CPR Overflow - Drill-free suggestions for my 44g cube?

[andsoitgoes]

Hi all,

I'm in prep to add an above tank refugium, but I'm heming and hawing about what I really want to do here. It makes more sense for my setup to have a sump, but I do not want to drill my main tank. It's just too much headache and risk if I could get an overflow (used, of course) for a reasonable price.

What experience does everyone have with the HOB type, and what might I be looking at cost? Obviously keeping it a reasonable amount is important, but I do want something to make this convenient and optimal for my setup.

Thanks in advance!

[Joe Reefer]

I have been using a CPR overflow for almost 3 yrs now, in all that time I have never had it fail. You do have to maintain the hose and pump that keep air from building up in the siphon though. I probably replace my hose every couple months and clean the powerhead twice a year.

[andsoitgoes]

wow - that's actually pretty darn impressive. And it means I don't have to drill a tank. hmm.

What would be a size to look for with my 44g cube? I know someone selling a CS50 for a fairly cheap price, but of course they're not local. Can't justify buying new, but would again much rather have it an under tank solution - not an over tank

[fkshiu]

Might want to consider a U-tube overflow - nothing mechanical like a powerhead to fail.

Lifereef is considered the best (and most expensive), but I managed to pick up a used one at a reasonable cost.

There are many other types out there with the same basic design like Hurricane and even Marineland has a model.

[andsoitgoes]

Ouch - just checked their prices, they're NOT cheap...

want to sell yours?

It's either that or I beg the Anthony man to help me drill my 1/3rd empty cube tank - I'm sure nothing bad would happen, nothing bad at all could happen, right?

=/

[Chaloupa]

I had the Lifereef style with the U-tube on it....was quite good. I didn't have to worry about restarting or anything and starting was super easy. I did however have a powerhead with a hose always in the tube (a small bit of tubing from the top "nipple" for lack of a better word with tubing going from the powerhead, to the inside of the U tube took out any air immediately and started the siphon very fast....and it ran really well. I had no complaints but now all my tanks are drilled as it is just plain easier!

[andsoitgoes]

Any other ideas (ie cheap ones for sale )

Thanks!!

[untamed]

About 3 years ago, I added a sump to my existing system by adding a CPR overflow. Since the tank was already running, it would have been really painful to drain it in order to drill it. That's why I chose the overflow.

First off...the CPR doesn't NEED the powerhead in order to function or restart after a power failure. That seems to be a common misconception. If the siphon is completely broken, the powerhead will pull all the air out of the siphon and get things started again. The powerhead is basically there to ensure that the siphon just CAN'T accumulate any air leading to a siphon failure.

For nearly 2 years, I ran the powerhead connected to my evaporative control circuit. Whenever the float switch triggered the evaporative pump, it would also trigger the CPR power head. This was a way that I created random currents. Worked fine and the siphon never failed.

Nowadays, I'm running that powerhead all the time. Every few months, I think..."I haven't seen any bubbles shoot out of the powerhead in some time..." That leads me to check the airline and it sure enough there is something blocking it. No telling how long it had been blocked.

If the powerhead failed, I would notice LOOOONNNNGG before the siphon had any kind of problem.

Anyway, the only problem I've had is when I've foolishly jammed my arm into the tank while it was running and caused the water level in the tank to jump up and down wildly. That has messed up the siphon enough to cause overflow on occasion. Lesson learned...don't do that.

[andsoitgoes]

LOL - thanks! Good to know about the CPRs - now all I have to do is fine one reasonably priced, and I'm good as gold...

That therein lies the challenge