Question about overflow box??

[Drigo72]

I just purchased a overflow box which is rated for 600 gph. it uses a single u tube to siphon water from the inner box out to the outer box going to the sump. My questions are:

1. Does this type of overflow box have a big chance of loosing its siphon pressure compared to similar overflow box that does not uses a u tube for siphon?

2. Has anyone compared the use of a overflow box that uses a u tube and an overflow box that doesnt use a u tube? and what is better?

Thanks.

[The R/C Man]

Hey! I have used a U-tube style overflow and they periodically need to be purged of air in the top of the tube. Eventually they can loose the siphon but it is obvious as the water level in the display rises over time.

I have since switched to a CPR over flow with a vacuum pump attached to continually remove air from the tube. Although they are expensive they seem to work well.

Ideally not having a siphon style overflow is better. My new tank has slots cut into the back of the tank and the boxes are external. This lessens the chance for failure. If this is not an option I would suggest the CPR overflow with a vacuum pump.

[tray262]

CPR makes the best overflow boxes by far. It's a pain to get the tube style started. Please like said above they have to be purged of air; which also is not fun. The CPR uses the aqua lift pump, basically it's a water/air pump. It continuosly sucks water/air in the inlet and then out, so it self primes, I havn't had any problems out of mine. I really like it. Works great.

[golfish]

I guess I'll be the odd man out..I used a U-tube box for ten years, it never failed once..I can't count how many post I've read regarding wet floors and the CPR overflows. I've never used one but I did baby site a buddies store while he was on vacation. One of his tanks had a CPR overflow, it failed twice in a week for me.

[tray262]

Something had to be wrong with either the aqua lifter pump, also the sump must have been set up with too large of a reserve. The way mine is set up, if the return pump stops there is enough room in my sump to take all of the water from my overflow. Also on the other hand if my overflow stops there is enough room in my tank to take all of the water from the return spot of the sump. Either no wet floors at my house. lol. unless I forget to turn off the Ro/id lol.



Also to add onto the twice failing in one week. I would say that it was probally duw to algea in the lines of the aqualifter pump, I use black air line plus I have a piece of bent metal over my overflow so no light hits the pump of line, and I havn'r had any problems since then with algea in the lines. Just $.02.

[Ghumbee]

I use a Lifereef slimline on a 54 corner tank and have never had a problem. I did install a stockman pipe to help with some noise. Return pump is a MAG 7 with about 4 to 5' of head pressure.

Chuck