HOB or Built in Overflows (Pros and Cons)?

[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