Sigh.. Aqueon tank.. HELP!

[Matthew England]

So I've had a heck of a time getting my tanks situated. All of this has happened during Petco's $/ gal sale.
First, picked up a 55, and it just didn't sit well with me on how shallow it was, at only 13 or so inches deep. So, I call my local store, ask about returning the 55 for a 75. The guy I spoke to assured me that it was fine, and that they had them in stock. Awesome. Weekend rolls around, the 55 had been in my truck ever since I had originally purchased it, so we're heading to the store. I get there, and they're sold out. Crap.
Now, the next closest petco is in Nashville, 1:45+ away, but they have one 75 in stock. I tell them to hold it, we're on our way. We get there, and sure enough, sitting at the front of the store is my tank. Yay! Also pick up 2- 29 gal tanks. One for my sump and the other for the freshwater tank my wife wants to set up.

Now... We're both finally happy with the tank selections we've made. So, I start ordering overflow and return parts, pump, etc.... This is where my aggravation really gets me. As I'm getting ready for bed last night, something tells me that I need to take a second look at my tank to make sure I've got things lined up how I want, and also to double check that only the bottom is tempered, and actually able to be drilled on the back.... Well guess what, that's right. My entire tank appears to be tempered... So now, not only can I not use the Eshopps overview that I ordered, I'm going to have to deal with returning, then waiting for a replacement, HOB style overflow, which I absolutely didn't want to use because our power goes out quite frequently where we live, at least once a week.

Short of taking it back again and again until I'm able to get a bottom only tempering of the 75tank, so any of you all have any suggestions? It's getting to the point that I'm almost desperate...

Side note, which I didn't know, the 75 isn't included in the $/ gal sale, so it was still normal cost at 180$...

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I don't understand all the concern with HOB overflows losing their siphon. My tank has been up and running since 01/2016 with a HOB overflow and has never lost siphon once. And I have a "power outage" at least once a day, because I turn the return pump off for feeding.

Since you're setting up your build for the first time, it might be worth getting what you want simply because nothing's wet yet and you can still make changes. I wouldn't personally return the tank simply because a HOB overflow could lose siphon.

 

[reefertank]

So I've had a heck of a time getting my tanks situated. All of this has happened during Petco's $/ gal sale.
First, picked up a 55, and it just didn't sit well with me on how shallow it was, at only 13 or so inches deep. So, I call my local store, ask about returning the 55 for a 75. The guy I spoke to assured me that it was fine, and that they had them in stock. Awesome. Weekend rolls around, the 55 had been in my truck ever since I had originally purchased it, so we're heading to the store. I get there, and they're sold out. Crap.
Now, the next closest petco is in Nashville, 1:45+ away, but they have one 75 in stock. I tell them to hold it, we're on our way. We get there, and sure enough, sitting at the front of the store is my tank. Yay! Also pick up 2- 29 gal tanks. One for my sump and the other for the freshwater tank my wife wants to set up.

Now... We're both finally happy with the tank selections we've made. So, I start ordering overflow and return parts, pump, etc.... This is where my aggravation really gets me. As I'm getting ready for bed last night, something tells me that I need to take a second look at my tank to make sure I've got things lined up how I want, and also to double check that only the bottom is tempered, and actually able to be drilled on the back.... Well guess what, that's right. My entire tank appears to be tempered... So now, not only can I not use the Eshopps overview that I ordered, I'm going to have to deal with returning, then waiting for a replacement, HOB style overflow, which I absolutely didn't want to use because our power goes out quite frequently where we live, at least once a week.

Short of taking it back again and again until I'm able to get a bottom only tempering of the 75tank, so any of you all have any suggestions? It's getting to the point that I'm almost desperate...

Side note, which I didn't know, the 75 isn't included in the $/ gal sale, so it was still normal cost at 180$...

HOB works fine it is the same idea as drilling. Do a little research on them and how they work, I think you will find they are just as reliable as a drilled overflow system.

 

[jdice1980]

I bought a 75 made by Auqeon just a few weeks ago. At the time I thought I was going to do a cichlid tank. Then I took the kids to the fish store, they saw all of the pretty saltwater stuff and wanted it. I told them no, too complicated to do saltwater. The next morning I wake up and decided, screw it, I am going to do it.

Went through much the same as you by realizing I had a fully tempered tank and can't drill. I've had a lot of back and forth over returning it and going with a reef-ready tank. But the more I research the more confident I am in the Life Reef style overflows. If you keep it clean I just don't seen any way it could be an issue. With a power break it still keeps water in the tube and the siphon returns once power is restored.

I just feel like the HOB fears may be a little overblown. I just get the feeling it's a "mine is better than yours" thing I see in a lot of the hobbies I'm involved in...where surely a drilled tank is ideal, but I think the HOB is probably 98% as safe if utilized properly...it's just mostly drilled guys asserting their dominance for having what would be preferred by most if we could chose. Personally, I'm going to spend the money saved on a switch on better equipment elsewhere. Cough...ahem...Apex.

 

[NinnJinn]

Since you are running a sump do a mock power failure and make sure the sump doesn't overflow. Problem solved

 

[Texas Reefer]

I used a siphon over flow for a couple years and never had a problem. If possible, get one with 2 tubes. That way if one gets too much air in it, the other picks up the slack.

 

[Matthew England]

Thanks for the replies so far. You've calmed my nerves a bit lol. Still was looking forward to a drilled tank, but I think I can work with a hob overflow. Heck, my first reef tank was ran entirely by hob equipment....

 

[Tokash23]

I had a 55g with a HOB overflow setup for a few years awhile back and had a CPR overflow and it came with a toms lifter pump that stayed attached to the siphon tube all the time and in the event it got air into it or whatever after a restart the lifter pump pulled enough water through it to get it going again. It wass a nice fail safe and pretty good piece of mind. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jesterrace]

As mentioned the overflow box is your best bet in this situation. The siphon issue is a concern, but with proper monitoring it can be done.

 

[Texas Reefer]

I used a siphon overflow for a few years with little problem. Sometimes I'd have to suck some air out of the tube, but if your pump is sufficient, there shouldn't be much air. I'd get one with 2 tubes, just in case.

 

[Matthew England]

It's looking more and more like I'm going to have to go with a hob style overflow. I'm going to check again this evening with something other than my cell phone and glasses. After watching a few videos today, I forgot that most new phones have tempered glass screens... So that could have been the problem. Fingers crossed, but I'm not very hopeful at this point.

Another issue is that I'm away from home for usually 12+ hours a day, 5days a week. And sometimes I'm actually gone all week, only to return on Friday evenings. So if a broken siphon were to occur, it could be hours or days until I'm able to get to it.

 

[Matthew England]

I used a siphon overflow for a few years with little problem. Sometimes I'd have to suck some air out of the tube, but if your pump is sufficient, there shouldn't be much air. I'd get one with 2 tubes, just in case.

This is almost the exact one I've been looking at lol.

 

[NinnJinn]

If you are worried about electricity power failures and losing siphon go with a CPR HOB overflow. you will have to get like a $20 siphon pump, as soon as the electric turns back on that pump will kick on and start sucking air out causing a siphon automatically.