DIY Overflow!

Today started out as a simple trip to get some paint to make the background of my tank black and to set up a quarantine tank for the corals and fishes I'll be getting starting next month. What ended up happening was me making an overflow for my 20gal tank using a 5.5gal sump/refuge. I read the entire post for DIY Overflow on my BlackBerry while at HomeDepot. Here are some pics of what I've accomplished thus far.




Hopefully it looks good so far. I've used a 3/4" tubing which is kinda small but it seems to run well during the testing phase.

Now come the questions!
What is the siphon mechanism? How do I make it? What is this tube for? Thanks!

 

looks good keep us updated!

 

If I am not mistaken the one on the right is the overflow and the one on the left is the sir relief tube which will allow it to run fairly silent and not sound like a toilet flushing.

 

the one labeled siphon is where the water from the tank flows into.
Update- I added a little siphon using the air tube from my MJ1200 like the picture showed from the old post showed (I think it was on page 14/15). So I think I know how it works after sucking on the tube to get the air out. It creates flow and helps overcome the rise in the tube. correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

This is an old blueprint. It's inexpensive, which is enough to fit the bill sometimes. It's a bit too complicated for my liking, just so much piping inside the aquarium to the point of being unsightly. The inverted U portion is where a valve typically goes, and you suck this valve to bring water to the top thus starting the siphon.

I don't see it maintaining a siphon after a power outage, unless the inside-tank portion was encased in an overflow box of some sort, which if constructed negates the inexpensive DIY aspect of the endeavor.

Let us know how it works!

 

I'd say get a pvc cap and put it on top with a 1/4 hole in it to put in a piece of tubing about a 2-4 inch piece of tubing.

 

Fyi

I have had my DIY overflow for about two years now have created simulated power outages, and have turned off return pump and when I have turned pump back on it has always kept its syphon never been an issue. Has been maintnace free is a little unsightly but cant beat the price I like it and sure you will also.

 

so the intake end in the tank remains submerged after a power outage somehow?

 

afaik, water stays in the 'under' and 'over' U sections, preventing a break in siphon. When flow resumes, there's plenty of water in the overflow to resume siphon.

 

That's so cool that it won't break siphon! I'll post more pictures of the overflow and some of the overflow box/refuge and my new T5HO lights once I get home from my trip.