overflow box question

Eurogurl · 05/24/2007, 12:08 PM

I am going to buy this overflow box

I have a 75g and will be running it to a 55g sump. On one end of the sump I have my skimmer section, on the other end I have a fuge set up. In the center of the 55 sump I have a return section.

With this overflow box, can run one drain into the skimmer, and the other drain into the fuge....does anyone see a potential problem by doing this? Will that be to much flow through the fuge section?

Eurogurl · 05/24/2007, 12:09 PM

I am sorry I meant to say "skimmer section" I am not running the drain directly into the skimmer...haha didnt want any confusion

Toddrtrex · 05/24/2007, 01:11 PM

Personally, I would go with an U-tube overflow. Ideally one from Lifereef, it is a better design that doesn't need an aqualifter pump to keep air bubble out of it.

sjm817 · 05/24/2007, 01:21 PM

2nd the above. The CPR overflows are very unreliable.

Eurogurl · 05/24/2007, 01:22 PM

Well I have an aqualifter pump I used on my old tank for helping with top off, so I was just going to throw that on there...what do you think of the plumbing, will it work well to seperate them into two separate compartments in my sump, or will I have to restrict the flow into the fuge?

sjm817 · 05/24/2007, 01:23 PM

The Aqualifter does not solve the reliability problem.

Eurogurl · 05/24/2007, 02:24 PM

ok so maybe a bad idea haha, have one more question....I can pick up a brand new 75g AGA drilled with the mega flow in it for 210.00USD.

This was the same tank i was going to put the overflow box on. Is this a good deal for that tank?

sjm817 · 05/24/2007, 02:50 PM

Yes. The AGA megaflow is a good tank. Overflow is pre drilled and installed. The holes are in the bottom which makes for cleaner plumbing as well.

killagoby · 05/24/2007, 02:55 PM

I have a CPR overflow box rated for 300 GPH. I never had any problems with it, but I would use an upgraded pump next time. The AquaLifter is a piece of junk.

mg426 · 05/24/2007, 05:02 PM

Pre drilled is the way to go, If not get a Life reef U tube style overflow.

hansmatt · 05/24/2007, 06:38 PM

I have a lifereef external overflow and love it. With that said, a drilled tank is the best way to go. Less noise, less to break, less clutter. Go with the drilled tank and don't look back. The lifefreef would be close to $140 all said and done.

pezcubano · 05/24/2007, 07:53 PM

I'm in a similar position with a 75G that has one HOB. I have a 20G sump and I'm thinking of hanging another HOB and having 2 drains coming into my sump. Is it better to have 2 HOBs or just one HOB with two U-tubes feeding it? Will 2 U-tubes increase the flow any better or will I have to get another HOB?
Thanks...

Toddrtrex · 05/24/2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pezcubano
I'm in a similar position with a 75G that has one HOB. I have a 20G sump and I'm thinking of hanging another HOB and having 2 drains coming into my sump. Is it better to have 2 HOBs or just one HOB with two U-tubes feeding it? Will 2 U-tubes increase the flow any better or will I have to get another HOB?
Thanks...

With a 75 and a 20 gal sump (( very similar to mine, but I have a 30 sump )) you should be fine with a single (Lifereef) U tube -- they will handle around 500-600 gph, you reall don't want any more flow going through a sump.

DarG · 05/24/2007, 08:16 PM

Two U tubes will only increase the flow if one U-tube can't provide as much flow as your overflow drain can handle. I doubt that it would matter whether you have a dual drain overflow or two singles. If you add a second U tube or Overflow, make sure your pump has enough flow to keep enough velcoity through the Utubes to clear the bubbles.

My problem with the CPR or any C-siphon overflow (I had a CPR dual) was NOT the aqualifter. It was the fact that you just cant clean the inner portion of the C-Siphon. You cant get to it to clean it without removing the whole unit and soaking it in bleach solution. Never again.

sjm817 · 05/24/2007, 08:30 PM

For a 75G with a 20G sump, a (good) single U Tube overflow is all you need.

pezcubano · 05/24/2007, 08:35 PM

Is 1 inch in diameter on the u-tube good enough?
I'm also looking into a Tunze 9010 in the sump. What should I do about my return pump when I put the Tunze in. I currently run a Rio 2500 return pump. Can I get away with it? Will it match the output from the Tunze?

sjm817 · 05/24/2007, 08:39 PM

You have to have less flow from the return pump than the maximum capacity of the overflow. Most overflows cant actually live up to the rated flow. I wouldn't worry about the flow rate of the skimmer.

hansmatt · 05/25/2007, 07:54 AM

I would be wary of the rio pumps, many have experienced whole-tank-loss if/when they die...they release oil into the tank. I have an eheim 1260 which I love, coupled with my lifereef it is perfect. Don't worry about the skimmer's in-output, it is in sump and will take what it needs. I've heard great things about the Tunze skimmers.

pezcubano · 05/25/2007, 11:08 AM

Hansmatt - Thanks for the reply. I'm looking into an eheim as well.
I will also look into the Lifereef. How big is the tank you have the Eheim 1260 on? Which Eheim would you recommend for my 75G?
I'm also considering putting a powerhead in the tank for additional flow in the display, so I won't be relying solely on the Eheim for the flow in the tank.
Thanks

05/24/2007, 12:08 PM	#1
Eurogurl Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 10	overflow box question I am going to buy this overflow box I have a 75g and will be running it to a 55g sump. On one end of the sump I have my skimmer section, on the other end I have a fuge set up. In the center of the 55 sump I have a return section. With this overflow box, can run one drain into the skimmer, and the other drain into the fuge....does anyone see a potential problem by doing this? Will that be to much flow through the fuge section?

