Over Flow Boxes

[strout]

I want to get ya'lls thoughts on an external as opposed to internal over flow box. I sort of don't know which way to go for my new tank.

 

[Lorna]

Internal all the way......no chance of failure as there is in an external hob overflow

 

[strout]

That is what I was thinking also. I have sent off for two price quotes from Ocea Aquariums and Miracles Aquariums. Ocea tanks are made in Alabama and is only a 6 1/2 hour drive from my house so I could pick that tank up to save a few $$$. I am still going to look for a used tank though. I can't seem to find anything bigger than a 180g tank aroud where I live.

 

[KahluaZzZ]

Miracles are made in Canada, not in china, and they're marvelous. The starphire glass is top notch

 

[TRe]

id go with an external over flow all the way! not a HOB overflow but a external overflow... by going external your not taking up any space in the tank for the overflow.... if i had the choice that would be the way i went hands down!

 

[strout]

KahluaZzZ I asked for a price from both companies for Starphire glass on the right side and the front and also just regular glass. I am kinda afraid of the Starphire glass as everything I have heard says it scratches easily and I have put aa few scratches in my 125g trying to keep the glass clean.

TRe I will check on the external overflow, I like the external for the same reason as you do. The Glass Cages companies only offered, with the size tank I wanted, two external overflow boxes, one on either side on the back of the tank, I guess they couldn't just use one because of a weight issue when the boxes were full of water.

I will let you know what kind of prices the come back with. I asked for prices on the tanks to include the price with a stand and canopy, although I would like to build my own stand and canopy. My son in law is very skilled and could build the stand with my supervision, lol.

 

[Lorna]

external overflows are nice if you have the room behind the tank to accomodate them. I was thinking of the hob type.....If you have room for an external overflow you could also iinstall a closed loop for circulation.

 

[strout]

I thought about the closed loop, but think I won't go the route. I plan on placing the tank with enough room to walk around behind the tank. I haven't gotten a price from the two companies that I sent out for quotes from yet.

 

[strout]

One more question: If I were to go with an internal overflow box on a 72x30x25 233gallon tank what size holes should I have drilled in the tank for the overflow line and the return line? If it were an external overflow box of which I think there would have to be two external boxes because of water weight, what size holes would I need, also If the larger tank above cost to much, I will go with a 72x24x24 187gallon tank, what size holes would I need? I am guessing that I would need 1 1/2 inch drain and a 1 inch return line on the internal boxes but not sure about the external boxes.