Nice Cheap DIY Overflow

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by Covey, Feb 4, 2005.

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  1. Covey

    Covey Scooter Blennie

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    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.
     
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  3. ChrisO

    ChrisO Plankton

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    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
     
  4. Jay

    Jay Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    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
     
  5. Phonemonkey

    Phonemonkey Plankton

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    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.
     
  6. Covey

    Covey Scooter Blennie

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    This thread never dies!:laughing0

    "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.
     
  7. Phonemonkey

    Phonemonkey Plankton

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  9. Covey

    Covey Scooter Blennie

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    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.
     
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  10. Phonemonkey

    Phonemonkey Plankton

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    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.
     
  11. Phonemonkey

    Phonemonkey Plankton

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    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?
     
  12. Covey

    Covey Scooter Blennie

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