CPR Overflow Box Auto-Restart (NOT!)

Canarygirl · 10/19/2007, 10:41 AM

How do you get a CPR overflow box to restart its syphon after the power is cut and then restarted? I narrowly missed having a nasty flood yesterday because the syphon didn't restart.

I do have a powerhead in my sump with airline tubing attached to the air release nozzle on the top of the overflow, but it didn't work to restart the syphon. There was too much air in it I guess.

I need to resolve this problem because as it is, I could suffer a flood caused by this, it could happen any time, it could drain my sump, overheat the pumps in the sump if they ran dry, and even cause a fire!

If the only answer is to buy a U-tube overflow, how do you keep bubbles from building up inside the top of the tube? I've had the syphon stop on those kinds of overflows too so I don't see them as a magic bullet cure for the problem.

oct2274 · 10/19/2007, 10:42 AM

i believe you need a pump like an aqualifter to keep it primed

Canarygirl · 10/19/2007, 10:44 AM

I have one, but it didn't work to keep it primed. Not a vaccuum pump though, a regular pump. We couldn't get an Aqualifter to work at all....

pelochas · 10/19/2007, 10:46 AM

you go buy a lifereef overflow and replace the cpr

or buy a larger return pump so that it will flow more to move those bubbles out of that tube

aqualifter pumps are meant to suck those bubbles out and it does works but it defeats the purpose of overflows when the power fails or pumps fails.

Mr James · 10/19/2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

by pelochas
you go buy a lifereef overflow and replace the cpr

Amen brotha!! I have always (when required) used U-Tube style overflows.

I used to leave a flexible air line in the tube and sucked the air out when needed. I also would put rubble rock or 1/2" PVC pieces in the overflow box to cut down on air bubbles going into the u-tubes themselves. Last resort was to drill a tiny hole in the top of the u-tube, attach a small air line tube and release the air when needed. CPR's are a bother IME.

Canarygirl · 10/19/2007, 11:07 AM

OK, looking into replacing my CPR. I just didn't succeed in preventing the bubble buildup in the U-tube last time, so will need to do something different with it next time.

lilchris · 10/19/2007, 11:16 AM

I had the aqualifter VACCUUM pump and I nev er had any problems after that. You need the vaccuum pump

ud92785 · 10/19/2007, 11:26 AM

I've been using an Aqualifter/CPR combo for over three years now without problems on my 75 gal tank. I do highly recommend the use of the prefilter on the Aqualifter though.

dhnguyen · 10/19/2007, 11:32 AM

And when the Aqualifter pump fail (and it will) you will have a flood on your hand. Trust me on that.

Tennsquire · 10/19/2007, 01:10 PM

If you have enough flow through the U-tube, you won't have any bubbles accumulate there. Granted, you have to clean the tube every couple of 3 mos., but that's just part of routine maint. I've had U-tube overflows on both of my systems for years, and they haven't overflowed and have always started up again after a power outtage.

Mr James · 10/19/2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

by Tennsquire
...Granted, you have to clean the tube every couple of 3 mos., but that's just part of routine maint...

Or paint them black so algae doesn't grow inside. I never had any overflows and they always started back up for me on restart.

pelochas · 10/19/2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dhnguyen
And when the Aqualifter pump fail (and it will) you will have a flood on your hand. Trust me on that.

not only that, when you feed the tank, anything will get suck up into the airline now waterline will get clogged and stop the suction. and even if the pre filter is there, anything before the filter gets clogged and you still have this problem.

i just take one piece of anything and your done. where as the utube you really need to screw that up to stop the overflow, even a small fish can go right thru there and end up in the sump and still wont affect your overflow

still if you never had a problem, then may good luck continue in your tank

Canarygirl · 10/19/2007, 02:27 PM

I'm convinced!

sjm817 · 10/19/2007, 04:37 PM

You are doing the right thing. Many people have had the pain of trying to get the CPR to work. They dont. Get a good U Tube overflow (I highly recommend Lifereef) and you wont have a problem.

drstupid · 10/19/2007, 05:17 PM

everyone has their own story, i guess.

i had a CPR with an aqualifter priming it on a tank for about 4 years, no problems. when the power dies, the aqualifter shuts off with the return pump. when the power returns, the aqualifter turns on with the return pump. the siphon primes, all is well. it never failed me once.

i still have that aqualifter, it's been running kalkwasser topoff the last two years. i think i ran vinegar through it once, preventatively. they are great devices; simple, bulletproof, cheap and reliable.

