Hang-on overflow/ Drilled tank

[kpete4]

Alright here's the deal,.

I have a 75 gallon not drilled tank that has been running on a canister filter, cheap skimmer, and power filter for the past 2 years. I want to set up a sump. The easiest way for me would be to get a hang on the back overflow, but I have heard horror stories about these.

Do you guys frown upon the hang on back overflows??? If so why???

If the hob overflow is a bad idea, is it possible to get my tank drilled, or would I need to buy a whole new tank???

Let me know what the pro-reefers have to say!!!!!!

[spsick]

I was in the same situation as you, I got an amiracle HOB overflow with no issues, it just took a couple weeks for me to be able to sleep at night :) I would recommend the amiracle though, and make a stockman standpipe, otherwise they're kinda loud. only prob was I couldnt get more than 2-300 gph through it without it starting to gurgle. maybe check out the ones something fishy is carrying now, alot cheaper than amiracle, and they look identical, I think the dual tube one was like $65 or so, not bad considering a single tube amiracle is $90+

[Soltaker]

I have used a CPR unit in the past and presently in conjunction with my 2 corner overflows. I do have to restart it now and then, but I have never had the tank itself overflow. The corners consume enough.

[mtfatwork]

just get it drilled, you will be so much happier six months from now. Find out what brand your tank is to ensure that the back is not tempered, and then contact IIOHAB on the boards if you are not comfortable drilling it yourself, he has done dozens of tanks :)

[kpete4]

It's All-Glass

Do they sell the overflow black plastic thingys (i know really scientific) that are in the back of drilled tanks, or how else would I accomplish the same thing????

[oyam123]

Drill it!
or buy the 5' 120 from lchau211 (on TRT Roch)...think he will give you a deal!

[mtfatwork]

you can buy one, but it would be just as easy to have one made. Bob from reefmania is a member here (jg24). Just send him an email, I think that they cost somewhere between 50-100 depending on what size and style you want. It might cost you a little more in the long run, but it will be so much nicer to never have to worry about a flood

[tjp]

Something Fishy drilled mine and put in an overflow box.
With the overflow box and with 2 holes drilled 1” drain and the return line ¾” I think it was around $75.00
I did have my tank empty, if you don’t want to empty your tank the HOB might be the only thing you can do.
I’m using a Mag Drive 9.5 just fine for the return pump and I can sleep at night.

Terry

[kpete4]

Terry, what size tank??? I'm looking at pumps too and wondering what size and model I should get?

[tjp]

Terry, what size tank??? I'm looking at pumps too and wondering what size and model I should get?


It's also a 75g tank with a 55g sump

[kpete4]

Is the 55 sump in your stand or beside???
I'm looking to do a 55 gallon sump also but I am going to have to set it beside the tank in a 2nd cabinet. I don't have any room under my stand.

Are you pretty happy with the job something fishy did???

[David Grigor]

Personally, I'd take my lumps and tear down and get it drilled or can wait until a used 75g comes along get it drilled and ready then make the switch. Just being a 75g tank, It isn't that much work to just take the tank down ( most of us have done much bigger jobs ). Place everything in bins for 24 hours and get the tank drilled and overflow installed. I like to use 4 sided overflow boxes vs. siliconing in a 3 sided and have to let cure for 24hours. Plus can be removed if needed just by draining the tank down to the bulkhead. If you do a 4 sided box, you need 2 bulkhead gaskets instead of just 1.

Are you pretty happy with the job something fishy did??? SF is set in there ways and won't drill the hole necessarily where you want it. They drill it to low and makes doing the durso difficult to impossible. I'd buy the bit from twopartsolutions.com for what about $20 or so and drill yourself.

[kpete4]

I know nothing about drilling a tank. That kind of freaks me out a little. I'd need some help w/ where to put the holes and everything else that goes into that.

I do have an empty 55 that I think I'll setup and throw everything in. THe live rock would be a little cramped, but it would work fine as a temporary setup

[David Grigor]

It does sounds imtimidating but really is quite easy and a good skill to have.

[Soltaker]

I know nothing about drilling a tank. That kind of freaks me out a little. I'd need some help w/ where to put the holes and everything else that goes into that.

I do have an empty 55 that I think I'll setup and throw everything in. THe live rock would be a little cramped, but it would work fine as a temporary setup

I was freaked out too when I did the 1st hole for my closed loop in my 220. But 5 holes later it isn't so bad. The best way to go about it is to build a dam with Plumber's Putty and use a hand drill press. This is a crappy pic, but you get the idea. :icon_rock:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/Soltaker/220%20rebuild/IM002101.jpg

And a good pic of the drill press itself. I got it at Menards for like $25 bux or something......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/Soltaker/220%20rebuild/press.jpg

Hope that helps a little. :)

[David Grigor]

I like to just buy a real cheapy tool shop brand drill that I don't care if it gets ruined. Use if for aquascaping and drilling.

[tjp]

Is the 55 sump in your stand or beside???
I'm looking to do a 55 gallon sump also but I am going to have to set it beside the tank in a 2nd cabinet. I don't have any room under my stand.

Are you pretty happy with the job something fishy did???

Something Fishy did a great job A+ I don't trust my self drilling tanks yet so for the price I couldn't go wrong.

My sump is under my tank.

Terry

[IIOHAB]

I can drill it set up as long as the water line is below the holes :nuts: :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

[storrisch]

here is a video superman posted a lil while back
http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=135&highlight=drilling

I would use water over anything else for cooling. Why make it tougher to clean up.

better yet let IIOHAB do it and watch closely.

[epidemic]

IIOHAB--I have been meaning to ask you... Im ready when you are;)

[rihanssu]

Kpete, here is a horror story, you knwo where my 40 breeder is?

there was a 90 gal tank there with a HOB overflow and when i finally moved that tank out i had to replace the floor. it was compleatly destroyed. there was a membere here not to long ago that lost his living room floor.

just remember this

Water+ wood floor= ALOT of money!

its a proven fact =)

-Hot Soup

[kpete4]

So are you suggesting I not go with the HOB??