Non drilled tank alternatives- My DIY overflow...

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by Todd_Sails, Oct 19, 2012.

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  1. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    I started with a store bought Box type style overflow.

    Long story short, it was not enough.

    After a build of a similar type like this out of 1" diameter, it still wasn't enough, so I built this:

    It's an 'intank overflow' like a RR tank has.
    But this one does use a siphon style overflow to get in from the 'intank overflow', to the sump.

    My HOB DIY overflow is 1 and 1/2 inch and is designed to never loose the siphon, and it doesn't.

    It takes care of the tanks in my DT vids in my signature below.
    It's also the FTS attached

     

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    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 19, 2012
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  3. Camkha1234

    Camkha1234 Great Blue Whale

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    I love it! Very cool idea 8)
     
  4. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Thanks

    Very inexspensive, and easily modifiable also!
     
  5. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    Todd that rocks!!! Wow! What is that little black cable coming off the main pipe?
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2012
  6. budsbunny

    budsbunny Bristle Worm

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    very nice...well done
     
  7. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Thanks for asking!!

    The upper loop (it's a white PVC painted with Black Krylon spray paint), has to have a way to evacuate the air in the upper loop so that the siphon will start, and stay running.

    To start the siphon, I used a Turkey baster to fill the bottom loop thats behind the tank with water via the other vertical pipe- the air vent. The downpipe inside the tank that's in the 'intank overflow' is also under the water surface.

    The black little cylinder, is a one way air valve bought at Wal-Mart fish section. (Really doesn't completely seal if left uncapped)
    A piece of black air line (resists inner algae build up) is put on the valve and the air is sucked out by my Toms Aqualifter; or by sucking on it with your mouth, until you hear the water start to flow.- At this point, the air is evacuated, so b/c both ends of the pipe are under the water surface, it keeps it's siphon, even if no water is flowing.
    So, if a power out, or you turn off your return pump, it keeps it's siphon and flow when it's turned back on!

    That's a long explanation for a VERY simple concept.

    -Todd
     
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  9. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    Simple for you maybe-lol! I'm looking at a 56g as an upgrade in my near future. This overflow of yours is definitely the way I want to go. Thank you so much for sharing :)
     
  10. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Actually, what ever size you pipe you choose, pipe, fittings, etc. are very easy to deal with.
    ONly takes a hack saw to cut, and inexspensive PVC cement/primer. If you mess it up, you just cut and glue another. assemble the entire thing for fit, etc. before gluing.

    It is easy- If I can do it, so can you- I'm not a plumber

    FYI- RR tanks take their water for the sump surface skimming, and from a farily large area also. So does my set up.

    I recommend googling this type of overflow. My point is most of them pull all their water from either way beneath the surface-(bad idea- it will siphon that amount of water in a power out),
    or take it all from one small pipe. My method gets the same surface skimming as a RR does (mine set up skims 21in.- the circumference of my pipe), and drains very little in a power out, so not much siphons to the sump in a power out- yet it keeps it's siphon so when power is on, it continues to drain the tank.
     
  11. Scuba Ken

    Scuba Ken Ritteri Anemone

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    I think it's genius, you mention a google search, what exactly did you follow when making your overflow ? Do you have schematics ? Love the "won't flood" my house in the event of a power outage.
    What flow do you think u have now, compared to before ?
    An you show where and how you have the breather airline, and explain the siphon set up, would this work using a aqua lifter pump instead of sucking to start the siphon ?
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2012
  12. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Hi Ken,
    I did use many orther plans from the net, weeks of sifting, and came up with my own that I have even improved on a few times!

    I had a thread over on the Reef in the Middle forum- many stuck up power wielding moderators over there!

    The diagram pic attached is the BASIC design,
    HOWEVER- it is not my diagram, AND THE SIZES ARE ARBITRARY, and don't match mine at all.

    I have attached pics of the HOB overflow by itself,

    And the 'Intank Overflow'- which allows it to perform like most RR tanks.

    As far as won't flood, if it's designed and made properly, it won't lose siphon.
    BUT- nothing is truely failsafe. I do have an electonic shutoff switch for my return pump SHOULD the OF stop.--It never has yet, but I like redundancy, and is good insurance to keep my floor dry.

    When my Marineland 5500 return pump was in my stand, I used 1 inch PVC, and I had 3 x 90 degree bends just to get it up and to my tank edge.
    Now- I use
    SPA -Flex hose, and have NO 90 or 45 degree bends to get it up there.
    Although I added about 8-9 feet of head height, without the bends I'm getting about the same flow. It's alot of water coming back to my sump still!

    And lastly- YES, I have an aqualifter on my air lock valve now! After its running- I have also used it with a knot tied in a short piece of airline on it as well, with no siphon loss. Apparently, with high flow through it any air bubbles DO NOT stay in the top loop.
     

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    Last edited: Oct 21, 2012