best overflow box

[beav76]

I like the concept of the TOMS as it says it prevents flooding, but the CPR models seem to get better ratings! My main concern is flooding, then ashetic! I'm guessing the aqualifter is worth the little bit extra in cash! Gonna be using it for a 30 gallon self made fuge for my 55 gallon tank! mostly an invert tank with a few fish!

Thx

If i misssed this thread already, sorry, i looked, please redirect me if so!

thx for the help!

[Beaun]

Many consider LifeReef to be the best overflow boxes, but drilling is really the most failsafe way to make sure you dont get floods. You can get floods with any setup, just need to make sure you are maintaining them correctly.

[slowwrx137]

If you can still drill the tank that's probably your best option. If not, I've used the eshopps and Aqueon overflow boxes (both U tube style) and have never had a problem with either one in the 3 years I've been using them. Out of the 2 I like the Aqueon better.

[LouZ]

Originally Posted by slowwrx137

If you can still drill the tank that's probably your best option. If not, I've used the eshopps and Aqueon overflow boxes (both U tube style) and have never had a problem with either one in the 3 years I've been using them. Out of the 2 I like the Aqueon better.

why?

[Ron Reefman]

My tank is drilled and I wasn't smart enough a year ago when I set up the tank to drill for an 'extra' drain that would sit just above the water surface in case one of the other drains failed. So I put in a siphon overflow and set it very close to the water surface where it hardly flows any water. I put an AquaLifter pump on it and dump the water back into the front (in the tank) side of the box. It works great. Barely flows anything unless the water level in the DT gets too high, then it flows about 600gph.

[Toddrtrex]

If you can't drill, get a LifeReef overflow box -- IMO/E, it is the best one out there. The eshopps ones are okay, but the quality of them and quality control is lacking at time. I would stay away from any overflow that requires an aqualifter pump to work -- that is a failure just waiting to happen.

I had a LifeReef overflow running for 7 years, it never failed.

[slowwrx137]

Originally Posted by LouZ

why?

With the eshopps I would get a lot of buildup in the rear box as well as some algae growth from it being clear and with the Aqueon I don't seem to have that issue. The Aqueon also seems to flow better. I had the eshopps pf1000 which max flow is 900gph and I had to restrict my mag9.5 return pump because it couldn't handle it even after head loss (probably 600-700gph). I have the larger of the 2 Aqueon boxes and it doesn't have any problem flowing what my pump can push out.

[crouch36]

+1 on the Lifereef, if you can't drill yours. It's a reliable high-quality product, and I couldn't be happier with mine

[zigzag1]

Lifereef or Eshopps. Or if you like brown.. Tunze. All of these are the same design. Don't get the CPR or any similar to its design that rely on an aqualifter. JMTC & GL!

[cloak]

Here's a picture of mine. I'm not sure which brand it is, but it's been working flawlessly for almost 13 years now.

[DoubleM 10]

i have 2 lifereef overflows and no issues. knock on wood.

[briankmarsh1980]

I use an Eshopps works flawless and never breaks syphon

[syrinx]

CPR styles should come with a shop vac. eschopps and lifreef actually are just as reliable as a drilled tank.

[GuySmily]

The Aquaeons are really cheap on Amazon. $60 for the small one, and only $15 more for the double-pipe version.

[GuySmily]

Thanks a lot! I posted about them being cheap and now they're SOLD OUT! I didn't get a chance to order one yet!

Well the bigger one is still in stock. Is there any reason not to buy a bigger overflow?

[tkeracer619]

My experience with eshopps was not pleasant. Junk IME.

The lifereef is the only one I would buy. Please don't skimp and try to find the cheapest one. Just get the lifereef.

Is $50 bucks saved worth a flood and a dead tank?

For very little money you can setup a fail safe. Get an in tank float switch from autotopoff.com and mount it in the tank just above the normal operating water level. Plug your return pump into the ATO float. If the overflow fails, the return pump will shut off before the tank spills water on the floor. I would not instal ANY overflow box without this setup.

[kaipo13]

Originally Posted by slowwrx137

With the eshopps I would get a lot of buildup in the rear box as well as some algae growth from it being clear and with the Aqueon I don't seem to have that issue. The Aqueon also seems to flow better. I had the eshopps pf1000 which max flow is 900gph and I had to restrict my mag9.5 return pump because it couldn't handle it even after head loss (probably 600-700gph). I have the larger of the 2 Aqueon boxes and it doesn't have any problem flowing what my pump can push out.

So you're saying the mag 9.5 return pump was too much for the PF-1000 overflow box? How much height was the pump pushing the water up? Were there any significant bends in your return line? What was the diameter/type of return line you used?

Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I am setting up a 130 gallon tank with this exact overflow box and was trying to figure out what size pump to use for my return. Thanks in advance for your help.