Diy overflow

[CodeMonkey]

I've just started making my own DIY overflow as all the commercial ones were just to big (at the back) to fit on my tank.

I am currently using acrylic for the building material - which may end up being the final product or act as the template for the final thing.

Has anyone else tried this - what materials did they use

[reeferman]

codemonkey

I made one some time ago don-t use it anymore but it was made from 1.5 inch waste pipe and a couple of modified bubble up corner filters, it worked quite well. Only problem was small bubbles entering the U tube and eventually causing an air block.

HTH - good luck

I would fit a level switch on the sump return pump though - just in case

[CodeMonkey]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Only problem was small bubbles entering the U tube and eventually causing an air block[/b][/quote]

I think this problem is common with all syphon overflows - I intend on using a small plastic airvalve (with a hose) that I can suck any air bubles out through.

At the moment I am trying to work out how to make a hole that is 1.5" dia for my durso pipe

[Kevin Jennings]

Hi Codemonkey,

a bit off topic but perhaps you can help me.

I want to build an acrylic box for a dsb to fit on top of my sump but so far I have been unable to get decent supplier of acrylic. *Homebase and the like sell thin acrylic sheets (couple of mm) which is not up to the job. *I would like to use 10 mm sheets.

As you are building your overflow box with acrylic perhaps you can suggest a supplier?

Regards

Kevin
http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[wet weston]

How about posting some plans of this so us would be diyers can have a go if we want?

[CodeMonkey]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Homebase and the like sell thin acrylic sheets (couple of mm) which is not up to the job.[/b][/quote]

alas that is what I am using - I think it should be okay for what I want as it is not going to be holding a lot of water. If it doesn't at least what I have got can be used as a template

I have also got it down to 4 pieces - 2 of the pieces are acting as the sides and the others are going to be bent to wrap the top and bottom and incorporate the syphon - The stuff softens from the heater of my electric toaster and the few test pieces were quite easy to bend to the right shape - this cuts down on the number of joins and also adds to the structural strength

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I would like to use 10 mm sheets.[/b][/quote]
hmm - have you tried a glass shop - some of them use acrylic for secondary glazing - may not be the right thickness but they may know a man who does

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">How about posting some plans of this so us would be diyers can have a go if we want?[/b][/quote]

I will when I learn to draw http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif - I'll try soon and maybe even get a few digital piccies in as well - maybe I should try and scan in that envelope that is my current plan

[wet weston]

If anyones interested I have found a diy overflow on the net.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi....w.shtml (http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eparc.com%2Fdiy% 2Foverflows%2Fwilliard%2Foverflow.shtml) This looks like a fairly simple project to build and looks like it should work farly well. Has anyone else attempted to build one like this?

[zag]

Hiya

Regarding the 1.5" hole you are wanting to make, I'm assuming the material is Acrylic.
If you have a router you can cut the hole with this - setting .75" from pivot to outer edge of the bit u are using.

I sometimes make a sub base for the router with MDF, drill & tap a M6 hole in the MDF at the .75" dimension in relation to the outer cutter edge,then use an M6 bolt with the head cut off place it in a hole drilled in the centre point of location of the hole you want to cut http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[CodeMonkey]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If anyones interested I have found a diy overflow on the net.
[/b][/quote]

I've seen that one - I used that to understand the principles - however I don't like the idea of using pipes for the syphon - too easily blocked up from what I have been informed - I am going to build a syphon that is 7" wide - less chance of an air lock building - and incorporate a valve that I can use to suck out any air - by curving the red and blue parts (see diagram) I hope that I will get smother water movement and cut out any eddies that would cause air to form so easily ie though cavitation

I've added a diagram that shows what I am trying to do - this requires just 4 pieces - I am trying to locate thicker acylic myself as the stuff I have is just too brittle - this is of a similar style to the schraun overflow box (which happend to be 1 " too big at the back)

I am also going to drill at the corners of the cut out - as this is the normal failure point *- I am going to attempt to cut out the hole using my dremel - lots of small holes and then just sane to shape - alas no router - though I will see if any one else has one

[invertico]

there are plenty of acrylic dealers...check web

heres one...http://www.diyplastics.com/

you can get all thicknesses
perspex or acrylic is ok but if your a bit nervous
you could get it from deltec web site...they do all thicknesses
as well as pipes ec,tho youd have to order throough a dealer I think

[KennyD]

http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Tried to attach a jpeg file, but too big, sorry
try the following website, its full of diy stuff!
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/diyoverflows/

Try the link titled "Overflow Box Design"

Hope this helps!
Kenny

[wilski]

I use an Amiricle overflow box and I had suffered from small bubbles building up in the Syphon which would eventially build up and break the syphon.

Just use a far more powerful return pump, any small bubbles just swoosh straight through the syphon tube as the flow is soo fast. Doh originally suggested this - it works for me! http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[CodeMonkey]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Amiricle overflow [/b][/quote]

what are the dimensions of this box?

[Ali A]

Hi codemonkey

I've just acquired a 72x24x24 tank but it isn't drilled. *Been looking to get it drilled, but might possibly be too much of a problem to find somebody to do it or to shift my tank to get it done.
I've been looking around for overflows etc Schuran, Aquamedic etc as a possible alternative and I wondered if it would be possible for an update on your construction of an overflow box.
Also, are you going to fit a durso to your overflow?

Thanks
Ali

[CodeMonkey]

if you get it drilled do so would be the recommendation of everyone (I wish I had) and fit in weirs etc now while you can - a good glass man will be able to remove the side panel - its only silicon after all (sharp knife) - drill the holes and then silicon it back - you could even do the removal and silicon it yourself if you're brave enough

where are you based? A fellow reefer found a glass man in the guildford/farnborough area who would take the panels off and drill them for him and then silicon it back - about £1 a hole as well (apparently)

yes I am going to use a durso on my overflow - just bought a trap to act as the durso - going to silicon a piece of tube over the hole and vent it about 4 " above the surface - should hopefully avoid and salt blockage that way -

[wilski]

Hi CodeMonkey,

Basic Dimensions of the Amiricle overflow box as shown below. If anyone wants more detailed info please shout !

HTH
http://www.lost-socks.com/overflow.gif



Last edited by wilski at April 08 2002,19:40

[CodeMonkey]

somebody here knows how to draw - thanks for that http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Ali A]

Cheers for the info codemonkey, I'm based in Newcastle-Under-Lyme (N Staffs) so i'll give a couple of local glaziers a call to see if they'd like a go.

wilski - top drawings m8.

cheers
ali