diy overflow

[beex215]

triple super post. works like a charm. should have did this way back. time for a better pump as im using a power head

 

[Crispy]

Finally back on topic! I will be building one in the new year! can't wait to try it out...

 

[JakeH]

Which design is more reliable? The DIY overflow discussed in this thread, or this design?: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=293218

I'm planning to build one this weekend & I want to make the right choice. Thanks!

 

[bitteraspects]

what do you mean by "more reliable"?
reliability will be based on how well you build it.

the original version of the overflow works well and flows the best. the one in the link will require a much larger pipe for the same flow rate as the regular overflow.

 

[JakeH]

Good to know. Thanks Man!

 

[dawnmarie]

WOW ! 75 pages. My eyes are bleeding. If you need info on a DIY overflow read the first 10 pages. If you don't see the answer you are looking for, read them again.
On the other hand if you're bored read the whole thing as there are a few cool enhancements scattered through the rest.
My hat's off to Chompers, DrJoe and others for putting the effort into this.

 

[Austinchap]

whats a good way to seal the air check valve? when im primeing mine i can hear an air leak. makes me not want to use it till i am positive i have it sealed... cause would it brake siphon over time?

 

[epond83]

The distance in red determines the strength of the syphon (assuming the top of the loop is more or less on top of the tank)

One big tip to prevent the vent pipe from gurgling is to make the plumbing after the yellow line a lot larger, at least double the diameter, no useable syphon occurs (or is desireable) past this point. You want the water to run down this section with a decent air gap in the pipe, if it syphons down this part it will suck air down the vent pipe causing horrible gurgling.

Just to be sure, the longer the red line the greater the syphon? So if you moved the T up higher it would not pull as hard, which might be good for a drip system without a sump.

 

[gatch]

Built mine last weekend and it works great! very good design, whoever came up with this is a genius. I'm thinking of linking my 75 and 50 gal tanks now, the setup would be like this: 75 gallon on top shelf, sump and 50 gallon on bottom shelf. 75 would overflow into 50, 50 would overflow into sump, sump would have the pump that brings water back up to the 75. That way i'd have only 1 big filter to maintain, with only 1 pump running for both tanks.

 

[bitteraspects]

whats a good way to seal the air check valve? when im primeing mine i can hear an air leak. makes me not want to use it till i am positive i have it sealed... cause would it brake siphon over time?

its est to just use silicon. a nice thick bead will hold in in place and air tight, and this will make it easy to switch out when the time comes.
others have used super gloe to hold the check valve, but its more of a pain to change it out.