Lifereef or CPR overflow?

[lunner]

Which ones you guys use? Lifereef or CPR overflow?

If I have a higher output return pump (ex1200GPH) with an overflow at 700max. I am guessing my tank will overflow?

Thanks

 

[sjm817]

Re: Lifereef or CPR overflow?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6517757#post6517757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lunner
Which ones you guys use? Lifereef or CPR overflow?

LR by a mile. You are comparing the best to the worst.

If I have a higher output return pump (ex1200GPH) with an overflow at 700max. I am guessing my tank will overflow?
Thanks

That is correct. Return pump must flow less after headloss than the overflow max capacity.

 

[marcrothschild]

I agree. I used a LR for years with zero failures.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I love mine LR too, great overflow box.

FYI, they also make a double overflow box rated at 1400 GPH

 

[lunner]

For a 55gal, is 1200GPH over kill?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Depends on how you have it set up. If you have spray bar, or multiple returns I don't thing so. My return pump is rated for 600 gph (75g). But I do have PHs in the tank that add another 1800 GPH.

 

[lunner]

heh that 1400gph LR overflow is quite a bit more then the 700gph.

So the LR is alot safer? I'm just worry more about over flooding...

 

[Toddrtrex]

I have never tried the CPR one, but I have read enough stories not to try it. Yea it is a bit expensive, but factor in what the cost of clean up if you had a flood, it doesn't seem that bad. I used that thought process before I bought mine, landlord would kill me if I flooded my apartment.

 

[sjm817]

For a 55G, 1400 GPH is HUGE overkill. The single is fine. Dont go overboard on the return pump either. A Mag5 or 7 would be good.

As far as reliable, the LR and CPR are on total opposite ends of the spectrum.

 

[lunner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6518676#post6518676 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
landlord would kill me if I flooded my apartment.

Heh mine too:lol:

 

[Spuds725]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6518590#post6518590 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lunner
For a 55gal, is 1200GPH over kill?

IMO yes that is big time overkill--- there is no rule you have to run a ton of flow through your sump.... YOu will be turning over the volume of your tank through your sump every 3 minutes at that flow.

You are paying for alot more power for circulation this way then you would be with a stream type pump (Seio or tunze)

I'm at the opposite extreme--- ... I run less then 200 GPH through my sump on my 135 gallon tank.... no microbubbles in my tank (I don't have or need any type of bubble trap)....

and ironically (or maybe its moronically) I use a CPR overflow.... mine has a backup though--- I have a single 3/4" bulkhead on my tank that can handle all my flow--- this feeds my skimmer and the CPR just dumps to my sump.....

I've never used the lifereef but most consider them better then the CPRs....

 

[lunner]

You guys are alot of help thanks!
:beer:

 

[Untamed12]

I've run a CPR for 2 years now and it has never lost the siphon in normal operations. I messed up the siphon action a couple of times by jamming my arm in/out of the tank which caused the siphon to "gulp" air. That's not a good thing to do with any siphon.

I run the PH connected to the siphon on my evaporation circuit. Whenever the evaporation cycle is "on", the PH comes on and sucks any small amount of air in the siphon out...just in case.

It works well, IMO.

...as per earlier advice, make sure the siphon can handle the volume you're sending to it...

 

[marcrothschild]

lunner....I would use a mag 7 or 9.5 for the LR single overflow. Smaller pumps lead to slower water velocity through the U tube which could potentially lead to bubbles collecting in the top of the tube.

 

[sjm817]

Mag9.5 properly plumbed is 800 GPH @ 4'. That is too much for the LR single and too much flow for a 55G display anyway. A Mag3 is plenty to keep the U Tube clear. Mag5 would be a nice size pump, Mag7 on the high side.

 

[king1522]

I have run both. The CPR never gave me any trouble, but honestly, I prefer Lifereef. The LR runs smooth and quite.
Don

 

[Ironsheikh]

I hooked up a cap 1800 in my 60 for extra movement and ended up blowing all my fish to the other side of the tank

 

[lunner]

May be this is the plan then:

55gal -> single LR overflow -> Ecosystem 3012 sump -> mag 7 ->

Right now there is a mag 24 that is doing the return, but that is to a 90gal... and there is a ball valve at the outlet flow of the water pump to control flow rate. Could I just keep that basic setup instead of changing to a mag 7 for a 55gal?

 

[sean_w_mcgrath]

Sorry, to butt in, but I have a related question: Say someone was to go with the double Lifereef overflow (1400 gph), would there be any problems with only running 700 gph through it? Would it cause siphon problems or anything like that?

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6526190#post6526190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sean_w_mcgrath
Sorry, to butt in, but I have a related question: Say someone was to go with the double Lifereef overflow (1400 gph), would there be any problems with only running 700 gph through it? Would it cause siphon problems or anything like that?

It would work. As long as you have at least 200 or so GPH through each tube you are fine. That is a BIG overflow. It will take up some space.