Newbie Question: Experiences with Siphon overflow boxes?

XSiVE

XSiVE

New member
Hi, community newbie here! I just found out this place existed today and Im so happy it's here :)

I've been interested in saltwater tanks for over 12 years, worked at a LFS (i read some of the stickies and learned terms! woohoo!) back when I was 15, 16 yrs old.. but I never had my own salt / reef tank until a few years ago when I set up my current 55Gal tank.

I dont like the current setup with an older fluval and an undergravel filter. It just doesnt sit right with me. I have never really liked that filtration method and want to convert it to an under-tank sump style system which I plan to attempt building first, but I will need a way to get water down to it!

Continuous Siphon overflow boxes.. I feel a little uncomfortable with the siphon method because I dont like the possibility of the siphon breaking and then the display tank overflowing. There are apparently pumps that help prevent that on some of these?? from some pics it looks like they just use a powerhead..

Anybody got some re-assurances for me?

also, any comments on some of the random ebay overflow boxes such as this one http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Continuous-...ryZ46310QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

compared to the apparent brand of choice(CPR?)?

Thanks for any help or comments you can provide :)
 
Welcome to RC

for overflow boxes, if its a u-tube style, you'll probably be okay, I'd only worry with a continuous syphon overflow box. And from personal experience, my u-tube box has never ceased syphoning and cause any floodage. while my drilled 29g did just break open and dump the contents everywhere this last weekend. I've decided I'm not drilling another tank after that.
 
Also might add, that link there goes to a product sold by aquatraders.com. same unit, same photo actually. And more expensive than aquatraders sells there for. THAT is a continuous syphon overflow box. I purchased one awhile back and still havn't used it. I looked at it for af ew minutes, saw the inherant defects by design and deceded against using one. Look for a u-tube style overflow box....physics are on your side with that one. Less likely to cause problems and doesn't require a pump to keep the syphon from breaking, which is notrotious with the CSO boxes.
 
I've been using a u-type style overflow for several months and it never loses syphon. Just make sure you've got enough flow going through it that you don't get bubbles caught.
 
Hi XSiVE

welcome.gif



I'm also doing my homework on HOB overflow...

Thanks to danch for the links. :beer:
 
Thanks for the warm welcome and information everyone.

I'll head over to my LFS after work and see what they have for overflow boxes, and I'll definitely keep this feedback in mind.

I didnt know that the u-tube style was more reliable than the continuous.. I figured both had similar pitfalls and the u-tube needed more intervention getting the siphon started so thats why I was more focused in on the continuous style.
 
ill never use another overflow box as long as i live. I drilled my second tank and im going to drill my other tank full of live stock just to get the box off of it.
 
My only input here is to get an overflow (with u-tube) that is a one piece construction (like the ones at Lifereef). I had the "weld" fail on one of mine and the siphon continued until I woke up (at 3 in the morning) and pulled the plug on the pump (all while getting shocked cause it was raining on my halide ballastand light timers). Go ahead and laugh...lets see how clear you think doing this while only half awake.:lol:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10226038#post10226038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by danch
http://www.lifereef.com/siphon.html

and

http://www.aquacorals.com/ShopOverflows.htm
Click to expand...

I've used the Americles for years without a siphon break. I have one no-name brand that I bought on-line when I set up one of my 125's because my LFS didn't have any more amircles in stock. That one will loose siphon very easily. It has to do with the height of the partition in the outer box. Too low, and the siphon will break.
 
I've used cpr overflows with no major problems. Just keep it clean. The aqualifter pump it comes with could help you out in case of a power outage. If the power goes off and back on, and you aren't their to start the siphon again, it will overflow. The pump is like 10 bucks.
 
Re: Newbie Question: Experiences with Siphon overflow boxes?

I have that exact overflow box, I got mine from ebay for like 56 after shipping, that one looks a little high.

The little pump that fits on the end of the tube always sucks any air bubbles that come into it. It will also resiphon back after a power lose.

I was leery at first and checked it several times a day, now I don't worry about it :)


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10225843#post10225843 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by XSiVE
Hi, community newbie here! I just found out this place existed today and Im so happy it's here :)

I've been interested in saltwater tanks for over 12 years, worked at a LFS (i read some of the stickies and learned terms! woohoo!) back when I was 15, 16 yrs old.. but I never had my own salt / reef tank until a few years ago when I set up my current 55Gal tank.

I dont like the current setup with an older fluval and an undergravel filter. It just doesnt sit right with me. I have never really liked that filtration method and want to convert it to an under-tank sump style system which I plan to attempt building first, but I will need a way to get water down to it!

Continuous Siphon overflow boxes.. I feel a little uncomfortable with the siphon method because I dont like the possibility of the siphon breaking and then the display tank overflowing. There are apparently pumps that help prevent that on some of these?? from some pics it looks like they just use a powerhead..

Anybody got some re-assurances for me?

also, any comments on some of the random ebay overflow boxes such as this one http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Continuous-...ryZ46310QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

compared to the apparent brand of choice(CPR?)?

Thanks for any help or comments you can provide :)
Click to expand...
 
I am new to the hobby as well and I made my own HoB overflow. Just be sure to make/get one that is designed not to brake siphon if the pump shuts off.
 
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