Overflow box design

This may be just my opinion/experience, but I think anytime you have a sump/overflow type system on a tank there is always a chance of getting water on the floor.

If you are looking for a 100% safe system an overflow is not it.  I would suggest a hang on back refugium.  I know there are a couple people in the club who have used them, I just can't remember who.  These systems cycle water slowly through an acrylic box hung on the back of the tank where you can grow pods, macro etc.

I used to think a tank was way better off with a sump, but when several other club members and myself went to the Idaho Reef Tour, the cleanest tank we say had no sump.  Only hang on back power filter and hang on back skimmer.  It was a beautiful 55 or 75 tank.  (Can't remember for sure which.)

I agree with Bruce. You will be happier later if you spend a little extra time and effort to have it drilled.

Dang it! Have you ever asked a question that you pretty much already know the answer to and you already know what every one is going to say but you're kinda hoping someone will come along and tell you what you want to hear. That an awesome alternative will present itself. Then it doesn't but you know everyone else is probably right.

You guys suck!  I'm just kidding, you guys are cool I guess.

So some of you mentioned being able to drill the tank while it is set up. So how would this be done? I would probably be able to drain my water into another container leaving it about half full without moving too much stuff around. Completely removing everything from my tank down to the LS is something I really do not want to do.

Also, is Will right about there being no absolute way to make this spill proof? I've heard there's things you can do to make things a little more secure, like making my sump only filled half way, etc. What about Will's suggestion on a hang on the back refuge/skimmer deals? I've looked them up online. They only take up 4" off the back of the tank. Who has dealt with these and are they worth the money? Can you really grow stuff back there? Does anyone have this right now that I could come check out, or do you know someone that does that wouldn't mind showing me?

I've also heard from some people that with such a small setup like my 20g I really don't NEED a sump or anything like that. I started with good LS, LR and LW from people on here. The tank has been running for about 2-3 months now and everything seems good so far. The rocks that were not covered with green and purple are starting to color up real nice, I have a xenia that stretches out everyday and looks awesome as she pulsates and a green chromis that swims happily all day. I just want to add a few more easy to maintain corals, mushrooms maybe, a small goby and a tang or something and I would be happy. So I've heard if I do my water changes every week I would be fine. What do you guys think about that?

If you could point me in the direction of some good reading material on this or on "how to's on overflow boxes", I would appreciate that too.

I guess the fact that all of you guys that replied to my questions have "PRESIDENCY" titled under your screen names should be a hint for me to listen to you huh.

Thanks guys.

You could either get a glass bit and drill it yourself, or I think that Eric at Marine Aquatics will come and do it for you.

I may be cheaper to buy a drilled aquarium with an overflow built in.  Transfer everything to the new aquarium and sell the undrilled aquarium.

If you are looking for over flow box designs you may want to get a hold of Mark Peterson (do a search and you will find his contact info).  He has a pretty good design (although IMO I would avoid overflow boxes).

Hey Mike you seen my tank and  the overflow.I've had my set up about 4 mouths now and never had a problem even when the power went out a mouth ago I had enough room in the sump to hold all that excess water.You just have to set it up right  for it to work.Drilling your tank is a safe and convenient way to go true, but let we warn you now,will always happen don't care if you send $10000,or $250 on you tank.

IME, overflow boxes will fail eventually without meticulous maintenance and a whole lot of luck.

It make take 6 month it may take 6 years, but I don't trust them.   I have had one too many fail, even when using "fail proof" designs.

Hey I have an 18G with a HOB filter I converted into a little fuge. The macro grows well in the back and I also hide my heater and some extra LR in it.  I occasionally also run carbon in it.  It works really well and the best part about it is I never have to worry about anything overflowing. It only holds about 1.5 or so gallons so it doesn't add the benefit of extra water volume like a sump does, but it does provide a haven for pods and other little critters to grow as well as a place to grow some macro.