Overflow Box - which one?

[fishfood]

I am soon going to add a sump to my tank. Well actually it will be a refugium. I'm was looking on line for overflows and this is what i came up with. Amiracle U tube overflow, Marine Life Aquatics U Tube overflows, and CPR continuous siphon. How does the CPR work without a U tube? My parents have a U tube overflow which i dont like. What size would you suggest for a 55 gal tank. Since it is going to be a refugium i don't want that much flow going through the sump. I found a cheap CPR for $66 but it is the smallest size. Or should i just go with a $40 U -Tube overflow.

 

[fishfood]

I also just did a search here and found something about lifereef. They look exactly the same as the amiracle on my parents tank. What is different on them?

 

[fishfood]

What makes the lifereef different from other U Tube overflows?? The explination wasn't great on the web page and it looks similar to the Amiracle and Marine Life Aquatics overflows. I may just transfer everything to my other 55 which is not set up and keep it in there for 3 days and have the lfs my girlfriend works at drill the tank and put in a weir. If i trade in a few of my frags it would cost me nothing to get the tank and sump drilled with all the hoses. I would just have to by the return pump then.... They have about 5 used pumps in the store. I like that idea because then I don't have to worry about any siphons stopping.

 

[richard rendos]

Definitely go with the CPR and the smallest size should be plenty for that size tank. Still get like 300 GPH thru it.

 

[broomer5]

Most "good" overflows are designed to keep the U tube primed by either using a dual chamber in the outer box, or having a small pipe riser in the outer box. Both work equally well from my experience. Without this feature - IMO you have a piece of junk, and a wet disaster waiting to happen.
I agree with Anthem and clownfreak regarding the Lifereef overflows.
I also recently ordered the dual outlet, dual U tube unit from Jeff as well, received it, and gave it a good look over.
Nice design, quality workmanship, and I've "TRIED" to make it fail on several trials.
It doesn't. The thing is flatout built like a brick $%#^house.
Low flow - it seems to no accumulate bubbles in the U tube as bad as others I've tried and seen.
It has slits on 3 sides of the inner box - this is a plus.
High flow - the think works like a charm. And I have not experienced the "noise" factor as I have with others.
(2) basic models available
700 gph - single U tube - single outlet
1400 gph - dual U tube - dual outlet
Not the least expensive external overflows on the market - but this is one piece of equipment that many ( including myself ) consider "critical" and not a good place to cut corners or cost.
There are other ways to keep cost down with equipment - but this area is not one of them in my opinion.

 

[fishfood]

Thanks Broomer5,
Well now that i think about it if i order an overflow it looks like lifereef will be it. I also have the option of having the tank drilled and puting in the weir. If i go that rout i will put a canister filter on the tank a week or two before i move it and transfer the canister to the other 55 that is empty and then move all coral, fish, and inverts to that tank for 3 or 4 day while I have it drilled and glued. If i do this i will probably be able to trade in 4 frags for roughtly a $60-$80 value at the lfs. I will still have to pay $15 per hole for insurance reasons but than can get everything else for the frags i trade in. Does anyone see any problems with transfering everything to the empty 55 for a couple of days.