Nice Cheap DIY Overflow-I made this! - Page 2-3reef Forums

Covey · 02-12-2005, 12:33 PM

Before someone asks. The front U hangs in the tank. The back U hangs out of the tank. Water flow in thru the short open pipe,up and over the side, and out thru the T. The tall open pipe is a vent and you use it to prime the overflow.

Covey · 03-01-2005, 11:02 AM

Here it is in the tank in its original design

Covey · 03-01-2005, 11:13 AM

As is it worked fine but someone out there has got to be think won't this thing clog up. Well the original design on Reef Central didn't have a strainer and there was some debate wiether you needed one or not. It is a 1 1/4 all the way to the sump. So what ever goes in the top will come out the bottom right. WRONG!!!!
It turns out that a turbos snail is the perfect size to get stuck in one of these. Fortunally the I had the good luck the the snail deside to make a trip down the pipe right as I got up to feed the fish. So I managed to turn the return pump off before any flooding happened. So I had to make a strainer. I add another 90 elbow, a cap, and a strainer made out of a section of pipe

Covey · 03-01-2005, 11:18 AM

It works better now I think the strainer increases the surface skimming of this overflow. The strainer assemble is just snug fit on not cemented like the rest of it. I am real happy with it it move over 600gph no problem and cost under $30

Covey · 03-01-2005, 11:22 AM

Here is a main view

dx7fd2 · 03-01-2005, 11:50 AM

Nice job on the overflow Covey!! I had to put a plastic sheet of 1/8" diamond grating in my weir to stop the stupid peppermint shrimp from taking a rollercoaster ride!! I kept finding it in the return area every morning looking very smug that it had figured it out. Good thing I have a strainer on the return pump or shrimp sushi would have been on the menu that morning!

Drew