Scooter

First, thanks for all of the great info contained on this site. Now for a little background... I have a eclipse 12 salt tank that has been running for about 3 months with 10# LR. 10# LS. 2 peppermint shrimp, 2 blue hermits, one turbo, 1 yellowtail blue damsel, and just got a coral beauty. Since I am new to salt, I have been very lucky but patient with my cycling and water quality. I have learned a ton of valuable information here.

So, here is my question. I am looking at purchasing a 75gal tank. The option I am looking at is built in overflow. I haven't seen much written about the pros and cons of such a setup. It seems to me that this is the best way to keep water off of the floor if you overflow/gravity to a sump/refug and pump back up. This way, if power goes out, you only drain down to the level of the overflow. Right? It also seems to be the best way to avoid unsightly drain and return lines from inhabiting the back of the tank. Please let me know what you all think and some of your expriences with this type of setup. And I promise to make my next post shorter.

Scooter

Peterpiper

Hi Scooter, and welcome to FishLore!
Go with a pre drilled tank, dont get me wrong, syphon over flows are good and will restart after a power cut ( air line from the high point on the "U" pipe to a power head will create a vacume that will restart the syphon )
I have just finished making a syphon overflow for our 240lt tank, but it has no over flow boxes. It works great and will work from 300lt per hr to 850lt per hr max.... then the floor gets wet.... flow rates can be increased by using larger pipes.
If or when the next tank is started... it will be drilled

GreenMan13

I think the only reason someone would go with an external overflow would be they can't drill the tank due to the glass or don't want to risk drilling it, or it is already filled with water and setup and they are adding a sump.