diy overflow!!!!!!!!! check it out!!!!

Isistius · #1 10-02-2007, 09:45 PM

ok. to make a long story short, i broke 1 of my 2 overflows on saturday while i was cleaning them. in a quandry and not knowing what to do, i ran across plans on how to build your own overflow out of pvc. so, after $20 in pvc and $30 in spa-flex, here's what i did:

pre-glued

right side working

behind the right side

behind the tank

Isistius · #2 10-02-2007, 09:46 PM

more:

left side

left side working

any thoughts or comments, please share.

ifirefight · #3 10-02-2007, 10:15 PM

Very nicely done Jeff !

Youre not as dumb as you look...

GrouperGenius · #4 10-02-2007, 10:17 PM

Too cool. Great idea. The only thing I might have done different would be to make the vent tubes in the back a little taller.

Do they run quiet? Looks like they would.

GrouperGenius · #5 10-02-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifirefight

Very nicely done Jeff !

Youre not as dumb as you look...

Man that's cold....BTW I see the top of your Avatar in the first pic. Likes to watch Dad work.

Future Reefhead.

ifirefight · #6 10-02-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrouperGenius

Man that's cold....

Jeffs a buddy of mine...he knows Im just busting his chops.

GrouperGenius · #7 10-02-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifirefight

Jeffs a buddy of mine...he knows Im just busting his chops.

I figured that much. I would do the same.

trippkid · #8 10-02-2007, 10:47 PM

Very nice DIY project, like asked previously, is it quiet? Nice job
Matt

Ibew · #9 10-02-2007, 10:51 PM

when power goes out and comes back on do you lose siphon though

renogaw · #10 10-02-2007, 10:55 PM

what's preventing fish from getting sucked in?

GrouperGenius · #11 10-02-2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibew

when power goes out and comes back on do you lose siphon though

Looking at the design I would say no. When the power comes back on, the water will pump from the sump back to the tank, overflow into the tube, and fill the tube to the height of the water in the tank. The return line is lower than that and would start the flow again. That's the reason for the vent in the back.

At least thats how it looks.

Ibew · #12 10-02-2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrouperGenius

Looking at the design I would say no. When the power comes back on, the water will pump from the sump back to the tank, overflow into the tube, and fill the tube to the height of the water in the tank. The return line is lower than that and would start the flow again. That's the reason for the vent in the back.

At least thats how it looks.

confused

looks like when power goes out the water line goes below the tube in the tank and loses siphon the vent in the back I though it was just for noise like a dursco or a stockman and also to regain siphon not sure though

GrouperGenius · #13 10-02-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibew

confused

looks like when power goes out the water line goes below the tube in the tank and loses siphon the vent in the back I though it was just for noise like a dursco or a stockman and also to regain siphon not sure though

Ya got me thinkin'.

Only thing maybe is to block off the vents as the pump is restarted...maybe?? Sucking the air out of the lines then restarting the flow.
Possibly a 1 way flap valve on the vent??

jrthomas40 · #14 10-03-2007, 01:16 AM

it doesnt look like there is a siphon to worry about...looks like if the power goes out the water will drain to the top of the inlets in the tank...once they go below the water will stop flowing....when the power returns the return pump begins putting the water back into the tank from the sump once the level of the water gets back above the inlet drain the overflow begins draining again...i dont see where the siphon is??

jrthomas40 · #15 10-03-2007, 01:17 AM

what i dont see is the purpose of the vent tubes??

Isistius · #16 10-03-2007, 08:16 AM

holy cow - i didn't expect this many responses. i'll try to answer as many questions as i can.

1. brett- i am as think as you dumb i is.

2. tripp and grouper - it is fairly quiet. i was running regular hob with stockman pipes. it's about that same noise level. i can make it quieter by using a cap with a small hole over the vent tubes

3. ibew- no syphon loss. it works (i think) just like a durso. except the initial startup in which the air in the tube needs to be sucked out. just like in a u-tube overflow. that's the reason for the check valves. other than that, it stays sealed.

4. reno- nothing right now. i will probable put a mesh screen on it when i can find a decent one. i was considering making the tubes taller and putting cuts in them, which is another option.

jr- i'm not really sure of the vent tube in the back either. i think it's to allow for any trapped air to escape.

hope this answers your questions

jrthomas40 · #17 10-03-2007, 09:16 AM

i can see now what siphon they are talking about....if the power was to go out and the water drain...how are you going to make it come back over the side of the tank because the level should level out equal to the drain in the tank which is lower and will have create the air bubble to sit at the top...have you turned it off then turn it back on to see what it will do???

