Just got a new hob overflow any good ?

[Dancingmad]

On the CPR i just had a small nail close by to poke a hole if it got clogged (i put various tools inside a Styrofoam box for drying that our critters come in if ordering). Just stuck it in the rim of the Styrofoam. A disaster with any overflow box can be avoided by taking a peak at the siphon daily when feeding. Its seriously that simple. [emoji3]

 

[Larry L]

I ran the CPR for a number of years until I got a drilled tank, had a few overflow accidents in the mean time. Like others have said, you need to keep an eye on it and make sure it is not losing the siphon due to the connector clogging, or the Aqualifter clogging, or air bubbles collecting at the top, or whatever. Also, over time, you can get quite a collection of things like vermetid snails growing inside, which can restrict the flow quite a bit if you don't do a vinegar soak and cleaning every now and again (it's pretty hard to reach all the insides for cleaning).

I found that I could use the height adjustment screws to tilt it just slightly upwards on the side with the connector, and that would help any trapped air bubbles make their way up into the connector for the Aqualifter to suck them out.

I also bought Aqualifter replacement part kits and replacement intake filters, super cheap and easy when it inevitably needs repair. @Mike Paletta recently wrote an article about redundancy and specifically mentioned the idea of running two overflows just to be safe.

 

[Engloid]

Yeah, aqualifter parts are cheap but its like rebuilding air pumps...but they wear out faster. Its just an old and crappy design.

 

[Bradley Crocker]

On the CPR i just had a small nail close by to poke a hole if it got clogged (i put various tools inside a Styrofoam box for drying that our critters come in if ordering). Just stuck it in the rim of the Styrofoam. A disaster with any overflow box can be avoided by taking a peak at the siphon daily when feeding. Its seriously that simple. [emoji3]

I kept a wooden toothpick nearby for the same reason.

 

[vlangel]

I have run HOB overflows for 10 years. I only ever had 1 mishap in 10 years. A power surge fried the aqualifter and it overflowed. At least I was home.

 

[Engloid]

Did you run it for ten years and never lose siphon, or clog an aqualifter, without any mantainence?

 

[Engloid]

Sorry....cant edit typos.

 

[Michael Cooper]

I run the same brand overflow on two of my tanks and absolutely love it. Super convenient and a much cheaper option then having an internal overflow installed and holes cut in the glass, and obviously less of a risk of damaging the tank. People have said the aqua lifter pumps crap out, but mines been going for about 14 months (Knock on wood!). But the pumps are dirt cheap, like $15, so worth thing is you get a backup to have on hand incase the original dies. For those who say the siphon breaks when the pump dies and there will be flooding, I would presume they are doing something wrong. The pump is really for starting the siphon, but the overflow can maintain the siphon without it if it dies (or at least it should).

 

[Engloid]

The pump also keeps air out of the overflow. Turn it off and run it for a week or two and see how much air accumulates in it.

 

[USMC4Life]

Take a look at this. I got this one and it self primes with out a lifter.

KollerCraft TOM RP3 Overflow Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LYTE4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-BHXybPM25H3N