what is the best brand of overflow box?

thomasp123 · 12/06/2008, 08:50 AM

I would like to get opinions and discussion of the best overflow boxes for sumps. All opinions are welcome! what id the best designs?

Tom

Tswifty · 12/06/2008, 10:00 AM

Personally, I would drill the tank.

However, I know a lot of people recommend LifeReef overflows.

LobsterOfJustice · 12/06/2008, 10:10 AM

Agreed. First choice is a hole, second is lifereef.

thomasp123 · 12/06/2008, 10:59 AM

well the tank is full of water right now so drilling is not very practical. Any other cool overflows anyone wants to pop in on?

Hop · 12/06/2008, 12:10 PM

You mean there is another overflow besides a lifereef

The amiracle gets a runner up vote from me

Madfronter · 12/06/2008, 12:53 PM

I would go for the CPR continuous siphon overflow boxes. They are the nicest overflow boxes I have seen and owned so far.

Hop · 12/06/2008, 01:23 PM

Have you owned a quality u-tube overflow Mad? Just curious because the CPR and other C-channel overflows are notorious problem children! After stepping over to a lifereef I slept much, much better.

syrinx · 12/06/2008, 01:31 PM

Eshopps are great also and cheap. CPR was designned by satan himself- and has made me tons of money with latenight emergency calls. I have never had a U tube overflow have problems, while I have seen many cracked tanks, leaking plumbing, and other issues with drilled tanks. I would say the U tube is safest then drilled and last by far CPR design. I have only set up a few thousand tanks though- so others may have differing experience.

thomasp123 · 12/06/2008, 01:47 PM

Well my local fish store sold me an overflow box that looks idential to the life reef. I started this thread because I got nervous about spilling the contents of the tank on the floor. So I thought I should check it all out.

Thanks
Tom

reidcrandall · 12/06/2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tswifty8
Personally, I would drill the tank.

However, I know a lot of people recommend LifeReef overflows.

I agree here. Overflow boxes are a pain. I can't wait to get my new 120 set up and never deal with one again.

LockeOak · 12/06/2008, 02:10 PM

I use an Amiracle on mine, I haven't had any issues with it in the year that I've had it. I have to admit that sometimes it makes me nervous though... next tank will be drilled.

Hop · 12/06/2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thomasp123
Well my local fish store sold me an overflow box that looks idential to the life reef. I started this thread because I got nervous about spilling the contents of the tank on the floor. So I thought I should check it all out.

Thanks
Tom

A quality U-tube overflow is a good choice. Do you know the name or brand?

CeeGee · 12/06/2008, 02:33 PM

Lifereef here for three years and not one single problem. Getting ready to move to a drilled tank though.

thomasp123 · 12/06/2008, 03:38 PM

Hop It does not seem to have a brand I think the lfs has them made locally. The place is called tropic isle in framingham MA. They are a really nice sore for this hobbie.

thomasp123 · 12/06/2008, 03:46 PM

excuse me store!

noboddi · 12/06/2008, 04:39 PM

I would advise using two overflow boxes. That way, if one has a problem, you are still okay.

I don't trust overflows though. Drilling is much better. I would do HOT before overflows. Very few things fail as often as an overflow.

I can recommend LifeReef. The support and quality is excellent.

thomasp123 · 12/06/2008, 05:40 PM

I agree that drilling is better but the tank is full of water and animals. swapping tanks is not really an option. Wife would entertain a new tank sometime after my youngest is out of college. she is currently in 3rd grade. I have a bit of time to go.

Tom

mystikdragon7 · 12/06/2008, 05:48 PM

Dude go for LifeReef!!! They are the best IMHO. Don't get a CPR overflow, I have come home to many soaking wet floors before.

reefwisher · 12/06/2008, 10:23 PM

I have the Eshopps 800 overflow, Been running since May of 2008 and not one single problem. Even when I have shut my return pump down for mainteance, it start right back up without any trouble. No siphon break or nothing. I have my faith in it. I have look at the Lifereef overflow and heard of good result with it and no doubt it a good product. But for my budget I went with the Eshopp and would do it again. It has proven itself to me.

FirstContact · 12/07/2008, 09:57 PM

Pretty hard to find choices for overflows on the net. I think Truvue ?Aquatics?/?Acrylics? makes one.

I am using a 20g now, just put in a sump, want a refugium, and want to drill my 46g next spring. If I went with an overflow, it would probably be Life Reef. Just seems so darned expensive for a plastic box. I'd be much more comfortable if they were around $50 instead of over a $100. Probably buy 2 right off the bat. Anyway, nobody seems to like the functionality of the newer design that the market is pushing.

