Will this overflow work?

[rojowe]

Hey,
So I'm going with the sump instead of the canister, a guy I know is giving me a free 55 gallon that I will be using with a little giant 3 that pumps 750gph. i realize at best I will probably get 3-4 times turnover with my tank but I'm also planning on a 25 gallon refugium possibly since the pump I am buying is coming with a 25 gallon sump. I found this design on another website and I did a mock build, but haven't siliconed anything yet.
Anyone do anything like this? Or have any opinions?
Thanks

 

[Pharaoh]

I would work just fine. There are plenty of threads where members have built these. Quite a common design actually. Make sure you go with at least 1 1/4" PVC when you build it.

 

[rojowe]

the top picture is actually my tank, i am using 1 1/2 inch abs. instead of just going down a bit and then using hose I am just using the pipe to go down to my sump, just easier I figure...
I can make the intake tub go down to the bottom of the tank and drill a bunch of holes in it to get water from all levels of the tank right? just as long as the T is up at the water level so as to not syphon the tank since the intake is at the bottom?

 

[Pharaoh]

Exactly! You will be fine putting in a drop tube. Just make sure to have adequate holes that are equal to the 1 1/2" hole in the PVC

 

[rojowe]

I didn't realize I didn't fully explain about the syphon, thats if the power goes out so the whole tank doesn't drain, but you got what I was saying so...sweet, as soon as I get back home I am going to silicone it up and...lol...wait another day and get the sump set up....

 

[Pharaoh]

Two last notes.
1. The line coming out of the "U" tube of the overflow should either have a check valve or some type of suction device. This will prevent gas buildup in the "U" tube.

2. Make sure that you do not put any holes in the PVC that are higher than the "T". If there were, you would inf act lose siphon during a power outage. You can put as many holes as you want as long as they are below the "T". This way, the tank will stop losing water long before it reaches any of the drilled/cut holes.

 

[rojowe]

Pharaoh you might have lost me, let me see if I understand
1) Like in the picture there is an airline check valve at the top of the blue "n" over the tank, if so I've installed that bit just after the mock up picture
2) You mean the blue pipe in the water shouldn't have any holes that are above the yellow T? If so then I understand, and I will be sure not to

 

[Pharaoh]

Pharaoh you might have lost me, let me see if I understand
1) Like in the picture there is an airline check valve at the top of the blue "n" over the tank, if so I've installed that bit just after the mock up picture

You are correct. I didn't see it at first. You may have to end up adding another to the end of the hose as they can sometime become water logged, so just grab an extra while you're at the LFS.


2) You mean the blue pipe in the water shouldn't have any holes that are above the yellow T? If so then I understand, and I will be sure not to

Exactly

See above

 

[rojowe]

sweet, thanks for the help, I'll update how its working out when I get back home and set it up after the weekend