Best Overflow to purchase
- Thread starter yzfr6
- Start date
Avi
Premium Member
If you're referring to an over-the-side kind of overflow because your tank isn't drilled or "reef-ready" then I'd say that the kind of overflow box that has a U-tube is the best. I've got two of those kind of overflows on my 120-gallon reef and they've been reliable for many years. If, on the other hand, you're considering a brand-new tank, get one that's "reef-ready" which means that the overflow is already installed inside the tank...by the manufacturer.
Fizz71
FragSwapper
Along the lines of what Avi said...go drilled if you can. HOWEVER...if you need an "up and over" type overflow....
I used a CPR overflow for about 2 years. It worked, but I had to use an aqualifter to keep it from siphon breaking and that was an added cost and added maintenance hassle. If I had to do it again I wouldn't buy a CPR. I'd probably look at a U-Tube designs or look into some of the newer boxes.
I used a CPR overflow for about 2 years. It worked, but I had to use an aqualifter to keep it from siphon breaking and that was an added cost and added maintenance hassle. If I had to do it again I wouldn't buy a CPR. I'd probably look at a U-Tube designs or look into some of the newer boxes.
kraze3
New member
if you cant drill...
http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html
http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html
any eshopps Hob (hang on the back ) will do like the one on foster & smiths Ive had an eshopps hob for a year and never had trouble with the siphon when the power goes out or I stop the pump when I feed it starts right back up again but as fizz said an aqulifter will ensure that doesnt happen...As long as the water in the over flow stays above the u tube I got mine of Ebay but with some research
Agreed.
I have one laying around and if you are interested in it, PM me.
kzickovich
Member
you don't have to pay the extra money for lifereef when eshopps is the same thing cheaper. I have been running one for two years now and not one problem with it.
shuguley
New member
I disagree about eshopps being the same thing. While the design is the same, the eshopps have had some quality control issues and some people have gotten them that did not work correctly without being modded.
Get the Lifereef overflow, it's extremely well made, and well worth the extra money for peace of mind. I've been running mine for 9 months and it has been tested probably 100+ times. It has never lost it's siphon once.
cardiffgiant
Active member
I used a cpr style with a lift pump for nearly 2 years. Based on my experience, I would classify this method as "high risk" and would never use one again.
It couldn't restart after power failures, and I had 2 tom aquatics pumps fail, causing a risk of my return pump and auto top off flooding my display.
I've heard great things about the U tube overflows.
It couldn't restart after power failures, and I had 2 tom aquatics pumps fail, causing a risk of my return pump and auto top off flooding my display.
I've heard great things about the U tube overflows.
Toddrtrex
Premium Member
And I am one of those people. I have a Lifereef on my 75 -- been running for 7+ years without an issue. Have a Eshopps on my 29 (( now 30 cube )) and I had a modify it so it wouldn't lose the siphon when the main pump is turned off.
If I had it to do all over again I would have spent the extra money and picked up another LifeReef one. Sure they are more expensive, but factor in how long they last and the peace of mind they provide, it is well worth it.
Avi
Premium Member
Well, there are differences on the manufacturer...and Lifereef is generally considered to be the best made of all of the over-the-tank overflows for undrilled tanks...but the consensus is obviously that you should go with the kind that uses the U-tube ("up and over")...which all of the recommended ones here, do.
