Overflow boxes

mccloud

mccloud

AC Members
Jan 14, 2006
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I'm coming to the conclusion very rapidly that I would like a Refugium for my 90 gallon sw tank. I have no holes drilled in my tank therefore I'm in need of purchasing an overflow box. I was curious on opinions and experiences that people have had with overflow boxes especially ones made by CPR.

I heard that the pump that the CPR overflow box comes with(not the return pump) can give out, and by consequence the return pump will keep going and overflow your tank. Anyone ever hear of this?

Also is it best to buy a sump refugium so I can fit the 1" bulkhead straight or to build your own in a way when doing just a refugium?

All advice and opinions are wanted and welcome. thank you.
 
Is the tank currently empty at the moment? if it is, you chould concider drilling..If not, then yes, a normal standard over flow box will be just the job..

All pipe work going to and coming from the sump/fuge can all be done with DIY..Just buy the solvent weld tube and some angles and its done with ease. Personaly dont see a need to have a bulkhead on the sump..

Niko
 
Overflow boxes work fine, the only issue you run into is if air bubbles build up in the u tube which will break the siphon. Then yes your return pump could overflow your tank. Some overflows have a spot to attach an air tube to a powerhead to prevent the buildup over air bubbles in the u tube. Another way, might not look as nice, would be a float switch on the top of the tank, if the tank fills too far the switch activate and turn off a relay for the pump.
 
I'd skip the CPR style overflow box. The U-tube design is much better. Some of the best U-tube overflow boxes (a.k.a. prefilter boxes) are made by lifereef.com. There are others available for a slightly smaller price through other retailers / vendors. The U-tube overflow on our 90g has run for almost a year and a half with no issues, despite numerous power outages on top of pump stopages for water changes, and only needed to be cleaned once thus far. The LFS near our house has one that's been on a tank for almost 10 years without incident.
 
I have the DIY PVC version for my first SW tank - it works like a charm thus far, but it is a new tank in cycling process. I even had to put a ball valve to limit the flow out of tank, otherwise I would get 15-17 times turnover. Very cheap, very effective and somewhat quiet (quieter than mag 5 anyway).

Good Luck

Aries
 
Also, for piece of mind, I would keep a spare pump handy. This way if your original ever does give out, you'll have the other. And you can use it for mixing salt, etc. in the mean time if you want.
 
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