WTB CPR CS50 or CS90
- Thread starter Savager
- Start date
The CPR overflows are unreliable. I experienced two floods in one year with one. I recommend you re-think getting one. If you need to have an external overflow get an Amiracle or Lifereef style one with the U-tube. They are failproof when setup properly, unlike the CPR's.
scarf_ace1981
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- San Juan, PR
got this one from tasmart123( salt-solutions) on ebay. been up for months never had a problem. very thick plexi. well made
scarf_ace1981
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- San Juan, PR
did i forget to mention it's rate for 600gph and cost $50 bucks
That's the same as the amiracle/lifereef style.
The problem with the CPR overflows is that they require a pump or a venturi powerhead to keep air from forming inside the overflow channel. Because of the design of the channel, air formation is inevitable so you have to keep pulling it out via the pump/powerhead. Overflow failure can occur if this pump fails or if the air nipple on top of the unit gets plugged, say with a piece of food or algae. Like I said, I had two floods in less than year because the CPR overflow lost siphon yet I used an amiracle style overflow for about eight years without a single problem. There are only two ways that the u-tube overflows can fail and they are both 100% preventable. The first is having a strong enough return pump. If your return pump is too weak then an air pocket will begin to form in the u-tube. Fortunately this happens slowly and will not happen right away and break siphon. Going to a stronger pump (that doesn't exceed the overflow capacity of course) will eliminate the air pocket completely. The other potential for failure which I once heard someone on reef central post about is that a snail could crawl into the tube and restrict the flow. I never had this problem but some people cut a piece of eggcrate to fit over the inner box of the overflow so that a snail can't enter.
Believe me when I say that it isn't just me when it comes to CPR overflow failures. Do a search on reef central and you will come up with dozens of threads where people had their tank rooms flooded because a CPR overflow failed.
By the way, I should add that if the tank isn't set up yet you would be better off to get it drilled than to have an overflow box of any kind IMO.
The problem with the CPR overflows is that they require a pump or a venturi powerhead to keep air from forming inside the overflow channel. Because of the design of the channel, air formation is inevitable so you have to keep pulling it out via the pump/powerhead. Overflow failure can occur if this pump fails or if the air nipple on top of the unit gets plugged, say with a piece of food or algae. Like I said, I had two floods in less than year because the CPR overflow lost siphon yet I used an amiracle style overflow for about eight years without a single problem. There are only two ways that the u-tube overflows can fail and they are both 100% preventable. The first is having a strong enough return pump. If your return pump is too weak then an air pocket will begin to form in the u-tube. Fortunately this happens slowly and will not happen right away and break siphon. Going to a stronger pump (that doesn't exceed the overflow capacity of course) will eliminate the air pocket completely. The other potential for failure which I once heard someone on reef central post about is that a snail could crawl into the tube and restrict the flow. I never had this problem but some people cut a piece of eggcrate to fit over the inner box of the overflow so that a snail can't enter.
Believe me when I say that it isn't just me when it comes to CPR overflow failures. Do a search on reef central and you will come up with dozens of threads where people had their tank rooms flooded because a CPR overflow failed.
By the way, I should add that if the tank isn't set up yet you would be better off to get it drilled than to have an overflow box of any kind IMO.
Last edited:
Sponsor Reefs
We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.
Click here to sponsor $10:
