Does anyone know how to cut the notches for overflow baskets?

prsnlty · Mar 27, 2014

I am going to make 2 or 3 tall skimmer box columns using round 4" pvc pipe (then agrocreting them to look natural and grow coral on them). But I'm unsure of how to cut the skimming notches. Does anyone know how?

redfishbluefish · Mar 27, 2014

A router and router table.

prsnlty · Mar 27, 2014

Thanks

Any special bit?

bradenr · Mar 27, 2014

You dont need a router and a router table but you can use one. An easy method and the way i made mine was measure 1/2'' along your ABS board and 1 inch down all the way across. then drill 1/4 holes at your half inch marks and use a skill saw to make the straight cuts and you have your teeth.

beaslbob · Mar 27, 2014

one person just glued some egg crate to the top of the overflow box.

prsnlty · Mar 27, 2014

Kool! I don't know about using a skill saw because of the blade depth . But I like the idea of drilling the holes and maybe using jigsaw. I'm going to be using 4 inch round PVC for 22 inch columns. So each will have a 13 inch skim area.

I prefer the router idea but only have a hand held and no table.

Lol, egg crate? Well if it works...

Reefing Madness · Mar 27, 2014

Melev's Reef - Making Teeth

bradenr · Mar 27, 2014

jigsaw yea I don't know why I said skill saw. yeah I used my handheld jig and it worked pretty well, at least for a DIY

prsnlty · Mar 27, 2014

bradenr said:
jigsaw yea I don't know why I said skill saw. yeah I used my handheld jig and it worked pretty well, at least for a DIY

thanks

I have to get these done asap to agrocrete them since it will take about 6 weeks before I can place then in the tank. This is going to be a fun 180g build

JMSKI333 · Mar 28, 2014

+1 on a router table. Just go to your local hardware store and find one that has the thickness you want. You will want one without a bearing.

prsnlty · Mar 28, 2014

JMSKI333 said:
+1 on a router table. Just go to your local hardware store and find one that has the thickness you want. You will want one without a bearing.

The bit or router?
Thanks

Jackie

JMSKI333 · Mar 28, 2014

prsnlty said:
The bit or router?
Thanks

Jackie

The Bit. Some have bearings for riding on the edge of wood, and some don't for your application.

prsnlty · Mar 28, 2014

I had a feeling you meant the bit but at the risk of looking stupid I thought I'd ask anyway. Lol

Tank you

VicD81 · Apr 20, 2014

bradenr said:
You dont need a router and a router table but you can use one. An easy method and the way i made mine was measure 1/2'' along your ABS board and 1 inch down all the way across. then drill 1/4 holes at your half inch marks and use a skill saw to make the straight cuts and you have your teeth.

Hey what did you use to make them overflows? I see that acrylic is textured.

bradenr · Apr 20, 2014

VicD81 said:
Hey what did you use to make them overflows? I see that acrylic is textured.

I used black ABS acrylic sheets from ebay. they are like $6 for a 12x12. then i just used aquarium silicone

bradenr · Apr 20, 2014

12"x12"x 1 4" Black ABS Plastic Vacuum Forming Sheet Textured Front Smooth Back | eBay

prsnlty · Apr 20, 2014

Haha, this place is 40-50 minutes from me but his shipping is cheaper than what it would cost me in gas! Thanks for the link

lemonyx · Apr 22, 2014

bradenr said:
I used black ABS acrylic sheets from ebay. they are like $6 for a 12x12. then i just used aquarium silicone

Silicone and acrylic just don't work too good.

VicD81 · Apr 22, 2014

lemonyx said:
Silicone and acrylic just don't work too good.

Ive seen a couple ppl say this but I had to deconstruct my sump because I cracked the glass and the acrylic was on there so good that I gave up trying to remove it and bought new acrylic sheets. I was only able to remove one baffle and it was a pain to clean the silicone off the all the edges.