Isistius · #18 10-03-2007, 09:38 AM

i have shut it off. it works very much like a standard overflow box w/ u-tube. when the power goes off, the level of the tank will drop the the level of the pipe. the water level insind the pipe remains unchanged inside. so no air re-enters the piping. when the power comes back on, the water will enter the tube and pushit's way around and down the drain. i hope that's clear.

GrouperGenius · #19 10-03-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isistius

i have shut it off. it works very much like a standard overflow box w/ u-tube. when the power goes off, the level of the tank will drop the the level of the pipe. the water level insind the pipe remains unchanged inside. so no air re-enters the piping. when the power comes back on, the water will enter the tube and pushit's way around and down the drain. i hope that's clear.

Brilliant!!! As far as a fish protector goes, how about that round sponge filter that goes on alot of powerheads?? Should be easy enough to take off and clean when needed.

saltn00b · #20 10-03-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifirefight

Very nicely done Jeff !

Youre not as dumb as you look...

that is awesome!

im having trouble seeing it as a self-priming syphon when the power comes back on but i think it is because the pipe in the back is higher than the inlet allowing the water on that side trying to match the height of the tank.

GrouperGenius · #21 10-03-2007, 10:16 AM

Is that the liquor stash?? Where's the Rum??

donald · #22 10-03-2007, 10:23 AM

awesome job looks like something you would see at the aquarium

Isistius · #23 10-03-2007, 10:36 AM

saltnoob- you'll see it tomorrow

grouper - yeah that's my bar. right behind the diningroom table. where it should be. there's rum in there. bacardi select, 151, and a real nice bottle from guatemala that was given to me as a gift. can't get it in the states. oh yeah, there might bu some cruzan single barrel, and appletons. i don't remember.

Isistius · #24 10-03-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrouperGenius

Brilliant!!! As far as a fish protector goes, how about that round sponge filter that goes on alot of powerheads?? Should be easy enough to take off and clean when needed.

oh yeah. didn't think of that.

lol

cyclops · #25 10-03-2007, 11:51 AM

wow that is a nice set up. Where did you find the plans for the idea. I am helping a friend with a 55g withno overflows and this looks like a great idea.

Isistius · #26 10-03-2007, 12:34 PM

i found them on that other reef site. which actually came off of another forum.

here's the plans i followed, only modifying the length of the pipe inside the tank from 11" to 12"

Ibew · #27 10-03-2007, 12:45 PM

that air line check valve do you put a cap or something over it once you get siphon also can you hook an aqualifter pump up to that check valve like the CPR types. Really simple design I never seen that check valve from the first pictures also awsome layout on how its built that is a sticky for sure

sk8shorty01 · #28 10-03-2007, 01:23 PM

Where do the air lines that are coming out of the top of the "air line check valve" going? Are they going to the check valve? I am just wondering because I was in the middle of coming up with a design for a sump under a non drilled tank and this would be perfect. Thanks for posting this, its great!

Isistius · #29 10-03-2007, 01:39 PM

thanks ibew

sk8- the tubes out of the check valve don't go anywhere. just put a valve ----- in it to close it off. then if you ever need to restart the syphon, remove the ----- and pull the air out. like ibew said you could use an aqualifter, but make sure you have it draining somewhere, like the vent tube in the back

Nancysalt · #30 10-04-2007, 10:45 AM

Isistius, What did you use to put together the pvc piping so its not toxic to the fish?
Thanks

Isistius · #31 10-04-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancysalt

Isistius, What did you use to put together the pvc piping so its not toxic to the fish?
Thanks

standard pvc primer and cement

zman1 · #32 10-04-2007, 11:45 AM

I used vented siphons for years. I have stopped and went to u-tube over flows on my 75 gal tank.

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/show...9&postcount=13
http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/show...8&postcount=15

GatorWPB · #33 10-04-2007, 11:55 AM

Wow, look at that!! Nice job Isis!
Couldnt find black PVC, huh? lol

Whats the flow rate of that setup? Any info on that given on the other site?

zman1 · #34 10-04-2007, 12:12 PM

Isistius

Attached is a picture of a pond drain I used on the surface skimmer in the 75.

Just as an FYI I have had the surface skimmer on the fuge break siphon.

The one in this picture is T'd in the tank with a strainer below the surface. It never broke siphon. Again the one I have in the previous link did a few times with only surface skimming...

Nancysalt · #35 10-04-2007, 08:52 PM

I have a 30 gallon, do you think this would work in a smaller scale using 3/4 inch piping?

