Siliconing an Overflow

[Kasey Grohowski]

I previously wanted to drill my tank for my overflow, but after discussing it with someone who has successfully used a non drilled tank for 2 years, I want to go that route. Anybody have any experience with siliconed internal overflows have any ideas/suggestions on what the best course of action is? Thank you for the help.

 

[RamsReef]

If you have the space go sump, I will never go AIO route if I have the pace for a sump.

As for internal overflow, just look at some of the other designs, it's pretty standard.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

If you have the space go sump, I will never go AIO route if I have the pace for a sump.

As for internal overflow, just look at some of the other designs, it's pretty standard.

I am using a sump, that wouldnt affect the way the overflow is setup?

 

[RamsReef]

Oh I was confused. You are trying to chose between,

Overflow holes drilled in bottom,
Overflow hole drilled out back,
Overflow HOB no drilling, requires aqualifter or some other way to keep primed.

I recommend drilling a hole, using either the corner overflow, or a stealth / in tank weir style.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

Oh I was confused. You are trying to chose between,

Overflow holes drilled in bottom,
Overflow hole drilled out back,
Overflow HOB no drilling, requires aqualifter or some other way to keep primed.

I recommend drilling a hole, using either the corner overflow, or a stealth / in tank weir style.

well the overflow will be internal, but siliconed to the tank and the pvc will hang over the back, why do you recommend drilling instead?

 

[RamsReef]

because you will need someway to maintain a siphon if your pvc goes above the water level, if your siphon breaks your overflow will not drain, your house becomes your tank.

Technically speaking it is the worst overflow.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

because you will need someway to maintain a siphon if your pvc goes above the water level, if your siphon breaks your overflow will not drain, your house becomes your tank.

Technically speaking it is the worst overflow.

Could I buy a pump to maintain siphon and a check valve to turn it off if siphon breaks?

 

[RamsReef]

Yes, you can buy an aqualifter, they make these combos regularly.

But like I said, it is better to drill.

https://aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com/reefing/Hob-Overflow

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

Yes, you can buy an aqualifter, they make these combos regularly.

But like I said, it is better to drill.

https://aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com/reefing/Hob-Overflow

I originally planned on drilling, but I havent heard back from marineland on whether or not my tank is tempered. And I'm not fully confident about drilling through glass

 

[RamsReef]

usually only the bottom pain is tempered if it is.

You can use a laptop / cellphone and polarized sunglasses to see if glass is tempered.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

usually only the bottom pain is tempered if it is.

You can use a laptop / cellphone and polarized sunglasses to see if glass is tempered.

How can i use a cell phone to check?

 

[sandswhitson]

How can i use a cell phone to check?

Watch the video that ramasule posted. It shows one way to see if a pane is tempered. There are lots of videos out there explaining different ways. The tank manufacturer isn't going to tell you unless it was a custom built tank. They get lots of different glass and sometimes put a tempered panel in where they normally dont. I would recommend drilling if the panels aren't tempered. Over the top overflows are asking for a flood at some point and time.

 

[Even Further]

Personally I would only run a drilled tank. Either buy reef ready or buy a non-tempered and DIY drill. There's many buying options out there.

On old LCD laptop screen works best to do the visual test.

 

[jtl]

Definitely drill the tank if possible.