Overflow boxes

Megalodon · 03/08/2008, 10:20 PM

Hi, just have a few questions about overflow boxes...

Are they noisier than built-in over-flows?

Why are CPRs not very good?

What are the risks associated with them?

Why do some of them need a pump?

sjm817 · 03/08/2008, 11:02 PM

Are they noisier than built-in over-flows?
It depends

Why are CPRs not very good?
because they cant maintain a siphon on their own and require a vacuum pump which greatly increases the likelihood of a failure

What are the risks associated with them?
Very little if you get a good one (Lifereef)

Why do some of them need a pump?
Poor design.

jun_celis · 03/08/2008, 11:03 PM

I used to have an overflow box myself and NO, they are not as noisy as the built in overflows. CPRs rely on the pump just to keep the siphon effect of the overflows continuesly. Overflows tends to build bubbles inside the U tube and eventually break the siphon effect and then ultimate stop the siphon flow (flood). Not good. Had that experience. Get yourself reef ready tank, if that's where you're trying to get.

sjm817 · 03/08/2008, 11:10 PM

A quality, properly setup U Tube overflow will never accumulate air in the U Tube. It will run indefinitely without issue. There are many people here who have run them years on end without a problem.

I do agree on a new tank, get a RR or drill it. HOB is for adding an overflow to a system that is up and running.

Megalodon · 03/08/2008, 11:21 PM

I have a Red Sea Max. There's enough room back there to put in a 600 gph overflow in order to have a fuge underneath. My LFS only sells the CPR but have been hearing good things about Lifereef.

painkiller1009 · 03/09/2008, 12:42 AM

I have this one.

Never had a problem with it. Its hard to beat the price. Although I bought it used for alot less. I'd keep and eye out for used ones in the FOR SALE section on here.

erichatesmice · 03/09/2008, 02:15 AM

I have a Lifereef and have never had a problem. I've never tried the others but everyone here says they're the best. With such an important and long lasting piece of equipment, I didn't want to take the risk.

hub81 · 03/31/2008, 05:24 PM

I bought a overflow box off ebay and I think it is alittle louder than the built in kind but not much.
I have a pump with mine but it works without it I just use it to help keep air out.
If your sump is set up right you will never need to worry about a flood, maybe a burned up return pump.

ahullsb · 03/31/2008, 05:40 PM

I think they have just about covered it. The HOB overflows can be just as quiet, if not more so, than drilled tanks. If you are setting up a new tank, buy it reef ready or drill the holes yourself. If you must get a HOB overflow, get a u tube, or a life reef. If you buy a CPR, see if you can get flood insurance...

kdblove_99 · 03/31/2008, 06:34 PM

If you get a HOB please get a lifereef. They are great and built very well.

I can get my hands on a couple if you want one. But would have to go and get it from a guy

kdblove_99 · 03/31/2008, 06:35 PM

If you get a HOB please get a lifereef. They are great and built very well.

03/08/2008, 10:20 PM	#1
Megalodon Clowning Around Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,029	Overflow boxes Hi, just have a few questions about overflow boxes... Are they noisier than built-in over-flows? Why are CPRs not very good? What are the risks associated with them? Why do some of them need a pump?

03/08/2008, 11:02 PM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Re: Overflow boxes Are they noisier than built-in over-flows? It depends Why are CPRs not very good? because they cant maintain a siphon on their own and require a vacuum pump which greatly increases the likelihood of a failure What are the risks associated with them? Very little if you get a good one (Lifereef) Why do some of them need a pump? Poor design.

03/08/2008, 11:10 PM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	A quality, properly setup U Tube overflow will never accumulate air in the U Tube. It will run indefinitely without issue. There are many people here who have run them years on end without a problem. I do agree on a new tank, get a RR or drill it. HOB is for adding an overflow to a system that is up and running. __________________ - Scott

03/09/2008, 02:15 AM	#7
erichatesmice Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 325	I have a Lifereef and have never had a problem. I've never tried the others but everyone here says they're the best. With such an important and long lasting piece of equipment, I didn't want to take the risk. __________________ mint wuv wubabio!

03/31/2008, 05:24 PM	#8
hub81 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 100	I bought a overflow box off ebay and I think it is alittle louder than the built in kind but not much. I have a pump with mine but it works without it I just use it to help keep air out. If your sump is set up right you will never need to worry about a flood, maybe a burned up return pump. __________________ Hubcap Try Not Do or Do Not There Is No Try Current Tank Info: 150 gal reef 220lbs sand 125lbs live rock, with 55 gal sump Octo Diablo skimmer, quite one 6000 return pump, 39 gal quarantine

03/08/2008, 11:03 PM	#3
jun_celis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 1,487	I used to have an overflow box myself and NO, they are not as noisy as the built in overflows. CPRs rely on the pump just to keep the siphon effect of the overflows continuesly. Overflows tends to build bubbles inside the U tube and eventually break the siphon effect and then ultimate stop the siphon flow (flood). Not good. Had that experience. Get yourself reef ready tank, if that's where you're trying to get.

03/08/2008, 11:21 PM	#5
Megalodon Clowning Around Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,029	I have a Red Sea Max. There's enough room back there to put in a 600 gph overflow in order to have a fuge underneath. My LFS only sells the CPR but have been hearing good things about Lifereef.

03/09/2008, 12:42 AM	#6
painkiller1009 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Marion - Ohio Posts: 518	I have this one. Never had a problem with it. Its hard to beat the price. Although I bought it used for alot less. I'd keep and eye out for used ones in the FOR SALE section on here.

03/31/2008, 05:40 PM	#9
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I think they have just about covered it. The HOB overflows can be just as quiet, if not more so, than drilled tanks. If you are setting up a new tank, buy it reef ready or drill the holes yourself. If you must get a HOB overflow, get a u tube, or a life reef. If you buy a CPR, see if you can get flood insurance... __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

03/31/2008, 06:34 PM	#10
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	If you get a HOB please get a lifereef. They are great and built very well. I can get my hands on a couple if you want one. But would have to go and get it from a guy

03/31/2008, 06:35 PM	#11
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	If you get a HOB please get a lifereef. They are great and built very well.