HOB overflows?

[onlytoby]

Has anybody used any of the hang on back overflow boxes before that don't require drilling?

When I do eventually upgrade, I would rather save money where I can and I love the look of shallower tanks, but don't really want to fork out thousand upon thousands on a custom build or one of waterboxs frag tanks, which I'm unlikely to find second hand

All Pond Solutions do a decent size tank (120cm long) which I was thinking of having an overflow box on, as I would likely mess up drilling so I could have a sump below - plus it could be a peninsula!

Would love to know your opinions!

120cm Ultra Clear Glass Fish Tank - 280L

Ultra clear, low-iron glass aquariums have minimal green tint providing excellent views of tank inhabitants. 280 litre 1200x530x490mm - £219.99

www.allpondsolutions.co.uk

 

[Peace River]

Some people love their HOB overflows, but after having issues in the past with them I now will always go with a drilled tank (whether I drill it myself or get one that is pre-drilled). Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Conchman]

Had a non-drilled tank. Only HOB overflow I would use would be Life-Reef. Does not need an air pump for re-start after power failure. It started on its own, every time. Just keep a spare u pipe, and keep it free of any obstruction.

 

[ilikebeef]

I agree with Conchman, hands down the best HOB that's out there. I Live in SW Florida and
have multiple outages a year here, always stays primed and starts right up.
Just make sure there is going enough flow through the clear U tubes, if you start seeing air
bubbles to accumulate it doesn't have enough flow.
Also very important, the manufacture of lifereef will be always there to answer questions
and give support, a Big plus for me these days.

 

[Water Dog]

A few tips on HOB overflows…

1) NEVER restrict the drain line in any way. You only have one drain line. Keep it free and clear of any restrictions.

2) Get rid of the prefilter sponge in the drain side of the box. They clog very easily.

3) To manage/reduce the gurgling noise, look into making a Stockman standpipe. This standpipe replaces the prefilter sponge.

Ken Stockman's Standpipe Implementation | Durso Standpipes

A standpipe design effective in external overflows, created by Ken Stockman.

www.dursostandpipes.com

I ran an HOB overflow for years without issue following the above tips.

 

[Viva'sReef]

I had a 120g with a dual HOB overflow. It worked for me for 10+ years but after that run, I will never have another HOB overflow. The clear U-tubes get algae in them and need cleaned frequently then having to mess around restarting the siphon on 2 - U-tubes without an air bubble. Or snails getting into them, or air bubbles building up inside the tube eventually slowing it down to much. I hated it. I would go out of my way to find or drill the tank just NOT to mess with an HOB overflow

 

[Snoopy 67]

Ran a 220 with dual HOB. Neither Lifereef but made the same way & never a problem as long as there were no bubbles in the tubes, the water should pull any all the way out of the tube.

 

[Snoopy 67]

I still have one if there is any interest. I would prefer somewhere on LI because it was designed to take care of a 60-80 gallon tank with filtration( Flex Rings) & is a very long unit.
$50, shipping would be a bear.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I use a hob overflow not my choice but the budget’s lol it works well , I have it paired with a tom aqua lifter to syphon even after electricity dies , it works cost about 40$. You will need to clean the tubing monthly otherwise algae can build up

 

[Willhersh34]

+1 for the stockman, although mine are the “dirty” version using the gasket from a PVC compression fitting to hold the union silencer in place. Big thing with the HOB are to keep the stockman clean and to clean the u tube.

I’ve also found that matching the return pump flow with the flow rate of the drain keeps air trapped in the u down. In my case I’m using 300GPH overflows (obviously that’s thereoretical/ideal conditions you will never achieve). Doing some simple math to adjust the DC return pump rate accordingly made a world of difference. For example, I have a 660 GPH return pump running a reactor. Sooooo……….I calculated that running my pump at 0.45 gives me 296 GPH from the return. Doing some fine adjustment from there and profit! No more air trapped in the u tube and less gurgling from the stockman.

obviously, this only holds for a DC pump. In other scenarios you would have to control the return flow with valves but the idea holds the same.

 

[Duncan62]

Has anybody used any of the hang on back overflow boxes before that don't require drilling?

When I do eventually upgrade, I would rather save money where I can and I love the look of shallower tanks, but don't really want to fork out thousand upon thousands on a custom build or one of waterboxs frag tanks, which I'm unlikely to find second hand

All Pond Solutions do a decent size tank (120cm long) which I was thinking of having an overflow box on, as I would likely mess up drilling so I could have a sump below - plus it could be a peninsula!

Would love to know your opinions!

120cm Ultra Clear Glass Fish Tank - 280L

Ultra clear, low-iron glass aquariums have minimal green tint providing excellent views of tank inhabitants. 280 litre 1200x530x490mm - £219.99

www.allpondsolutions.co.uk

Use them on everything. Build a big one and put a skimmer, heater or uv build when needed. Very simple. No holes.