Silicone should be fine to do it with. I wouldn't advise solvent welding it to the inside of your tank with acrylic cement.
diy overflow
- Thread starter eh1421
- Start date
1. You'll need:
6 pvc 90s (I used 1 inch pipe, so I of course bought 1" 90s)
1 pvc T (same thing, get the size for the pipe)
4 short pieces of pvc that just fit between two 90s as shown
2 long pieces of pvc (these pieces are based on the height of your tank)
1 piece that is a short piece shorter than the above 2 pieces
1 piece that is half short piece shorter then the one above
2.
Attach 2 90s to each of the longest pieces
Turn the 90 on one end so it is facing up
Turn the 90 on the other end so it faces to the side
Insert one of the short pieces into one of the side facing 90s
You should have what pic two shows
3. Join the two pieces together as shown
4. Insert one short piece into each of the 90s facing up as shown
5. Insert one short piece into another 90 then attach a 90 to each of the short pieces as shown.
6.
Attach the T to the short piece as shown then put the shortest length of pipe in the top of the T
Insert the last length of pipe into the other 90
7.
Get another 90 and glue piece of egg-crate into one opening
Put this 90 on the pipe without the T
8.
Check to make sure everything fits right in your tank before cementing. Only use pvc solvent cement. Don't use PVC primer. It is not needed and if I remember right it's toxic to fish. Regardless, I never use it and I've never had a leak in over 25 years of building pvc aquarium stuff.
9. Wash all your pieces with vinegar and water. Vinegar cuts through the crud. Rinse everything thoroughly and dry well.
10. Take apart one piece at a time and cement it back in place. That way you don't get confused about where something goes. I know I've ended up with something cemented where it doesn't go several times.
Coat 3/8"-1/2" of the pipe and the inside of each fitting with cement. Push the pieces together and twist a quarter turn to spread the cement evenly and quickly move the piece into its correct position.
Tip: Mark a line across both pieces when they are in the correct position during the pre-cement assembly. This way when you're gluing them you have the marks to line up to make sure that the position is right the first time.
Hope this helps.
6 pvc 90s (I used 1 inch pipe, so I of course bought 1" 90s)
1 pvc T (same thing, get the size for the pipe)
4 short pieces of pvc that just fit between two 90s as shown
2 long pieces of pvc (these pieces are based on the height of your tank)
1 piece that is a short piece shorter than the above 2 pieces
1 piece that is half short piece shorter then the one above
2.
Attach 2 90s to each of the longest pieces
Turn the 90 on one end so it is facing up
Turn the 90 on the other end so it faces to the side
Insert one of the short pieces into one of the side facing 90s
You should have what pic two shows
3. Join the two pieces together as shown
4. Insert one short piece into each of the 90s facing up as shown
5. Insert one short piece into another 90 then attach a 90 to each of the short pieces as shown.
6.
Attach the T to the short piece as shown then put the shortest length of pipe in the top of the T
Insert the last length of pipe into the other 90
7.
Get another 90 and glue piece of egg-crate into one opening
Put this 90 on the pipe without the T
8.
Check to make sure everything fits right in your tank before cementing. Only use pvc solvent cement. Don't use PVC primer. It is not needed and if I remember right it's toxic to fish. Regardless, I never use it and I've never had a leak in over 25 years of building pvc aquarium stuff.
9. Wash all your pieces with vinegar and water. Vinegar cuts through the crud. Rinse everything thoroughly and dry well.
10. Take apart one piece at a time and cement it back in place. That way you don't get confused about where something goes. I know I've ended up with something cemented where it doesn't go several times.
Coat 3/8"-1/2" of the pipe and the inside of each fitting with cement. Push the pieces together and twist a quarter turn to spread the cement evenly and quickly move the piece into its correct position.
Tip: Mark a line across both pieces when they are in the correct position during the pre-cement assembly. This way when you're gluing them you have the marks to line up to make sure that the position is right the first time.
Hope this helps.
It doesn't matter as long as the two longest pieces are equal lengths. I wouldn't go any shorter than half the height of your tank though because the siphon will likely suck air too fast for the siphon to handle.
How far does it drop after it exits the overflow into your sump? Also, how many 90s, 45s, etc. do you have after it exits the overflow?
