diy overflow

[CHOMPERS]

Here is the solution that I came up with. My overflows are now painted black so they don't show up in pictures well, so thus the white ones. I glued plastic netting on the open end to keep fish, feeders, etc. out of the pipes. I also made two modifications: I drilled the hole between the fittings to allow air to escape, and then I also added a slot on the netted fitting so that I could have a little bit of surface cleaning.

By allowing the overflow to act entirely on surface skimming, at feeding time nearly all food went straight to the overflow tube. I had underestimated the power of surface tension.

 

[CHOMPERS]

I love playing with DIY stuff!!

I could just be happy with that but that just wouldnt be me

I suffer from the same affliction.

 

[Jawbone]

Here is the solution that I came up with. My overflows are now painted black so they don't show up in pictures well, so thus the white ones. I glued plastic netting on the open end to keep fish, feeders, etc. out of the pipes. I also made two modifications: I drilled the hole between the fittings to allow air to escape, and then I also added a slot on the netted fitting so that I could have a little bit of surface cleaning.

By allowing the overflow to act entirely on surface skimming, at feeding time nearly all food went straight to the overflow tube. I had underestimated the power of surface tension.

Interesting. Thats very similar to a durso. This gives me some ideas to ponder. I will post some pics to my progress as it develops.. This is what happens when you retire at 32 years old. You get into all kinds of projects to keep busy!!

 

[Jawbone]

I suffer from the same affliction.

Always trying to invent a better mouse trap!

 

[CHOMPERS]

I have an idea for you. Do you know about the rigid plastic tube for lift tubes on under gravel filters? It is clear air line and is available in 3' lengths at petsmart in the aquarium area. Now think of the inside of a carburetor. Where the venturi causes the gas to suck into the airstream, this same design without the venturi would use the water pressure to push the air out. Drill a small hole through the side of the inlet tube and insert a short piece of the rigid airline tube so that the end is at the center of the pipe. Then connect a piece of flexible airline to the outside end and attach it to the top loop of the overflow.

 

[Jawbone]

I have an idea for you. Do you know about the rigid plastic tube for lift tubes on under gravel filters? It is clear air line and is available in 3' lengths at petsmart in the aquarium area. Now think of the inside of a carburetor. Where the venturi causes the gas to suck into the airstream, this same design without the venturi would use the water pressure to push the air out. Drill a small hole through the side of the inlet tube and insert a short piece of the rigid airline tube so that the end is at the center of the pipe. Then connect a piece of flexible airline to the outside end and attach it to the top loop of the overflow.

This is very similar to what my idea was. It seems like it would work. Hopefully tommorrow I can try this and some other ideas out. Thanks for the input. Effectively its my belief that this very inexpensive overflow could be set up one way but have infinate adjustments that the person setting it up could EASILY taylor to his or her needs. Nice theory just need to work out some small details

 

[CHOMPERS]

How's this for rapid prototyping?

The first is a parts list and the second is two sizes that I put together.

 

[Jawbone]

How's this for rapid prototyping?

The first is a parts list and the second is two sizes that I put together.

Nice and in a timely fashion. Now slap them babies on and lets see how the work.

 

[Jawbone]

Try cutting inside tube at slight angle so pressure differential creates a nice venturi effect. Just a thought.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Tayloring would be a problem with my idea since once you drill the hole, you are committed. I think the air pocket would be a standard elongated heart shape or elongated balloon shape. Varying the flow will just elongate or shorten the airpocket. It will remain centered (balloon shape) or along the circumference (heart shape) of the pipe. As long as you hit the air pocket at any location, I think the problem is solved.