Some questions about HOB overflow boxes

[BlackShark11k]

Hey guys,
I was thinking about purchasing a HOB overflow box (or two) for my tank that would go into a 30g sump, main tank is 130g. Still empty. I don't know if the glass is tempered or not, hence my reluctancy to drill it, I do know the date of creation and manufacturer, so I could contact them and ask. Anyways, what I'm getting at is does anyone on here use them, what brand would you recommend, and a more important question, what size (gph?) would you recommend for a tank of this size, it will be a saltwater FOWLR, maybe even with some small LPS corals or something...

 

[sploke]

The flow of your return pump will determine what size/how many drains you'll need. I would tend toward a smaller return pump and use powerheads or a closed loop to beef up the flow rate, high flow through a sump makes it harder to control noise and microbubbles.

And based on my experience, I prefer the eshopps/U-tube style overflows over the CPR-style. I found the CPR style needs a powerhead or aqualifter to constantly suck out any air that builds up in the siphon section, whereas the u-tubes do not.

 

[sploke]

The flow of your return pump will determine what size/how many drains you'll need. I would tend toward a smaller return pump and use powerheads or a closed loop to beef up the flow rate, high flow through a sump makes it harder to control noise and microbubbles.

And based on my experience, I prefer the eshopps/U-tube style overflows over the CPR-style. I found the CPR style needs a powerhead or aqualifter to constantly suck out any air that builds up in the siphon section, whereas the u-tubes do not.

 

[BlackShark11k]

What would be a good place to buy one of them? I really have no idea, would an lfs stock these?

 

[swk]

I vote for eshopps overflow box. Very easy to set up and adjust. Go for the one with 2 1" drains as that will fit most commercially available sumps. I've had one up and running for a long time with no problems at all. Check drs foster and smith website.

 

[boldtogether]

I just got a CPR 202 rated at 1500gph and found it very easy to set up. I like the cleaner look of the CPR but I got my overflow used for $50. Money was an issue and for the money I was told that the eshopps was better.
As far as having to run a power head to expell air...I found this to be true...very annoying....oh well, $50...works very well.
Noise is going to be an issue with either choice.