diy overflow

AnDr3w

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 8, 2006
1,704
3
0
33
Davie, FL
All right good deal thanks!
 

Volenti

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 28, 2007
225
0
0
Australia
I've found a simple way to make a diy overflow suck from the bottom the tank and still mantain full function (won't break syphon, won't empty tank)

(insert crappy mspaint pic)



It's basically a peice of larger pipe(in red), open at the top and bottom that's placed over the last section of the overflow in the tank, the pipe must extend above the water line for this to work.

I've added this modification to my own overflow, though since my overflow is set up slightly differently the mod is different as well, the same principle applies though.

My old setup;



side view of old overflow;


tank dry ready for mod;


"pipe" and screen siliconed into place;


operational;


 

CHOMPERS

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Apr 28, 2006
6,439
64
1,205
Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Volenti, check to make sure it will survive a power outage. Unplug your pump for ten minutes (or untill the water stops running) and then plug it back in. It should restart on its own without your help.

What I am seeing will not restart on its own. When the power comes back on, the water volume in your sump will pump up to your tank. If the tank can not handle the volume, the floor will...

Check to make sure that it will not flood over.
 

Volenti

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 28, 2007
225
0
0
Australia
CHOMPERS;855977; said:
Volenti, check to make sure it will survive a power outage. Unplug your pump for ten minutes (or untill the water stops running) and then plug it back in. It should restart on its own without your help.

What I am seeing will not restart on its own. When the power comes back on, the water volume in your sump will pump up to your tank. If the tank can not handle the volume, the floor will...

Check to make sure that it will not flood over.
Oh yea it restarts no problem, in this pic;



with the tank dried for the mod, the overflow is actually still primed (see the water level in the corner section), after the silicone had cured I filled the tank and the overflow started again like normal.
 

CHOMPERS

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Apr 28, 2006
6,439
64
1,205
Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Volenti;856021; said:
Oh yea it restarts no problem, in this pic;



with the tank dried for the mod, the overflow is actually still primed (see the water level in the corner section), after the silicone had cured I filled the tank and the overflow started again like normal.
Ok, I know where your Tee is now. And I know you have been thinking ahead. Many people want to plumb the tee below the tank to make it possible to use less fittings. It is a common mistake. You clearly have a handle on the operation of the overflow. Btw, I like your modifications :thumbsup: They really clean up the look of the overflow. The functionality of the lower grate is spot on too. Keep up the good work.

For anyone that is wondering where the Tee is, it is level with the water surface in the clear chamber. It is just out of view. It dictates how low the water can syphon.
 

joeytoe

Semper fidelis
MFK Member
Sep 10, 2005
2,153
6
38
47
Canton, Massachusetts USA
Im thinking of attempting this. I have a ma drive 9.5 for the pump, an I believe ill be getting like 800GPH outve the pump (because of the height im pumping). But im curious as to what size PVC will do 800 GPH or more. Im think 1.5" but am not sure.
 

Euge

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jun 26, 2005
3,762
11
68
40
Hong Kong
Volenti: I'm very interested in your modification. However I do have a couple of questions. Firstly what dictates the water level inside the overflow (the water level in the corner section)? Is it the T on the outside?
 

CHOMPERS

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Apr 28, 2006
6,439
64
1,205
Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Euge;859817; said:
Firstly what dictates the water level inside the overflow (the water level in the corner section)? Is it the T on the outside?
That got answered in post #295. And yes it is on the outside; that is why we can't see it.
 

CHOMPERS

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Apr 28, 2006
6,439
64
1,205
Sunnyvale Trailer Park
joeytoe;859679; said:
Im thinking of attempting this. I have a ma drive 9.5 for the pump, an I believe ill be getting like 800GPH outve the pump (because of the height im pumping). But im curious as to what size PVC will do 800 GPH or more. Im think 1.5" but am not sure.
It depends on the height of your tank. 1.5" will flow 1200 gph on a good day, so you are good to go with 800 gph.
 

plausible

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 29, 2007
872
10
0
Singapore
eh1421;202959;202959 said:
found this on another forum looks like a very sound idea.
Thought i would share it with all you guys and gals.
I am going to get the parts in the morning and try it out on my 75
I will let you all know what i find out.
how does it work?
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store