i liked the CPR setup, and never had a problem with it. this was on a 37 gallon system, it may be a totally different issue with a tank 3-4 times that size.

sjm817 · 10/19/2007, 05:30 PM

My CPR failed twice in 3 months. The Aqualifter was not the problem. The tiny air nipple in the top of the CPR clogged. Aqualifters are nice pumps. I also use them for limewater topoff.

lilchris · 10/19/2007, 05:50 PM

I had mine running for a short time (6 months) due to a tank upgrade. It was a pain before I got the aqualifter pump. Once I put it on it never failed me once either. I can't speak on the u tube. DOn't know what the price difference is. I assure you that you will have some problems w/ the u tube as well w/ the CPR. Its up to you. Good luck w/what ever choice you go with. What I found out in this short time that I have been in this hobby is that there are alot of opinions out there. One day a certain brand can be the s$*t then the next week it can be total crap. It's all about what you want and what makes you happy. I guarantee we can keep this thread going for months w/ the pros and cons of these two items and people's person opinion on them. I found out try to see what I want the device to achieve and then I go w/ the best possible choice. You may regret a purchase, or you may think its the best investment ever. Good luck

sjm817 · 10/19/2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lilchris
I assure you that you will have some problems w/ the u tube as well w/ the CPR.

A U Tube by design is far more reliable than a C Siphon overflow. The fact that a C Siphon by design has an air accumulation issue that can only be worked around with an external pump is not an opinion.

dhnguyen · 10/19/2007, 06:59 PM

A properly designed overflow should NEVER require an external pump to keep the siphon. Relying on an external source to keep the most critical part of the overflow (re: siphon) is a recipe for a disaster if you ask me.

slowsoaks · 10/19/2007, 08:48 PM

I have a CPR/ aqualifter set-up on a 30 gallon and you do have to stay on top of keeping the nipple on the CPR unclogged, even when you use a filter on the aqualifter

franklinbeens · 10/19/2007, 09:43 PM

hurry! htw http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1232177

Canarygirl · 10/19/2007, 10:00 PM

ooh! thanks for that.

The cut out in the inner "lip" of my tank allows for my return pump nozzle and a 6" wide overflow box. That overflow is 8" wide and it's the smaller of the two sizes. LifeReef may not work out for me but I'll keep looking around.

10/19/2007, 10:41 AM	#1
Canarygirl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,789	CPR Overflow Box Auto-Restart (NOT!) How do you get a CPR overflow box to restart its syphon after the power is cut and then restarted? I narrowly missed having a nasty flood yesterday because the syphon didn't restart. I do have a powerhead in my sump with airline tubing attached to the air release nozzle on the top of the overflow, but it didn't work to restart the syphon. There was too much air in it I guess. I need to resolve this problem because as it is, I could suffer a flood caused by this, it could happen any time, it could drain my sump, overheat the pumps in the sump if they ran dry, and even cause a fire! If the only answer is to buy a U-tube overflow, how do you keep bubbles from building up inside the top of the tube? I've had the syphon stop on those kinds of overflows too so I don't see them as a magic bullet cure for the problem.

10/19/2007, 10:46 AM	#4
pelochas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 385	you go buy a lifereef overflow and replace the cpr or buy a larger return pump so that it will flow more to move those bubbles out of that tube aqualifter pumps are meant to suck those bubbles out and it does works but it defeats the purpose of overflows when the power fails or pumps fails. __________________ 120g Reef Tank Oceanic, 2x175watt MH 14k Iwasaki, 1 Ecotech MP40, Reeflo Dart return pump, AquaC EV-120 Eheim 1262 ,AquacontrollerJr, KentMaxximaHI-S, PhosBanReactor150, Geo Kalk Rx. Current Tank Info: working on diy led lighting and finishing a sump refuge relocated outside the house

10/19/2007, 11:26 AM	#8
ud92785 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 14	I've been using an Aqualifter/CPR combo for over three years now without problems on my 75 gal tank. I do highly recommend the use of the prefilter on the Aqualifter though. __________________ ...If I only had better lighting and a skimmer upgrade and a refugium and... Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Allglass; EV-180 & Mag-7; Pan World 100PX Return; Coralife Aqualight Pro; 50 Gal Rubbermaid sump; Lots of DIY...

