The Puffer Forum

I was wondering what overflow boxes people have had the best luck with or what works the best. Thanks.

I don't trust them. Give em time & that's what they do. Get the tank drfilled for RR, if at all possible.

Pufferpunk wrote:I don't trust them. Give em time & that's what they do. Get the tank drfilled for RR, if at all possible.

+1

The CPR style wall overflow is the worst in terms of starting and stopping, even with a lift pump. A tube style is better, they have a much greater resistance to break siphon. Yet as PPunk said they still are no where as reliable as a true reef ready system, which when propperly plumbed, with at least one fail safe, are next to near un-floodable.

If buying a new tank is completely out of the question, consider http://www.glass-holes.com/ they have complete overflow kits that you can drill your own tank. They seem to be all single overflows, so you run the slight risk of having a overflow if something clogs the line, but minimal compared to a HOB style.

Why would it overflow? If the power went out err something wouldnt the water drain down enough into the sump to make the water line below the holes of the overflow box where water drain down. Ive seen ppl make markings on the sump so not to overfill it. Sorry If this is a dumb question I want to know cuz I was considering doing a sump system with a HOB overflow box. And I really cant drill it cuz Puffs are in it.

It might flood if the drain became plugged, but water kept coming in from the sump.

Livestock tends to get into the overflow as well...

The wall style overflows have a break in suction problem, even when used with a lift pump. The U tubes are more resistant. Once the siphon is broken it needs to be manually restarted, if not, the main pump will pump water up to the display. Either way, I would not trust HOB style overflows if you value your flooring.

A true overflow that doesn't need a siphon, is far more reliable, especially when you have at least two holes.

From best to worst:
3 hole herbie style (silent and fail safe built in, negative is that you need three holes.)
2 hole stockman/durso with fail safe (can be louder than ^ and will take a bit more messing with to be come near silent, fail safe built in)
1 hole stockman/durso/glassholes (no fail safe)
HOB U tube (see above)
HOB wall overflow.

Most reef ready tanks some with at least two holes.

Read here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showt ... ?t=1310585

Way better than an overflow box!