Overflow Box

jocoxvt

jocoxvt

Member
Posted this in the New Hobbiest forum as well but thought you all may have some good ideas as well:
I just installed my sump and waiting on installing my refugium but my question/problem is that I couldnt find a good overflow box. Currently I basically just have a elbow joint with gutter guard around it to drain to my sump (hopefully your still falling me). I was looking for something that would make a good overflow box (dont want to buy one when i can make one just as efficent). Just calling out basically to see what other people have used as overflow boxes.
Thanks in advance
jocoxVT
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member

Originally posted by jocoxVT
...Currently I basically just have a elbow joint with gutter guard around it to drain to my sump (hopefully your still falling me)...
Nope..ya lost me...:notsure:
Is the tank drilled...?
In the back with the elbow pointing up...?
Something different..?
Some type of "siphon tube" over the top...?
 
jocoxvt

jocoxvt

Member
Thanks for the response Squidd....Yes the tank is drilled but I couldnt find something to make into an overflow so used this as a temporary solution (basically just a drain - hopefully the pic clears up some questions). I was just trying to figure out what people were using specifically if they made their own overflow boxes. I only have a 29 gallon tank so I didnt want anything to big and really didnt want to pay $60 to buy one when I feel I could use something to make one (i thought of a tupperware container but really couldnt find one deep enough and if it was deep enough was only like 2 inches wide). Just trying to figure out what everyone else uses. Like I said hopefully the pic helps if any other pics are needed just let me know.
Thanks
jocoxVT
 
jocoxvt

jocoxvt

Member
Hopefully the picture help clear up the situation alittle Squidd. I want to hopefully get an overflow box on there but havent been able to find what would really work. Let me know if you need anymore pictures and I will gladly throw them up for you.
jocoxVT
 
jocoxvt

jocoxvt

Member
This is probably a dumb question so please forgive me but what is a weir box. Definitely following your picture just couldnt find something that would work well as the "box"
jocoxVT
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
"Weir" is just and edge or "dam" to hold water back...
Can be made by siliconing 3 (or 4) pieces of glass in place against the back wall.. or cementing acrylic if that's what your tank is made of...
Trying to get a premade "box" or "tub" to fit will prove difficult in trying to get the bulkhead connection to "seal" while being "sandwiched" betweent the box and glass..
 
jocoxvt

jocoxvt

Member
Yeah I was thinking of making one that way I guess my only concern was that I was hoping to get/make something that was totally black so it kind of shaded in with everything. Would it be possible to make something black (I know painting wouldnt work) thats why I was thinking I would have to get a premade container. As for the sealing if using a premade box couldnt I place the seal on the back side of the glass and it would function the same way (at least thats what I took from previous readings).
Thanks
jocoxVT
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
You can get "black" acrylic and glue it into the box shape...then silicone it to the back of the tank...
Do not put the gasket "outside" the tank...:nope:
 
jocoxvt

jocoxvt

Member
Yeah I dont know why I didnt even think about black acrylic. Sorry this may be a dumb question but I am somewhat new to the whole plumbing thing...but why cant you put the gasket on the outside?
jocoxVT
 
jocoxvt

jocoxvt

Member
Not trying to argue just curious. but couldnt I just flip the bulkhead around. I realize that the gasket always goes on the flange side, rather then the nut side, but isnt it viable to flip the bulkhead around the other way? Therefore I could have the gasket on the outside of the tank?
jocoxVT
 
ryan115

ryan115

Member
when the gasket is one the inside it is being held against the glass by your hardware as well as the water pressure is pushing it against the glass. If you put it on the outside the water is sitting even with the glass on your tank and pushing on the gasket, so if even a little hole forms it can start to leak. Now im not definate on this but this what i think squidd is talking about.
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Exactly Ryan...:yes:
I was going to post that earilier this morning but was running late...
Gasket inside..has "clamping action" plus pressure from outside working in conjunction...(same direction) "before it gets to "hole" in glass...
Gasket on outside... is clamped but water pressure working "against" the clamping pressure ...and this is "after" it has already left the tank through the hole in the glass...
 
manderx

manderx

New Member
how is it working with or againt the clamping pressure in either case? the clamping pressure is perpendicular to the water pressure on the gasket so it's not with or against it. or do you mean the water pressure is pressing against the entire bulkhead, which will shift the whole thing to compress or relax on the gasket? if your nut is even close to being tight, the water pressure is *insignificant*. a 30' deep tank might be a different story, but come on.
there is no difference between putting the gasket on the inside or outside as long as it's on the flange side of the BH. it's a *long* established 'ok thing to do'.
siliconing a box to the side is far more risky and needless effort than worrying about which side the gasket is on. heck, even barraquatic is making boxes just like what jocoxvt wants to do. and BA is probably the most technically adept guy around (he does the best DIY threads ever on --). http://www.barraquatic.com/overflows.php
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
:thinking: Well...would you look at that...
Someone went and invented an better mousetrap...and all for $39...
Perhaps you can get away with the gasket outside on an "upper level" bulkhead...
But I would not reccomend it for a bottom mount...
 
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