overflow question

[EQCM2B]

I have been reading up on overflows, even tried to make one as per melves diy. Is there a preference between the tube type and the diy type. From what I read elsewhere from people who buy an overflow they prefer the tube type over the the type made in the diy section. A lot even put down the CPR brand. What is your opinion of which is best, tube type or the other type?

[dakar]

I've built several of the wier box type (albiet I've made some madifications/improvements to the ones Marc L. has plans for) they work quite well. One advantage over the U tube type is they can be drilled and an 'aqualifter' pump used to draw any air out of the box before it can accumilate and break the siphon. Actually have a monster on our 180 right now that can easily handle 2K+ gph.

They are pretty easilly constructed with some basic tools. If you want to go this route let me kow and I'll draw up and post some of my suggeted mods to them.

I suppose you could do that with a U tube though the material used for most U tubes is generally pretty thin and may be more prone to cracking if drilled because the material is stretched out to make the bend.

IMO CPR gets bashed for the price tags their products carry.... charging over $100+ for something that can be constructed in about a hours time with $15 worth of acrylic is outrageous.

[EQCM2B]

Thanks.

[davejnz]

http://www.captivereefing.com/viewtopic.php?t=1449

BTW,I have some extra overflows for sale in the FS forum here if u need one

[EQCM2B]

Davejnz, I read the thread that that you posted already. I even tried to make one as per melves web page. Although I have not gotten the weldon to put it together yet it is UGLY! lol. I guess that is what I get for using 1/4 inch instead of 1/8 inch as recommended. It takes a little more to heat up and form, plus my patients is in short supply. Hopefully I will find some patients when I retire in about 3 months. Thanks for the information and I'll check out the items in the FS forum.

[dakar]

Actually I think you were closer to the right track using 1/4" acrylic than you realize. That is one of the things I began changing in his original design. Within a year 1/8" becomes VERY brittle, and it doesn't take much to break.... As a matter of fact I broke two of my first 1/8" desgined ones this week.