12/06/2008, 08:50 AM	#1
thomasp123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hadley MA Posts: 345	what is the best brand of overflow box? I would like to get opinions and discussion of the best overflow boxes for sumps. All opinions are welcome! what id the best designs? Tom

12/06/2008, 10:00 AM	#2
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Personally, I would drill the tank. However, I know a lot of people recommend LifeReef overflows. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

12/06/2008, 10:10 AM	#3
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Agreed. First choice is a hole, second is lifereef. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

12/06/2008, 12:10 PM	#5
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	You mean there is another overflow besides a lifereef The amiracle gets a runner up vote from me __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

12/06/2008, 01:23 PM	#7
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	Have you owned a quality u-tube overflow Mad? Just curious because the CPR and other C-channel overflows are notorious problem children! After stepping over to a lifereef I slept much, much better. __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

12/06/2008, 10:59 AM	#4
thomasp123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hadley MA Posts: 345	well the tank is full of water right now so drilling is not very practical. Any other cool overflows anyone wants to pop in on?

12/06/2008, 12:53 PM	#6
Madfronter Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: PA Posts: 284	I would go for the CPR continuous siphon overflow boxes. They are the nicest overflow boxes I have seen and owned so far.

12/06/2008, 01:31 PM	#8
syrinx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: champaign Posts: 3,160	Eshopps are great also and cheap. CPR was designned by satan himself- and has made me tons of money with latenight emergency calls. I have never had a U tube overflow have problems, while I have seen many cracked tanks, leaking plumbing, and other issues with drilled tanks. I would say the U tube is safest then drilled and last by far CPR design. I have only set up a few thousand tanks though- so others may have differing experience. __________________ My views are based on 49years as an aquarist, 25 years as a pro reef consultant, 10 years of owning a LFS, and the results of thousands of customers tanks. But I am always learning.

12/06/2008, 01:47 PM	#9
thomasp123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hadley MA Posts: 345	Well my local fish store sold me an overflow box that looks idential to the life reef. I started this thread because I got nervous about spilling the contents of the tank on the floor. So I thought I should check it all out. Thanks Tom

12/06/2008, 02:10 PM	#11
LockeOak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 839	I use an Amiracle on mine, I haven't had any issues with it in the year that I've had it. I have to admit that sometimes it makes me nervous though... next tank will be drilled.

12/06/2008, 02:33 PM	#13
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	Lifereef here for three years and not one single problem. Getting ready to move to a drilled tank though. __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

12/06/2008, 03:38 PM	#14
thomasp123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hadley MA Posts: 345	Hop It does not seem to have a brand I think the lfs has them made locally. The place is called tropic isle in framingham MA. They are a really nice sore for this hobbie.

12/06/2008, 03:46 PM	#15
thomasp123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hadley MA Posts: 345	excuse me store!

12/06/2008, 04:39 PM	#16
noboddi Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 813	I would advise using two overflow boxes. That way, if one has a problem, you are still okay. I don't trust overflows though. Drilling is much better. I would do HOT before overflows. Very few things fail as often as an overflow. I can recommend LifeReef. The support and quality is excellent. __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem - William of Ockham Current Tank Info: 55 gallon (36x18x20), 40 gallon sump, 25 gallon refugium, TEK 6x39w fixture, Osmolator, Kalk Reactor, Vortech MP20, 2 Koralia 3s on controller, Acropora, Anthelia, Montipora, Starry Blenny, Yellow Watchman, Rainford Goby, Tiger Gobies

12/06/2008, 05:40 PM	#17
thomasp123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hadley MA Posts: 345	I agree that drilling is better but the tank is full of water and animals. swapping tanks is not really an option. Wife would entertain a new tank sometime after my youngest is out of college. she is currently in 3rd grade. I have a bit of time to go. Tom

12/06/2008, 05:48 PM	#18
mystikdragon7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mill Creek, WA Posts: 1,051	Dude go for LifeReef!!! They are the best IMHO. Don't get a CPR overflow, I have come home to many soaking wet floors before. __________________ Patience is a vitrue Current Tank Info: 60gal reef, 2 175 watt MH, 2 95 watt VHO Actinics, 20 gal sump; 30gal FOWLR, pair of B&W baby perculas

12/06/2008, 10:23 PM	#19
reefwisher Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 402	I have the Eshopps 800 overflow, Been running since May of 2008 and not one single problem. Even when I have shut my return pump down for mainteance, it start right back up without any trouble. No siphon break or nothing. I have my faith in it. I have look at the Lifereef overflow and heard of good result with it and no doubt it a good product. But for my budget I went with the Eshopp and would do it again. It has proven itself to me.

12/07/2008, 09:57 PM	#20
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	Re: what is the best brand of overflow box? Pretty hard to find choices for overflows on the net. I think Truvue ?Aquatics?/?Acrylics? makes one. I am using a 20g now, just put in a sump, want a refugium, and want to drill my 46g next spring. If I went with an overflow, it would probably be Life Reef. Just seems so darned expensive for a plastic box. I'd be much more comfortable if they were around $50 instead of over a $100. Probably buy 2 right off the bat. Anyway, nobody seems to like the functionality of the newer design that the market is pushing.