Hang on overflow?

[ImprezaSTi]

I already have a tank that has been setup for almost a year, and now I realize the importance of a sump. So I would like to get into some plumbing, to get the water from my tank to a sump and back, but what plumbing options do I have at this point? Drilling the tank is not an option, because that would be too much work (and I have tempered glass).

One thing I discovered is the CPR hang on overflow. The cheapest one costs $120 here locally, is it worth the price tag? If I get it, I believe it will only get the water from the tank to the sump, so how do I get the water back from the sump to the tank? Also, are there any cheaper alternatives or simple DIY projects? Thanks for your replies!

 

[calli]

To get the water up to the tank you would use a return pump... IMHO I would serously try to get a tank drilled...

only because of that small chance that you loose your syphon in the overflow and the pump keeps going... you have a 65 gallon tank? what do you have in it?? just fish?

EDIT: sorry I just see there that you have a tank with tempered glass.... maybe take that 120 bucks that you are going to spend on an overflow box and get a bigger tank and have it drilled.. use this time to upgrade.. and use the 65 as your sump..

 

[SkyPapa]

The Lifereef overflow http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html is a bit more expensive but a much better choice.I switched from a CPR.

You need a pump that is rated a little less than the overflow maximum and some tubing and a U tube type nozzle to get water back from the sump.
I have the 600 gph lifereef and a Mag 7 pump for a return. At a 6 ft head the mag 7 flows about 400gph.
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...umps-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

 

[Percula9]

Don't get the CPR overflow, The reason is, it requires a lift pump to maintain the siphon. If the pump fails the siphon will be lost and the return pump from the sump will flood your tank. You can get an Eshopps overflow box to hang on the back of the tank. It will not lose siphon if the power goes out. The cheapest unit is $40.00 on www.liveaquaria.com

 

[ahullsb]

Here is another vote against cpr overflows! I have had two and regret buying either one. The aqualifter pumps are unreliable and both of them have broken on me. You are risking losing a siphon based on this cheap 10 dollar pump. Lifereef seems to get much better reviews.

 

[markandkristen]

i love eheims depends on the height of your stand
i would get the 1250 if its not too high...

remember take your stand height plus 2 feet to get your head pressure..

 

[tmz]

You can rely on a U tube type overflow, if you keep it clean and maintain adequate flow. You can not rely on a CPR or other so called continuous siphon overflows. They loose siphon. I had four of them on basement tanks and finally found a good way to modify them after several floods by placing them in a container by the side of the road.

One of the display tanks in my dining room runs with U tube overflows. I use two on a 90 gallon tank each of which can handle the flow into the tank independently. So if one becomes clogged or for some reason should loose it's siphon the other will handle things. I have been running a total of 5 U tube overflows for about 4 years without any problems. My friend has run 10 in his lfs for over 10 years without a break.
Drilling is by far the best option. You can't beat gravity for consistency but this 90 is an established tank that I just did not want to take down.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I wouldn't get a CPR, I personally don't like the design.

Would strongly suggest getting a LifeReef one. Sure they are more expensive, but I feel that they are worth every penny. The damage that could be caused from flooding from a cheap overflow would be so much more money.

I have had a lifereef running on my 75 for 5+ years now, and never had a second of issues.

 

[calli]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13065772#post13065772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tmz
You can rely on a U tube type overflow, if you keep it clean and maintain adequate flow. You can not rely on a CPR or other so called continuous siphon overflows. They loose siphon. I had four of them on basement tanks and finally found a good way to modify them after several floods by placing them in a container by the side of the road.

One of the display tanks in my dining room runs with U tube overflows. I use two on a 90 gallon tank each of which can handle the flow into the tank independently. So if one becomes clogged or for some reason should loose it's siphon the other will handle things. I have been running a total of 5 U tube overflows for about 4 years without any problems. My friend has run 10 in his lfs for over 10 years without a break.
Drilling is by far the best option. You can't beat gravity for consistency but this 90 is an established tank that I just did not want to take down.

AMEN... this is why I say just use this as a chance to "UPGRADE" I relize I don't know what space you have. but I am sure if you have space for a 65 you should be ok with a bit bigger even a 75...

Also I was going to use the overflow box as well... I just figured that I may aswell do it right the first time... so I have that for me that I don't have a tank already set up but I would say it would be worth the hassle of starting a tank with a drilled setup.