05/24/2007, 01:11 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Personally, I would go with an U-tube overflow. Ideally one from Lifereef, it is a better design that doesn't need an aqualifter pump to keep air bubble out of it. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

05/24/2007, 01:21 PM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	2nd the above. The CPR overflows are very unreliable. __________________ - Scott

05/24/2007, 01:23 PM	#6
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	The Aqualifter does not solve the reliability problem. __________________ - Scott

05/24/2007, 02:50 PM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Yes. The AGA megaflow is a good tank. Overflow is pre drilled and installed. The holes are in the bottom which makes for cleaner plumbing as well. __________________ - Scott

05/24/2007, 12:09 PM	#2
Eurogurl Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 10	I am sorry I meant to say "skimmer section" I am not running the drain directly into the skimmer...haha didnt want any confusion

05/24/2007, 01:22 PM	#5
Eurogurl Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 10	Well I have an aqualifter pump I used on my old tank for helping with top off, so I was just going to throw that on there...what do you think of the plumbing, will it work well to seperate them into two separate compartments in my sump, or will I have to restrict the flow into the fuge?

05/24/2007, 02:24 PM	#7
Eurogurl Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 10	ok so maybe a bad idea haha, have one more question....I can pick up a brand new 75g AGA drilled with the mega flow in it for 210.00USD. This was the same tank i was going to put the overflow box on. Is this a good deal for that tank?

05/24/2007, 02:55 PM	#9
killagoby Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, NJ Posts: 2,150	I have a CPR overflow box rated for 300 GPH. I never had any problems with it, but I would use an upgraded pump next time. The AquaLifter is a piece of junk. __________________ How much money did you spend on that rock again?

05/24/2007, 05:02 PM	#10
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Pre drilled is the way to go, If not get a Life reef U tube style overflow. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

05/24/2007, 06:38 PM	#11
hansmatt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 681	I have a lifereef external overflow and love it. With that said, a drilled tank is the best way to go. Less noise, less to break, less clutter. Go with the drilled tank and don't look back. The lifefreef would be close to $140 all said and done.

05/24/2007, 07:53 PM	#12
pezcubano Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 416	I'm in a similar position with a 75G that has one HOB. I have a 20G sump and I'm thinking of hanging another HOB and having 2 drains coming into my sump. Is it better to have 2 HOBs or just one HOB with two U-tubes feeding it? Will 2 U-tubes increase the flow any better or will I have to get another HOB? Thanks...

05/24/2007, 08:16 PM	#14
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Two U tubes will only increase the flow if one U-tube can't provide as much flow as your overflow drain can handle. I doubt that it would matter whether you have a dual drain overflow or two singles. If you add a second U tube or Overflow, make sure your pump has enough flow to keep enough velcoity through the Utubes to clear the bubbles. My problem with the CPR or any C-siphon overflow (I had a CPR dual) was NOT the aqualifter. It was the fact that you just cant clean the inner portion of the C-Siphon. You cant get to it to clean it without removing the whole unit and soaking it in bleach solution. Never again.

05/24/2007, 08:30 PM	#15
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	For a 75G with a 20G sump, a (good) single U Tube overflow is all you need. __________________ - Scott

05/24/2007, 08:35 PM	#16
pezcubano Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 416	Is 1 inch in diameter on the u-tube good enough? I'm also looking into a Tunze 9010 in the sump. What should I do about my return pump when I put the Tunze in. I currently run a Rio 2500 return pump. Can I get away with it? Will it match the output from the Tunze?

05/24/2007, 08:39 PM	#17
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	You have to have less flow from the return pump than the maximum capacity of the overflow. Most overflows cant actually live up to the rated flow. I wouldn't worry about the flow rate of the skimmer. __________________ - Scott

05/25/2007, 07:54 AM	#18
hansmatt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 681	I would be wary of the rio pumps, many have experienced whole-tank-loss if/when they die...they release oil into the tank. I have an eheim 1260 which I love, coupled with my lifereef it is perfect. Don't worry about the skimmer's in-output, it is in sump and will take what it needs. I've heard great things about the Tunze skimmers.

05/25/2007, 11:08 AM	#19
pezcubano Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 416	Hansmatt - Thanks for the reply. I'm looking into an eheim as well. I will also look into the Lifereef. How big is the tank you have the Eheim 1260 on? Which Eheim would you recommend for my 75G? I'm also considering putting a powerhead in the tank for additional flow in the display, so I won't be relying solely on the Eheim for the flow in the tank. Thanks