Drilled or External Overflow?

gobytron · #1 01-27-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMGQ

Drilled = 100% flood safe
External Overflow = Not 100% flood safe

Valid arguments for both, they both can fail if clogged obviously.

But the External Overflow can also fail if it loses it's syphon when trying to restart after a power outtage.

I regret having an external overflow, it's a constant fear of flooding (happened a few times). I wont make that mistake for the next tank.

Regarding the sump, you would want a sump from the start. That's where you keep all the equipment (protein skimmer, heater, filter socks, media reactor, maybe a section for chaeto, etc.).

LOL...
My friend, I live in no such fear.
You must have one of those CPR units...lol
And you realize you just stated that neither format is actually 100% flood proof right?

Go with a Life Reef or similar.

Again, 6 years, no breaks in siphon, no floods and probably 100 power outages .

GMGQ · #2 01-27-2011, 07:16 PM

Lucky you for sure.

But for a new guy starting out, clean slate, given these 2 options -- the odds are heavily against you for suggesting an external overflow.

It's pretty much impossible for a drilled overflow to fail. It's purely run on gravity. An external overfly needs to defy gravity to get a syphon going. It's really a no brainer.

You're lucky yours restarts everytime, but the chance is still there that one day it wont.

Plus drilling is cheaper than spending $100-200 on an external overflow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobytron

LOL...
My friend, I live in no such fear.
You must have one of those CPR units...lol

Go with a Life Reef or similar.

Again, 6 years, no breaks in siphon, no floods and probably 100 power outages .

Youngster Dan · #3 01-27-2011, 07:37 PM

+1 to Drilling > External Overflow

Best bet is to really take your time, and drill it. This way you are forced to put a sump on and gather the equipment you may want. If you are up for it, you can drill it yourself as it's kind of fun.

I'm running a "herbie" overflow and it is pretty quiet. Kind of annoying to get it dialed in, but seems like a pretty straight forward and simple design.

There is always a few ways to skin a cat

gobytron · #4 01-27-2011, 07:42 PM

Again, with a high quality external, there is no break in siphon.

I would not use one of the ones that relies on an aqualifter, these are made to fail...

bit do some due dilligence on Life Reef, my experience is the norm and not the exception.

you sound like a guy who has never actually used one of these.

I have used drilled tanks and both the utube and aqualifter pumps and the only reason I would drill a tank would be for a closed loop because my experience with both my life reef as well as the DIY I made are reliable and gove me so much more tank to work with, though they are not fool proof and need to be set up (and constructed) appropriately.

You are spreading misinformation based on your inexperience IMO.

I wont say one is better than the other, just that they are both viable and reliable options depending on your needs.

Youngster Dan · #5 01-27-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobytron

Again, with a high quality external, there is no break in siphon.

I would not use one of the ones that relies on an aqualifter, these are made to fail...

bit do some due dilligence on Life Reef, my experience is the norm and not the exception.

you sound like a guy who has never actually used one of these.

I have used drilled tanks and both the utube and aqualifter pumps and the only reason I would drill a tank would be for a closed loop because my experience with both my life reef as well as the DIY I made are reliable and gove me so much more tank to work with, though they are not fool proof and need to be set up (and constructed) appropriately.

You are spreading misinformation based on your inexperience IMO.

I wont say one is better than the other, just that they are both viable and reliable options depending on your needs.

You are my favorite

gobytron · #6 01-27-2011, 07:51 PM

get in line.

Aquattro · #7 01-27-2011, 07:55 PM

Both are fine, externals can be setup to not fail. But, my internal takes up less room, and makes things a bit cleaner looking. I guess I don't like things hanging on the edge of the tank. But given the choice, with an empty tank, I would still recommend an internal. The box portion can be customized for different needs and doesn't have to take up a lot of room.

GMGQ · #8 01-27-2011, 07:58 PM

No worries man, you dont have to listen to a schmuck like me.

Lots of other posts on this thread to read.

P.S. U R # 1!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobytron

Again, with a high quality external, there is no break in siphon.

I would not use one of the ones that relies on an aqualifter, these are made to fail...

bit do some due dilligence on Life Reef, my experience is the norm and not the exception.

you sound like a guy who has never actually used one of these.

I have used drilled tanks and both the utube and aqualifter pumps and the only reason I would drill a tank would be for a closed loop because my experience with both my life reef as well as the DIY I made are reliable and gove me so much more tank to work with, though they are not fool proof and need to be set up (and constructed) appropriately.

You are spreading misinformation based on your inexperience IMO.

I wont say one is better than the other, just that they are both viable and reliable options depending on your needs.

gobytron · #9 01-27-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMGQ

No worries man, you dont have to listen to a schmuck like me.

Lots of other posts on this thread to read.

P.S. U R # 1!

No worries my friend.
When I am out of intellectal ammo, I often patronize people too.

fkshiu · #10 01-27-2011, 08:10 PM

There is a third way. First some clarification on terminology:

- an "external" overflow as used in this thread is more commonly known as an HOB overflow. This is the type of overflow that Lifereef makes.

- an "internal" overflow usually consists of a drilled hole or two enveloped by an internal overflow box.

There is another kiind of external overflow that involves no drilling and no u-tubes. Here's mine:

Glass is notched out of the top of the back pane and the water overflows into the attached external glass box and down to the sump via the Herbie pipes. No chance of flood, no unsightly boxes inside the aquarium, and easily Herbie-able. Does cost a bit more to build, though. My mistake is not going wider or even coast-to-coast.