Do I Need An Internal Overflow Box?

[need2ball]

I'm going to drill the back of my tank and run the water down to a wet/dry filter. I was just going to put a screen over the hole but when I was researching this project, some sites recommended using an internal overflow over the hole. What benefit is there with and internal overflow, why not just leave it open and let the water drain directly out of the drilled holes through the back of the tank?

If my post isn't clear, I'm referring to something like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87yJbAW32hQ

 

[sabmakj21]

I am by far not an expert in this matter but I would say there's less chance of something live on the surface of the water that you wouldn't want getting sucked down into your sump.


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[mudbuttjones]

Overflow chambers do an excellent job of surface skimming. They hide the plumbing, and on more complex drain configurations allow you to move a ton of water out of relatively small plumbing.

If I were to buy a large tank again I'd drill it and skip the whole reef ready setup.

due to Space restictions you probably Won't be able to drill close Enough to the top of the trim to just use a Screen. I always end up using an below in the bulkhead facing up with a strainer ontop.

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[duanes]

I drill on the sides of my tanks, and use upturned PVC elbows. For tanks with plants I use a dremel type too to carve weirs to prevent cloggin of the pipe, and keep leaves and such from entering the sump.

in tanks with small fish, and fry I will also wrap gutter guard screen around an overflow.
Without the screen fish and plants are easily carried over, if flow is strong.

 

[DN328]

Whatever you decide, I find using a strainer made for aquarium plumbing to work best for keeping things out that you don't want going down the drain pipe.