Here’s the thing... these disasters that people have read about are, as with anything, a direct result of improper set up. Over the years, I have helped many a reefer troubleshoot their HOB overflow issues and it always seems to be the two issues I noted above, valving back the single drain to try to quiet it down (huge no no) or the clogging of the prefilter sponge. I’ve also read a bunch of issues through the years of problems with the aforementioned CPR overflow which requires an Aqualifter pump to maintain it’s siphon... what a terrible design! Stick with the U-tube style HOB overflow.
I ran an HOB overflow for almost a decade in the late 90s and early 2000s without issue. Back then, we only had single drain Durso reef ready setups or HOB overflows available to us. If you are unable or unwilling to drill your tank, there is nothing wrong with an HOB overflow, as long as it’s set up properly. In fact, I still have my old Amiracle HOB overflow box with Stockman standpipe on the ready should I ever need it.
I ran an HOB overflow for almost a decade in the late 90s and early 2000s without issue. Back then, we only had single drain Durso reef ready setups or HOB overflows available to us. If you are unable or unwilling to drill your tank, there is nothing wrong with an HOB overflow, as long as it’s set up properly. In fact, I still have my old Amiracle HOB overflow box with Stockman standpipe on the ready should I ever need it.
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