Need help with my diy pvc overflow. It wont start!
- Thread starter Applezpie
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jgirardnrg
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Have pics to share?
Deezill
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thats a big pipe what type of pump do you have trying to push the water? also why so many bends? overflows have gravity working with them yours seem somewhat complex. seems out of the norm of the Bean animal, Herbie, or Durso. I could be wrong.
ReefBeta
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The outflow pipe (T fitting) is too height. The siphon is the height distance between water level and that position. Yours are at the same height as the tank rim.
Also you need to fill it with water for the first time, to start the siphon.
Also you need to fill it with water for the first time, to start the siphon.
RocketEngineer
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1) The pipe size is wrong. It looks way too big.
2) You’re missing the u bend on the inlet side or the “overflow” piece that this pulls water from.
3) The outlet is too high.
2) You’re missing the u bend on the inlet side or the “overflow” piece that this pulls water from.
3) The outlet is too high.
Deezill
Valuable Member
I would not use this system. Just saying. I would use one of the following. Bean animal, Durso, or Herbie. I would just do a regular overflow so things won't go wrong. That pipe is too big, I think you risk losing a siphon.
thom_smith
Active Member
So I have a tank emergency and building something like this to get by while waiting on replacement and eventually repairing existing tank. Externam coast to coast overflow is seperating from back of tank at the seams. I built nearly identical setup this afternoon and had same problem with drain tee too high. So now working on rev 2. I see you have a one way air valve on the top horizontal run too. Would a john guest bulkhead and check valve work here? Trying to figure out from readily available parts so I can get things back and running tonight. Or any other suggestion ls of Home Depot/Lowes/Ace parts availability?
RocketEngineer
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The check valve at the top needs to be air tight. I used a barb fitting with a short piece of tube to an air line check valve from the pet store. A piece of tubing and a syringe let me pull the air out whenever I checked the system.
