For all those that use CPR overflow boxes...

[jcardona1]

Question for all you guys running CPR overflow boxes...do you know of any alternatives to the Aqua Lifter pump to keep the overflow primed? I dont like how these arent too reliable and can go out in the middle of the night.

Is there any other way to keep this thing primed?

 

[Bawb2u]

Question for all you guys running CPR overflow boxes...do you know of any alternatives to the Aqua Lifter pump to keep the overflow primed? I dont like how these arent too reliable and can go out in the middle of the night.

Is there any other way to keep this thing primed?

I've never used the CPR overflow but I was checking on them a while ago and the impression I got was that a regular powerhead could be used on these. Since the aqualifter pump is just used to pull air out, I thought that a line to the venturi hole on a Hagen powerhead would do the same thing. Since it's used to pull external air into the powerhead, my thought was that it could pull the air trapped inthe CPR the same way.

 

[jcardona1]

thx for the advice. i honestly never thought about this. i wonder how strong the venturi suction would be. could it be enough to keep the overflow primed?

 

[Austin]

i believe it will. i don't know from personal experience but i think i read the same somewhere. get one and try it.

 

[dr_sudz]

Wow, that seems more complicated then the self-priming overflows found in the DIY section here. I can't see why a maxi-jet venturi would have any issues with that.

 

[jcardona1]

just found another thread where people put a check valve on the line coming out of the overflow. i wish i would have thought of that. that could prevent the overflow from losing its prime if the aqua lifter fails

 

[jcardona1]

Wow, that seems more complicated then the self-priming overflows found in the DIY section here. I can't see why a maxi-jet venturi would have any issues with that.

theyre really good overflows. its just the aqua lifter pump (totally different company) suck and they can go bad quickly. but the check valve will take care of that

 

[Bawb2u]

thx for the advice. i honestly never thought about this. i wonder how strong the venturi suction would be. could it be enough to keep the overflow primed?

I'm *pretty sure* it will be strong enough, those aqualifter pumps aren't very strong from what I understand.

I had an alternate thought too, this one might be way off the wall though. By using the smallest of the Hagen reversable power heads, running backwards (sucking water in through the normal output and shooting out the bottom) you might be able to plumb that to the CPR box, so that when power and siphon are lost, power coming back on would fill the "U" of the box re-starting the siphon.

 

[Nic]

a good power head will do the same thing.... but the aqua lifters are very good

 

[jcardona1]

thx for the input. yeah the aqua lifters are good, but i hate how the diaphragms get clogged, even when using the prefilter!!!