prefilter box, siphon box, overflow box, siphon overflow, Eurobrace, Euro-brace, Euro-tank

4628 S. Ward Way, Morrison, Colorado 80465

Phone: 303-978-0940 and 303-719-0950

E-mail: lifereef@lifereef.com

Home All Products Price List Ordering Contact Catalog Request Sump/System SCHEDULE READY TO SHIP STUFF! NEW!!Jellyfish Tanks!

ATO/Reservoirs/ContainersCalcium Reactors Media Reactors Custom Showcase Testimonials Garage Sale Warranty

Berlin System/Sumps Nano System/Sumps Prefilter/Overflows Protein Skimmers Refugium/LifeReefugiumsWet/Dry Trickle Filters

NOT ONE FAILURE OR LOSS OF SIPHON SINCE IT WAS DESIGNED, MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO!

"Tubeless" siphon boxes are NOT better and have several failure modes, almost impossible to clean, and rely on a cheap "lifter" pump or powerhead to remain somewhat reliable.

Simply hang a Lifereef Prefilter Box (or two) on your aquarium and you can rest assured that your drilled aquarium isn't going to break, and they can, especially when you drill holes in the weakest part of the aquarium, the rim. And with those powerful in-tank current makers, these add more stress as the waves/currents bash the aquariums glass panels.

FEATURES OF ALL THE LIFEREEF PREFILTER SIPHON BOX DESIGNS:

THICKER AND STRONGER ACRYLIC for better joint ingetrity
STRONG ONE-PIECE BENT "BACKBONE" DESIGN INSTEAD OF GLUED PIECES
BONDED OUTPUT FITTING WITH A HOSEBARB CONNECTION OR OPTIONAL VACUUM HOSE CONNECTOR, gasket bulkheads will leak
TRUE MAXIMUM WATER FLOW VELOCITY OR GPH
REMOVABLE SIPHON TUBE THAT CAN BE CLEANED, siphon wall "tubeless" prefilters require the entire unit removed and you still can't clean the siphon area.
INNER BOX ADJUSTABLE UP/DOWN AND LOCKED INTO A VERTICAL POSITION SO IT CANNOT BE KNOCKED SIDEWAYS.
MANY MORE SLOTS/TEETH MEANING LESS WATER NEEDED FROM SUMP TO MAINTAIN FLOW RATE AND LESS DRAINDOWN WHEN POWER GOES OUT OR SHUT OFF.
REINFORCED WHERE STRESS IS THE GREATEST
ALIGNMENT TAB/SCREW SO BOX CAN BE ADJUSTED PARALLEL WITH THE AQUARIUM
INNER BOX CAN BE ADJUSTED UP/DOWN INDEPENDENT OF THE OUTER BOX WITHOUT HAVING TO RAISE THE ENTIRE PREFILTER AS IN "TUBELESS" DESIGNS
SIPHON TUBE WILL NOT LOSE WATER WHEN POWER GOES OUT
CLEAR SIPHON TUBE FOR VISUAL SAFETY. Smoke or black siphon tubes block critical view of this area and when it needs to be cleaned.
SIPHON WILL RESUME WATER FLOW WHEN POWER COMES BACK ON, not one failure in 30 years.
DOES NOT RELY ON ANOTHER CHEAP PRODUCT FOR SAFE OPERATION
OPTIONAL SILENCER AVAILABLE FOR PREFILTERS THAT MAY EXHIBIT NOISE.
ALL CORNERS AND EDGES RADIUSED TO PREVENT FISH DAMAGE, FLAME-POLISHING (AS OTHERS) LEAVES SHARP EDGES
CUSTOM SIZES CAN BE MADE FOR WIDE RIMS. LARGEST TO DATE WAS FOR AN AQUARIUM WITH A 12" RIM SPAN.
CUSTOM DEPTHS CAN BE MADE FOR AQUARIUMS WHERE THE WATER LEVEL IS MANY INCHES BELOW THE RIM
MADE FOR EURO-BRACE RIMS, RED SEA MAX AQUARIUMS, BIO-CUBE AQUARIUMS, ANY AQUARIUM CAN USE A LIFEREEF PREFILTER BOX

