Drilled or External Overflow?

[bigbadbrent]

This got a lot of replies, more then i could have hoped for. Thanks for the advice guys.

To get the true 'external' overflow, are they normally custom built?

[Bob]

I have had external overflow for almost 20 years...
The new ones are self priming...so if power go's off..they start atuomatically...
If this is your first tank...you will be moving up...usually a few times...this is where the external one pays for itself...I have seen a couple on here recently...one for 80 the other a 100.
They do not over syphon..overflow your tank...they work almost the same as a built in one....I speak from owning both....I still have my external one

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Bob

...I have seen a couple on here recently...one for 80 the other a 100.

Another one (CPR) for 65...

[Reefpins10]

I just ordered an overflow box from Lifereef after I read this useful advise for not using a reefready tank.

http://www.aquacorals.com/ShopAquariums.htm

[trilinearmipmap]

I have never used a hang-on overflow but if I did, I'd get a lifereef, and also add a float switch so my controller would turn off the return pump in the event of a siphon break.

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by bigbadbrent

This got a lot of replies, more then i could have hoped for. Thanks for the advice guys.

To get the true 'external' overflow, are they normally custom built?

Yes.

[byee]

I've got the CPR CS 102 for since I started my tank 5 years ago. I've lost count on the number of aqualift pumps!

Each time the pump fails, I have the beginnings of an indoor pool in my basement.

I was told CPR makes on of the 'best' HOB overflows......they may but the weak point is Lee's Aqualift pump! Just flooded by basement again for the 8th time. The rubber diaframs all full of salt. If a standard siphon tube can run forever with NO air bubbles, why does the CPR require a aqualift pump to pull out the air?? Inherent design problem??

$1,000,000 question, is the aqualift used to correct a design flaw in the overflow?

I'm replacing mine with a Lifereef type using good old fashion siphon tubes!!

[tinman]

+1 on the internal I have 2 one in each corner 6 x 6 each. By 16 inches high never gonna clog and a fifty gallon sump for a 100 gallon tank with a backup retun pump all wired to my apex my gf is much happier no more floods