lifereef overflows?
- Thread starter Fishdude1984
- Start date
Toddrtrex
Premium Member
I have both a Lifereef and an Eshoops one. If I had could do it all over again I would have spent the extra money and picked up another Lifereef.
There are quality control issues with the Eshoops ones, the baffle in the back ( outside tank ) box isn't high enough on mine. I had to add a piece of PVC to the U-tube so that it wouldn't lose siphon each time I turned off the main pump.
As for my Lifereef one -- going on 5 years now, and the only time that it has lost its siphon is when I pulled the U-tube out on my own.
There are quality control issues with the Eshoops ones, the baffle in the back ( outside tank ) box isn't high enough on mine. I had to add a piece of PVC to the U-tube so that it wouldn't lose siphon each time I turned off the main pump.
As for my Lifereef one -- going on 5 years now, and the only time that it has lost its siphon is when I pulled the U-tube out on my own.
greenmonkey51
New member
I have a life reef and it works pretty well. Only bad thing is its not wide enough to go across the tank frame. I had to monkey rig it, but the next one I buy will be custom.
FranktheTankTx
New member
That's odd. So when people say they are having QC issues, it's more of a they didn't build a few particularly right? I guess mine was built fundamentally sound... I never had an issue. Trust me, I had plenty of power outages. I just can't justify forking over $120 for an overflow box when I can get one for $40 that worked fine for me for 7 or 8 months.
Really ? How did you come to that conclusion ? Each one of mine has a 1" bulkhead and I would think some of the factors that come into play would be the type, length and inner dia. of tubing used (flex, vinyl or pvc), number of bends (if any), dia. and length of the overflow tube (U-tube). All else being equal ... isn't a 1" bulkhead rated for 600gph ?
Really ? How did you come to that conclusion ? Each one of mine has a 1" bulkhead and I would think some of the factors that come into play would be the type, length and inner dia. of tubing used (flex, vinyl or pvc), number of bends (if any), dia. and length of the overflow tube (U-tube). All else being equal ... isn't a 1" bulkhead rated for 600gph ?
How? Easy. I owned them both. The Amiracle could not handle the flow of a Mag7. A Mag5 maxed it out. Both overflows were connected to the exact same 1" drain plumbing. I had a union fitting on the plumbing when I swapped them out. The LR easily handled the flow of a Mag7 and when I swapped that pump out for an Eheim 1260 (which has in reality a lot more flow that a Mag7), it easily handled that as well. An Amiracle (and most other) overflows cant actually flow anywhere near the 600 GPH they are "rated" for. This is what sets a LR apart from other brands.
There is more to it than tubing size diameter. I'll give you a hint:
Take a bucket, put a hose in it and start a siphon. Have the hose end just a little lower that the surface of the bucket. Now put the hose end a few inches lower. What happens? You can also do a search on Bernoulli's equation for more info.
There is more to it than tubing size diameter. I'll give you a hint:
Take a bucket, put a hose in it and start a siphon. Have the hose end just a little lower that the surface of the bucket. Now put the hose end a few inches lower. What happens? You can also do a search on Bernoulli's equation for more info.
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I've used both Hurricane and Lifereef overflows. I cannot speak for the Eshopps but I do believe that the Hurricane is similar in price and construction to the Hurricane and the Hurricane also uses the same u-tube design.
The Lifereef wins hands down for quality of construction alone - it's a rock solid piece of acrylic art. The Hurricane felt very flimsy by comparison. I can also attest to the fact that the Lifereef could flow more than the Hurricane using the same return pump (Eheim 1260).
Both worked fine but the Lifereef was worth the premium paid.
The Lifereef wins hands down for quality of construction alone - it's a rock solid piece of acrylic art. The Hurricane felt very flimsy by comparison. I can also attest to the fact that the Lifereef could flow more than the Hurricane using the same return pump (Eheim 1260).
Both worked fine but the Lifereef was worth the premium paid.
FranktheTankTx
New member
Well, I didn't start this thread... but I ordered an ESHOPPS last night. I agree that the consensus is the LifeReef overflow box is built rock solid & works flawlessly, but I just could not justify spending $120 for a nano overflow box when I could get an ESHOPPS for $40.
First of all, I have experience with ESHOPPS model. It never failed on me once. If it won't fail for 7 months... I don't think it will fail. If the U tube is designed correctly a U tube overflow box will not fail. By all accounts, I thought the ESHOPPS was designed just fine.
Is it designed as well or better than the LifeReef? I don't know, & by all accounts on this thread (and in others' I have read, probably not. But it's built well & not a POS.
I've always felt like LifeReef is over priced... & in a hobby where $$$ adds up... I felt I could save $80 here & yet get a quality product that does what I need it to. Trust me, I will run it through a series of tests to ensure it's reliability.
Wish me the best.
P.S. Anyone in the market for one of these... Dr. Foster's is having a sale on them & many other items. I encourage you to check them out. My previous box never failed on me in 7 or 8 months.
First of all, I have experience with ESHOPPS model. It never failed on me once. If it won't fail for 7 months... I don't think it will fail. If the U tube is designed correctly a U tube overflow box will not fail. By all accounts, I thought the ESHOPPS was designed just fine.
Is it designed as well or better than the LifeReef? I don't know, & by all accounts on this thread (and in others' I have read, probably not. But it's built well & not a POS.
I've always felt like LifeReef is over priced... & in a hobby where $$$ adds up... I felt I could save $80 here & yet get a quality product that does what I need it to. Trust me, I will run it through a series of tests to ensure it's reliability.
Wish me the best.
P.S. Anyone in the market for one of these... Dr. Foster's is having a sale on them & many other items. I encourage you to check them out. My previous box never failed on me in 7 or 8 months.
I'm looking to upgrade to a better overflow system, currently I have two CPR 90's and had two quesitons.
1. Will I need two of the 600gph LR overflow? I have got an eheim 1260 as a return and the sump to the display is about 4 feet.
2. Do I need two of them or just one?
Thanks in advance
1. Will I need two of the 600gph LR overflow? I have got an eheim 1260 as a return and the sump to the display is about 4 feet.
2. Do I need two of them or just one?
Thanks in advance
Daniel.luu
New member
trd47 - when you order LR overflow, he will tell you which tube you need.
I have used both overflow. I found that if you use the LR U-tube on a regular overflow box, it will work just as well.
I think due to the LR U-tube thin and long design less bubbles likely to form inside, hence never lose siphon.
Due to bigger and shorter design from other overflow box, air will likely form inside tube and cause it break.
If you currently have an overflow box from any manufacturers, just order a u-tube from LR and you're set. save a few bucks...
I have used both overflow. I found that if you use the LR U-tube on a regular overflow box, it will work just as well.
I think due to the LR U-tube thin and long design less bubbles likely to form inside, hence never lose siphon.
Due to bigger and shorter design from other overflow box, air will likely form inside tube and cause it break.
If you currently have an overflow box from any manufacturers, just order a u-tube from LR and you're set. save a few bucks...
Lifereef does make a Dual so you wouldnt need two singles regardless. Not sure what the actual flow rate of the 1260 is after the losses you would have but I think the LR single claims to handle 800 GPH. Im not sure if I would push it to that limit because things happen over time that can slow the flow rate (slime buildup in the drain for example). But for 700 GPH or less I would think a single LR would be fine. I use a Dual and have about 900 GPH or a little more.
Double check with LR of rated flow, it is on the site. Then run the 1260 through the head loss calculator in this site. I think it will be prefectly fine but I would double check.
Good luck.
