CPR overflow recommendations (or alternative)

csb · 08/08/2006, 09:13 PM

Can anyone share their experiences with CPR overflows?? Any alternative HOB style overflows that might be recommended? Seems that the CPR overflow is pretty much the only one available on the market that I can find.

I tried a DIY overflow, but it just doesn't have enough capacity to handle the flow rate coming from the sump.

--csb

sjm817 · 08/08/2006, 09:18 PM

CPRs are very unreliable. The best overflow in the industry is a Lifereef. They are extremely reliable and well made.

maddyfish · 08/08/2006, 09:49 PM

Search around more, u-tube overflows seem to work well. I had a cpr overflow, wouldn't use it again unless I'm using it in the basement.

Fishie Nut · 08/08/2006, 10:29 PM

I just ordered a Lifereef overflow. There is also Hurricane, but I sent them an email and they never responded... Maybe a reflection on their service, I don't know. But the CPR need the AquaLifter pump to work corre tly. The Lifereef does not.
Jeff is very helpful.

marino420td · 08/08/2006, 10:46 PM

Keep browsing the selling forums for a used U-tube style overflow. I paid $60 for mine 2 years ago and it has never lost siphon!

IndyReefMan · 08/09/2006, 01:09 PM

The CPR is pretty unreliable. I know because I've used them before (I had no choice because it is the smallest one I could find with the limited amount of space I had to work with). It isn't the inherent design that is the primary problem... it is the aqualifter. The aqualifters will quit working without any warning at all and then you will have a flood. I stopped using the aqualifter and instead hook the CPR up to the venturi of a Maxijet 1200. That is much more reliable and I've had no problems since.

csb · 08/09/2006, 01:15 PM

The aqualifter pump might make a good cheap dosing pump for kalk though ... I'm ordering a lifereef overflow this afternoon. It's similar in design to my DIY overflow, but with the higher capacity that I need (DIY overflow can't handle my capacity)

Thanks for the feedback! I didn't know about the lifereef overflow until today!

TKByrnes · 08/09/2006, 01:28 PM

I have a u tube design on my 75 gal and i love it. its nothing against a reef ready or drilling the tank but mine works great. next tank will be a rr or drilled though.

csb · 08/09/2006, 01:38 PM

If I had the foresight back when I started this shindig, I would have gone with a RR/drilled tank. But, I didn't know then what I know now. I'll upgrade the tank someday, but it's not really feasable for me to do right now as I'm still living the apartment life and moving every year or 2. Someday when I settle down and buy some property that I'll be living in for the next 500 years, I'll go ahead and have an entire fleet of giant tanks!

druce · 08/09/2006, 05:27 PM

CPR's fill with bubbles easily and will loose suction unless you are constantly running an aqualifter pump, and even then the little hole gets clogged, the pump looses suction and you flood your tank

repeat ad nauseum....

erc111 · 08/09/2006, 05:39 PM

I have a CPR with the aqua lifter for 3 months now.
It works well for me.
I have never had a siphon break.

As for the aqualifter suddenly failing, I have had one as my top-off with kalk running constantly for 3 years and have never had a problem.

I would think that with the, relatively, kalk free water coming from the main tank it should be trouble free.

JMO. Your mileage may differ.

Fuegofish777 · 08/09/2006, 06:54 PM

i switched from cpr to lifereef. the cpr worked alright, could have been better, but it got the job done for what i had to work with. it couldnt handle the flow rate i wanted though, and it would start collecting bubbles even with the aqualifter. i rigged it up with another hole so it would suck from both sides and that helpd some. but im glad i did the upgrade, the lifereef is 10x better and isnt collecting bubbles or slowing down. the service is also amazing at lifereef. JMHO

08/08/2006, 09:13 PM	#1
csb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 541	CPR overflow recommendations (or alternative) Can anyone share their experiences with CPR overflows?? Any alternative HOB style overflows that might be recommended? Seems that the CPR overflow is pretty much the only one available on the market that I can find. I tried a DIY overflow, but it just doesn't have enough capacity to handle the flow rate coming from the sump. --csb __________________ Winter ski bum, summer reef bum. Tank pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/snojrnl Current Tank Info: 30g mixed reef

08/08/2006, 09:18 PM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	CPRs are very unreliable. The best overflow in the industry is a Lifereef. They are extremely reliable and well made. __________________ - Scott

08/08/2006, 09:49 PM	#3
maddyfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 330	Search around more, u-tube overflows seem to work well. I had a cpr overflow, wouldn't use it again unless I'm using it in the basement. __________________ If an expert says it cannot be done, get another expert- David Ben-Gurion Current Tank Info: 75 mixed simple tank 2.5 pico and 20 gallon QUARANTINE

