Cpr overflow

Bagz

New member
Why are these so bad. How can they fail if you buy the aqualifter pump. I have a U-tube style now its just i hate the overlfow box that sits in the tank its big. and the cpr has more of a steam line look to me..
 
I have a cintiuous CPR 1800 gph with two 1" outtakes. I have had it for 6 months. No problems....I have a buddy who has the same one and has had it for 2 yrs. Has had 1 flood due to a power outage. Lost a few fish...but over two years, that is not bad. Oh I do not have the aqualifter pump, Mine is hooked to a powerhead venturi outtake.
 
you get back siphon from your return manifold back into your sump an it overflows with the water from the display tank. It was not the fault of the overflow. He has since installed a check valve.
 
I would also stick with a u-tube overflow. I have the amiracle on my 75 and have had no problems. I have a CPR CS50 on my 29 and have had 2 overflows because of it. It is o.k. until the power goes out. What usually happens is crud builds up in the lines going to the aqua lifter and it loses suction. When the power goes out and then comes back on the syphon does not sart back up and walla, wet floors.... I now have to make sure and clean the air lines to the aqualifter every week or I am destined for another flood...
 
Been running a CPR for about 8 years now, connected to a Maxi jet 1200. I can't recall ever having a flood. I turn my return pump off daily for feeding and the overflow never fails to start up. I guess am lucky;) .
 
if you use the aqualifter it seems to clog and overflow. I use the maxijet 1200 as well as glaudds and just like him, have not had a problem.
 
I use the CPR with the aqualifter, and as long as you maintain it, no problems... you just gotta take care of your equipment!
 
I have a Lifereef hang on with a U-Tube design. Its great, depends on no pump or powerhead for reliability, starts right up after the power turns back on and has not lost siphon in the three years its been running.
 
The obvious advantage of a U Tube overflow, is it needs nothing additional to make it work. There is nothing to "plug in". It works totally on the laws of physics.

The air nipple clogging on the CPR is one common problem. Pump failure, airline vacuum leaks are others. Again, a U Tube overflow doesn't need anything. Nothing to clog, leak or fail. My CPR failed twice in 3 months from the air nipple clogging.
 
U Tube overflows are not all the same. There are some very poor ones being sold out there, and some good ones. One that I can vouch for since I have used it myself is the Amiracle Very reliable, well made. The only thing is like most all HOB overflows, it does not live up to its 600 GPH claim. It won't flow that. A Mag5 is about all it will handle. The Lifereef will flow twice what an Amiracle will. I dont know how they do it, but the LR will flow a ton more than other similar looking overflows.
 
Get a Lifereef. Keep your floor dry. U-tube overflows have higher water velocity through the tube which flushes any bubbles out. CPR overflows have such a slow water flow through the siphon, they rely on an external device to remove the trapped air bubbles. The external device, Aqualifter, maxijet or whatever, will eventually fail or clog and your overflow will stop, allowing the return pump in the sump to fill your tank beyond its capacity. Do a search for CPR overflows and you will find most that have used them have had a disaster of some sort. The Lifereef is a little bit more money but is really foolproof if not overwhelmed by too large of a return pump. Contact Jeff at Lifereef, he's a pretty freindly person to talk to.
 
thanks for all the imput. ill be ordering a lF overflow next week sometime i just need to get paid..
 
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