Posted by ArkansasGem on January 15, 2003 at 20:03:25:
Below is info I copied from site... sounds like it will work for me.. what do you all think?
Siphon tube prefilter boxes are preferable and SAFER to use than siphon tube-less boxes for several reasons. They are easier to clean, easier to maintain, easy to start, and do not require faulty check valves (that get clogged with algae) to remove bubbles from the siphon tube. They also do not require unreliable powerheads to restart the siphon. If the powerhead fails your tank overflows! Even in a power outage your sump can overflow if these other boxes are not set up correclty.
To clean the Lifereef simply remove the siphon tube from the box and clean, no need to remove the entire prefilter box. Since no powerhead is needed to keep the Lifereef Prefilter Box running you will not have unsightly micro-bubbles constantly being blown all over your reef.
The water velocity through a siphon tube is faster than the water velocity through a tubeless design and therefore any bubbles generated get sucked right through a siphon tube. Bubbles build up in the tubeless designs, that is why they have powerheads to keep them operating!
A large diameter, 1 1/8", siphon tube flows water at a velocity fast enough to remove any air bubbles that may enter tube. Water is prefiltered through a foam filter element that will continue to allow the prefilter to operate even if the foam is completely covered with debris. Prefilter will not overflow even if foam filter is dirty.
The inner slotted prefilter/skimmer box can be adjusted vertically to set aquarium water level. This slotted box engages in a vertical track that keeps it from being knocked out of alignment. A large 1/4" diameter stainless bolt and nylon wingnut attach the inner box to the outer box.
The siphon will RESTART and resume flowing water after a power failure or when you turn the pump back on. There is no need to restart the siphon tube.