Single Prefilter, Single Slimline Prefilter, Double Prefilter, and Double Slimline Prefilter NOTES: Outer Boxes will have a clear bent "backbone" but the sides, bottom, back, inner divider, and tab may be of different colors. Rather than toss out small acrylic "remnants" I am using them in the prefilter boxes vs the landfills. Prices on the Price List take precedence over any and all prices on this page. I sometimes forget to update these pages but the price page gets updated by default.
SLIMLINE VS STANDARD	The difference between the Slimline and Standard is the distance the prefilter box sticks out behind your aquarium: 3 1/4" for Slimline, 4 1/4" for Standard, that's it. Flow rates are identical for both, and of course the filter foam is narrower on the Slimline. If the Silencer is used the filter foam cannot, but most sumps have a mechanical filter section.
Single Prefilter Box	The Single design is recommended for aquariums up to 48" long or flow rates up to 600 gph. Available in a Single and Slimline version. Flow rates up to 600 gph+ for both Standard and Slimline. You DO NOT have to match your pump to the flow rate of the prefilter. These prefilters are self-governing meaning it will remove water at the exact same rate as you are pumping it into the aquarium. Outer box measures 6 1/2" wide x 11" tall Inner box measures 7.5" wide x 9" tall x 3" (Can be made to custom dimensions if needed, except the 9" height) Required tank-to-wall clearance for Standard is 4" Required tank-to-wall clearance for Slimline is 3 1/4" Bonded on 1" male threaded output, 1" hosebarb connector supplied or request Vacuum Type connector		Prices: Order Single $159.00 Single Slimline $159.00 Lifereef Silencer $22.00 Double $279.00 Double Slimline $279.00 Lifereef Silencers $31.00 (includes two Silencers) Spare Siphon Tubes $18.00 HIGHLY recommended to have a spare siphon or two on hand, they will easily break if dropped on the floor and the box refuses to function without this part. The siphon tubes will need cleaned so if you drop it, it's done. Return J-Tube $15.00 Required for getting water back over the aquarium rim. 1" ID Vinyl Tubing: $4.50/foot 3/4" ID Vinyl Tubing: $4.00/foot The RETURN J-TUBE can use both 3/4" and 1" ID tubing.
Double Prefilter Box	The Double is recommended for aquariums longer than 48" or flow rates up to 1200 gph. Outer box measures 14" wide x 11" tall Inner box measures 14" wide x 9" tall x 3" (Can be made to custom dimensions if needed, except the 9" height) Required tank-to-wall clearance for Standard is 4 1/4" Required tank-to-wall clearance for Slimline is 3 1/4" 2x bonded on 1" male threaded outputs, 1" hosebarb connectors supplied. Vacuum style connectors available upon request.
Super Slim at 2"	The absolute narrowest the prefilter can be is 2". This cannot use a filter foam nor can it use the Silencer. Only use this if your tank is 2" away from the wall and cannot be moved.
See Silencer photo below in Nano Prefilter Section. Photo of just the Silencer coming soon. $22.00 Order	Lifereef Prefilter Silencer for Standard and Slimline Not all installations will run silent so a Lifereef Silencer is offered for this purpose. You are welcome to order this with your prefilter box and if not needed you can send it back for a full refund (less shipping). There are a number of factors that can cause any prefilter to make noise, or run silent, or somewhere in-between. You just never know until it is up and running, at various flow rates, plumbing runs, etc.
Nano-Prefilter for Nano-Aquariums of course!
Nano Shown next to standard prefilter for size comparison. $139.00	Nano Prefilter Perfect for small reef or fish aquariums and BioCubes, any nano tank. Flow rate up to 400 gph (and anything in-between 0 and 400 gph) In other words it will flow whatever gph you give it up to its maximum rate. Outer box: 5" x 3 1/8" x 9" high Inner box: 3 3/4 x 2 1/4" x 6 1/2" Output connection 3/4" male thread with hosebarb connector included		Prices: Order For all Nano, BioCube $149.00 Lifereef Silencer $22.00 Spare Siphon Tube $11.00 HIGHLY recommended to have a spare siphon or two on hand, they will easily break if dropped on the floor and the box refuses to function without this part. The siphon tubes will need cleaned so if you drop it, it's done. Return J-Tube $15.00 Required for getting water back over the aquarium rim.
Super Slim NANO at 2"	The absolute narrowest the prefilter can be is 2". This cannot use a filter foam nor can it use the Silencer. Only use this if your tank is 2" away from the wall and cannot be moved.
Nano-Prefilter for Red Sea Max 130/130D and 250
Front View Optional Lifereef Silencer shown in right prefilter but can be used in "WEDGE" version also. Rear View "WEDGE" version inner box shown on right	If you will be removing your RSM protein skimmer order the RSM NANO prefilter. If you will keep your RSM protein skimmer in its stock position order the RSM WEDGE.prefilter. Tank Canopy Modifications: The top rear cover of the RSM130/130D will need a modification as shown. Instructions give dimensions for this mod. For the RSM250: Order the LRSM Nano Tank Rim Modification: The left rear fan opening will need modification as shown below.	Priced as Follows: Order RSM Nano $149.00 RSM Wedge $149.00 for older RSM-D skimmers, will not work with newer skimmers with the larger collection cup. Lifereef Silencer $22.00 You might also want to order the following: Modified Cover $ 25.00 (specify color) 3/4" vinyl tubing $4.00/ft 5/8" vinyl tubing $ 2.50/ft Return J-tube $12.00 Mag7 pump $109.00 3/4" ball valve/barb $5.00 Spare Siphon $11.00 Return J-Tube This is how the water gets back to your aquarium.
$22.00 Order	Lifereef Prefilter Silencers for Nano, RSM, and BioCube Not all prefilter boxes will run silent so a Lifereef Silencer is offered for this purpose. You are welcome to order this with your prefilter box and if not needed you can send it back for a full refund. There are a number of factors that can cause any prefilter to make noise, or run silent, or somewhere in-between. You just never know until it is up and running, at various flow rates, plumbing runs, etc.
Custom Euro-Rimmed Prefilters
Euro-rim Prefilter Boxes	Custom made to fit your Euro rim tank.	Euro-style aquariums typically have a 3" to 5" wide rim. Prefilter boxes can be made to fit any rim width.
DETAIL PHOTOS , CUSTOMS, ETC

