Drill or HOB overflow?

GeoHawk · Jun 3, 2014

I am moving in two weeks and thought this would be a good time to plumb my display to my frag tank. My frag tank is 24X18X12 and if I drill it I would have to do it on the back glass, because it sits on a table that isn't open for an opening in the bottom of the tank. I have never drilled a tank before either. What would be the best way to do this, to avoid complication in the future and be able to accomplish what I want?

Thanks

ReeferBob · Jun 3, 2014

www glass holes (dot) com has kits. They work very well. Make sure your tank is drillable (not tempered glass). Google "how to tell if glass is tempered" if you are unsure.

rdevoe11 · Jun 3, 2014

+1 to what reeferbob said..I would recommend getting the diamond hole saws you need elsewhere though..I had my LFS do the drilling for me, as I felt a little uncomfortable with it, and the provided hole saws weren't as effective as the commercial grade ones he had

GeoHawk · Jun 9, 2014

Thanks guys! Is this pretty simple for a not very DIY kind of guy?

steventaylor702 · Jun 9, 2014

I would suggest a drill guide if this is your first time drilling glass and go nice and slow don't put pressure on the drill just let it do the work. It's not to bad as far as diy goes but it is a little nerve racking your first go around

Daddio · Jun 9, 2014

HOB overflows are not fun. They require vigilant observation and messing with to keep the siphon going - DRILL. I had HOB overflows for 10 years and hated them. I haven't tried to drill but if that is an option, I'd give it a try or see if your LFS has someone that can do it for you if you are nervous.

steventaylor702 · Jun 9, 2014

Daddio said:
HOB overflows are not fun. They require vigilant observation and messing with to keep the siphon going - DRILL. I had HOB overflows for 10 years and hated them. I haven't tried to drill but if that is an option, I'd give it a try or see if your LFS has someone that can do it for you if you are nervous.

I have to disagree I had a hob overflow and never once did it break siphon or require any special attention to keep it going I shut it on and off all the time and it would start right up no issue. I only cleaned it once every 6 months to remove algae build up just. I was using an eshopps overflow and used it 2 years not one single problem.

steventaylor702 · Jun 9, 2014

But I do have to say one thing about a hob overflow is they are ugly and an eyesore I had mine on an open top system and I hated looking at it also they can be a little noisy that why my current tank is drilled

SloppyJ · Jun 9, 2014

Maybe this is thinking too much but why not cut a hole in the top of the stand?

gar732 · Jun 9, 2014

I had a 75 with a hob and hated it, I was constantly worried about a flood. I ended up braking down the tank and going with a reef ready instead. Save yourself the time, trouble, and frustration and just drill it now while you've got the chance. Drilling a tank isn't that bad. I used a piece of card board taped down as a guide and use a drill with a clutch on its lowest setting so if the hole saw gets caught you don't crack the tank. Just go slow and look up some youtube videos to get an idea of what you are doing.

Daddio · Jun 9, 2014

steventaylor702 said:
I have to disagree I had a hob overflow and never once did it break siphon or require any special attention to keep it going I shut it on and off all the time and it would start right up no issue. I only cleaned it once every 6 months to remove algae build up just. I was using an eshopps overflow and used it 2 years not one single problem.

I had two CPR overflows for over 13 years and they were a pain - for the most part they worked fine but over that long haul, the times they did fail seemed catastrophic - especially after power outages and an auto topoff. Just be careful if you have an auto topoff!

I have a drilled tank now and it is such a dream comparatively to what I had.

steventaylor702 · Jun 9, 2014

Ya I agree with you on the cpr overflows they ate a nightmare to many problems with them they traded functionality for cosmetic beauty and that's why I won't use them

vic67 · Jun 9, 2014

It's not difficult to drill a tank. Make sure the glass on the panel you want to drill isn't tempered first. I bought a glass hole drill bit from Amazon; I think it was about $6. There are many videos on youtube that you can use as guides.

redfishbluefish · Jun 9, 2014

A big plus one for Glass-Holes. Their kits come with everything, including the bit to drill the hole. I've had external overflows and after two floods I went Glass-holes. Couldn't be happier.

GeoHawk · Jun 9, 2014

SloppyJ said:
Maybe this is thinking too much but why not cut a hole in the top of the stand?

It actually sits on a fold up plastic table. Its perfect because I can do all my fragging on the table next to the tank. I know its not recommended to set up tanks on foldup tables, but so far so good (2 years no problems). Otherwise it would make lots of sense to drill a hole in the stand.