overflow boxes

dax29 · 08/22/2009, 11:25 AM

Neither of my tanks is drilled and I can't find anyone to do it. Is there a way to flood-proof a sump system that uses an overflow box instead of built-in overflows?

Toddrtrex · 08/22/2009, 11:31 AM

There is a risk with any overflow box, but the only one that I would recommend is the LifeReef one. It is more expensive then the others, but well worth the money. I have one on my 75, and it has been running for 7+ years and never once had an issue with it.

http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html

Click on "lifereef products" on the top menu and then "Prefilter/Siphon Boxes" in the chart.

Aquarist007 · 08/22/2009, 11:45 AM

I second that---the lifereef has an excellent reputation

sam11909 · 08/22/2009, 12:05 PM

Here is my DIY overflow.

It might not be as tested but it's a lot cheaper. You can find plans on the internet, just make sure you know what you are doing and test it many times before using it on your tank.

sam11909 · 08/22/2009, 12:12 PM

But I would say if you have the money and you want something that is really reliable go with lifereef.

dax29 · 08/22/2009, 02:56 PM

They make some pretty steep claims. Not one has failed in 22 years! I wonder how many are out there? Has the power gone out on you Toddrtrex?

Toddrtrex · 08/22/2009, 03:20 PM

My power (( knock on wood )) hasn't gone out in my place in the last 3.5 years. However, I have had the main pump off for 6 hours (( to clean it )) and the siphon started right back up.

dax29 · 08/22/2009, 03:28 PM

Okay, it is on my list.

jhoff · 08/22/2009, 03:32 PM

Life reef all the way i turn off my maine pump every other day to feed fish & corals restarts siphon every time...

dax29 · 08/22/2009, 03:37 PM

Okay. That sounds great!

AC2020x · 08/22/2009, 03:56 PM

Hey, i'm tring to decide weather or not to go with a single or dual from lifereef? I have a 125g with a 29g sump? would it be too much with a return pump as a mag 9.5- with 950GPH in that small tank?

If I went with a single overflow- it would save money and my return could be 700GPH

Toddrtrex · 08/22/2009, 03:58 PM

Similar to what I said in the other thread, I would stick with either the Mag 5 or 7. Any faster and I see micro-bubble issues because of too much flow through your sump. Plus, slower return will allow for a longer contact time in the sump.

imafishhead · 08/22/2009, 04:00 PM

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=18358

AC2020x · 08/22/2009, 04:11 PM

anyone know if these are any good? I really want to minimize my chances of any overflows. but this would save a whole ton of money- which I also want to minimize my spending on!

Toddrtrex · 08/22/2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AC2020x
anyone know if these are any good? I really want to minimize my chances of any overflows. but this would save a whole ton of money- which I also want to minimize my spending on!

Other have had good luck with theirs, but that wasn't my case. I have one on my 33 (( was originally on my 29 )) and the back baffle wasn't high enough to keep the siphon when the main pump was turned off. I had to add a piece of PVC to the U-tube so that it wouldn't lose its siphon.

imafishhead · 08/22/2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddrtrex
Other have had good luck with theirs, but that wasn't my case. I have one on my 33 (( was originally on my 29 )) and the back baffle wasn't high enough to keep the siphon when the main pump was turned off. I had to add a piece of PVC to the U-tube so that it wouldn't lose its siphon.

you probably had the older design. the current design already corrected.

AC2020x · 08/22/2009, 05:26 PM

What does it come with? Is there anything else you need to buy to use it? Does it come with any tubing or anything or do you need to buy it? Thanks alot!- Also there shouldn't be any issue with overflow either right?

AC2020x · 08/22/2009, 05:30 PM

Also is it loud at all? Anyone know?

08/22/2009, 11:25 AM	#1
dax29 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tifton, GA Posts: 66	overflow boxes Neither of my tanks is drilled and I can't find anyone to do it. Is there a way to flood-proof a sump system that uses an overflow box instead of built-in overflows?

08/22/2009, 11:31 AM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	There is a risk with any overflow box, but the only one that I would recommend is the LifeReef one. It is more expensive then the others, but well worth the money. I have one on my 75, and it has been running for 7+ years and never once had an issue with it. http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html Click on "lifereef products" on the top menu and then "Prefilter/Siphon Boxes" in the chart. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/22/2009, 11:45 AM	#3
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I second that---the lifereef has an excellent reputation __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

08/22/2009, 12:05 PM	#4
sam11909 Maxi Mini Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 1,039	Here is my DIY overflow. It might not be as tested but it's a lot cheaper. You can find plans on the internet, just make sure you know what you are doing and test it many times before using it on your tank. __________________ Samuel A reef aquarium is simply an aquarist's best try of painting a small section of the ocean and containing it in a glass frame. Each new coral adds a new color or brush stroke to the painter's toolbox. Current Tank Info: The Stair-Stepping Nano System

08/22/2009, 12:12 PM	#5
sam11909 Maxi Mini Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 1,039	But I would say if you have the money and you want something that is really reliable go with lifereef. __________________ Samuel A reef aquarium is simply an aquarist's best try of painting a small section of the ocean and containing it in a glass frame. Each new coral adds a new color or brush stroke to the painter's toolbox. Current Tank Info: The Stair-Stepping Nano System

08/22/2009, 02:56 PM	#6
dax29 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tifton, GA Posts: 66	They make some pretty steep claims. Not one has failed in 22 years! I wonder how many are out there? Has the power gone out on you Toddrtrex?

08/22/2009, 03:20 PM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	My power (( knock on wood )) hasn't gone out in my place in the last 3.5 years. However, I have had the main pump off for 6 hours (( to clean it )) and the siphon started right back up. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/22/2009, 03:28 PM	#8
dax29 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tifton, GA Posts: 66	Okay, it is on my list.

08/22/2009, 03:32 PM	#9
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	Life reef all the way i turn off my maine pump every other day to feed fish & corals restarts siphon every time...

08/22/2009, 03:37 PM	#10
dax29 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tifton, GA Posts: 66	Okay. That sounds great!

08/22/2009, 03:56 PM	#11
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Hey, i'm tring to decide weather or not to go with a single or dual from lifereef? I have a 125g with a 29g sump? would it be too much with a return pump as a mag 9.5- with 950GPH in that small tank? If I went with a single overflow- it would save money and my return could be 700GPH __________________ In progress: 29g nano-ish reef with DIY LED Lights / Broken Down: 125g Predator FOWLR tank.

08/22/2009, 03:58 PM	#12
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Similar to what I said in the other thread, I would stick with either the Mag 5 or 7. Any faster and I see micro-bubble issues because of too much flow through your sump. Plus, slower return will allow for a longer contact time in the sump. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/22/2009, 04:00 PM	#13
imafishhead Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	The Eshopps brand should deserve a serious look http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=18358

08/22/2009, 04:11 PM	#14
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	anyone know if these are any good? I really want to minimize my chances of any overflows. but this would save a whole ton of money- which I also want to minimize my spending on! __________________ In progress: 29g nano-ish reef with DIY LED Lights / Broken Down: 125g Predator FOWLR tank.

08/22/2009, 05:26 PM	#17
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	What does it come with? Is there anything else you need to buy to use it? Does it come with any tubing or anything or do you need to buy it? Thanks alot!- Also there shouldn't be any issue with overflow either right? __________________ In progress: 29g nano-ish reef with DIY LED Lights / Broken Down: 125g Predator FOWLR tank.

08/22/2009, 05:30 PM	#18
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Also is it loud at all? Anyone know? __________________ In progress: 29g nano-ish reef with DIY LED Lights / Broken Down: 125g Predator FOWLR tank.