40g non drilled overflow

Daneek155 · 10/03/2012, 06:41 AM

I have a 40g breeder tank that I set up like a 2 months ago.i am currently running a fluval 305 while I get my sump figured out. It's going to be a reef tank eventually. I didn't want to drill the tank,don't ask why I know I should have but now it's to late...

What overflow boxes are the best that you guys had experience with.

Any advice will help thanks

Asianleful · 10/03/2012, 06:59 AM

I always hear good about Eshopps.

Daneek155 · 10/03/2012, 12:30 PM

anyone else want to chime in

todd141 · 10/03/2012, 02:57 PM

I have a LifeReef prefilter. Been working flawlessly for the last 3 or so years I've had it running. Never an issue.

moondoggy4 · 10/03/2012, 04:52 PM

If you get the Lifereef overflow get the nano model.

Michigan Mike · 10/03/2012, 05:01 PM

Yes to life reef. I wouldn't get the nano though.

Daneek155 · 10/03/2012, 05:44 PM

yeah on my researching thats what alot of people like the life reef one., how often do you have to clean the overflow and for water changes will the siphon start automatically

Fig · 10/03/2012, 06:59 PM

LifeReef yes the siphon will restart after power outages ect.

Daneek155 · 10/03/2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fig

LifeReef yes the siphon will restart after power outages ect.

i mean say when i do a water change, i turn off my pump and the water that's in the aquarium will be drained more than the beginning of the u tube. will it start automatically as the water fills back up???

If anyone here also had accidents let me know why and how they happened.
thanks alot

Michigan Mike · 10/03/2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daneek155

i mean say when i do a water change, i turn off my pump and the water that's in the aquarium will be drained more than the beginning of the u tube. will it start automatically as the water fills back up???

If anyone here also had accidents let me know why and how they happened.
thanks alot

Dropping the u tube would be an accident....

Daneek155 · 10/03/2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michigan Mike

Dropping the u tube would be an accident....

the return pump would be turned off when the water reached below the u tube

Orm Embar · 10/03/2012, 08:49 PM

From what I have heard and read over the years (and what I would personally use), Lifereef or drilled tank. Lifereef has a reputation for reliability. Do NOT go with a CPR style one, or any overflow that needs an airpump/powerhead to keep it working IMO.

Daneek155 · 10/03/2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orm Embar

From what I have heard and read over the years (and what I would personally use), Lifereef or drilled tank. Lifereef has a reputation for reliability. Do NOT go with a CPR style one, or any overflow that needs an airpump/powerhead to keep it working IMO.

thanks i will be going with the life reef one.
is there any improvements to it you guys have done to be safe just encase??

moondoggy4 · 10/03/2012, 10:24 PM

I have a Lifereef 600 gph model on a 33 gallon tank I used to run a Eheim 1250 pump and a Eco 433 pump combined and that was not enough flow. I would get air bubbles in the U tube and I could not get them out so I would have to remove the U-tube and start the siphon again. I use a Eheim 2000 compact and that is enough, hugh flow for a 33 gallon tank.
I just bought a 40 breeder and I am going to drill it and get rid of the LR overflow.

Daneek155 · 10/21/2012, 01:23 PM

I'm debating still what to do. It costs the same for me to buy a life reef overflow box or a new 40 g tank and the overflow kit from gl*******s.com.
What my concern is how bad will I screw my whole cycle up? Is there a way to do the without killing everything in the tank?

Daneek155 · 10/21/2012, 07:32 PM

Need help on what to do

moondoggy4 · 10/21/2012, 09:20 PM

Is the 1 dollar per gallon tank sale going on at Petco buy another tank have that drilled and swap over the old tank into the new tank then sell the old tank. Or get a 40 gallon brute trash can and put all of the water rock and livestock in the trash can and drill the tank.
Buy the nano overflow box from Lifereef. Easiest way that is what I did, but I am going to a 40 gallon tank and will drill it first.

Daneek155 · 10/22/2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Is the 1 dollar per gallon tank sale going on at Petco buy another tank have that drilled and swap over the old tank into the new tank then sell the old tank. Or get a 40 gallon brute trash can and put all of the water rock and livestock in the trash can and drill the tank.
Buy the nano overflow box from Lifereef. Easiest way that is what I did, but I am going to a 40 gallon tank and will drill it first.

Well i am planning to upgrade to a 75 tank within a year that i will drill.have you had any problems with your nano overflow? Im not convinced that its safe yet

moondoggy4 · 10/22/2012, 07:26 PM

I have the Lifereef 600 gph model on a 33 gallon tank, the only problem that you will receive is if your return pump is not strong enough, you will get bubbles in the U-tube and you will have to break siphon to clear them. Make sure you use the pump that they recommend and buy an extra U-tube not expensive but easier to clean one while the other is up an running, they can be brittle to be careful when you are cleaning it, no sharp points.
They are safe.

mr. pluto · 10/22/2012, 11:37 PM

you don't have to break the siphon if you have air bubbles in your u tube.
just get a gallon bucket & pour it in the tank close to the overflow box.
the added water pressure will drive the bubbles out.

