Overflow question

V

vanzea

New member
Hello everyone, I will be picking up a new 90gallon tank today and will be running a cpr overflow on it to a custom 55gallon sump. My question is what overflow should I go with and what return pump. The sump will be below the tank and I only need the pump to return the water there will be no additional needs for the return pump. Thanks in advance.
 
you can always drill the 90g and skip the HOB overflow. it's not hard to do. just takes a little patience. definitly worth it in the long run IMO. i would probably go mag 9.5 or equivelent for return.
 
Do not use a cpr-unless you like floods. Use a drilled tank or a U tube style overflow like a eshopps. I use mag pumps for my returns. I use a eshopps 2xtube with a mag 18 for my return-but you would do well with a 9.5 and the appropriate size overflow.
 
If you go with the HOB over flow get a aqualifter pump to keep it primed during power outages. The are worth the extra few bucks.
 
I hate to disagree- but the ones that use aqualifter pumps are the ones with flawed designs that cause them to fail. A proper U tube does not require anything other than physics to work. In the 10 years I owned a retail shop the only hang on overflows that caused problems were of the CPR design. Doesn`t help that aqualifter pumps have such a poor track record of being reliable to begin with.
 
I have been running a cpr cs100 on my 125g set up for over a year now, with no trouble at all and No Floods. I run the recomened doser pump to keep it primed. Its a little small for my sump requirements at only 800gph, i will probably be selling it if your interested. I want to get the cs150 to get more flow to my sump. As my return pump, i run a Rio 3100 in the sump, and have had no trouble at all.
 
syrinx said:
Do not use a cpr-unless you like floods. Use a drilled tank or a U tube style overflow like a eshopps. I use mag pumps for my returns. I use a eshopps 2xtube with a mag 18 for my return-but you would do well with a 9.5 and the appropriate size overflow.
Click to expand...

I have been running a CPR for nearly 15 years and it has never failed.
All you need is a check valve and an aqualifter.
Don't listen to such scare tactics.
 
syrinx said:
I hate to disagree- but the ones that use aqualifter pumps are the ones with flawed designs that cause them to fail. A proper U tube does not require anything other than physics to work. In the 10 years I owned a retail shop the only hang on overflows that caused problems were of the CPR design. Doesn`t help that aqualifter pumps have such a poor track record of being reliable to begin with.
Click to expand...

There is no flaw in the design. U-tube overflows are just as likely to trap air as are CPR type overflows if not more so. I changed from U-tubes to a CPR and I'm glad I did.
The only reason a CPR style overflow would fail is if its owner didn't keep it clean and let the port for the aqualifter become clogged.
Once monthly run hot vinegar water through the aqualifter and run a pipe cleaner through the port. (takes all of 5 minutes)
 
I am not using scare tactics- just the experiences of hundreds of tanks my clients and customers have had over the years. I too had one in my home that worked perfectly for years without a problem. That being said I have never had a complaint or late night call about the eshopps or lifeguard style of U tube overflow. If tubes are clean and pump is size correctly- there is no way for them to trap bubbles. Of course people should always feel free to do what they wish-and if you want to advocate the CPR- great-but I am dealing with a lot more than the experience of a couple tanks.
 
In one breath you say don't use one unless you like floods, and in the next you say you have had one yourself that worked flawlessly for years.
I think the flood comment was uncalled for.
Like I said if a weir style overflow fails it is not being properly maintained.
Any piece of equipment can fail under that circumstance.
I too have worked on many tanks over the years (I used to do maintenance as a second job) and have seen U-tube overflows trap air and fail.
 
Well with work it has been a bit since I was able to check in on the thread. Thanks to all that have replied. It sounds to me like there a more than a few options all of which I have researched. I am still leaning towards the CPR based on the pump feature I feel that with proper maintainace this is an excellent feature. do most use the aqualifter or are there better pumps out there for this task....again thanks for the replies
 
I think you will be happy with the CPR.
They look better, and are quieter. I would advise using the aqualifter. I have read that some use the venturi on a powerhead but that will put micro bubbles in the DT from time to time.
An aqualifter is a good little pump as long as you maintain it properly.
 
Yeah from what I have read the aqualifter is the way to go. Now for a follow up question... what size CPR do I go with? the 800gph with a mag9.5? I figure with the 4 feet from sump to tank it would be a good balance....my concern is that I have a 55 gallon sump..woud this be enouph flow??
 
That combination should work fine.
I would put a ball valve on the return line just in case the Mag9.5 pushes a few more gallons than the overflow can drain, but I think you should be able to leave it open.
775-800 gph is plenty of flow for a 90 gallon tank.
 
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