Do I Have to Drill?

[TheIrishJedi]

I am pre-planning a SW setup for sometime past November. I am probably going to buy a 150g tank. Most setups that I have looked at have had the tanks drilled. I really would rather avoid it if at all possible, preferring a HOB type setup whenever possible.

Can someone explain to me why I would or would not drill? Thanks.

 

[Hebily]

I've seen tanks (seaclear?) that had a molded in overflow in the back corner. At least, I think that's what I remember seeing. The last time I was looking at tanks (seriously) was over a year ago. I think that with those tanks, you could have a sump set up that you didn't have to drill.

 

[Amphiprion]

There's no reason not to. Drilled tanks are easier to deal with than overflow boxes and present less issues. Not only that, you don't have anything hanging from the sides. I would go drilled whenever possible.

 

[Blown 346]

The cons and pros to drilled and not drilled.


The Pros....

Everything is Hidden


The Cons....
Takes up aquarium space and actually makes the tank volume smaller.
Can Be noisy if not modified with a durso stand pipe.
More Expensive to Purchase already drilled.
Can leak if the gaskets let go, or tear etc.


I myself Have 2 tanks (90 and a 125) and they both have External HOB oveflow setups. I keep my full tank volume, its easy to care for and clean. They both run silent. With any setup drilled or HOB you will have maintenance and cleaning.

With a drilled tank you cant control how much water you want in the tank itself since the overflow teeth are already a certain length. With a HOB you can adjust it for your desired water height.

Here was my 90 with a HOB overflow setup.

 

[Ace25]

The Cons....
Takes up aquarium space and actually makes the tank volume smaller.

Not necessarily. My overflow box is tiny and I drilled the back of my tank so I didn't waste space with a box going all the way down. You can easily adjust the water level by siliconing plexiglas strips to the back of the teeth to raise the water level. I helped do that on a couple peoples tanks. Also, you can drill the back and just put a PVC elbo that is adjustable with a strainer on top like Salty420s tank with picture of her overflow below.

Can Be noisy if not modified with a durso stand pipe.

Easy fix as you stated

More Expensive to Purchase already drilled.

$25 a hole usually

Can leak if the gaskets let go, or tear etc.

If it doesn't leak the first week it most likely will never leak unless messed with. If you ever remove the bulkheads always replace the $2 gasket to save headaches.

 

[Blown 346]

I agree, Most of the people that want a drilled tank already buy them drilled. Like Ace stated if you have it drilled than his points will also work.

 

[snailrider]

The most obvious and not even mentioned reason for not using a hob overflow is just that....overflow. The first time the syphon breaks, you will be wishing you had drilled. Your sump will go dry, pump burn out, stuff in sump will die, and your house will be flooded. HOB is an afterthought for not drilling. A work around so to speak. Some tanks are tempered, and thus the only way to go.

 

[billybobjr]

I agree 100% with snailrider, there is that CHANCE of the syphon breaking so why take the chance! HOB are the cheaper way to go but figure in what it would cost to replace when you need a new pump/heater/New hardwood floor/carpet etc.

 

[excuzzzeme]

The most obvious and not even mentioned reason for not using a hob overflow is just that....overflow. The first time the syphon breaks, you will be wishing you had drilled. Your sump will go dry, pump burn out, stuff in sump will die, and your house will be flooded. . . . . .

HOB siphon overflow works well and even during a power out will not break the siphon nor flood your house. I have a couple of them and have had several power outages and they have not broken siphon. The key to it is having the U-tubes and the pre-filter set correctly.

For those against their use you will find many more for them and quite happy with them. If you want to use one, go for it and ignore the naye-sayers and decide for yourself.