Questions on Overflows?

[cabenn]

Overflow #1

Overflow #2

Overflow #3

Can anyone tell me the difference between these? They all appear to be the same construction where they use the u-tubes to suck the water from chamber to chamber. However, as we all may know the lifereef is close to $200 while the others are $60. Has anyone bought similar overflows before and if so what were your opinions of them? My only fear is ending up spending $60 bucks on something to only find out it sucks and I should have went with the name brand. In the end, it's just plastic isn't it? Why should it cost so darn much :>

Thanks.

 

[Andrew]

All will work the same way. Overflow1 would be fine to use. I have the same style but only the single bulkhead and it works fine but was loud for a few hours when I started to run it and then it started to get quiet and now I can't really even hear it at all.

 

[55semireef]

The lifereef looks better designed but in the end they all do the same function. I would get the first one just because you save money and it does just as a good job as any other. Its just an overflow, nothing critical to the life of your tank right?

 

[sjm817]

Why are you looking at dual units? What size display and sump?

There are design differences that are not readily apparent by looking at the units.

 

[ambaratur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7392390#post7392390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
The lifereef looks better designed but in the end they all do the same function. I would get the first one just because you save money and it does just as a good job as any other. Its just an overflow, nothing critical to the life of your tank right?

You are kidding with this statement right? You want to make sure that the overflow you purchase is protected against loosing the siphon. If that happens the tank will overflow the rim and I would think that easily prove critical to the life in the tank.

The picture of the overflow number 1 is not clear enough to see how it is made. You want something made similar to the lifereef to make sure the siphon will stay active even if power goes out.

 

[cabenn]

The losing the siphon part is what is confusing me. What actually determines that? I've read all the DIY ones and assumed that if your tank actually gets lower then the intake on the other side which heads down to the sump that the water would stay in those tubes and when power resumes it would automatically start the siphon back up. The water staying in the tubes is the key factor.

The reason why I'm going with a larger unit than I need currently is cause I want to have an option of going bigger if I ever want to =)

 

[sjm817]

The single Lifereef overflow will handle 600 GPH which is big enough for a ~ 200G tank. Unless you have a huge display, you dont need a dual overflow.

The Lifereef has some design advantages. Most overflows will not flow nearly the typical 600 GPH advertised. The LR is one of the few that will. The LR has a deeper skimmer box than others, which I believe is the reason it outflows others and is so incredibly reliable. The extra pressure of the water in the deep skimmer box forces water through the U Tube better than a shallow design (my theory anyway).

The other reason you dont want a dual unit is the water velocity through the U Tubes will be 1/2 of a single. You want the velocity high to keep air bubbles blown through. Get a single LR. It will work fine.

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7392447#post7392447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ambaratur
You are kidding with this statement right? You want to make sure that the overflow you purchase is protected against loosing the siphon. If that happens the tank will overflow the rim and I would think that easily prove critical to the life in the tank.

The picture of the overflow number 1 is not clear enough to see how it is made. You want something made similar to the lifereef to make sure the siphon will stay active even if power goes out.

Someone is getting a little to excited about overflows.:lol: