lifereef overflows?

[Fishdude1984]

i am setting up a 30 gallon cube, i do not want to drill the tank so i was thinking about an overflow, i hear that the Lifereefs are the best, is this true? and if so why is that?

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

lifereef overflows work so well because of the U tube overflow design. if set up properly they rarely ever fail. that said same goes with any type of U tube overflow.

stay away from the cpr type overflows they seem to fail quite often. and also need an aqualifter pump to keep the syphon.

 

[JayB1224]

Ive had a Lifereef overflow for 2 years now. Has never failed once with a power outage, and has never failed when i shut the pump off for feedings which is twice a day.

Like kau_cinta_ku said, stay away from the cpr type, stick with the u-tube style.

 

[landlord]

Mine has been flawless!

 

[sjm817]

Yes the LR are the best overflows out there. They design their overflows using principles that make a strong siphon. They have a new smaller model that would work well on a 30G.

 

[newmoon]

LR overflows are very good, i used some in the past. For a cheaper and good alternative, try these: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+18358&pcatid=18358

I also used them and they did a great job also. Same principle as the LifeReef.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

Why do some people have trouble with other U tube designs like the ESHOPPS??

I used the ESHOPPS for months & months without trouble.

 

[kdblove_99]

I would only own a LR overflow.

 

[SeanT]

Re: lifereef overflows?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12582932#post12582932 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishdude1984
i am setting up a 30 gallon cube, i do not want to drill the tank

I know you say you don't want to but I say get it drilled.
It is cheaper, a LOT safer, and leaves you more room in the tank.

JMO,
Sean

 

[Rembee]

The lifereef prefilter over flow box is the best on the market. Just be sure if you do order one that you also order a optional AquaSilencer so it will run more quiet and order an extra siphon u-tube. The tubes are made of acrylic and if you drop it, it will break.

 

[Fishdude1984]

i was thinking about buying the mini, but there is no optional AquaSilencer for the mini, what would i be looking at Noise wise? how loud are they?

 

[okiejaco]

Mine makes a gurgling sound. Kind of like a flushing toilet. I made my own silencer. It was pretty easy and cost about $5. Not sure if you can make one for the mini. good luck

 

[Richieboy]

How does the lifereef overlow automatically start a siphon?

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12587541#post12587541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Richieboy
How does the lifereef overlow automatically start a siphon?

It doesn't. When you install it, you have to initially start the siphon going. From then on, the siphon is maintained.

 

[tonga_man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12587541#post12587541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Richieboy
How does the lifereef overlow automatically start a siphon?

Actually it doesn't start a siphon, you must start it the first time manually. After that, because of the design, if the power goes out or for some reason or your return pump(s) are stopped the siphon never breaks but the water flow does. This is because both ends of the U-Tube always are submerged. The water flow continues back to the tank as the pumps are turned back on. This princible is for all U-Tube type overflows.

 

[gsbobcat]

I too own a lifereef and I love it ! I have tried to make it fail and can't do it. It restarts it's siphon by not actually losing it. There is two compartments in the rear of the box, in the small one where the U tube goes the water is the same hight as the box inside the tank therefore the water never actually breaks siphon. It restarts when the return pump pushes water back in the tank, raises the level in the first and second chambers of the box, then overflows back into the drain line to the sump. There was a 600 gph lifereef on the used selling pages for $80 shipped.

 

[FranktheTankTx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12587600#post12587600 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonga_man
Actually it doesn't start a siphon, you must start it the first time manually. After that, because of the design, if the power goes out or for some reason or your return pump(s) are stopped the siphon never breaks but the water flow does. This is because both ends of the U-Tube always are submerged. The water flow continues back to the tank as the pumps are turned back on. This princible is for all U-Tube type overflows.

If this is the case... all U tube overflows should work flawlessly. So an ESHOPPS, which is $70 cheaper than a LifeReef should work just fine. Like I said earlier... I owned a ESHOPPS for about 7 or 8 months and it never failed. So for whatever reason, I feel safe with them.

 

[sjm817]

Eshopps have had some QC issues such as the U Tube being too short causing them to lose siphon when power is off.

There are other design difference that are not readily apparent. There are basic principles of what makes a strong siphon that are not unique to an aquarium overflow. The Lifereef is designed better than other overflows because they paid attention to this. This is why the LR flows better than other overflows and has a flawless record for reliability.

 

[stchris]

I've used the Amiracle overflows that came with my wet dry for over 10 years with no problems whatsoever. Basically the same design as a Lifereef. Anyone have any good experience with the Marineland SOS overflow box ?

 

[sjm817]

Never used the Marineland, but I have used the Amiracles. Nice overflow, very reliable, but it can only handle 1/2 as much flow as a Lifereef. This is the type of thing you would not realize just by looking at them.