My Solution to Non-Drilled Tanks

[_sludgefactory]

My old one wasn't working very well anymore and since i was moving i figured I'd drill. My lfs said they thought the tank was tempered because the glass was fairly thin so i didn't want to risk it. My old one worked well with a mag 7 until it started acting up. The new one is rated art 800 gph so I'm confident it will work. It's the one my lfs picked out for me based on what i said i already has as far as the mag 7 return pump. It's not hooked up yet because I'm still waiting for the drain live from marine My lfs is very reliable so I'm sure it will be fine. I would have like to save the money though as im sure your built your overflow for less than 20 bucks worth of pvc.



Tank thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81000

LG P999 EaglesBlood 2.8, Trinity ELPmax

 

[GregAW]

If your new overflow box doesn't perform as good as you like, you could always build one of these to supplement more flow. Just use smaller PVC pipe. Which one of the eshopps overflow boxes did you get?

 

[Steelerfan747]

Very nice and impressive diy build. How quiet is it?

 

[GregAW]

Thank you. It's very quiet but not completely noise free. I wish I could find a way to record the sound and post it. I am impressed how quiet it is when you think how much water is being transferred to the sump. The CPR overflow box required the use of the lid to make it quiet enough so as not to bother you.

 

[_sludgefactory]

I don't remember the model number but it's the 800gph version.



Tank thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81000

LG P999 EaglesBlood 2.8, Trinity ELPmax

 

[GregAW]

I don't remember the model number but it's the 800gph version.

Oh well, if you don't think they'll let you return it, go for it. Wish I could find a photo of yours, that Hufer Gurgle Buster may be of interest if your overflow is noisy. That's what it was designed for, an overflow box.

 

[_sludgefactory]

Hopefully I'll get it hooked up soon. Don't have any drain line.



Tank thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81000

LG P999 EaglesBlood 2.8, Trinity ELPmax

 

[GregAW]

Should only need PVC pipe and some fittings. I'd also install a Union so you can take it apart if you need to. Also, if you use a union, get the one that is threaded and not slip, same for any ball valves.

 

[prsnlty]

I love this idea. I've seen a few demos on youtube but after I had an eshopps overflow box on my tank. I have the kind with 2 drains but Y 'd them into one 1" pipe. My overflow box has 2 U tubes on it but one always quits after a day or 2. I'm running a mag7 pump for return on 1/2" return pipe. But I also was running a second mag 9.5 on a 3/4" retun pipe. However the mag 9.5 kicked the bucket and isn't running now. I have a 125 peninsula with slower flow than needed for sure. When I can afford a new pump, I am considering doing your DIY project. I thought I could cut my PVC off the box and still use that part of my drain line. Just under the Y.

Great write up

 

[mcoxe77]

I just built this same setup following what Greg did. It works awesome. I will be putting it on a 55 mixed reef that is already running and don't wanna drill or use overflow boxes. I built mine from 1" and using a sedra 3500 for a return. Got the pump for cheap, and PVC is cheap. Tested it out on a separate tank tonite and never flooded the "display" and the overflow started right back up after stopping the pump and restarting. Had a lil trouble starting it for the first time, but after that it worked every time. Every few minutes I would get a gurgle sound coming from the intake and then it would go away but kept going on the same cycle. Any ideas on how to make it more consistent and avoid the occasional slurp?

 

[jtgordon20]

Mcoxe77, how much did the 1"PVC overflow cost you? I'm thinking about building one to save on the costs of drilling and setting up an overflow.

Also, how obstrusive are these?

 

[oupulino]

How long you been running this PVC overflow,does loose the siphon ???????????????????

 

[jjmccloud2011]

What kind of paint did u use to paint the pipes so I know what I can use that's reef safe thx great idea by the way

 

[coffee1stlife2nd]

on a 180 6x2x2 do you think 1 overflow would be enough ot should i make 2? 1 for each corner? and what size piping do you think i should use?? Thanks

 

[azjohnny]

on a 180 6x2x2 do you think 1 overflow would be enough ot should i make 2? 1 for each corner? and what size piping do you think i should use?? Thanks

I have a single 3 sided overflow in a 180 that measures 6"x10" with a single 1.5" drain and its fine. I have about 1000 gph going into the tank

 

[mcoxe77]

Jtgordon, the parts cost me roughly $15. Prolly a lil more to plumb it all the way to my sump. Also used Krylon Fusion for plastics to paint it. I also went with the air valve, siliconed in and then used JB weld to hold in place. Works like a charm, after a few adjustments on the air lines, no more gurgling.

 

[jjmccloud2011]

Ok thx and the won't hurt anything being in the water it doesn't leach anything harmful out to hurt anything thx again

 

[jjmccloud2011]

Sry I forgot the word paint after and the

 

[mcoxe77]

I have only been running the overflow for just a few days. Everything still seems to be doing fine. Im pretty sure other people have been using that paint and havent read any bad things about it.