Isistius · #36 10-04-2007, 11:38 PM

zman- nice. very similar. where did you find the pond drain?

gator- thanks. never even looked for the grey stuff. too much of a hastle. it'll turn purple anyways. as for the flow rate, i'm not really sure. i still have to throttle back my return pump, even tho i went from 1" drains to 1.25". i probably should have gone with 1.5" oh well. next time. and next time i'll make sure my tank is level too.

nancy - it'll work with any size. just less flow through the smaller pipe.

zman1 · #37 10-05-2007, 09:04 AM

I got this one at a Rural King store. Lowes or HD may have them, I never looked though. You could just as easy use a Slip reducer or expander depending on your perspective and cut slots around the larger end. It may break up the vortex a little and would reduce the chance of a larger item like a snail finding it's way into your drain. PVC covers with Coralline algae faster than LR for some reason -LOL

Isistius · #38 10-05-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zman1

You could just as easy use a Slip reducer or expander depending on your perspective and cut slots around the larger end. It may break up the vortex a little and would reduce the chance of a larger item like a snail finding it's way into your drain.

that's what i was thinking about doing

jonfletch01 · #39 10-06-2007, 07:56 AM

Have you checked the flow (gph) of them yet... ??

reefkprZ · #40 10-06-2007, 08:29 AM

Great thread Love it, this may be the style I put on the 65g that I am picking up next week. I was thinking of drilling the tank, but now I think i may go with this design. I am thinking a good mod to the design may be to add a bleeder valve to the top of the "U" to assist in the initial priming of the over flow. (never mind its already there.) I didnt notice untill after I posted,

I wonder If I can find enough Clear acryllic tubing to build a clear one.

Isistius · #41 10-06-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonfletch01

Have you checked the flow (gph) of them yet... ??

not sure how to check the flow. it's 1.25" id. however, since my tank is NOT level

, it severly detracts from the draining ability. i upgraded from 2 x 1" drains to 2 x 1.25", thinking it would be enough capacity for my return pump (quiet one 6000). however, since hindsight is alwasy 20/20 i probably should have gone with 1.5". oh well.

Isistius · #42 10-06-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefkprZ

Great thread Love it, this may be the style I put on the 65g that I am picking up next week. I was thinking of drilling the tank, but now I think i may go with this design. I am thinking a good mod to the design may be to add a bleeder valve to the top of the "U" to assist in the initial priming of the over flow. (never mind its already there.) I didnt notice untill after I posted,

I wonder If I can find enough Clear acryllic tubing to build a clear one.

you can find anything for the right price!!!!!!! clear would be nice and all, but i'm not gonna pay god knows how much for acrylic tubing. i used just under 10' of pvc in this construction. it would have been more if i didn't use spaflex going to the sump.

then what about th elbows? arcylic elbows? i ain't gonna make em. lol.

reefkprZ · #43 10-06-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isistius

you can find anything for the right price!!!!!!! clear would be nice and all, but i'm not gonna pay god knows how much for acrylic tubing. i used just under 10' of pvc in this construction. it would have been more if i didn't use spaflex going to the sump.

then what about th elbows? arcylic elbows? i ain't gonna make em. lol.

maybe I'll use regular PVC elbows and have the straights be clear, I would want to know if the tube was trapping air inside it, not seeing would drive me nuts. I do know of a place loccally that makes custom acryllic anything, I'll have to pay them a visit, and see what their pricing would be like.

Isistius · #44 10-06-2007, 09:30 PM

haha....pay them a visit!!!!! more like pay them for their time.

wth do i know?! i don't know squat about clear acrylic tubing. it might not be that much anyways.

reefkprZ · #45 10-06-2007, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isistius

haha....pay them a visit!!!!! more like pay them for their time.

probably pay out the nose for something as custom as a tube shaped like that. could you imagine it in smooth seamless clear acryllic? I'm going to have to print it out and have them take a look at it to see if it is feasble to do in one piece. that would kick butt.

jonfletch01 · #46 10-06-2007, 10:31 PM

I was inspired by this post.. ended up making two of them today... they work great..

ifirefight · #47 10-06-2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonfletch01

I was inspired by this post.. ended up making two of them today... they work great..

NOW look what you've done Jeff....You actually inspired somebody.....

JK...... I think it is a great design and it can be usefull to some people..

Isistius · #48 10-07-2007, 08:43 AM

reef- all 1 piece would be sick. they'll just laugh at you when they see your face on the price quote.

jon- awesome. glad i can be of service

ifirefight- see, i CAN be useful

Nancysalt · #49 10-07-2007, 09:47 AM

Do you need an airlift pump hooked up to the check valve? I know this is a silly question but what is the check valve for? just priming? Thanks

saltn00b · #50 10-07-2007, 01:53 PM

isistius says: "yes, just for priming"