In Your Experience: Best overflow?

Kaos · 07/02/2006, 04:42 PM

I'm looking to add a sump/fuge to my 55gal. I would rather have a rr tank but since that would require me to break down this already est. tank and spend allot more $, I have decided to just add an external overflow. I had an overflow I bought from a builder on E-Bay that I had trouble w/ (had it on my old 29gal.). This time I hope to avoid the air bubble in the U-tube and problems w/ consistant water levels in my tank and sump.

So, anyone w/ an external overflow post your opinions, experiences, pros, and cons. Thanks, this will be a big help in my deciding on an overflow (so far it's between a LifeReef and CPR w/ pump).

sjm817 · 07/02/2006, 05:11 PM

Lifereef makes the best in the industry. CPR is on the opposite end of the spectrum. No comparison. And yes, I've used both as well as others. You want absolute reliability? Lifereef.

humbugy · 07/02/2006, 05:51 PM

ive been using marinelands S.O.S overflow, no problems for the last 4 years, i like em

Kaos · 07/02/2006, 10:02 PM

Thanks for the responses. I figure LifeReef will get allot of positive press and I think that may be the route I go. Hopefully I can find one for sale on a message board or E-Bay for a decent price.

Keep the experiences and opinions coming!

DocG · 07/02/2006, 11:46 PM

I have own a lifereef and a generic overflow (U-tube as well) bought from LFS. The lifereef is far, far superior!

Air bubbles in the U-tube are due to insufficient flow thru the U-tube. With a lifereef your tank levels will be very consistent. I feed my skimmer through my life reef overflow and there is no problems at all with fluctuating levels in the skimmer.

CeeGee · 07/02/2006, 11:52 PM

Lifereef here as well. Nicely made and seems to be very reliable. I would not hesitate to buy another if I couldn't get a RR tank.

HornetMech242 · 07/03/2006, 12:13 AM

There is nothing wrong with a CPR. I ran mine with a aqua lifter and prefilter for months. It went through three power outtages and restarted all three times with no flooding. I still dont understand why people put them down.

Chris

sjm817 · 07/03/2006, 08:00 AM

CPR works as long as nothing goes wrong. Failed pump, vacuum leak, and what happened to me twice in 3 months, a clog in the air nipple can spell disaster. Lifereef doesn't rely on external equipment to function. Both CPR and Lifereef have earned their reputations based on user experiences with the products.

outy · 07/03/2006, 12:36 PM

ive run u tubes or 8 years and they take allot more maintanance then the cpr i have a nice u tube in my basement i wont switch back to.

cpr just needs to be set up rite and you wont overflow.

sjm817 · 07/03/2006, 12:46 PM

Also having owned both, I would definitely disagree on the maintenance. In addition to the reliability problems of the CPR. They are a real pain to clean. They are one piece and there is no way to get to the channels to clean them. You have to take the whole thing off, soak the whole thing in a big bucket and spray it out with a hose. A U Tube overflow is 3 simple pieces which are easily serviced. The CPR needed daily checks to ensure proper operation. The Lifereef is never even a thought. I clean the U Tube out maybe once every couple of months which is a very simple matter.

CeeGee · 07/03/2006, 10:28 PM

what do you use to clean your U tube? I haven't even given mine another thought after getting it going.

Kaos · 07/03/2006, 10:38 PM

And, whats the best way to get the siphon started again when you put it back in the overflow? In the past I've used airline and run it up into the U-tube and then sucked the water back in.

e46mpower · 07/04/2006, 12:57 AM

I'm a newbie, started with saltwater tanks for about 4 months now. I got a CPR overflow from marinedepot.com I set it up once, and it has been working great so far. I turn the lifter pump/ overflow and return pump off twice a day for feedings, and it has always started up with no problems.

don954 · 07/04/2006, 12:58 AM

I wanted a sump system for my 60g hex tank im setting up for aggressive specimens, so i got a lifereef clone off ebay. I had a heck of a time getting the U tube started, so i drilled a 1/4" hole in the top and put in a ball valve with 1/4" threads on one side and quick-lock on the other (like most RO/DI systems have). I open the ball valve, suck the air out of the tube, and then close the valve. easy starting siphon tube now.

newty · 07/04/2006, 07:39 AM

With U-tubes, I submerge the tube in water, cover the ends with saran wrap and then place the sealed tube into the overflow weirs. At that point, the saran wrap can be removed and there is a contiguous amount of water in the weirs and in the u-tube.

Shawn

mufret · 07/04/2006, 07:47 AM

Insert a piece of airline tubing into the u-tube and then plug the other end of the airline into the venturi of a powerhead. Let your equipment suck out the air!

