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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 20, 2012 16:23:46 GMT -8
Unable to drill my tanks I have developed a foolproof overflow out of a few plubing parts. It wont stop because of power outages or something. In fact only way to break it is to take it out yourself. Its completely foolproof.
Anyone want to know how I did it?
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Post by detane on Sept 20, 2012 20:38:42 GMT -8
yes..
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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 27, 2012 23:51:24 GMT -8
Here is what you need to do: First buy the supplies. I am not putting how big the things are because it depends on your setup. You might need more joints and pipes to get it into the sump but that up to you to figure out. Supplies: 7 Right angle joints (slip) 8 lengths of pipe 1 T joint (slip) Plumbers tape Plumbers glue (yes you need both) Prep: 1 Cut the pipes to the length you need. This depends on how far you have to go so there is no way to tell you. ![]() [/img] Attachments:
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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 27, 2012 23:55:44 GMT -8
2 glue two right angle joints together with a short pipe. Make sure that the are straight and pointing in the same way to make a U shape. Do this two other times to make a total of 3. 3 do this with the last right angle joint and the T joint. Line the up and it should look like a J shape. Attachments:
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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 27, 2012 23:58:26 GMT -8
4 without gluing attach the three U joints you made together with 2 pipes of the same length. It should look something like this: Attachments:
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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 28, 2012 0:00:43 GMT -8
5 put this in you tank and move the pipes together or it fits nicely in your tank. Mark where the pipes line up so when you go to glue them you know how to line it up. 6 take them back apart and glue them together lining up your marks. Attachments:
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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 28, 2012 0:03:47 GMT -8
7 Now glue the last two pipes into the J joint you made. both pipes should be on the same side. It will look like this: Attachments:
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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 28, 2012 0:08:52 GMT -8
8 this is where you need the plumbers tape. wrap plumbers tape on the short pipe you just glued into the J joint. Wrap a lot so the it can make a good seal but too much that you cant fit it into the joint. Its important that you don't glue this part or it be rather difficult to get the siphon flowing later. Attachments:
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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 29, 2012 22:24:18 GMT -8
9 Now to get the siphon going you have to submerge the overflow underwater and turn it over a few times to get all the bubbles out. Now holding it upright pull it out of the water. You should be able to see water on bother sides of the pipe. It will look like this: Attachments:
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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 29, 2012 22:28:41 GMT -8
10 Make sure you lower your water level below where the overflow is going or the siphon will start pouring water everywhere. Then insert the overflow into where you want it in your tank and press in the taped end of the other piece into the joint on the outside of the tank. Like this: Attachments:
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Post by robsfishtank on Sept 29, 2012 22:42:45 GMT -8
Now all you have to do is set up an return pump and turn the water on. Once the water level gets above the siphon the water will start flowing down to the sump. Please ask questions as I tend to think in my own way. I can try to explain it in a different way. this is what the whole thing looks like for my setup. Hopefully your setup isn't as strange. Attachments:
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Post by cngh on Oct 5, 2012 20:06:17 GMT -8
looks cool. built a very similar one a couple years ago (same, just taller). unless you close up that open standpipe (the "T") on the outside of your tank, it's going to be kinda noisy. at least cap it and drill a hole for air intake and that'll cut down on the noise.
be careful to keep that strainer clean too, otherwise as it gets clogged the water level will rise and you'll flood from your tank.
but i agree, it's a good cheap way for a HOB overflow. mine worked for a couple years no problem except for when it got clogged with algae once and it almost flooded (thankfully the wife was home and stopped it). after getting the initial siphon going, it always re-started after a power outage.
good job w/ the photo write-up!
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Post by robsfishtank on Oct 8, 2012 18:46:09 GMT -8
I dont get any noise. I don't understand why I don't, maybe because this is only a 10 gallon tank. I did put a strainer on the outside end but mainly to keep stuff from falling in. I use strainers from the hydroponic store, The openings are bigger but only come in one size.
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