Overflow Concept.

Hello all!

I'm looking into using a Durso Standpipe for my overflow.

The implamintation technique I've seen is to place the standpipe inside the overflow chamber.

My current project will have the overflow inside the tank as a tall column rather then use siphen to an external overflow.

I'm curious, if you're going to use a stand pipe, why is the overflow chamber necissary?

 

With a chamber, you get surface skimming. That leaves you with less gunk on the surface of the water. You won't notice this immediately, but in a few months it'll become obvious if you don't have a surface skimmer. The added surface movement also helps with oxygenation of the water in the tank.

The overflow does a moderate job of keeping fish away from the intake of the overflow, and also keeps most inverts away.

It gives a bit of area around the bulkhead, just in case it ever needs tightening or other maintenance, you don't want to dig through the sand to deal with it.

It also is an aesthetic thing; the standpipe looks ugly in a tank, plain and simple.

 

so i'm guessing your tank is drilled.

If it's driller, the black cover is used to hide the eyesore pipes, while preventing fish and crustaceans from entering the overflow system. More skimming of the surface is another aspect of the overflow chamber.

 

Yes its drilled. And I guess I could install the chamber, but I'm trying to see if I can make it a little easier to assemble. I really don't want to glue to the inside of the tank (just OCD I guess)

I want to see how I can protect fish from the overflow. I'm pritty sure I can accomplish surfice skimming elsewhere if necissary.

I'm a big DIY. and go by the old K.I.S.S. addage.

 

You still don't have any other way of addressing the "sand over the bulkhead" issue. Also, a little bit of silicone and a overflow wall is going to look enormously better than a PVC pipe in the middle of your tank.

 

I am very new to this hobby. and this will be my first project. can you please tell me what the "Sand over the bulkhead" problem is? I'll need to overcome this.

 

If there's sand over the bulkhead, you can't access it easily for any sort of maintenance. Bulkheads need to be tightened occasionally, you might want to change to another type of standpipe, it might leak for some reason.

There's a whole slew of reasons why most people use a false wall on the back of their tank beyond bulkhead maintenance, so please, trust the experienced hobbyists and the tried-and-true methods, at least for your first tank.

 

Now that's a gold nugget if I ever saw one. Thanks for the advice! This I will definatly put into practice!

 

I just don't understand what were you planning on doing instead of the overflow wall. If the black wall bothers you so much, you can always decorate it with a fake background/plants/etc. If you indeed do a DIY, show us pics as I'm interested.

 

Well its not that I don't want an overflow wall. I know ill probly use a standpipe, but I didn't see the need for an actual chamber to be in the tank until you guys told me about surfice skimming, and bulk head adjustment. Those are factors I didn't consider. So thanks for the info!

I might also explore ways to seal the bottom hole and just use an external overflow system. Just working the neurons a bit! Have I answered your question ali1?

I'm thinking of how to save space, and keep the specimens healthy and free from hazards.