DIY Overflow Advise?

9 posts

Member introductions and random (non-aquarist) topics.


wakebd1987
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:38 pm

DIY Overflow Advise?

by wakebd1987

I am in the process of making a 30 Gal - Long Freshwater Refugium/Sump. I currently have a 3D background in my 29 Gallon Lake Mal Cichlid tank so i do not have much room for a "internal" overflow box to carry the water into the external box, where the siphon could be kept during a power outage. I have seen the system that some people have used with the pvc running to the bottom of the tank then going back up and out, tie-ing into a T then running to sump below, but am leery of this idea due to a lot of comments regarding this system loosing suction. My tanks are at my office so i do not want to have a siphon break to cause a massive flood. any ideas on how to make the Internal/External Overflow box work with very minimal space on the inside of the tank?


wakebd1987
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:38 pm

Re: DIY Overflow Advise?

by wakebd1987

do i need to have an internal box or can i just have my siphon run from the tank to the external box and have my overflow pipe be above where the two ends of the siphon are?


Okiimiru
 
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:19 pm

Re: DIY Overflow Advise?

by Okiimiru

Have you seen UaruJoey's DIY overflow construction video?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65yVr7DiDls


wakebd1987
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:38 pm

Re: DIY Overflow Advise?

by wakebd1987

Yeah, I've seen both of his; as well as, many other videos. The only thing i am leery of, is the likely hood of the siphon to break and not restore flow after a power outage. i was thinking of doing a "hang on back" overflow box, and then having my overflow pipe in that, be just below the surface line i am trying to achieve in the main tank. that would allow for the "u-pipe" to stay in constant siphon, even during a power outage. my main thought with that though is, do i have to have an internal overflow box? i don't have much room at all (maybe 1" of space between the background and back of tank) so wouldn't i be able to just put a strainer on the end of my "u-pipe" which will flow to the external box, and water level will be determined by my overflow pipe in the external box? i just have not seen anyone who did not use the internal box when doing this type of set up?


Okiimiru
 
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:19 pm

Re: DIY Overflow Advise?

by Okiimiru

"The only thing i am leery of, is the likely hood of the siphon to break and not restore flow after a power outage."
I really think you're overthinking this. What happened in the video when UaruJoey turned off the power, simulating a power outage? The water stopped flowing and the tank stopped draining. You saw it yourself. Why would it work any differently if built on your tank?


wakebd1987
 
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:38 pm

Re: DIY Overflow Advise?

by wakebd1987

your right about that. i am definitely over thinking it. if it ever messes up on me, i'll just change the design. i just finished the baffles on my sump/refugium yesterday, i'll post a few pictures once i get it up and running. thanks for the straight forward obvious answer. its what i needed to hear! have a good one.


djsnowman06
 
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 3:29 pm

Re: DIY Overflow Advise?

by djsnowman06

check out my latest thread ... for an idea ... needs some tweeking for higher flows but it very compact.


djsnowman06
 
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 3:29 pm

Re: DIY Overflow Advise?

by djsnowman06

topic5096.html sorry lol


djsnowman06
 
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 3:29 pm

Re: DIY Overflow Advise?

by djsnowman06

oh and if ur leery about suction loss, add a float switch to shut off the pump.

DIY Overflow Advise?

9 posts

Display posts from previous: Sort by: