Overflow Boxes? Sumps? help please!

[Squirtle919]

Hey All

so after setting up and watching my first multi sump system I have had a change of heart sumps>canisters to sum it up! I love the wattage cost compared to canisters and the heating costs also not to mention the amount of extra bio + mech you have to play with, water changes are easy and with these new UVs the disease part even seems to be some what safe.

anyways I have 4x180G tanks not drilled which I am thinking of setting up on a sump system, issue is I have no clue nor am I keen on drilling glass and every LFS says I have to bring the tanks in lifting 6x2x2 is not a fun job and the way my fish room is no I am not even sure we can get them out. So I was wondering if overflow boxes are as bad as some make them sound? My online shop sells 2 brands and not sure what I need or how good they are was hoping to get some feed back on them.

http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=5684&catID=109

http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=4465&catID=109

Not sure what LPH I need also any help would be great I am so clueless when it comes to sumps.

Also anyone want to give a jab at the smallest sized sump I should be aiming for? all up I believe I will have 720 gallons. I am thinking a 6x2x20 or so would be ideal based on the other systems I have then running 2 pumps which handle 11,000LPH each, I believe the overflow box I need is the first one which means I am looking at 5000LPH x2 = 10,000.

Is my math/idea correct would this work? or am I better off running canisters instead of overflow boxes?

Thanks guys.

 

[wrslrcichlid]

I am currently using an overflow box on my 125g Lake Malawi tank. While I think I would rather the tank be drilled (more for looks) the overflow box has worked very well. Yes there is the part about moving water into a box that could overflow onto the floor, but that would require lots of gunk to clog it up. I use a prefilter on mine (in the second box outside the tank) and just rinse them out every two weeks or so. If you are afraid of the overflow box failing or something there are some DIY overflows made of pvc that are more "secure."

 

[Squirtle919]

Thanks wrs. I am not so worried of it overflowing as its in the garage, more worried of paying 100-200+(x4) for a unit that serves little purpose and wont be running 100% all the time I.E I have to re start the siphon every day or other issues. I have been watching some videos on the models and the second one looks a bit better but the cost is quite dear, are the DIY overflows just as good? might have to google this sounds MUCH cheaper.

 

[Squirtle919]

Or in all honesty how hard is it to drill glass when its not laying flat, IE if I went and got the tool bit and emptied out my tanks drilled them sitting on the stands would I just make a huge mistake? or is the worst that can happen is a nice big scratch mark? I'm not worried about using the drill I work with stainless steel brass etc I am just not sure how well it will work drilling non flat in a sense on such a slipper surface. It seems to be cheaper and better drilling the tanks in the long run, I can break 3x 6x2x2 and still save 100$ then going the overflow box path lol.