Siphon style overflow boxes.....

nstiesi · 02-23-2009, 03:09 PM

How many people have, or have heard of these malfunctioning to the point of a nice living room flood? Is that something to genuinely worry about, or am I just paranoid.

Raoul5Duke · 02-23-2009, 03:16 PM

I have only had the one I currently use, but I have never had a problem with it. After all my research I went with a LifeReef overflow, no mechanical parts and I think it is guaranteed to restart after a power failure. IMO the guy at Life Reef makes quality stuff. Hope that helps.

Pulker · 02-23-2009, 03:37 PM

I have the lifereef box for a year now with no issues. I recommend buying an extra U-tube though. While not fragile, they will break if you drop it while cleaning.

seafansar · 02-23-2009, 04:46 PM

The backside of one of my overflow boxes literally fell off when I was away during the holidays. I'm sure it siphoned a lot of water onto the ground, but it was all dried up and the sump was running dry when I got home. I think it's a rare occurrence though. Who knows how old my overflow boxes are. I bought my tank set up used from a guy who had bought it used a few years earlier. They are really annoying when the siphon breaks, so I would recommend getting a drilled tank instead.

jb61264 · 02-23-2009, 05:17 PM

I would highly recommend the LifeReef overflow box...great quality and he guarantees that the box will keep its siphon in the event of a power outtage...I did a number of tests when I was using mine but I have since gone to a BioCube so don't use it anymore but you can't go wrong with the LifeReef product (or any of his stuff for that matter)

mps9506 · 02-23-2009, 05:20 PM

Other thing to make sure when using these boxes is to make sure you have the inside box adjust so the water isn't falling far enough to cause excess bubbles that might build up inside the J tube. Also make sure to keep the tube clean as algae growth will impede water flow, and cause bubbles to collect in the tube.
If you use a Durso/Stockman stand pipe make sure the inlet is high enough that the siphon won't break when the water flow stops.

02-23-2009, 03:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
nstiesi Sea Pen Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 334 View Gallery Karma Komment	Siphon style overflow boxes..... How many people have, or have heard of these malfunctioning to the point of a nice living room flood? Is that something to genuinely worry about, or am I just paranoid.

02-23-2009, 03:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Raoul5Duke Star Polyps Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 172 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Siphon style overflow boxes..... I have only had the one I currently use, but I have never had a problem with it. After all my research I went with a LifeReef overflow, no mechanical parts and I think it is guaranteed to restart after a power failure. IMO the guy at Life Reef makes quality stuff. Hope that helps.

02-23-2009, 03:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pulker Bryozoan Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 57 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Siphon style overflow boxes..... I have the lifereef box for a year now with no issues. I recommend buying an extra U-tube though. While not fragile, they will break if you drop it while cleaning. __________________ 46 Gallon Bowfront with 20 gallon sump. Remora Pro Skimmer Lifereef Overflow

02-23-2009, 04:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
seafansar Elegance coral Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Deltona, FL Posts: 1,186 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Siphon style overflow boxes..... The backside of one of my overflow boxes literally fell off when I was away during the holidays. I'm sure it siphoned a lot of water onto the ground, but it was all dried up and the sump was running dry when I got home. I think it's a rare occurrence though. Who knows how old my overflow boxes are. I bought my tank set up used from a guy who had bought it used a few years earlier. They are really annoying when the siphon breaks, so I would recommend getting a drilled tank instead. __________________ -Sara SW since Jan. '08 150 gallon SPS reef 20 gallon BTA/clown tank 90 gallon bowfront mixed reef 45 gallon cube 150 tank thread 45 cube thread My Reefnook

02-23-2009, 05:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
jb61264 Tubeworm Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nebraska Posts: 34 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Siphon style overflow boxes..... I would highly recommend the LifeReef overflow box...great quality and he guarantees that the box will keep its siphon in the event of a power outtage...I did a number of tests when I was using mine but I have since gone to a BioCube so don't use it anymore but you can't go wrong with the LifeReef product (or any of his stuff for that matter)

02-23-2009, 05:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally back Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 8,525 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Siphon style overflow boxes..... Other thing to make sure when using these boxes is to make sure you have the inside box adjust so the water isn't falling far enough to cause excess bubbles that might build up inside the J tube. Also make sure to keep the tube clean as algae growth will impede water flow, and cause bubbles to collect in the tube. If you use a Durso/Stockman stand pipe make sure the inlet is high enough that the siphon won't break when the water flow stops. __________________ Mike Reefkeeping Since '99 Help Build Reefpedia Premium Memberships Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

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