How safe are hang on Overflows?

FishAreFriends2 · 10/06/2007, 10:27 AM

Just how safe are hang on overflows? I have read mixed reviews about flooding and clogging. Seems kind of scary, leave the house come back 1 hour later your floors flooded with water. So are they safe ?

shelburn61 · 10/06/2007, 10:33 AM

Get the tank drilled for a bulkhead! Most shops can drill for you or it's easy to do yourself with a cheap ebay diamond holesaw. You won't regret it.

neelix · 10/06/2007, 10:43 AM

They aren't safe at all, do it right get your tank drilled!

FishAreFriends2 · 10/06/2007, 10:44 AM

What are the chances I am going to get flooded if I attempted to get a hang on?

95accord · 10/06/2007, 10:49 AM

depends how often your power goes out and how big your sump is. if you have a big sump with plenty of extra space, then using an overflow isnt bad at all. an overflow box works on a syphon principle, so once water in your display tank drops below the overflowbox, the syphone stop. if your power goes out, the return pump will stop working which is the biggest issue. if that stops working, then the sump will fill up. as long as its big enough to hold the extra syphoned water...you should be good.

i hope i explained it good :P

but yeah...getting the tank drilled, from what ive heard is the way to go.

FishAreFriends2 · 10/06/2007, 10:53 AM

what about the ones that run on a pump? I have also read some of them say they are flood proof and know how to autoshut off. Which sounds like crap to me.

shelburn61 · 10/06/2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FishAreFriends2
what about the ones that run on a pump? I have also read some of them say they are flood proof and know how to autoshut off. Which sounds like crap to me.

You're probably talking about the CPR. Despite their claims, CPRs might be the worst of all...

Drilling the tank would be cheaper also.

sjm817 · 10/06/2007, 11:39 AM

There is probably more misinformation and misunderstanding about this subject that most.

A good HOB overflow, properly setup is perfectly reliable. It should run indefinitely without failing. Many people have run them for many years without an issue. By design, they do not lose siphon when power is out.

A reliable overflow has a U Tube, not an integrated C-Siphon, and does not need a vacuum pump to operate. Not all U Tube overflows are created equal either. Some are much better than others.

That being said, there is no reason not to drill a tank that is not yet set up unless all sides are tempered which can not be drilled.

A (good) HOB overflow added to an established tank to add a sump is perfectly fine.

FishAreFriends2 · 10/06/2007, 11:43 AM

What brand is considered good?

sjm817 · 10/06/2007, 11:50 AM

Not a complete list, but here are a few:

Best: Lifereef
Good:Amiracle, Hurricane
Bad: Eshoppes
Really bad: CPR (and clones)

luke33 · 10/06/2007, 12:44 PM

I've never had probs with mine. But its set up properly and my sump can take he extra water if it needs to (and has....alot of times) Like sjm said. Just get a utube.

trmiv · 10/06/2007, 03:21 PM

I have an amiracle on my 40 breeder, never had in trouble. As long as I flow around 250-300 gph through it, there is no bubble accumulation at all. It always restarts after I flip the pump back on.

I actually decided on a HOB over drilling my tank even though I'm fully capable of drilling myself (drilled my 90 and my 37 before that). I just could not find a good solution for the overflow box inside the tank that didn't either take up a ton of room, or need to be stuck in a corner where I would see the side of the overflow. The box for the amiracle is nice and compact. I'm moving soon and need to tear the tank down and move it and I'm considering drilling it if I can find a pre-made box the same size as the internal box of the amiracle.

jeffreyr · 10/06/2007, 03:45 PM

I have a Lifereef overflow and have not had one problem. I would highly recommend.

sjm817 · 10/06/2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jefferyR
I have a Lifereef overflow and have not had one problem. I would highly recommend.

That sentiment is echoed by anyone who has owned one.

SCOTT42 · 10/07/2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by luke33
I've never had probs with mine. But its set up properly and my sump can take he extra water if it needs to (and has....alot of times) Like sjm said. Just get a utube.