07/02/2006, 04:42 PM	#1
Kaos "Lurker" Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,131	In Your Experience: Best overflow? I'm looking to add a sump/fuge to my 55gal. I would rather have a rr tank but since that would require me to break down this already est. tank and spend allot more $, I have decided to just add an external overflow. I had an overflow I bought from a builder on E-Bay that I had trouble w/ (had it on my old 29gal.). This time I hope to avoid the air bubble in the U-tube and problems w/ consistant water levels in my tank and sump. So, anyone w/ an external overflow post your opinions, experiences, pros, and cons. Thanks, this will be a big help in my deciding on an overflow (so far it's between a LifeReef and CPR w/ pump). __________________ Ordinary people are the ones scared to be themselves.

07/02/2006, 05:11 PM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Lifereef makes the best in the industry. CPR is on the opposite end of the spectrum. No comparison. And yes, I've used both as well as others. You want absolute reliability? Lifereef. __________________ - Scott

07/02/2006, 10:02 PM	#4
Kaos "Lurker" Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,131	Thanks for the responses. I figure LifeReef will get allot of positive press and I think that may be the route I go. Hopefully I can find one for sale on a message board or E-Bay for a decent price. Keep the experiences and opinions coming! __________________ Ordinary people are the ones scared to be themselves.

07/03/2006, 08:00 AM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	CPR works as long as nothing goes wrong. Failed pump, vacuum leak, and what happened to me twice in 3 months, a clog in the air nipple can spell disaster. Lifereef doesn't rely on external equipment to function. Both CPR and Lifereef have earned their reputations based on user experiences with the products. __________________ - Scott

07/03/2006, 12:46 PM	#10
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Also having owned both, I would definitely disagree on the maintenance. In addition to the reliability problems of the CPR. They are a real pain to clean. They are one piece and there is no way to get to the channels to clean them. You have to take the whole thing off, soak the whole thing in a big bucket and spray it out with a hose. A U Tube overflow is 3 simple pieces which are easily serviced. The CPR needed daily checks to ensure proper operation. The Lifereef is never even a thought. I clean the U Tube out maybe once every couple of months which is a very simple matter. __________________ - Scott

07/02/2006, 05:51 PM	#3
humbugy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: bloomington, il Posts: 464	ive been using marinelands S.O.S overflow, no problems for the last 4 years, i like em

07/02/2006, 11:46 PM	#5
DocG Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 561	I have own a lifereef and a generic overflow (U-tube as well) bought from LFS. The lifereef is far, far superior! Air bubbles in the U-tube are due to insufficient flow thru the U-tube. With a lifereef your tank levels will be very consistent. I feed my skimmer through my life reef overflow and there is no problems at all with fluctuating levels in the skimmer.

07/02/2006, 11:52 PM	#6
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	Lifereef here as well. Nicely made and seems to be very reliable. I would not hesitate to buy another if I couldn't get a RR tank.

07/03/2006, 12:13 AM	#7
HornetMech242 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 786	There is nothing wrong with a CPR. I ran mine with a aqua lifter and prefilter for months. It went through three power outtages and restarted all three times with no flooding. I still dont understand why people put them down. Chris

07/03/2006, 12:36 PM	#9
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	ive run u tubes or 8 years and they take allot more maintanance then the cpr i have a nice u tube in my basement i wont switch back to. cpr just needs to be set up rite and you wont overflow.

07/03/2006, 10:28 PM	#11
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	what do you use to clean your U tube? I haven't even given mine another thought after getting it going. __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

07/03/2006, 10:38 PM	#12
Kaos "Lurker" Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,131	And, whats the best way to get the siphon started again when you put it back in the overflow? In the past I've used airline and run it up into the U-tube and then sucked the water back in. __________________ Ordinary people are the ones scared to be themselves.

07/04/2006, 12:57 AM	#13
e46mpower Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 131	I'm a newbie, started with saltwater tanks for about 4 months now. I got a CPR overflow from marinedepot.com I set it up once, and it has been working great so far. I turn the lifter pump/ overflow and return pump off twice a day for feedings, and it has always started up with no problems.

07/04/2006, 12:58 AM	#14
don954 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 258	I wanted a sump system for my 60g hex tank im setting up for aggressive specimens, so i got a lifereef clone off ebay. I had a heck of a time getting the U tube started, so i drilled a 1/4" hole in the top and put in a ball valve with 1/4" threads on one side and quick-lock on the other (like most RO/DI systems have). I open the ball valve, suck the air out of the tube, and then close the valve. easy starting siphon tube now.

07/04/2006, 07:39 AM	#15
newty Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moose country Posts: 148	With U-tubes, I submerge the tube in water, cover the ends with saran wrap and then place the sealed tube into the overflow weirs. At that point, the saran wrap can be removed and there is a contiguous amount of water in the weirs and in the u-tube. Shawn __________________ I am Canadian and I live in an igloo

07/04/2006, 07:47 AM	#16
mufret Moved On Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 144	Insert a piece of airline tubing into the u-tube and then plug the other end of the airline into the venturi of a powerhead. Let your equipment suck out the air!