I am looking for a plan for an overlow that is made out of pvc pipe. I found this a couple of years ago & now I can't find it again. It required no acrylic boxes & just hung over both sides of the aquarium. I liked it because it was really simpleto build. Anyone have any idea where I might find something similar?
DIY Overflow
- Thread starter ThirdDay
- Start date
The way I did it on my 56 is I found a peice of plastic tubbing in the shape of a U. I put one side into the tank and attached a hose to the other end outside of my tank, leading down into my sump. Depending on how big your tank and sump are, you just need to cut the part of the plastic pipe that is hanging over the top of your tank short enough ( probably not much more than an inch or so) to wear the level that it stops syphoning isn't going to overflow your sump if your pump shuts down. The whole project took me about 20 min and only caost 15 dollars! This way you don't mess with drilling cutting your tank, and I saved 50 bucks from buying an overflow box that does the exact same thing.
Also drill a small hole at the top of your return pipe so if your pump does go out it won't syphon any water down. Oh, and it works Great!!!!
Josh Weber
Also drill a small hole at the top of your return pipe so if your pump does go out it won't syphon any water down. Oh, and it works Great!!!!
Josh Weber
Welcome to RDO Josh Weber
The issue with the simple siphon is that once the power is restored, the water from the return pump will overflow your tank.
A type of overflow is call a stand pipe. I have a PVC standpipe for one of my tanks, and it works well since the drain/pipe is 3 inch in diameter. For smaller size standpipe, you have lots of issue with noise and possible clogging.
The issue with the simple siphon is that once the power is restored, the water from the return pump will overflow your tank.
A type of overflow is call a stand pipe. I have a PVC standpipe for one of my tanks, and it works well since the drain/pipe is 3 inch in diameter. For smaller size standpipe, you have lots of issue with noise and possible clogging.
here is how I did mine this past weekend:
It is about 10$ of 1" plumbing. It does auto-restart. I think I would have used bigger drain tubing if I was to do it again. As long as my standpipe is angled a little it works quietly and flawlessly. If the pipe is too much vertical, the siphon gets really loud, with a flushing sound... I would definetly go with the external Durso design, as it is auto starting. You have to prime this system once though..Just close the Ball valve, remove the cap on the durso and fill that pipe from the BV up (replace durso cap). Now you can start your return pump, and as soon as the water is above the standpipe, open the ball valve and your siphon should start. This is a little obtrusive in a display tank, but this is my prop tank and it is in the basement.
It is about 10$ of 1" plumbing. It does auto-restart. I think I would have used bigger drain tubing if I was to do it again. As long as my standpipe is angled a little it works quietly and flawlessly. If the pipe is too much vertical, the siphon gets really loud, with a flushing sound... I would definetly go with the external Durso design, as it is auto starting. You have to prime this system once though..Just close the Ball valve, remove the cap on the durso and fill that pipe from the BV up (replace durso cap). Now you can start your return pump, and as soon as the water is above the standpipe, open the ball valve and your siphon should start. This is a little obtrusive in a display tank, but this is my prop tank and it is in the basement.
Another idea is to put a brushing on a large diameter, short PVC pipe with slots cut length-wise. Then you put that on your 1 inch pipe and see if it can serve the purpose of a standpipe overflow.
|....| <- cut slots up and down the pipe to make it into a comb (3 inch)
\.../ <- brushing (3 inch to one inch reducer)
.|.| <- the rest of your stuff, no holes/slots needed.
|....| <- cut slots up and down the pipe to make it into a comb (3 inch)
\.../ <- brushing (3 inch to one inch reducer)
.|.| <- the rest of your stuff, no holes/slots needed.
Is this the site you were looking for?
http://randystacye.com/diy_overflow.htm
http://randystacye.com/diy_overflow.htm
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