I agree 100% ive been useing mine for three years and no problems at all. Just install them correctly and make shure that your sump/refugium can handle the power outage.

Paulairduck · 10/07/2007, 07:02 PM

The lifereef is the best, but I did have a snail get into the overflow, and I was @ home to catch it, on my old tank.

first is reef-ready tank

Lifereef is the best next option

sjm817 · 10/07/2007, 07:22 PM

A snail in a U Tube, Durso standpipe or any plumbing could spell trouble. Take precautions to keep snails out of your overflows. Astrea snails make perfect pipe plugs!

luke33 · 10/07/2007, 07:32 PM

The only time i get performance issues is when i need to clean the utubes out. But the syphon doesn't lose they just get small air bubbles at the top. But thats like once a month maybe...if that.

flyguy7150 · 10/07/2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sjm817
Not a complete list, but here are a few:

Best: Lifereef
Good:Amiracle, Hurricane
Bad: Eshoppes
Really bad: CPR (and clones)

i had the eshoppes one, i never had any problems with it, never lost its siphon

knight03 · 10/07/2007, 07:41 PM

I have had u tube style for a year and have never lost syphon. Even when the power was off for 8 hrs. And just make sure that your returns are high enough in the tank that they break sipon shortly after power is lost.

sjm817 · 10/07/2007, 07:54 PM

There have been a few people with odd Eshoppe problems that I haven't seen with other U Tube overflows. Apparently, not everyone has the same issues. Not sure if they changed something or what the deal is.

flipteg · 10/07/2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 95accord
depends how often your power goes out and how big your sump is. if you have a big sump with plenty of extra space, then using an overflow isnt bad at all. an overflow box works on a syphon principle, so once water in your display tank drops below the overflowbox, the syphone stop. if your power goes out, the return pump will stop working which is the biggest issue. if that stops working, then the sump will fill up. as long as its big enough to hold the extra syphoned water...you should be good.

i hope i explained it good :P

but yeah...getting the tank drilled, from what ive heard is the way to go.

when planning on building a system, if the OP has the skills necessary to drill a tank then a drilled tank is recommended... but if there is no desire to break down a matured system just to add a sump, hang on overflows are not as bad as what people make them seem to be...

the problem you are describing of overflowing a sump in a power outage is not specific to systems that use hang on overflows...

dmo · 10/07/2007, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sjm817
That sentiment is echoed by anyone who has owned one.

I have a Lifereef overflow and have not had one problem. I would highly recommend.

happyface888 · 10/08/2007, 12:07 AM

I thought about getting a overflow myself, but the problem is not the overflow its the fact that my stand cant even fit a 10gallon tank.... And if I removed the centerbrace for the stand it might break.

Blue Reef Girl · 10/08/2007, 12:17 AM

I have a CPR 100 use if anyone intrested let me know.

10/06/2007, 10:27 AM	#1
FishAreFriends2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,163	How safe are hang on Overflows? Just how safe are hang on overflows? I have read mixed reviews about flooding and clogging. Seems kind of scary, leave the house come back 1 hour later your floors flooded with water. So are they safe ?

10/06/2007, 10:49 AM	#5
95accord Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fredericton Posts: 623	depends how often your power goes out and how big your sump is. if you have a big sump with plenty of extra space, then using an overflow isnt bad at all. an overflow box works on a syphon principle, so once water in your display tank drops below the overflowbox, the syphone stop. if your power goes out, the return pump will stop working which is the biggest issue. if that stops working, then the sump will fill up. as long as its big enough to hold the extra syphoned water...you should be good. i hope i explained it good :P but yeah...getting the tank drilled, from what ive heard is the way to go. __________________ when life passes you by....downshift Current Tank Info: Reef 2.0 - 45 Osaka cube

