What would you do? Overflow clean up

Stevie-Tv253 · Apr 16, 2019

Just bought a used 125. the overflows silicone wasn't the best so i took them out to clean and re-silicone in... well they look horrible! looks like they were painted? Either way I am curious as to what you folks would do other than making new ones? I am tight on cash right now due to some fraud but I am anxious to get this up and running. Thought about coating them in a black silicone... but on the fence. I know i'm probably going to have to make new ones but that's about a 2 week delay. What would you do?

Lingwendil · Apr 16, 2019

Cheap? Find a construction/plumbing supply place that does BIG PVC/ABS pipe, get a section of ~6" or so diameter black ABS DWV pipe, and chop it in half lengthwise. Cut teeth in it. Silicone it in. I've done this a few times, cheap and effective.

Stevie-Tv253 · Apr 16, 2019

Yeah thought about that... dont know why i didnt write that in... That is an option but has to be special ordered. my 2 local hardware shops only have 4" thats most likely what ill be doing.

Stevie-Tv253 · Apr 16, 2019

Well i called a local plumbing supply... they have scraps at 6" hes going to just give me! I'm an idiot.

clm65 · Apr 16, 2019

If they are in decent shape physically (not cracked), I would try to clean them up before I resorted to making or buying new ones. Soak them in a vinegar solution for a day and then scape them. Maybe even hit the surface with medium and then fine grit sandpaper. Rinse well and silicone in place.

Stevie-Tv253 · Apr 16, 2019

The issue is they look painted black and scratched through to white. My plan was to have it all blacked out. Seeing as ill be getting ABS for free i cant really beat that. Ill have it siliconed in tonight and plumbed ready to run next week!

Lingwendil · Apr 16, 2019

Well, there you go! See, it all works out

dugthefish · Apr 16, 2019

Leave them out, plug the holes, drill the back, and install a ghost overflow.

Stevie-Tv253 · Apr 16, 2019

McPikie · Apr 17, 2019

dugthefish said:
Leave them out, plug the holes, drill the back, and install a ghost overflow.

Stevie-Tv253 said:
No.

That's you told, lol

dugthefish · Apr 18, 2019

McPikie said:
That's you told, lol

Figured that out on my own, thanks tho

Mastiffsrule · Apr 18, 2019

All that aside, interested to see the end result. I watched a vid where the used a 5 gallon bucket and did similar method

Post the pix once u fabricate

Stevie-Tv253 · Apr 18, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
All that aside, interested to see the end result. I watched a vid where the used a 5 gallon bucket and did similar method

Post the pix once u fabricate

they look good especially against the black background. I will post a pic tonight. Downside is i do not like where the water level is. so i will be taking a dremel to teeth and making them a bit wider and deeper. siliconed them in and let cure for 24 hours with GE1. my stand is taller than most so you don't even see the teeth unless you are about the tank.

Stevie-Tv253 · Apr 19, 2019

Here's an update. my stand is about 3ft 7in tall. I built it a bit higher so im not looking down into it. the height is great because the rim hides the teeth of the overflow. very happy with it so far as of now i have about 300 dollars into this project! tank and stand!

Stevie-Tv253 · Apr 19, 2019

another angle

Mastiffsrule · Apr 19, 2019

Nice, got build thread going?

Stevie-Tv253 · Apr 19, 2019

No... Maybe i might set one up. within the next month i will be getting my lights, sump and skimmer all ordered/built and set up. starting a youtube channel as i vlog as is. figured ill document from picking it up to fully stocked down the line and the journey to get there.