08/08/2006, 10:29 PM	#4
Fishie Nut Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 966	I just ordered a Lifereef overflow. There is also Hurricane, but I sent them an email and they never responded... Maybe a reflection on their service, I don't know. But the CPR need the AquaLifter pump to work corre tly. The Lifereef does not. Jeff is very helpful. __________________ Fishie (MASLAC member) "It's alaways a sometin'" -- Roseanna Roseannadana Current Tank Info: 225 gal LeeMar Reef; Deltec AP 702, ProFiLux, 90 gal sump/fuge, 3x250 HQI Lumenarcs. 4x96W PC actinics; 375 lbs LR; 3" LS; Hammerhead CL, Korallin c3002, KM500, Auto Water Change/Top Off; Aquatinics 1/3 HP drop in

08/09/2006, 01:15 PM	#7
csb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 541	The aqualifter pump might make a good cheap dosing pump for kalk though ... I'm ordering a lifereef overflow this afternoon. It's similar in design to my DIY overflow, but with the higher capacity that I need (DIY overflow can't handle my capacity) Thanks for the feedback! I didn't know about the lifereef overflow until today! __________________ Winter ski bum, summer reef bum. Tank pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/snojrnl Current Tank Info: 30g mixed reef

08/08/2006, 10:46 PM	#5
marino420td Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cape Girardeau, MO Posts: 2,529	Keep browsing the selling forums for a used U-tube style overflow. I paid $60 for mine 2 years ago and it has never lost siphon!

08/09/2006, 01:09 PM	#6
IndyReefMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 477	The CPR is pretty unreliable. I know because I've used them before (I had no choice because it is the smallest one I could find with the limited amount of space I had to work with). It isn't the inherent design that is the primary problem... it is the aqualifter. The aqualifters will quit working without any warning at all and then you will have a flood. I stopped using the aqualifter and instead hook the CPR up to the venturi of a Maxijet 1200. That is much more reliable and I've had no problems since.

08/09/2006, 01:28 PM	#8
TKByrnes Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fairfield, PA Posts: 1,331	I have a u tube design on my 75 gal and i love it. its nothing against a reef ready or drilling the tank but mine works great. next tank will be a rr or drilled though. __________________ Baby it was on sale half price I PROMISE!!!! Current Tank Info: 90 gal mixed reef-55 gal sump-mag 9.5 return pump-10 gal frag tank 15 gal refugium. 2x 150 watt HQI outer orbit 4x pc actinic

08/09/2006, 01:38 PM	#9
csb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 541	If I had the foresight back when I started this shindig, I would have gone with a RR/drilled tank. But, I didn't know then what I know now. I'll upgrade the tank someday, but it's not really feasable for me to do right now as I'm still living the apartment life and moving every year or 2. Someday when I settle down and buy some property that I'll be living in for the next 500 years, I'll go ahead and have an entire fleet of giant tanks! __________________ Winter ski bum, summer reef bum. Tank pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/snojrnl Current Tank Info: 30g mixed reef

08/09/2006, 05:27 PM	#10
druce Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Liberty, IA Posts: 1,349	CPR's fill with bubbles easily and will loose suction unless you are constantly running an aqualifter pump, and even then the little hole gets clogged, the pump looses suction and you flood your tank repeat ad nauseum.... __________________ Click the red house to see tank pics and my blog and to get the link for my RC tank thread! Current Tank Info: 90 gal AGA RR, 55 gal long for sump, 17g Aquafuge pro as refugium - 2x 150w MH, 2x 96w Actinic

08/09/2006, 05:39 PM	#11
erc111 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 245	I have a CPR with the aqua lifter for 3 months now. It works well for me. I have never had a siphon break. As for the aqualifter suddenly failing, I have had one as my top-off with kalk running constantly for 3 years and have never had a problem. I would think that with the, relatively, kalk free water coming from the main tank it should be trouble free. JMO. Your mileage may differ.

08/09/2006, 06:54 PM	#12
Fuegofish777 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: S. California Posts: 1,191	i switched from cpr to lifereef. the cpr worked alright, could have been better, but it got the job done for what i had to work with. it couldnt handle the flow rate i wanted though, and it would start collecting bubbles even with the aqualifter. i rigged it up with another hole so it would suck from both sides and that helpd some. but im glad i did the upgrade, the lifereef is 10x better and isnt collecting bubbles or slowing down. the service is also amazing at lifereef. JMHO