External overflow boxes

Matthias7 · 05/03/2014, 02:20 PM

I am think about adding a sump to my current 75 gallon tank. The tank is not pre-drilled and I'm afraid if I drill it I'll have a flood. So the question is should I use a eshopps or CPR overflow? Anyone have any suggestions?

JammyBirch · 05/03/2014, 02:53 PM

Drill it...checkout the tons of vids on YouTube...

bnumair · 05/03/2014, 03:27 PM

my first advise is to drill it.

maddmaxx · 05/03/2014, 03:56 PM

From the question you asked. CPR has good reviews...

mandarin_goby · 05/03/2014, 04:02 PM

I just added a Lifereef overflow to my 40b. Super easy to set up for a plumbing noob like me. It's run flawlessly so far.

Matthias7 · 05/03/2014, 04:05 PM

I would have to drill it full which is the disconcerting part
. If it was empty I would have no issues drilling it

archangel91 · 05/03/2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandarin_goby

I just added a Lifereef overflow to my 40b. Super easy to set up for a plumbing noob like me. It's run flawlessly so far.

+1 on the lifereef, been running one on my tank for 9 months with no issues.

That being said, if I could go back and do it again, I would definatly drill an overflow.

MiracleFish · 05/03/2014, 05:29 PM

I run an overflow box on my nano, yet considering I always have a fear in the back of my head that my tank could overflow everywhere at any given moment you should actually consider drilling.

An overflow box could lose its suction sometimes and could seriously ****your day up, as the pumps just keep pumping the sump water everywhere.

scubadan206 · 05/03/2014, 06:22 PM

How old is the tank?
If you're just starting out, I would definitely say empty it and drill it for a bean animal style. In the long run it will be worth it. I have a 120 with the CPR overflow and I am kicking myself at the thought of taking out all the livestock, and 200 pounds of sand and rock, just to take the tank outside and deal with the mess of water and glass slurry everywhere.

If you must go with an external, BRS sells the CPR with the aqualifter pump [required]. The aqualifter is to restart the siphon after a power outage. Buy something larger than needed, you'll be glad for the headroom. This applies to any overflow. Good luck.
Daniel

Felix T Cat · 05/03/2014, 06:23 PM

I have a lifereef on my 135g, it runs great but makes more noise then my RR 60g because of the water flow. I've never had any issues but personally I hate cleaning the overflow tubes and restarting the u-tubes every few weeks.

ViktorVaughn · 05/03/2014, 08:12 PM

I really like my CPR overflow box and the design. Only been running for a couple months but I've had no issues yet. I have also tried to simulate power outages to see if it will fail and overflow upon restart but it starts right back up.

Victorg1001 · 05/03/2014, 08:20 PM

I'm running an overflow on a 75g tank. Running just fine with no issues.

If you are worried about a spill you can avoid it by using some simple math. Don't fill the DT to the brim and don't fill the sump completely either. That way if the siphon is broken you can avoid an overflow by ensuring the sump will run out of water before the DT begins to overflow.

Works the same way for the reverse siphon that could get created depending on how you are getting water back to the DT

Matthias7 · 05/03/2014, 08:25 PM

I have had the tank running for almost 2 years now. I thin I will go have to external until I upgrade to a bigger tank. This is my 1st saltwater tank so when I set it up I had little to no knowledge of overflows etc.. Hence my current dilemma

mandarin_goby · 05/03/2014, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthias7

I have had the tank running for almost 2 years now. I thin I will go have to external until I upgrade to a bigger tank. This is my 1st saltwater tank so when I set it up I had little to no knowledge of overflows etc.. Hence my current dilemma

If I can do it, anyone can

I got the overflow, vinyl tubing from Lowe's, some hose clamps and a Mag 7. I kept it very very simple. I have chaeto floating in a plastic basket with holes and a clamp light. I kept my HOB skimmer and stuck it on my 20l sump and threw in the heater - you'll love the extra room for equipment and rock you don't need in the display. That's it! No baffles, nothing. Keep it simple!

scubadan206 · 05/03/2014, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthias7

I have had the tank running for almost 2 years now. I thin I will go have to external until I upgrade to a bigger tank. This is my 1st saltwater tank so when I set it up I had little to no knowledge of overflows etc.. Hence my current dilemma

Same with me. I simply converted existing fresh water 120 to salt without much fore-knowledge. Now I'm paying for it.

Time to upgrade!!!!

ca1ore · 05/03/2014, 11:41 PM

Wouldn't touch a HOB overflow with a 10 foot pole .....

ViktorVaughn · 05/03/2014, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Wouldn't touch a HOB overflow with a 10 foot pole .....

I didnt want to either but it was the only option for me short of draining my tank and rehousing all my livestock. Im guessing the OP might be in a similar situation. Internal is a way I wish I would have planned for initially, just isnt pratical for some.

