cpr overflow boxes
- Thread starter apapas
- Start date
thats what mine does now it doesn't totally loose it but slows down alot. it just makes me worry if i'm out of town for a day or so. I don't want to over flow my tank or burn up my return pump. I was just wondering if it was worth buying a cpr I can get one for 130 bucks thats rated for 1300 gph
Normally if they lose the siphon it is because the box is too high on the tank or there is an obstruction on the box screen. From what I have seen this allows 1 of 2 things to happen - you get a waterfall effect where bubbles are created, get sucked into the tube and sometimes collect at the top of it OR the low level of water in the box allows the tube to pull like an undertow of air from the surface.
I have 2 no name boxes on a 75g for several years now and I can not remember the last time either lost a siphon. I keep the slits about 3/4 the way underwater. I do not think changing boxes will change anything for you - a box/tube is a box/tube.
I have 2 no name boxes on a 75g for several years now and I can not remember the last time either lost a siphon. I keep the slits about 3/4 the way underwater. I do not think changing boxes will change anything for you - a box/tube is a box/tube.
LtPiper
Active member
Mine are no name knockoffs off ebay I got really cheap. Had them year and a half now and not had a problem. I would suggest if your worried about overflows just to be safe double up. I have two 1300gph on my 55 and my return pump is only rated at 900 so I'm pretty well covered and is probably the reason mine loose suction as often as they do.
MattG
Premium Member
I use a lifereef and it works great. A cheaper alternative that works well is the amiracle.
With u-tube overflows you want to get your return as close to the max the overflow can handle. This is kind of counter intuitive.
You want to maximize the flow through the u-tube so that any bubbles that get trapped in the u-tube get pushed through. If the velocity through the u-tube is high enough the bubbles will never accumulate.
If you dont want to run very much water through your sump you can get different diameter u-tubes.
you should NOT have to restart a properly functioning utube under normal circumstances. I have never once had to restart my lifereef over the last ~2 years other then to pull it out and clean it.
With u-tube overflows you want to get your return as close to the max the overflow can handle. This is kind of counter intuitive.
You want to maximize the flow through the u-tube so that any bubbles that get trapped in the u-tube get pushed through. If the velocity through the u-tube is high enough the bubbles will never accumulate.
If you dont want to run very much water through your sump you can get different diameter u-tubes.
you should NOT have to restart a properly functioning utube under normal circumstances. I have never once had to restart my lifereef over the last ~2 years other then to pull it out and clean it.
Last time I had it out I was able to determine the following:
Comes w/U-tubes and sponge filters. No drain hoses included. It is a sticker on it that says "Aqualine Aquatic Support," and it has instructions with it. The instructions are entitled "Instructions for: Pre-Filter 60/100 and 150/200;" therefore, since it is a dual model, I'm gonna say I believe it's a 150/200, which I am assuming is gallons. The skimmer box clear and is 9" wide & 3 1/4" deep & 5 1/2" tall. The box that hangs on the back is 8 3/4" wide & 3 1/4" deep & 8 1/4" tall. The back wall of this box (the part that is back to back w/the display tank) is colored white and is a little over 9 1/2" tall, just slightly longer than the other walls. It has 2 U-tubes and sponge filters, and 2 bulk-headed drainage tubes. Hoses not included. Never been used.
Comes w/U-tubes and sponge filters. No drain hoses included. It is a sticker on it that says "Aqualine Aquatic Support," and it has instructions with it. The instructions are entitled "Instructions for: Pre-Filter 60/100 and 150/200;" therefore, since it is a dual model, I'm gonna say I believe it's a 150/200, which I am assuming is gallons. The skimmer box clear and is 9" wide & 3 1/4" deep & 5 1/2" tall. The box that hangs on the back is 8 3/4" wide & 3 1/4" deep & 8 1/4" tall. The back wall of this box (the part that is back to back w/the display tank) is colored white and is a little over 9 1/2" tall, just slightly longer than the other walls. It has 2 U-tubes and sponge filters, and 2 bulk-headed drainage tubes. Hoses not included. Never been used.
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