Overflow Box

[Dmoney]

I wanted to know what you guys would use for an overflow box for my 135 glass. The one I currently have keeps losing siphon so I have to watch it every other day so I won't overflow my sump. Do you fellow reefers have any suggestions? I'd figure to ask the locals this question so you can point me out to places to buy a good overflow box. I am not considering the cpr box because I heard you need a separate pump for it.

[SirLight1337]

If you wanna go with a store baught unit try the CPR C Sipon with the Aqualifter pump. The CS100 should be fine for what you need.

[gtrestoration]

How is it losing siphon?.... Is air collecting at the top of the u-tube? If so you may need to INCREASE flow which will in turn force small air bubbles out so they won't collect.

The only issue I have with them is if exposed to enough light algae will grow and restrict the flow which in time will cause problems.

SteveU

[bradleyj]

Here is what my cpr overflow looks like with the aqua pump and pre filter.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/tileman/100_3934Medium.jpg

[drake66]

the pictures is broke, although..i might be getting rid of my overflow box and replacing it with some pvc and a powerhead to pull my water down.

[gtrestoration]

Originally posted by drake66
the pictures is broke, although..i might be getting rid of my overflow box and replacing it with some pvc and a powerhead to pull my water down.

What happens when the power goes out?
How will you balance a power driven flow to the return pump flow?


SteveU

[drake66]

well when the power goes out, no flow up or down will be moving.. unlike an overflow box with a siphon, the pump will go out, but the siphon will keep going, and FLOODING the sump :p so.. :)

[gtrestoration]

So you'll be pumping water to the sump???

SteveU

[drake66]

thats my idea..not sure if its a proven and efficient method, so feel free to correct me

[gtrestoration]

This one has been running since December 2004 on the prop system and I've yet to touch it since set-up. That tank is being fed by a Mag-5 at 38" head.

http://img273.imageshack.us/img273/6271/ofw7tu.jpg

http://img273.imageshack.us/img273/5682/ofe7fm.jpg

SteveU

[Konadog]

Pumping water to the sump is a bad idea. It's very difficult to balance the outgoing water with the incoming water. Sooner or later one is going to go dry! That's why you drain with gravity and an overflow.

[drake66]

ah...! well i'm glad i came across this topic then :p

[Dmoney]

Hey thanks for the replies! hey steveu where did you get that box at? I need to get something like that but the way mine is set up, there's no u tube. hard to explain w/out pix but all I know is that it loses siphon and I need to change it to something that you just leave alone like the one steveu has.

[gtrestoration]

DM.... those types of u-tube overflows are about the least expense and any LFS worth their salt will have one in stock.
Is this more like the one you have...
http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD%5C150%5CCR1513.jpg

SteveU

[d34532]

Dmoney

This is what I did to my u-tube. Its self priming in the case siphon is lost. its plug to a powerhead in the tank.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a36/d34532/utubepriming.jpg

[drake66]

oOo..where'd you get that doohicky of a overflow?

[Dmoney]

Originally posted by gtrestoration
DM.... those types of u-tube overflows are about the least expense and any LFS worth their salt will have one in stock.
Is this more like the one you have...
http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD%5C150%5CCR1513.jpg

SteveU

Hey SteveU,
That is close to how my box looks except there's a tube hangin on top of it on the black portion of that box. This overflow box sucks because it loses siphon every 2 days then I have to suck on the tube again. I need something more consistent where I don't need to do much with it.

[gtrestoration]

DM... how much flow do you have... what pump and how much head?
If the small bubbles are not pushed up-over-and out of the tube they collect until siphon is lost.
I'd hazard a guess that 99% of the problems with these is not enough flow... the other 1% is to much flow. :lol:

SteveU