Vinny Kreyling · 05/04/2014, 11:42 AM

Ran a 220 with them for years, never a problem as long as the water flowing through the tubes pulls any air bubbles with it.
In fact I still have one I can sell but it would be expensive to ship since it is capable of handling an 80 gallon tank as a wet dry.

ViktorVaughn · 05/04/2014, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

Ran a 220 with them for years, never a problem as long as the water flowing through the tubes pulls any air bubbles with it.
In fact I still have one I can sell but it would be expensive to ship since it is capable of handling an 80 gallon tank as a wet dry.

That is one of the reasons I like the CPR model, they employ an air pump that draws all air out of the siphon and ensures none forms. It runs fine without the air pump although it is highly advised to use it by CPR.

Matthias7 · 05/04/2014, 01:18 PM

Thx for all the information. Most likely will try a CPR

havasuviking1 · 05/04/2014, 04:37 PM

Just got a cpr for my 90 gal. I have been told to drill a tiny hole on the top of the return from the sump to prevent a flood should a power outage occur. Any thoughts?

05/03/2014, 02:20 PM	#1
Matthias7 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 238	External overflow boxes I am think about adding a sump to my current 75 gallon tank. The tank is not pre-drilled and I'm afraid if I drill it I'll have a flood. So the question is should I use a eshopps or CPR overflow? Anyone have any suggestions?

05/03/2014, 03:27 PM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	my first advise is to drill it. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

05/03/2014, 03:56 PM	#4
maddmaxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,003	From the question you asked. CPR has good reviews... __________________ One Life One Shot Current Tank Info: 40B Mixed reef

05/03/2014, 11:41 PM	#16
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Wouldn't touch a HOB overflow with a 10 foot pole ..... __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

05/03/2014, 02:53 PM	#2
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	Drill it...checkout the tons of vids on YouTube...

05/03/2014, 04:02 PM	#5
mandarin_goby Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 844	I just added a Lifereef overflow to my 40b. Super easy to set up for a plumbing noob like me. It's run flawlessly so far.

05/03/2014, 04:05 PM	#6
Matthias7 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 238	I would have to drill it full which is the disconcerting part . If it was empty I would have no issues drilling it

05/03/2014, 05:29 PM	#8
MiracleFish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 307	I run an overflow box on my nano, yet considering I always have a fear in the back of my head that my tank could overflow everywhere at any given moment you should actually consider drilling. An overflow box could lose its suction sometimes and could seriously ****your day up, as the pumps just keep pumping the sump water everywhere.

05/03/2014, 06:22 PM	#9
scubadan206 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Kenosha WI Posts: 985	How old is the tank? If you're just starting out, I would definitely say empty it and drill it for a bean animal style. In the long run it will be worth it. I have a 120 with the CPR overflow and I am kicking myself at the thought of taking out all the livestock, and 200 pounds of sand and rock, just to take the tank outside and deal with the mess of water and glass slurry everywhere. If you must go with an external, BRS sells the CPR with the aqualifter pump [required]. The aqualifter is to restart the siphon after a power outage. Buy something larger than needed, you'll be glad for the headroom. This applies to any overflow. Good luck. Daniel

05/03/2014, 06:23 PM	#10
Felix T Cat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Honey Brook, PA Posts: 557	I have a lifereef on my 135g, it runs great but makes more noise then my RR 60g because of the water flow. I've never had any issues but personally I hate cleaning the overflow tubes and restarting the u-tubes every few weeks.

05/03/2014, 08:12 PM	#11
ViktorVaughn Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 619	I really like my CPR overflow box and the design. Only been running for a couple months but I've had no issues yet. I have also tried to simulate power outages to see if it will fail and overflow upon restart but it starts right back up.

05/03/2014, 08:20 PM	#12
Victorg1001 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 85	I'm running an overflow on a 75g tank. Running just fine with no issues. If you are worried about a spill you can avoid it by using some simple math. Don't fill the DT to the brim and don't fill the sump completely either. That way if the siphon is broken you can avoid an overflow by ensuring the sump will run out of water before the DT begins to overflow. Works the same way for the reverse siphon that could get created depending on how you are getting water back to the DT

05/03/2014, 08:25 PM	#13
Matthias7 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 238	I have had the tank running for almost 2 years now. I thin I will go have to external until I upgrade to a bigger tank. This is my 1st saltwater tank so when I set it up I had little to no knowledge of overflows etc.. Hence my current dilemma

05/04/2014, 11:42 AM	#18
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Ran a 220 with them for years, never a problem as long as the water flowing through the tubes pulls any air bubbles with it. In fact I still have one I can sell but it would be expensive to ship since it is capable of handling an 80 gallon tank as a wet dry.

05/04/2014, 01:18 PM	#20
Matthias7 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 238	Thx for all the information. Most likely will try a CPR

05/04/2014, 04:37 PM	#21
havasuviking1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ Posts: 112	Just got a cpr for my 90 gal. I have been told to drill a tiny hole on the top of the return from the sump to prevent a flood should a power outage occur. Any thoughts?