Suggestions to get it to the sump...

[garvondavis14]

Alright, I'm going to go barebottom soon...I have been running my tank without a sump. It's a 65 gallon, I'm adding a 30 gallon for the sump. I need a way to get the water to my sump, as my tank is not drilled. I'm not sure about the hob overflows, as it seems a lot of people have had trouble with them. There is also a thing where I could use a pump to get the water there, like this:

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

So what do you guys think? Any suggestions that are better than these?

Thanks,
Ryan

[garvondavis14]

anyone?

[Fly Guy]

I use a cpr overflow for both my 80 gallon sb and my 46 gallon BB. I dont think the overflow is IDEAL but both of mine are tempered glass so i am hesitant about drilling. I have never*knock on wood* had any problems with the overflows not working, and with the right plumbing and tuning they are fairly quiet.
I do believe that most fo the horror stories you hear about them not working is due to people not setting them up so they are flowing correctly.
just my thoughts on the issue

However, i wont ever buy a tank in the future that cant be drilled

[motorslave]

On my first tank I had a HOB overflow and never had an issue. The problems Ive heard of were from power going out, then coming on and the overflow losing siphon when the power went out. The unit I had was set to never lose siphon and was self starting so when the return pump came back on and the water in the tank started to rise again, the overflow went right to work. The key is in the outer box where the drain is. It should be section into two chambers. One has the drain in it, the other has the u-tube and maintains a water level just above the bottom of the tube. That way the u-tube never empties out and will automaticallt start when the water raises. I got it from ClearVue.

R

[Wiskey]

The thing you suggested is a HOB closed loop and would not work for feeding a sump. There really are only 2 options, HOB overflow or having your tank drilled and an overflow kit installed. There are pumps that constantly draw air out of your HOB overflow and make them a lot more reliable, and if I ever went HOB that would be something I would definitally use.

If it were me, I would either drill the tank, or go buy a new tank that is already drilled and sell the one I have. Really when it comes down to it the glass tank itself is one of the cheapest parts of your setup, and you want to be sure you are happy with it.

Welcome to TRT,
Whiskey

[doody]

I vote for drill. I like external overflows, as they take up 0 space in the tank. I would suggest finding out if the tank is tempered.

[garvondavis14]

I'll have to look into the tank to see if it's tempered...it's not too hard to drill it if it isn't, is it? If anyone has any threads for drilling they'd like to throw out here, I'd appreciate it. Thanks guys

[ezhoops]

I highly doubt the sides of the tank are tempered. The bottom most likely is, however if you contact the manufacturer of the tank they will tell you. Drilling is very easy and don't be affraid to drill. I would built a horizontal in tank overflow, very easy but you will have to empty half of tank out first.
good luck

[UkrainianReefJunky]

The closed loop from Melev's site is a wavemaker setup. I installed it on my tank and I also have a Tidepool 1 sump and a Tidepool Silent overflow skimmer with 1" PVC return.

[Casey]

I say drill it also Im sure the back can be drilled and thats all you need and its not hard with a diamond tipped circular bit.

[UkrainianReefJunky]

Here's pics of the inlet and return line of the sump. I'm using Mag Drive 5 pumps for flow and unions and ball valves for maintainance. Hope this helps.