Couple equipment questions

[Harleylay]

I have a non drilled tank with a hob overflow into a sump...is there an alternative to get rid of the hob (I don't want to drill the tank)? 2. Is a ro/di worth an investment to just make top off water not looking to make my saltwater for water changes?

 

[Waters]

Without drilling the tank, you need to use an overflow. The water needs to be pulled out of the tank into the sump....without drilled holes, there is no other way but over the top :-) IMO, the RO/DI is worth it anytime you are adding water to the tank since you know exactly what is being added. That being said, depending on your house water quality, you could definitely be successful using non-filtered water.

 

[Waboss]

I was going to type up a response, but @Waters basically said the same thing I would. :)

 

[reeferfoxx]

The success of any tank is dependent on you. You could have your local fish store make your saltwater, and maybe experience water quality issues. Or you could make your own water and know that it's a quality mix.
You can use your own RO/DI for top-off, and know that the water is Zero TDS, and won't cause water quality issues. Or you can get your RO/DI from the local fish store and potentially have higher TDS which wouldn't be good for your fish tank.
There are always risks when you depend on someone else for anything.

Aside from that, you can't have a tank and a sump without drilling or hob overflow. You could remove the sump and build a DIY "sump" inside the tank like many of the All-in-one tanks. But you would lose real estate for aquascaping.

 

[jsker]

Only one thing that has not been said is cost.

• Running to the LFS to get mixed water cost gas and time for what ever size of a tank you have. That .95 a gallon water starts costing $3.00 a gallon or more. Over time this adds up.
• I started with an RO buddy thinking the same. Got busy and did not have time to go to the LFS and the RO buddy took to long and I was going through DI resin very fast. Purchase a good RO/DI and cut my cost and time with in 30 days and I only live 2 miles from my LFS:)
• The ability to use a different salt than the store for your needs. If I am the LFS owner, I am not using the best salt. I am using what works at the lowest price. And remember the LFS purchase the salt at wholesale prices.

 

[Harleylay]

Would a top of the line hob skimmer be a better option than the overflow and sump?