View Full Version : Lifereef Utube overflow
Vanquishxxxx
08/18/2006, 12:54 PM
Are these really reliable as to not overflowing. They claim syphon restarts automaticly is that true???. Does anyone have this and like it??
sjm817
08/18/2006, 01:00 PM
These are the best overflows on the market. Very reliable. A siphon that restarts automatically is not something you should be impressed about. Why in the world would anyone make or buy an overflow that didn't do that? I have one, and have also used others. The LR is a great product. Highly recommended.
Vanquishxxxx
08/18/2006, 01:06 PM
well i just wanted to make sure it doenst get clogged easily like i heard the CPR does.
sjm817
08/18/2006, 01:09 PM
It is a MUCH better overflow than a CPR (I've owned both).
Vanquishxxxx
08/18/2006, 01:09 PM
ok thanks.
vanmo92
08/18/2006, 01:19 PM
Even though I dont have one (my tank is drilled) I have heard wonderful things about them.
Dubbin1
08/18/2006, 01:31 PM
FYI if it losses siphon it WILL NOT restart on its own. Same goes for all U-tube style overflows.
jgoodrich71
08/18/2006, 01:34 PM
Any overflow that loses siphon will not restart, but those that use the U-tubes are much more reliable than the CPRs. Just make sure you have an appropriate sized return pump for the overflow. Too much flow and it can't keep up, too little flow will allow an air bubble to build up that can cause it to lose siphon.
Dubbin1
08/18/2006, 01:39 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7965992#post7965992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jgoodrich71
Any overflow that loses siphon will not restart, but those that use the U-tubes are much more reliable than the CPRs.
Oh but if you have the CPR hooked up correctly it will restart the siphon on its own after a power failure. I ran one for over 1 year with no failures. I also had a lifereef and see no difference in that then I see in my $50 U-tube overflow.
jgoodrich71
08/18/2006, 01:47 PM
I had a CPR that developed a crack in the seal where the air is supposed to be draw out, it lost siphon without a power loss. I had used U-tubes for years with never a problem, but that CPR for less than a year when that happend. Just threw the CPR away and put my U-tube back on there.
sjm817
08/18/2006, 01:49 PM
The point is not to lose siphon. That wont happen with a Lifereef. A CPR has many ways to lose siphon since it relies on an external pump to maintain it. My CPR failed twice in 3 months. It was hooked up correctly with an Aqualifter and filter. I called CPR support and they verified proper installation. The air nipple clogged both times causing the failure. Nothing will prevent that from happening. CPR's answer was to poke the clog out with a paperclip. :lol: The LR has been flawless for 2 years. I also had a $50 Amiracle U Tube overflow that was just as reliable. The thing is, like most non LR U Tube overflows, it does not have the flow capacity of the Lifereef. The deep skimmer box and long U Tube design of the LR creates more pressure through the U Tube than a short design. this is what makes them so reliable and better flowing than others.
skyfireblaze
08/18/2006, 02:30 PM
Yes, the Lifereef overflows are reliable. And yes, the siphon will restart automatically when the return pump starts up again. The only time that a proper siphon will not start up again is if it loses it's prime. Because both ends of the U-tube remain fully submerged at all times in the Lifereef, the overflow will not lose its prime just because the power was shut off and the water stopped flowing through it.
In order for the overflow to fail, the flow rate of the water through it must be lower than what is being pumped into the tank. This could occur if the U-tube become blocked with animals such as snails, algae, air, etc., basically anything which would decrease the flow through the tube. In the case where the U-tube loses its prime, one way to think about it is that there's enough air in the tube to complete block the water flow (flow rate = 0).
In case you're interested in reading up on how siphon's really work, here's a link to Wikipedia's Siphon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siphon) page.
The LR overflow is a great overflow.
Dubbin1
08/18/2006, 02:38 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7966097#post7966097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
The point is not to lose siphon. That wont happen with a Lifereef.
But you can still loose siphon by developing bubbles in the U-tube or is gets plugged. About the only time the bubbles would happen is if you have to small of a return pump.
All I'm really saying is that the $120 lifereef really isn't any better then "most" $50 U-tube overflows. It all comes down to a box and a tube made out of plastic.
sjm817
08/18/2006, 02:48 PM
The idea that all U Tube overflows are the same is simply not true. I tried to help a guy on the lighting forum with a $50 overflow. The thing was a POS. The skimmer box was very shallow, the U Tube short. It would not restart after a power failure because it did not have enough pressure to push the air through. A good $50 overflow like an Amiracle is fine as long s you dont want to push very much water through it (Mag5 max in that case). The Lifereef will handle A LOT more flow, and the deeper skimmer box design has more force through the U Tube to push out an air bubble in the event one does sit there.
The Lifereef has a stellar reputation for a reason. They are the best available.
meschaefer
08/18/2006, 03:31 PM
Rana life reef overflow for five years. It ran for three years straight then I had to move my tank. I ran it for another two years and had to move the tank. I ran if for one more year, had to move the tank. I would still be using it without concern or worry if not for the fact that I bought a reef ready tank.
Other than moving the tank, I never had to touch the overflow and never had to think about it.
I have been running a lifereef overflow for the past 4 months and never had any problems. I turn off my pumps 2 times a day for feeding and never any problems with it losing siphon.
Its dimensions are larger than others Ive seen, but I read the deep internal skimmer box is one reason why it has great flow thru its siphon tube.
IMHO.....A little expensive but probably the best constructed external overflow box on the market.
http://rfcgraphics.com/mrt/aug%2018%20full%20tank%20small.jpg
Regards
RFC
Jester
08/19/2006, 09:32 AM
I should be getting my LifeReef overflow in the next few days... I've read about them everywhere and everyone has the same great things to say about them... not to mention there customer service is great too... I have spoken with them multiple times in order to get the right return pump setup and everything plumbed... he even altered the overflow a little for my setup, due to some concerns... I have been running my tank for close to 6 years with no overflow becasue I was paranoid about overflowing the tank with a loss of siphon... but I've been sold on the LifeReef... good luck...
Jester
CeeGee
08/19/2006, 11:29 AM
RFC that is a great looking tank! It is hard to believe that is only power compact lighting.
The lifereef is super nice. I have been running one for nearly a year and it has been trouble free.
I run really low flow through it and I have not had any problems with siphon breaks. I shut off my pumps at feeding time as well and haven't had any problems. Great product. The worst thing about it was the 6 week wait!
sjm817
08/19/2006, 04:57 PM
Yes, very nice tank RFC!
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