DIY overflow-where to start?

[ahiggins]

Hello everyone!
First attempt at a DIY project for a tank.
I have a regular 20 gallon tank (tall). I want to take the black plastic (I think its plastic) and silicone it to the back of the aquarium to give myself space for a heater/skimmer/return pump.
In theory, the water would enter the left, run through where the heater and skimmer is, over/under, then out a return pump.

1) where do I get the black plastic?
2) how difficult would this be?
3) how do you know how high/low to place baffles for correct water level?

I have a pic that I think is how I would like it to run, what I plan on having, etc.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Why don't you just buy a kit and then all you have to do is drill the hole!

 

[ahiggins]

What is the kit called? Lol I was searching all over for it online

 

[cope413]

glass holes dot com is one

 

[Psiber_Syn]

1 you can get black plexiglass off line or you can order the overflow box. home depot sells clear plexi which is what I used when building my sump. are you making this an all in one tank or is this a sump?

2 it's not that hard to silicon in baffles in a sump I would mention cut your prices a little small to take care of the swelling so I have heard

3 you set your baffle at where your skimmer needs to be to operate correctly most are between 6 To 10 inches but you can also make it deeper and set the skimmer on an eggcrate table to get the right night with the most water in the tank.

Also don't forget to leave room if it's a sump for when the pumps cut off and the drain pours all in

 

[ahiggins]

Oh wow Psiber...
Its an AIO at the back of a 20 gallon high.
#3 makes sense.
I have an AIO 25gal right now, so I know how the flow works and everything. I just dont know where to get something like that or how to do it lol
Research, research, research

 

[ahiggins]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/aio-20l-diy-build.79473/
This is exactly what I want to do!

 

[reeferfoxx]

https://oceanboxdesigns.com/product/oceanbox-designs-reef-conversion-kit/

 

[ahiggins]

That's exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you!!!

 

[Rybren]

I turned a 10G into an AIO. I just used clear acrylic scraps from my local dealer and used Krylon to paint them black. It was a lot cheaper than buying black acrylic.

 

[ahiggins]

I turned a 10G into an AIO. I just used clear acrylic scraps from my local dealer and used Krylon to paint them black. It was a lot cheaper than buying black acrylic.

How did you make sure they were the same size that you needed? can you file them down?

 

[Rybren]

How did you make sure they were the same size that you needed? can you file them down?

I used a table saw to cut them to size. I wasn't overly concerned about perfect edges, so I didn't clean them up at all.
If the acrylic is thin enough, you can score the the material and then break it off along the score.
You could also use a jig saw or router to cut the acrylic.

 

[ahiggins]

Thanks, that gives me a great starting point. I didnt realize the kits were so expensive...

 

[reeferfoxx]

Thanks, that gives me a great starting point. I didnt realize the kits were so expensive...

That is the price to pay for a polished look

Marine depot also has all the little pieces you might need. Not sure what your LFS supplies. Otherwise you can either drill holes or get a CPR overflow.

 

[ahiggins]

thanks for the info

 

[ReeferBob]

In the long run you will be better off getting an AIO. I got a 29g for $199 on sale. This comes with everything you need - tank, filter internals, pumps, lights, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-156...e=UTF8&qid=1470933857&sr=8-1&keywords=biocube

 

[ahiggins]

I would need to get lights for it though...I JUST made a post about that LOL what can I grown with those stock lights?

 

[ReeferBob]

I would need to get lights for it though...I JUST made a post about that LOL what can I grown with those stock lights?

Pretty much anything accept SPS corals. And if placed properly you could do a few of the higher light corals.