Reeferz412 · 10/23/2012, 12:00 PM

Lifereef, never heard a bad review from them.

Timber77 · 10/23/2012, 12:49 PM

Any u tube style brand names mean nothing on this item.... the inherent design defect is air bubbles building up to the point you lose suction, tank overflows...big mess.

any external overflow is always gonna be a problem point, snails, debris, etc. no big deal if your a hands on person, but when i ran a tank with one it was always a concern.... drill it once and nevery have to worry.

10/03/2012, 06:41 AM	#1
Daneek155 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 94	40g non drilled overflow I have a 40g breeder tank that I set up like a 2 months ago.i am currently running a fluval 305 while I get my sump figured out. It's going to be a reef tank eventually. I didn't want to drill the tank,don't ask why I know I should have but now it's to late... What overflow boxes are the best that you guys had experience with. Any advice will help thanks

10/03/2012, 02:57 PM	#4
todd141 Golf Nut Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Centerville, OH Posts: 385	I have a LifeReef prefilter. Been working flawlessly for the last 3 or so years I've had it running. Never an issue. __________________ This is my fancy signature..... Current Tank Info: 75 gallon; Lifereef overflow; 18 gallon acrylic sump

10/03/2012, 08:49 PM	#12
Orm Embar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 667	From what I have heard and read over the years (and what I would personally use), Lifereef or drilled tank. Lifereef has a reputation for reliability. Do NOT go with a CPR style one, or any overflow that needs an airpump/powerhead to keep it working IMO. __________________ Mark (on AOL: Orm Embar) Quotes from my friends upon seeing my tank: "Hey, fresh sushi!"

10/23/2012, 12:00 PM	#21
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	Lifereef, never heard a bad review from them. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

10/03/2012, 06:59 AM	#2
Asianleful Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 21	I always hear good about Eshopps.

10/03/2012, 12:30 PM	#3
Daneek155 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 94	anyone else want to chime in

10/03/2012, 04:52 PM	#5
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	If you get the Lifereef overflow get the nano model.

10/03/2012, 05:01 PM	#6
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Yes to life reef. I wouldn't get the nano though.

10/03/2012, 05:44 PM	#7
Daneek155 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 94	yeah on my researching thats what alot of people like the life reef one., how often do you have to clean the overflow and for water changes will the siphon start automatically

10/03/2012, 06:59 PM	#8
Fig Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 817	LifeReef yes the siphon will restart after power outages ect.

10/03/2012, 10:24 PM	#14
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I have a Lifereef 600 gph model on a 33 gallon tank I used to run a Eheim 1250 pump and a Eco 433 pump combined and that was not enough flow. I would get air bubbles in the U tube and I could not get them out so I would have to remove the U-tube and start the siphon again. I use a Eheim 2000 compact and that is enough, hugh flow for a 33 gallon tank. I just bought a 40 breeder and I am going to drill it and get rid of the LR overflow.

10/21/2012, 01:23 PM	#15
Daneek155 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 94	I'm debating still what to do. It costs the same for me to buy a life reef overflow box or a new 40 g tank and the overflow kit from gl*******s.com. What my concern is how bad will I screw my whole cycle up? Is there a way to do the without killing everything in the tank?

10/21/2012, 07:32 PM	#16
Daneek155 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 94	Need help on what to do

10/21/2012, 09:20 PM	#17
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Is the 1 dollar per gallon tank sale going on at Petco buy another tank have that drilled and swap over the old tank into the new tank then sell the old tank. Or get a 40 gallon brute trash can and put all of the water rock and livestock in the trash can and drill the tank. Buy the nano overflow box from Lifereef. Easiest way that is what I did, but I am going to a 40 gallon tank and will drill it first.

10/22/2012, 07:26 PM	#19
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I have the Lifereef 600 gph model on a 33 gallon tank, the only problem that you will receive is if your return pump is not strong enough, you will get bubbles in the U-tube and you will have to break siphon to clear them. Make sure you use the pump that they recommend and buy an extra U-tube not expensive but easier to clean one while the other is up an running, they can be brittle to be careful when you are cleaning it, no sharp points. They are safe.

10/22/2012, 11:37 PM	#20
mr. pluto Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: bay area Posts: 1,191	you don't have to break the siphon if you have air bubbles in your u tube. just get a gallon bucket & pour it in the tank close to the overflow box. the added water pressure will drive the bubbles out.

10/23/2012, 12:49 PM	#22
Timber77 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 754	Any u tube style brand names mean nothing on this item.... the inherent design defect is air bubbles building up to the point you lose suction, tank overflows...big mess. any external overflow is always gonna be a problem point, snails, debris, etc. no big deal if your a hands on person, but when i ran a tank with one it was always a concern.... drill it once and nevery have to worry.