Nice Cheap DIY Overflow

just a question about the return line inside the tank.

i will be putting a T in the line that will be in submerge and wanted to know where to put the 2 output line.
should they be near the top, mid or bottom of the tank.

i was thinking of putting the 1st somewhere at the middle and the
other near the bottom.
this way the water from the bottom will rise to the top once the
pump is running.
i hope this make sense and if not can someone advice please.

 

Dang ... it took me three evenings, but I read this entire 29 page thread!!

Poor Covey - he was such a good sport for about three YEARS and 25 pages, answering the same questions again and again - he must be sorry he ever started this thread!!

Well thanks bro, from a noob who's going to make use of all this info ... cheers!

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/29kwgsw.jpg





Locutus, I made a couple of these today in different pipe size combinations, only without the elbow at the bottom of the intake. They work great but you will have to glue or fasten the outer pipe down in some way - it floats otherwise.

I found the following flow rates:

3/4" inside 11/2" - 225gph
3/4" inside 2" - 300gph

Loud gurgling from the siphon break tube; quiets down dramatically when capped, with a 1/8" hole drilled in the cap.

 

just a question regarding the check valve.

will it be possible to install an airline tube on the before placing the check valve? if it ever brake then you only need to replace the check valve instead of having to redo that area of the overflow.

also will it be possible to instead use that hole as a drain? put the airline there, then run it back to the tank to eleminate the air pocket.

just a thought, tell me what you guys think. im currently building one right now for my 125gl with a 30 gl sump.

 

well i just finished the whole project.
sump, pvc overflow and return line. currently working on my
C02 reactor and diffuser.

i have a bit of a problem though.
i am using a 1" pvc overflow with Quite1 pump which is capable of pumping 780 at zero and roughly 580 at 5ft.

overflow can barely keep up with the pump but the good thing is i put a locline inline valve to control the flow.

its a lot better without any type of flow restriction on the oveflow. when its just the 1" pvc but if i put a 45deg elbow with a strainer it doesnt seem to flow as much and even if i just put a cap with 10 3/8" hole it still doesnt flow as much.

it looks like i will need to make another 1" overflow synchronize the drains to the pump cuz i want to able to run the pump fully open.

do you guys have this problem with the elbow and strainer on the drain?

thanks,
i will post pics soon.

 

WOW! What a thread. I found this thread looking for a DIY sump and overflow set up and I have read every post of this thread. Thanks everyone for sharing your pictures! I decided to tackle this little project and I wanted to share my results and ask a few questions.

So here is my overflow:


From putting it together I learned a few things. First, for best results, on the intake from the tank, I had it vertical, and nothing blocking or filtering it. But, as many know this leaves it open for fish to be sucked in. So at first I put a cap on the end and drilled about 12 holes. This GREATLY reduced the effectiveness of the overflow. So I decided to do the 90 degree elbow and cut out some screen door patching and glued it on for securing it from snails or fish getting in.

So now I have the whole thing up and running. It works, but my Magdrive 500GPH pump is way too powerful. I have a ball valve closed about 40% to make things work. I used 1" PVC on the overflow and I just feel like it is not at its full potential. Maybe the setup should be longer (goes deeper into the tank)?

My most important question: How do you secure this to your tank? When I hang mine on the back the whole thing wants to tilt on its side. I kind of taped the vinyl tubing to the back of the tank to keep it stable, but it is already starting to move and tilt some. This also gets additional air build up in the overflow. It is working, but it seems I have had to suck out one or two good size bubbles from the valve.

Speaking of the valve; when I was testing my setup I could not even get the overflow to work without the air valve,

So in the end it seems to be working quite well. I do wish I could get some more flow out of the overflow, but I will have to look into it. Sorry to bring up such an old thread.

Here are more pictures of my DIY sump:

 

What size and how long would the "u"'s need to be for a 180 gal. tank and a wet/dry sump using a 900 GPh pump.
thanks for adding pic. to yours thread this has been the best forum that i have found for this topic. any help please advise

 

have tank with 92g (100cmx60cmx60cm) and i want to know What size and how long would the "u"'s need?

 

PVC pipes overflow

Gabriel,

the length of the U's are your decision and are mainly related to the stability of the structure. After build you will see that the overflow is pretty bulky and heavy (for your tank I would suggest go for 1" (inch) PVC pipe (you need higher flow coming from overflow than your pump would handle on return. Don't worry the overflow will balance the flow.)
So go for about 12" length and mind that the level of water in your tank is regulated by the position of the "T" where the return hose mounts.

Good luck,
Marian

 

siphoning?

Hello,
I have my PVC overflow assembled and in the tank. Now how do I get the siphoning to start? My tank just keeps filling with water.

Thanks