Details unique to all of the Lifereef Prefilter Boxes:

	Outer box utilizes a one-piece "backbone" bent from 1/4" thick acrylic. Nano boxes are 3/16" but still strong enough to handle the job.
	The inner slotted box is locked in a vertical position and cannot be knocked out of alignment by fish, waves, or water currents. Inner box can be adjusted up or down a full 1 1/2" and is held together with a strong nylon wingnut and bolt. Others use a single or multiple holes with only a few settings and making adjustment difficult and the box can be knocked out of alignment which can lead to your sump flooding.
	1" male threaded fitting is permanently bonded to the bottom and is forever leakproof (3/4" on nano-prefilters). No gaskets or o-rings that can leak. Others use gaskets or o-rings which are susceptible to salt-creep and leaks. Can also be ordered with an adapter for vacuum hose type installations.
	CNC machined slots of uniform size and spacing for even water flow. Tab on back of inner box slides in track in outer box to maintain a permanent vertical alignment.
	Nylon thumbscrew allow the entire prefilter assembly to be aligned parallel to the aquarium back.
	Colors available are blue, clear, and black. Color has no affect on algae growth. Clear only for RSM and BioCube prefilters, you can't see it so you don't need a color.
	For aquariums with wide rims such as the Euro style aquariums we can fabricate any width. The one shown will fit over a 4 1/2" wide rim.

Contrary to what you have heard or been told you do not have to match a prefilter box with the pumps gph output. The prefilter will handle from a zero flow to its maximum flow rate, and anything in-between. In fact it is better to have a pump larger than you require and then using a ball valve (does not harm a pump to cut back flow) you can adjust to your liking.

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 or unreliable secondary powerheads or "aquapump" to remove bubbles and air from the tube.

The water velocity through a siphon tube is faster than the water velocity through a tubeless design and therefore any bubbles generated flow right through a siphon tube. Bubbles do build up in the tubeless designs, that is why they have powerheads to hopefully keep them operating. These "tubeless" designs also pump air bubbles into your aquarium ruining the view.

Once started the siphon tube will ALWAYS 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.