Nice Cheap DIY Overflow

[Covey]

The larger single pipe system that locutus pointed out a page back might be good to look into. You would reuse 90% of the overflow you just built.

[ChrisO]

Yeah, that's pretty much what i was thinking of doing.
I would prefer to get some sort of black box to hold the pipe rather than using a pipe. I think that would allow for a lower profile design. Say a box 14" tall, 4" wide and the diameter of the overflow pipe deep. Not sure where i could get something like this, or where i could buy the plastic to make it.

In order to get this to work i'll also need to work out how to attach this plastic box to the glass at the back of the tank while the tank is full of water.

Maybe milliput or something would work.

Chris

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Diver_1298

Wet/Dry Aquarium filters and overlfow boxes
$53.49 delivered to your home.
I applaud your decision to make your own overflow. I didn't like seeing the $250 plus price tag on acrylic sumps either so I made one out of a 20 gallon long tank a couple of pieces of glass and some silicone total price about $50. If you decide to finish this project post some pictures. That's one of the reasons I made my own based on some one else's design and pics

Jim

edit: fixed url

Jim: Im with you. I also made both my sumps from 20 gallon long tanks. Kinda a fun project. For those who are intrested here is a page with instructions along with tons and tons of useful data.

Jay

Marc's Hidden Treasure

[Phonemonkey]

Sorry to bump a dead thread, was planning to make this for the 100g FW setup I'm working on, but have a couple concerns.

It would seem that since the only intake is at the water line, this overflow would not remove much if any debris/waste from the tank. I would think any waste would just sink to the bottom and foul the tank.

Someone stated that the return pump output MUST be placed higher in the tank than the intake of the overflow. This doesn't seem to make any sense to me, as the intake of the overflow is essentially at the top of the tank... If you cant place the return below the intake of the overflow, it would seem impossible to create much of any flow in a tank as large as 100g.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

[Covey]

This thread never dies!

"It would seem that since the only intake is at the water line, this overflow would not remove much if any debris/waste from the tank. I would think any waste would just sink to the bottom and foul the tank."

It would just depend on what the turn over rate is.

"Someone stated that the return pump output MUST be placed higher in the tank than the intake of the overflow. This doesn't seem to make any sense to me, as the intake of the overflow is essentially at the top of the tank... If you cant place the return below the intake of the overflow, it would seem impossible to create much of any flow in a tank as large as 100g."

The overflow and the return are unrelated. I don't know where that came from.

[Phonemonkey]

It would just depend on what the turn over rate is.

Well, help me out here (noob), my return pump from my sump is a rio plus 2100 TAAM Inc., Aquarium Products: Rio Aqua Pump. Should I be looking at upgrading to a more powerful pump?

The overflow and the return are unrelated. I don't know where that came from.

From http://www.3reef.com/forums/343977-post126.html

[Covey]

I think your fine on the return pump.

As far as the design of the overflow goes. The overflow and the return are still related.

Apollo was talking about how the return is setup to reduce back siphoning when the power is out. Rather than having the output higher overflow(it would be noisy and splash water). I would just add a siphon break.

[Phonemonkey]

Well, I'm thinking I should upgrade to a pump that will give me a minimum of 500 gph, preferably more.

Does anyone have any reccomendations on a pump that will actually put that much flow into the tank at, lets say, a 6' head? Cost is a factor here.

[Phonemonkey]

so I'm looking at this pump:

Pan World 100PX-X Water Pump

On sale on a different site for $145, but thats a LOT of gph, what size pipe would I need to use to handle that much flow?

[Covey]

That is the relabled pump I am using(I have a the Coralife). Very worth the money. Quiet, cool running, always starts.