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DIY PVC Overflow?
- Thread starter Trevor
- Start date
SteelerMike
Non-member
My dad and I are using those but with a slight modification. We built an in tank overflow to use with it. (see pic below). Got the idea from Todd Sails on RC. My dad has had his up and running for 3 months and it works great. He has actually lost power a few times with no issue and we have tested losing power with it several times as well, starts righ back up. I am in the process of installing 2 on my 125
OP
OP
Trevor
Non-member
So with this one is there another pipe that goes into it or is there more that goes on the bottom?
Owen386
Non-member
IMO PVC over flower no good.
Thing is it works great even starts syphon back up after power failure but this is when your testing it. Over time it will loose syphon. I used one for a while worked fine pretty much kept up with my mag 9.5 I just could not sleep at night thinking it was going to loose syphon and over flow my tank so opted to deal with flawless gravity instead LOL
(Drilling)
Though if you were to use it I would run it with like an aqua-lifter pump to maintain syphon and MAKE SURE ITS AIR TIGHT!
Good luck with whatever you do
P.S I have a cpr over flow for sale (but does not affect my opinion actually the reason I have it Went from the pvc overflowe to the CPR overflow and finnaly a RR tank)
Thing is it works great even starts syphon back up after power failure but this is when your testing it. Over time it will loose syphon. I used one for a while worked fine pretty much kept up with my mag 9.5 I just could not sleep at night thinking it was going to loose syphon and over flow my tank so opted to deal with flawless gravity instead LOL
(Drilling)
Though if you were to use it I would run it with like an aqua-lifter pump to maintain syphon and MAKE SURE ITS AIR TIGHT!
Good luck with whatever you do
P.S I have a cpr over flow for sale (but does not affect my opinion actually the reason I have it Went from the pvc overflowe to the CPR overflow and finnaly a RR tank)
OP
OP
Trevor
Non-member
Yea and I have it kinda setup like the aqualifter set up, I have the red Rodi line coming out the top and looped around going back into the maxijet so it's always pulling any air that gets in as seen in the 4th pic
joelg
Non-member
Trevor
I have run these for years both fresh and salt with no issues they work great if constructed properly
but the way you have the mesh over the pipe is an issue, too easy to clog
try cutting a fitting for the top like steelermike posted and trim the pipe accordingly to get the tank level you want
that's what I used and never had a problem.
I have run these for years both fresh and salt with no issues they work great if constructed properly
but the way you have the mesh over the pipe is an issue, too easy to clog
try cutting a fitting for the top like steelermike posted and trim the pipe accordingly to get the tank level you want
that's what I used and never had a problem.
OP
OP
Trevor
Non-member
Thanks for the tip, I don't really have anything to get clogged in it, only put it there for snails.
Also what size pipe are you running? And how much flow do you have running threw it, I have very very little flow or it starts making toilet flushing sounds..
joelg
Non-member
I use 1" and with a mag 5 get about 3-400 gph
but I have to admit the one drawback to this overflow is noise
I have tried many different ways to silence it but never got it close to quiet
but in my case it does not matter, all my tanks are in the basement
and for the mesh algae alone will clog that pretty quick
but I have to admit the one drawback to this overflow is noise
I have tried many different ways to silence it but never got it close to quiet
but in my case it does not matter, all my tanks are in the basement
and for the mesh algae alone will clog that pretty quick
I like what Steelermike did, keeps the snails out AND provides for a bit better surface skim. I'll always encourage anyone to Drill a tank over using something like this, but if you must then definately use some sort of mod to get that surface skim.
Pat02026
Non-member
FWIW diamond drill bits are inexpensive, comparable to the price of the amount of PVC you guys are using. AQueon lists all their tanks with a specification as to whether or not they're tempered (most are only tempted on the bottom) so sides and back can be drilled. You can find 1" bulkheads and a diamond bit on eBay for ~$20 and to have peace of mind and an easy quiet and reliable (can set up either durso, herbie or bean) I have drilled 5,10, 20, and 40 breeders. It's easy just gotta go slow and use plenty of water to keep the bit cool.
SteelerMike
Non-member
Yes, the pvc goes inside the overflow. My overflow is a bit different. See the picture below. The long straight tube, goes down inside the overflow and sits about an inch and a half off the bottom
OP
OP
Trevor
Non-member
Sweet idea, and does this system stay primed if there was a power outage? Is there a check valve or airline that comes out somewhere to help with priming? Also what size PVC are you using for everything?
SteelerMike
Non-member
It doesn't lose siphon due to a power outage. Read through this thread and watch the video. http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/non-drilled-tank-alternatives-my-diy-overflow-140523.html
I'm using 1 inch PVC for my overflow and my base in tank is 3" PVC that expands to a 4" cover. There is a check valve that gets installed on the top to get all the air out initially. You will see it in the video.
I'm using 1 inch PVC for my overflow and my base in tank is 3" PVC that expands to a 4" cover. There is a check valve that gets installed on the top to get all the air out initially. You will see it in the video.
OP
OP
Trevor
Non-member
Ok so I bit the bullet and just decided to drill it instead, I couldn't sleep great at night fearing it would lose syphon somehow, so this was the first tank I drilled
After a quick run to the LFS to trade a frag for another 10g success!!
but it's SUPER loud!
How can I quiet this?
And I've tried this to no success
Thanks in advance
After a quick run to the LFS to trade a frag for another 10g success!!
but it's SUPER loud!
How can I quiet this?
And I've tried this to no success
Thanks in advance
Pat02026
Non-member
You need a tee on the outside of the tank, with the top capped and a small hole drilled to let air in behind the water. That should quiet it right down; my frag tank is like that, using only 1" PVC and its quiet as a mouse..... There's also a reverse durso at the pipe exit where it drains to the sump.
