Best overflow box

[lunker101]

I've had my reef tank running for over 3 years now, and the overflow box has stopped twice in the last two months. For 3 years, i had no problems, but now i've had two recent disasters. I've heard that there are boxes now that are pretty much flood proof. What are the best ones? Thank you

[DarG]

Lifereef is the best built and is reliable, wont lose siphon. But expensive compared to some others. I figure that if you are going to use a HOB you may as well use the best.
www.lifereef.com

[RandyStacyE]

This helped me with my overflow. I made my own U-tube out of PVC pipe. I drilled a little hole in the elbow, inserted a nipple, and connected a long length of 1/4" OD vinyl tubing. This hose runs down to my sump. I also use a small hose clamp like shown in this page:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/...etail/iid/8333



A different overflow may be a viable solution, but you may be able to make yours more reliable.

The purpose of this little hose is to suck out any air that may accumulate in the U-tube ... if any. This hose also is a wonderful thing to have for when you want to prime the U-tube. I'm sure by now that anyone who has ever owned a siphon overflow knows what I'm talking about. Just suck on the hose and the U-tube is primed.

Just let the little hose siphon water down to the sump for a while and then clamp it off. Sometimes I let it run overnight or for a couple days straight.

Just know that if you allow the hose to run and if the electricity goes out for a few minutes ... you'll be in big trouble. Letting this hose run for long periods is not wise ... it's a gamble for sure.

If the electricity goes out the hose will continue to siphon water out of the overflow until the U-tube breaks siphon. When the electricity kicks back on then the sump will be drained into the display tank with NO functioning overflow. Bad news.

[RandyStacyE]

Another way to help your overflow work better would be to shorten your standpipe a bit.

[DarG]

Aqualifter pump ... thats what I use to start siphon in the U-tubes when I replace them after cleaning.

[nietzsche]

what's the design on the overflowbox you have? its kind of weird seeing these topics since im pretty new to having one setup, but dont they have a compartment in the back that keeps the water with the u-tube along with the one in the prefilter box? if it ever stops it doesnt drain any water out and itll resume siphon once the pump starts. also i have an Iwaki WMD20RLXT for my nano and bubbles dont seem to stick around in the u-tube

[kdblove_99]

Lifereef. Owned them. they are great

[Octopussie]

as long as your siphon tube is below your stand pipe you wont ever lose siphon.

[siwelk]

Originally posted by Octopussie
as long as your siphon tube is below your stand pipe you wont ever lose siphon.

isnt there always a chance that the U-tube could build up an air bubble over time and cause it to lose siphon? im sure this might take a while and should surely not go unnoticed if you make it part of your maitenance routine, but it is possible no?


btw, im going with a lifereef for my 30g builld. just spoke to Jeff today to get a quote on a custom 600gph prefilter.

[sjm817]

Originally posted by siwelk
isnt there always a chance that the U-tube could build up an air bubble over time and cause it to lose siphon? i

Not really. If all the bubbles are constantly pushed through, they wont accumulate....ever. I've seen people who have run them 6 - 7 years without a problem.

[mdelcomyn]

Lifereef, Huricane and Amiracle are all considered top quality.
Bubbles shouldn't be a problem as long as water is moving through the tube quickly enough. Slower water flow, whatever the cause, leads to bubble accumulation. Usually cleaning the tube will clear it up.

[nw2rfing]

stay away from CPR... i have one and have had 3 floods. Mine is famous for traping an air bubble, and causing an overflow.... its a nice overflow because it is a coninuous chamber versus a big tube over your tank, but now worth the asthetic apeal it may have.

[Beach Native]

Lifereef....never fails and not dependent on anything mechanical!

[IPT]

CPR = many floods . I'm drilled now