Nice Cheap DIY Overflow

the only reason i also joined this forum was because of this thread, and that was a while ago...i love this overflow...it works without any problems...

now that i know the basics im thinking about building another one with a different design since its soo cheap to make...

 

overflow for freshwater

hiya folks,
duz anyone know if overflow is necessary for freshwater fish tanks as well or something else can do for it instead?

 

ok ive had an idea, what if i was to build it in a diffrent shape unstead of one U infront of the other, how about side by side so the piece was longer and ran along the back of the tank? would this work

sean

 

this is a very informative topic.

just a couple of questions though.

1. has anyone ever painted their pvc overflow with krylon paint and did it post any potential problem?

2. i am building a 1" pvc overflow for the 125 gallon tank and i was advice to always use 2 overflow when using pvc overflow. can anyone elaborate on the reason for this?

thanks,
mel

 

question 2, what do you mean by 2 overflow??
the wider the pipe the more flow, you should be looking at about 3times turnover of tank an hour!!
i dont think 1" will cut it , unless you mean you are putting 2 of them in there

 

yes i was told to always put 2 overflow just incase one loses siphon.

 

this system does not loose suction, when a power cut happends it will cut off then when the pump start the water will start, thats what the system was made for, i have two on my tank, but that is because i have two tanks underneath, i have a sump and a frag tank too, trust me it works great

 

so one 1" overflow should be enough?

my return pump will be capable of 780gph at zero or
just under 500gph at roughly 5ft of head height.

did anybody ever painted their pvc?
i ask because my background is pure black and i cant stand seeing things hanging there.

im also thinking of using a black acrylic to house the pvc overflow and return line.

 

How convenient!!! I was looking for overflow boxes online and decided to check here and came across this thread. After reading through all of it I am definitely going to build one of these for the 55 gallon we just got that we aren't going to drill. Thanks for starting this thread and thanks to everyone for posting your designs and such!!

 

I have read numerous times online that the Krylon Fusion paint is aquarium safe as long as you let it dry for 48-36 hours before putting it in the tank. But, earlier in this thread someone mentioned that if something rubs against it like a rock then it will rub/flake off. I would just be careful, I plan on using this paint too.