HOB or Built in Overflows (Pros and Cons)?

[DarkHorseMBA]

What are the pros and cons are of built in overflows and HOB overflows for reef tanks?

I’ve been looking for good used reef thank. There are very few “reef” tanks that come up for sale in the SA area, by Reef I mean, with a built in over flow. There are tons of FW tanks that come up for sale, but that would mean buying a HOB overflow.

Though I have no experience with a HOB overflow I stay away from these tanks because my thought is the HOBs are not a reliable as built in overflows, and I’d like to put the tank flush against a wall and anything hanging on the back would be messy. I envision a reef tank with a HOB overflow and a bunch of tubes and wires hanging off the back. As for reliability, I've read that sometimes HOB overflows can break siphon and stop working, spilling water out of the tank.

My thought is that a built in overflow is cleaner, everything is under the tank in the stand. Since this would go into my living room I would avoid things hanging off the tank.

If a HOB overflow can be hidden, in a hood maybe, and they are reliable, this would open up a lot of used tank/stand combos for me.

So what is this group’s experience?

DarkHorse

[txav8r]

I have been running a HOB overflow for about 3 years with very few problems. That being said I would hold out for a drilled tank. Just because I haven't had any nightmares doesn't mean it will never happen. If I had the chance to do it over again I would go drilled.

[Europhyllia]

Just wait. They do become available. I just purchased a drilled tank off craiglist in August and then resold it in September (on MAAST).
If you just keep an eye on the ads you'll see one.
I had a HOB before and now got a drilled tank and it is much cleaner and nicer looking

[clownfish]

to me they both do the same, and they both look nice... just matter of what you like and what you can afford... thats all .

[RayAllen]

Hang on the back

Pros: Easy to install, cheap, fast

CONS: Can loose syphon very easy, you have something hanging on the tank, If on the back you have to alot several inches from the wall. Can be loud.

Built in/drilled

PROS: More professional look, Can have the tank nearly against the wall, wont loose syphon, can have you returns drilled in to your overflow box.

Cons: if internal it takes up space in the aquarium (that truely is the only negative IMO) but majority of us dont mind that.

One thing to also consider is drilling you tank but having the overflow box on the outside. This is something catching on, its permanately attached to the aquarium. That way you have a drilled aquarium which is much more reliable but the overflows are not taking up real estate in the main display.

I drew you a quick diagram to show you what I meen on the external

9575

[Mr Cob]

I prefer drilled butused HOB for awhile. I never had any problems with the u-tube versions and they worked well. My only complaint was losing siphon sometimes when turning the return pump off during feeding.

When given a choice I go Internal Drilled overflow.

[alton]

Reef ready all the way. My first tank was HOB and my last.

[BSJF]

Had a HOB for 10 years. 8 of those years I had one that lost siphon with power outages. I earned the nickname Mrs Floodahouse. If you do go HOB you want a reliable HOB (Lifereef). They are pricey though. I like the RR one I have now and no longer use my nickname.

[Neptune@gabesfish]

The main issue with HOB is that they can be loud and of course you are not able to place up against wall ..I think all that has been said many times the only thing I would have to disagree is the losing siphon issue .. wwith a correct overflow box it is not possible to lose siphon Ive been doing this over 20yrs and have never seen one do it..In the end I would go drilled (reef ready) much cleaner look and not as loud.

[allan]

Darkhorse,

I'm fixing to put up a 75 gallon for sale that is not reef ready... Despite that I would strongly urge reef ready.

My first used hob, two floods later I learned about the aqua lift pump... I use it in the current tank but suffered a spill the other day when feeding the tank much like what rob mentioned above.

Bluf, hold out for the reef ready.

[BSJF]

Gabe, you may not have seen one lose siphon, but it does happen. The key word is the "correct overflow box". My point was that most of the boxes out there are crap. I asked the lfs I got the tank and u-tube type box from about my problem and they said they had never heard of it flooding either, yet it did religiously. What I don't understand is why I kept it. I never had a problem with the Lifereef box. But, I knew my next tank would be a reef ready tank. When we had the flooder, we would both hold our breath when the power went out and run to the tank when it came back on.

[ballardjr2000]

I had a HOB on my 65g it was the CPR brand with aqualift pump. I never had a issue with it breaking syphon (due to the pump sucking out any air and keeping the vaccum) However i never slept that great a night wondering if it would and would always check on power outages and restarts to make sure everything was working still. I bought my 90g drilled tank and i must say I love the drilled tanks no worries about restarts etc. BUT the space it takes INSIDE the tank but i would rather loose a little space inside the tank than a FLOODED house from a HOB.

[DarkHorseMBA]

Thank you everyone for the advice.
Sounds like my the consensus is that Reef ready is the best.
I don't have reef tank now, but with all the rain/power outages we have had in San Antonio, I'd hate for my new Hobby to become a problem.
I'll keep my eyes open on Craig's List and here on MAAST.

This is great group, can't wait to get started!

[ErikH]

Calfo overflow. I have just the tank for it. :)

110 DSA custom pentagon. :) It's in the F/S/T forum

[CoryDude]

I'm ditching my last hob for a reef ready. I was on the fence about buying a new RR tank, when we came home from church to find my kitchen and dining room flooded. The power had gone out. When the power came back on, the aqualifter quit working, the HOB overflow lost it's syphon and about 20 gallons spilled out of the tank. My wife was mad as h-e-double hockey sticks. So I order a RR tank from Gabe a few days later.

You may want to price around for a new RR tank. Personally, I've seen somes store price new tanks for only a little more than used tanks, depending on the size you're looking for.

[stompylee]

I recommend reef just cleaner and easier. If you go with a HOB/overflow put a few holes in the return jet just above the water line at a 90 degree angle with a nail or a drill bit. This will create an anti-siphon so if you should lose power it will prevent your refug from overflowing. Test this when doing water changes just turn off the power and see how much your refugium fills. I also hate the air bubbles you get in siphon for the overflow that leads to flooding. I am purchasing a reef ready tank after Christmas just haven't decided how big to go yet. HTH