

 

[qwiksilver360]

will maybe install a ball valve in the return line or something like that you would just have to try different things who knows it might not make any noise just thought i would tell you that their is always the possibility it also might vary depending on how much water is flowing through it

 

[scottnj]

Some thoughts,
First off if getting the tank drilled is an option I would recomend going that route. A HOB overflow can get microbubbles in the U-tube causing it to lose prime which is no fun, and just a J tube over the back will lose prime and not re-start if the power fails.
On the drilled approach, if you find that the noise is to much you can probably put a prefilter on to help with the noise, or if your creative even fashion a stand pipe of some sort to help with the noise. Personally I wouldn't put a ball valve on the return line I like to know that water is flowing as unrestricted as possible back to the sump.
_Scott

 

[bigmac]

The built ins are probably a little safer to use, although I used a HOB with a U tube for 10+ years, it never fail, not once. If the tanks empty I'd get it drilled and build an overflow. If its up and running I'd get a HOB overflow.

 

[dreeves]

If the tank is empty (as stated above) get it drilled..if it isnt use the HOT. Someone mentioned above about micro bubbles causing a loss of siphon...if the water flow is maintained close to the rated output of the overflow...the bubbles flow right on through without any collection...slow the water down, and they will accumilate thus slowing the siphon down, and eventually stopping...
I use both a U tube and the molded squared off tube, one is on a LifeReef (U tube), other on a Marineland SOS.