HOB Overflow Box or Out Pump?

[axe_man16]

I would not go with a pump in your display tank. If one fails you will have a big mess. I would either get a reef ready tank or get a life reef overflow. I didn't want to buy a new tank (mine is tempered as well) so I ordered the life reef. i have done many power outage test and every time it starts right back up. Just keep up with maintanance and you will be fine.

[Midway]

Where did you buy that one from?

[nlreefguy]

Problem with the pumps idea is that you'll never be able to match the gph. Even with idential pumps, the bottom one is going to have to deal with head loss. It would be impossible to balance practically in the long run. Your only options are to drill your tank or have a hang-on overflow, I'm afraid, unless you wanted to go with just a hang-on refugium type of setup.

On the upside, HOB overflow boxes don't have to be big and ugly, or complicated either. They are pretty reliable and you can always put the return pump on a float switch if you're worried about the overflow box failing. It's what I have done, and it's been working flawlessly for me for years.