10/19/2007, 01:10 PM	#10
Tennsquire Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,399	If you have enough flow through the U-tube, you won't have any bubbles accumulate there. Granted, you have to clean the tube every couple of 3 mos., but that's just part of routine maint. I've had U-tube overflows on both of my systems for years, and they haven't overflowed and have always started up again after a power outtage. __________________ Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile.... Current Tank Info: 75 reef (2x 250 ReefOptix IIIs, AB 10k bulbs w/ 330 watt VHO, EuroReef RC135 skimmer, multicontrolled Tunze 6095's X2); 40 sps prop tank (Outer Orbit Pro 150, Euroreef CS6-1+ skimmer); 20 softie prop tank

10/19/2007, 04:37 PM	#14
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	You are doing the right thing. Many people have had the pain of trying to get the CPR to work. They dont. Get a good U Tube overflow (I highly recommend Lifereef) and you wont have a problem. __________________ - Scott

10/19/2007, 10:42 AM	#2
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	i believe you need a pump like an aqualifter to keep it primed

10/19/2007, 10:44 AM	#3
Canarygirl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,789	I have one, but it didn't work to keep it primed. Not a vaccuum pump though, a regular pump. We couldn't get an Aqualifter to work at all....

10/19/2007, 11:07 AM	#6
Canarygirl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,789	OK, looking into replacing my CPR. I just didn't succeed in preventing the bubble buildup in the U-tube last time, so will need to do something different with it next time.

10/19/2007, 11:16 AM	#7
lilchris Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 984	I had the aqualifter VACCUUM pump and I nev er had any problems after that. You need the vaccuum pump

10/19/2007, 11:32 AM	#9
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	And when the Aqualifter pump fail (and it will) you will have a flood on your hand. Trust me on that.

10/19/2007, 02:27 PM	#13
Canarygirl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,789	I'm convinced!

10/19/2007, 05:17 PM	#15
drstupid Aquarist emeritus Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Narberth, PA Posts: 760	everyone has their own story, i guess. i had a CPR with an aqualifter priming it on a tank for about 4 years, no problems. when the power dies, the aqualifter shuts off with the return pump. when the power returns, the aqualifter turns on with the return pump. the siphon primes, all is well. it never failed me once. i still have that aqualifter, it's been running kalkwasser topoff the last two years. i think i ran vinegar through it once, preventatively. they are great devices; simple, bulletproof, cheap and reliable. i liked the CPR setup, and never had a problem with it. this was on a 37 gallon system, it may be a totally different issue with a tank 3-4 times that size. __________________ i'm not a real doctor, i just play one on tv. Current Tank Info: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2429266

10/19/2007, 05:30 PM	#16
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	My CPR failed twice in 3 months. The Aqualifter was not the problem. The tiny air nipple in the top of the CPR clogged. Aqualifters are nice pumps. I also use them for limewater topoff. __________________ - Scott

10/19/2007, 05:50 PM	#17
lilchris Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 984	I had mine running for a short time (6 months) due to a tank upgrade. It was a pain before I got the aqualifter pump. Once I put it on it never failed me once either. I can't speak on the u tube. DOn't know what the price difference is. I assure you that you will have some problems w/ the u tube as well w/ the CPR. Its up to you. Good luck w/what ever choice you go with. What I found out in this short time that I have been in this hobby is that there are alot of opinions out there. One day a certain brand can be the s$*t then the next week it can be total crap. It's all about what you want and what makes you happy. I guarantee we can keep this thread going for months w/ the pros and cons of these two items and people's person opinion on them. I found out try to see what I want the device to achieve and then I go w/ the best possible choice. You may regret a purchase, or you may think its the best investment ever. Good luck

10/19/2007, 06:59 PM	#19
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	A properly designed overflow should NEVER require an external pump to keep the siphon. Relying on an external source to keep the most critical part of the overflow (re: siphon) is a recipe for a disaster if you ask me.

10/19/2007, 08:48 PM	#20
slowsoaks Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: ocean grove n.j. Posts: 103	I have a CPR/ aqualifter set-up on a 30 gallon and you do have to stay on top of keeping the nipple on the CPR unclogged, even when you use a filter on the aqualifter

10/19/2007, 09:43 PM	#21
franklinbeens Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: santa clara, ca Posts: 461	hurry! htw http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1232177

10/19/2007, 10:00 PM	#22
Canarygirl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,789	ooh! thanks for that. The cut out in the inner "lip" of my tank allows for my return pump nozzle and a 6" wide overflow box. That overflow is 8" wide and it's the smaller of the two sizes. LifeReef may not work out for me but I'll keep looking around.