Overflow Box Discussion

Not saying an Eshopps doesn't work. It does for most. Just pointing out that there are differences between them. Lifereef has a reputation for being the best HOB overflow on the market and there are reasons this is true.
 
i have not seen anyone here state, 'my eshopps continuously fails, my lifereef has been error free since day 1.' i think the return pump has a lot to do with the effectiveness of the siphon.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14747670#post14747670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MatthewLaw
i have not seen anyone here state, 'my eshopps continuously fails, my lifereef has been error free since day 1.' i think the return pump has a lot to do with the effectiveness of the siphon.
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Ummmm --- I think me having to modify the esphopps to work correctly counts,

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14746462#post14746462 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
I have a LifeReef in my 75, and an Eshopps on my 30 cube.

The Lifereef has been with mine for 7+ years, and has never once given me an issues. The eshopps had to be modified so that it wouldn't lose siphon when the main pump was shut off. Sure it works now, but if I had to do it all over again I would get another Lifereef.
Click to expand...
 
could there have been other issues contributing to the eshopps failing? say excessive bubbles from the return? i was getting a lot of bubbles in my U tube and realized the cause was from the return (had to reposition the overflow drain pipe).

i do not mean to turn this into an anti-lifereef, pro-eshopps thread but i think the eshopps company makes an excellent product. Many eshopps owners here firmly attest that they have not had any issues with this cheaper overflow.
 
It has nothing to do with excess bubbles. I would turn off the main pump and there wasn't enough depth to keep the U-Tube submerged, and it would then lose its siphon.

It is a poorly design overflow box IMO, and would never recommend one.
 
well i have been using this overflow on two tanks and not had a single issue; maybe design was modified since your issue?

i would strongly recommend the eshopps 800.
 
I'm not trying to turn this into a one verse the other. Like I said the only difference I see other than the lifereef having a glued in drain fitting is $199 verses $79. I'm sure the lifereef is a great product, but I think a little over priced for me. I will state this deffinetly buy a u-tube design overflow box when buying. i tried the Continuous Siphon Overflow style and would not use that type again.
 
bayou.. can you elaborate a bit more on the continuous siphon, and why you don't like that version?

Thanks, and thank you to everyone for a very interesting discussion!
 
by continuous siphon are you referring to the siphon that is maintained by an air pump?

this method has proven to have a lot of issues, especially when the tube connecting the pump to the overflow box becomes clogged. clogged tube/port = reduced siphon = flooded floor!!
 
The continuous siphon name is kind of ironic. It is the design that can not maintain a "continuous siphon" on its own and instead relies on an external vacuum pumps to do so.
 
Thats the one. requires a pump to maintain a siphon. Mine failed on me several times. I went through two pumps. After I lost power one time the pump failed when power was restored. I did some research mostly here at Reef central and decided to go with a u-tube design. In my opinion you can't wrong with this design. By the way I didn't flood because I keep my tank water 1" from the top and I only run a 9" height in my sump which falls off to 5" in my return chamber. This keeps me from flooding in case my pump goes out or I lose my siphon. I used the tank calculator this site has to figure out my levels. Works great
 
I run the Ocean Runner 2500 (625 gph) as my return pump on my 75 gallon. I'm thinking about replacing my current overflow box with a Life Reef. Will the 600 gph Lifereef single box work? My current overflow is like a CPR overflow, and doesn't really handle the pump that well. I'm thinking the Lifereef single should blow my current overflow out of the water, what do you guys think?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14764622#post14764622 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
LR will handle that with ease.
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So do you think I'll see a better turnover rate? I guess I'll just get the lifereef, and sell my current overflow box.
 
You might have to throttle it back a little bit --- depending on your headloss --- but think it will handle it fine.

I would have a ball valve (( actually a true union )) after the pump anyways, makes maintenance a lot easier.
 
That pump will have maybe 400 GPH after headloss. Walk it the park. I had a single LR and it handled an Eheim 1260 no issue, and the Eheim has more flow than the OR.
 
I have had an old Aquarium Systems Overlow running on my tank for almost 10 years and its never failed. One of the main causes of failure is not enough flow through the U-Tube or algae build up inside the tube. Its good to have an extra U-tube around so you can clean them periodically by soaking in Vinegar which brings me to a question I have...

Anybody know where I can buy a U-tube? I get most my supplies from Marine Depot and I don't see any on their site. They sell the CPR overflows which are the type to stay away from. Any of the kind that require a U-tube work fine.
 
I too have the Life Reef system and it's worth forking out the extra cash for it. I have tested it many, MANY times as my wife has stated that she will murder me should we come home to water on the floor. I have come home to the power having been out on several occasions only to walk in and see everything working fine. The peace of mind is well worth the investment with these. If it helps I use a Mag 9.5 for my return.
 
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