Lets Please See Your DIY Overflows.

ReeferRob · May 2, 2008

Im looking to do an overflow of some type from a 24 down to a fug and then have some type of return. This is going to be done on a pop can budget. So I would love to see you DIY overflow. I m trying to think of a way to use all the left over PVC and parts from a 1200 gph overflow. Goals are obviously budget but an overflow that is not big and ugly taking up tons of space!
Thanks.

ReeferRob · May 3, 2008

No DIYers over here?

Pitcom · May 3, 2008

I know a guy who used a portion of gallon milk jug as an overflow, it actually worked pretty good.

Russellaqua · May 3, 2008

If you have the parts from a 1200 gph overflow you can use 2 specimen containers like you see at the LFS. Cut the hanger off of one of them and drill holes around the top edge of it. Then glue it to the hanger of the other container. I've done something similar before and it works great. Don't have any pics though.

ReeferRob · May 3, 2008

Russellaqua said:
If you have the parts from a 1200 gph overflow you can use 2 specimen containers like you see at the LFS. Cut the hanger off of one of them and drill holes around the top edge of it. Then glue it to the hanger of the other container. I've done something similar before and it works great. Don't have any pics though.

Okay, like it so far. But then what do you use for a U tube the one from the 1200?

Russellaqua · May 4, 2008

I've attached a pic of a model I made and use on a tank. Notice the piece of airline tubing coming from some normal hose that I use as the U-tube. I splice this piece of airline in with a straight connector from an airflow control kit and use silicone to make it airtight. I run the other end of the airline to the air intake of a powerhead. If your powerhead is strong enough it'll start and re-start your flow for you should you lose power. It's worked quite well for me and is completely DIY. Total cost was around $30 including the hose I needed. Feel free to download the diagram or PM me with any questions.

ReeferRob · May 4, 2008

Russellaqua said:
I've attached a pic of a model I made and use on a tank. Notice the piece of airline tubing coming from some normal hose that I use as the U-tube. I splice this piece of airline in with a straight connector from an airflow control kit and use silicone to make it airtight. I run the other end of the airline to the air intake of a powerhead. If your powerhead is strong enough it'll start and re-start your flow for you should you lose power. It's worked quite well for me and is completely DIY. Total cost was around $30 including the hose I needed. Feel free to download the diagram or PM me with any questions.

Right on that is exactly what I was thinking. The issue I was struggling with was what to use as the in-tank surface skimmer. The speciman container is a great idea. Wait..........your in Maine??!! I went to UofM at Farmington! Where is Lisbon Falls? My parents live in Rockport. Ive been thinking of moving back but the lack of fish shops/coral shops is stopping me.

Russellaqua · May 4, 2008

I went to UMaine- Farmington too! Majored in Geology/Chemistry and graduated in 2003. Lisbon Falls is the eastern half of the town of Lisbon, the eastern neighbor to Lewiston. Still not a ton of shops around. They're mostly centered around Portland. BTW, I used 2 specimen containers (1 in, 1 outside the tank) because the hose going to the sump will try and pull your in-tank portion out of the tank. If you ever move your canopy it could potentially fly out of the water. It looks strange in the diagram to build it that way, but that was the reasoning.

ReeferRob · May 4, 2008

I went there in '98, I was the only kid not from Maine or New Hampshire.
I don't like hoods or canopys, so I think I am going to try and cut the U tube or make a smaller one. I might try and bend some myself.

Russellaqua · May 4, 2008

Sounds like a plan. Make sure and let us know how it turns out.

fly guy · May 17, 2008

here is a super ghettofied near coast to coast overflow I came up with setting a tank up for someone...........

it could be done with only one bulkhead if you are willing to pop a hole in the back of that tank......

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=10226361#post10226361

ZooYorkUnderworld · May 17, 2008

check out what this guy did here in Ny,

http://hvreef.org/yabb/index.php?topic=8751.0

ReeferRob · May 18, 2008

fly guy said:
here is a super ghettofied near coast to coast overflow I came up with setting a tank up for someone...........

it could be done with only one bulkhead if you are willing to pop a hole in the back of that tank......

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=10226361#post10226361

Ha, I think the correct term is "Motown Engineered!"
I was actually trying to think of a way to do this exact thing, but with out the drilling.