whats the real deal with siphon surface skimmers?

[Anonymous]

i was going to just drill holes in the back of my tank,
but this is just so much easier.
ive heard stories of them losing siphon and other problems.
i was looking at the cpr. i read about using a powerhead to
get the siphon started i think?
recomendations? advice? will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

cpr is a joke. Get a lifereef and lose the worries as did I and countless others. Its really simple to use. And the way i see it working, impossible to lose siphon unless you take the u tube out of the water.

 

[Len]

Siphon breaks when you least expect it. It's not a common occurance, but it only takes one lost siphon to flood your floor. That's why I recommend that if you have the option, use an internal overflow. These aren't fail-proof, mind you, but a lot safer then siphon tubes.

With that said ....
Siphons need water in them to get started. You can either pump water through them via a powerhead to get them going, or fill one up with water upside down, cover the ends with sarin wrap, put it in the overflow, and pull off the wrap to get it going.

I've heard decent things about the CPR overflows myself. They're different the most overflow boxes in that they don't use tubes. Rather, a special channel that runs entire length of the overflow box is used as a siphon.

I would buy a float switch (e.g. Ultralife's) if I was using a hang-on siphon. Set it for high water application where the float switch will disconnect power to the return pump if the water level is higher then a set point. That way, the possibilty of flooding is greatly minimized.

 

[Anonymous]

i would like to go with the internal overflow, but dont have an
empty tank to put my occupants in while im working on this one.
i think im going with the lifereef. main reason i was looking at the cpr
was the slimmer look without the u tube, but since my skimmer will
be in the sump, i can now put vho's in the canopy and put it back on.
you read my mind on the float switch, that was going to be my next post.
thanks for the help

 

[FrankK]

I have a CPR overflow.. Trust me, it's junk. It depends on a powerhead to suck out air that inevitably gets caught up in the siphon space, and the air tube inevitably gets clogged all the time. It takes constant fiddling to keep my show tank from dumping on the floor.

Get a U-tube like the Lifereef. I believe the U-tube design is better because it has higher flow velocity and a smooth cross-section.. So you don't need an air tube to suck out any air.

Or even better yet, drill your tank.

Only reason I still have the CPR is that I intend to break my tank down soon for an upgrade - with internal overflows!

 

[fishinsouthga]

i made my own sump and i just sectioned of the return pump area so if the syphon breaks it can only pump a few gallons back to my main tank, and the i just shoots air, (cost you a pump if you don't find it in time, but saves your carpet).


and with the u tubes, easiest way to get the syphon started is to fill both sides with water, take out u tube, stick 1 opening of a few feet of air line tube, re insert u tube with air line tube in it, and suck air out of other side of air line tube, just try not to get the salt water mouth rinse ....... its not so tastey, needs katchup.

 

[Anonymous]

i have a friend who thinks the cpr has gotten a lot of bad press.
he is happy enough with his. says he needs to monitor it but what doesn't need monitoring?

i have no experience with it myself but notice the bad rep it has.

i do prefer the look of the cpr to the J tube type.

 

[Anonymous]

I have used both CPR and u-tube systems. The CPR was no worse than the u-tube system. The u-tube collected air on a regular basis that I syphoned out manually- although maybe a higher flow rate would have kept the bubbles moving faster(this was a long time ago).

I don't think either one has a place in a valuable reef tank.

 

[ChrisRD]

drill, drill... :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

drill, drill... :wink:

yea thats what im thinking.
the first time i lose siphon and flood the carpets,
the wife would flip. i'd be looking for a new home for the tank.
i change my mind more times than i can count.

 

[Expos Forever]

A large Rubbermaid container would make a suitable temporary home for your habitants if you decide to "take the plunge".