Drilled versus overflows- questions and opinions needed

[Mike]

Hey guys,

I am still working on what to do with my leaking FOWLR tank- repair versus replace.

I am maybe considering a tank which is not drilled, so requiring overflows.

Our old 100g years ago was not drilled and we did not really have any problems with the overflow. Our new 210g is drilled.

So, thoughts and opinions/experiences good and bad with undrilled tanks? All comments welcome and appreciated.

Also if I bought the undrilled tank, thoughts on having it drilled and calfo put it? Costs? How difficult/where to have it done? Thanks.

[aquasport24]

I like it drilled w/ calfo. That will give you a better surface skimming .Ace used to drill mine,but i don't know if he still does it now day.

[kkiel02]

I dont trust hang on back overflows. I would drill it or have it drilled if it was me. A 180 gallon fowlr would be cool though...

[BIGBIRD123]

Mike, when I had my 135g that was un-drilled, I had problems with the overflow, especially when I was out of town working. Twice while I lived in Lampasas and working in Nacogdoches, the overflow failed...wife screaming at me on the phone...me trying to tell her what to unplug... a 5.5 hr drive home and back to make it in time for work...etc..I then put red tape on every plug she needed to unplug. When I returned to working in town, I drained the tank and drilled it...I WILL NEVER HAVE AN UN-DRILLED TANK AGAIN...

[allan]

Dang! What steve said. That conversation on the tele with the spouse while out of town because water is spreading across your floor. I thought I was the only one who ever had to explain how to fix it over the phone.

Mike, first you should check with bill to see if he still has that old tank, and second I'd you decide to go with the overflows be sure you have an aqualift pump attached to the overflow.

But I would def buy an already drilled tank... Like Bill's.

[hobogato]

they always fail at the worst time...

i agree with previous posts - if you buy a tank that isnt drilled, i would drill the back and do a calfo. i think many of our local sponsors drill tanks and can probably get you an overflow built if they dont have one in stock.