Overflow Boxes-- U-Tube vs AquaLifter
In your opion/experience which is better?
What are the pros/cons of each?
In your opion/experience which is better?
What are the pros/cons of each?
TheReefer
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2,216 Posts
never heard of a lift pump over flow box
best way is to drill the tank and do an internal over flow much more reliability
utubes have a tendancy to get air bubbles in them and loose siphon also can be a pain to restart
other over flow boxes like the cpr are prone to the same thing just instead of your typical utube it is built in as more of a sealed channel but also have to keep the siphon or they fail
then you have aqualifter pumps that help remove the air on a tapped or vented utube or other over flow to pull the air bubbles out this works well but still has poor track history
best way is to drill the tank and do an internal over flow much more reliability
utubes have a tendancy to get air bubbles in them and loose siphon also can be a pain to restart
other over flow boxes like the cpr are prone to the same thing just instead of your typical utube it is built in as more of a sealed channel but also have to keep the siphon or they fail
then you have aqualifter pumps that help remove the air on a tapped or vented utube or other over flow to pull the air bubbles out this works well but still has poor track history
Sorry I guess I should have put aqualift pump. I am getting a new to me tank and I am debating whether to have it drilled or not. There is no guarentee if it cracks while having it drilled. I would by pretty upset if it did. Although the person that I may have do it I trust as he has done many. The only reason I was thinking about it was I have a one of each style overflow box that I could use. I may still take the chance on having it drilled just to get rid of any extra mechanical stuff that could fail.
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1,096 Posts
Talk to John at Advanced Aquarium Services...He drilled my 90 for me...3 times. Ive not had any problems, and his pricing is pretty reasonable. Check it out!
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1,096 Posts
i figured it was, with you being so close...Good luck!TheReefer said:
I used a aqualifter pump on a CPR style overflow box for a year or so. Granted I never had any major catastrophes, the thing was a pain in the arse. I had to clean/replace the air lines to the aqualifter every month or so because the slightest buildup of algae would mess up the system.
If at all possible do what everyone else here suggested and get it drilled. I just drilled my first tank a month ago and it was super easy. I used a glass-holes 700gph overflow box and it comes with everything except the plumbing that you'd have to figure out to get the water to the sump.
If at all possible do what everyone else here suggested and get it drilled. I just drilled my first tank a month ago and it was super easy. I used a glass-holes 700gph overflow box and it comes with everything except the plumbing that you'd have to figure out to get the water to the sump.
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1,676 Posts
Worst decision I ever made in Reefing was to NOT have my tank drilled.
Get it drilled for sure
Get it drilled for sure
I have both, the aqualifter type (continuous siphon) and the U-tube....
I've never used the lift pump with the continuous type, I just popped in a check valve in place of the pump, suck to start siphon, your good to go.... it's been going for years without a touch....
The U-tubes are pretty standard in my book.... Never really had any troubles...
Just make sure to keep them cleaned out and your ok!
But of course getting it drilled for an overflow is by far the best option!!!
I've never used the lift pump with the continuous type, I just popped in a check valve in place of the pump, suck to start siphon, your good to go.... it's been going for years without a touch....
The U-tubes are pretty standard in my book.... Never really had any troubles...
Just make sure to keep them cleaned out and your ok!
But of course getting it drilled for an overflow is by far the best option!!!
I did decide to get the tank drilled. John did a great job ( which i expected anyways) I did switch over my current set up to the u-tube. It was easy to start and I tested it for power outage and everything started back up and worked great. So for now it will be u-tube until the 90 is setup and in the wall.
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