10/06/2007, 11:39 AM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	There is probably more misinformation and misunderstanding about this subject that most. A good HOB overflow, properly setup is perfectly reliable. It should run indefinitely without failing. Many people have run them for many years without an issue. By design, they do not lose siphon when power is out. A reliable overflow has a U Tube, not an integrated C-Siphon, and does not need a vacuum pump to operate. Not all U Tube overflows are created equal either. Some are much better than others. That being said, there is no reason not to drill a tank that is not yet set up unless all sides are tempered which can not be drilled. A (good) HOB overflow added to an established tank to add a sump is perfectly fine. __________________ - Scott

10/06/2007, 11:50 AM	#10
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Not a complete list, but here are a few: Best: Lifereef Good:Amiracle, Hurricane Bad: Eshoppes Really bad: CPR (and clones) __________________ - Scott

10/06/2007, 03:21 PM	#12
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	I have an amiracle on my 40 breeder, never had in trouble. As long as I flow around 250-300 gph through it, there is no bubble accumulation at all. It always restarts after I flip the pump back on. I actually decided on a HOB over drilling my tank even though I'm fully capable of drilling myself (drilled my 90 and my 37 before that). I just could not find a good solution for the overflow box inside the tank that didn't either take up a ton of room, or need to be stuck in a corner where I would see the side of the overflow. The box for the amiracle is nice and compact. I'm moving soon and need to tear the tank down and move it and I'm considering drilling it if I can find a pre-made box the same size as the internal box of the amiracle. __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

10/06/2007, 10:33 AM	#2
shelburn61 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Charlotte Posts: 2,094	Get the tank drilled for a bulkhead! Most shops can drill for you or it's easy to do yourself with a cheap ebay diamond holesaw. You won't regret it.

10/06/2007, 10:43 AM	#3
neelix Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fitchburg, Mass Posts: 209	They aren't safe at all, do it right get your tank drilled!

10/06/2007, 10:44 AM	#4
FishAreFriends2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,163	What are the chances I am going to get flooded if I attempted to get a hang on?

10/06/2007, 10:53 AM	#6
FishAreFriends2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,163	what about the ones that run on a pump? I have also read some of them say they are flood proof and know how to autoshut off. Which sounds like crap to me.

10/06/2007, 11:43 AM	#9
FishAreFriends2 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,163	What brand is considered good?

10/06/2007, 12:44 PM	#11
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	I've never had probs with mine. But its set up properly and my sump can take he extra water if it needs to (and has....alot of times) Like sjm said. Just get a utube.

10/06/2007, 03:45 PM	#13
jeffreyr Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 91	I have a Lifereef overflow and have not had one problem. I would highly recommend.

10/07/2007, 07:02 PM	#16
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	The lifereef is the best, but I did have a snail get into the overflow, and I was @ home to catch it, on my old tank. first is reef-ready tank Lifereef is the best next option

10/07/2007, 07:22 PM	#17
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	A snail in a U Tube, Durso standpipe or any plumbing could spell trouble. Take precautions to keep snails out of your overflows. Astrea snails make perfect pipe plugs! __________________ - Scott

10/07/2007, 07:32 PM	#18
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	The only time i get performance issues is when i need to clean the utubes out. But the syphon doesn't lose they just get small air bubbles at the top. But thats like once a month maybe...if that.

10/07/2007, 07:41 PM	#20
knight03 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Russellville ,ar Posts: 43	I have had u tube style for a year and have never lost syphon. Even when the power was off for 8 hrs. And just make sure that your returns are high enough in the tank that they break sipon shortly after power is lost.

10/07/2007, 07:54 PM	#21
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	There have been a few people with odd Eshoppe problems that I haven't seen with other U Tube overflows. Apparently, not everyone has the same issues. Not sure if they changed something or what the deal is. __________________ - Scott

10/08/2007, 12:07 AM	#24
happyface888 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 3,987	I thought about getting a overflow myself, but the problem is not the overflow its the fact that my stand cant even fit a 10gallon tank.... And if I removed the centerbrace for the stand it might break.

10/08/2007, 12:17 AM	#25
Blue Reef Girl Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 32	I have a CPR 100 use if anyone intrested let me know.