? about the diy overflow

[eh1421]

I know all about since it is my sticky but
my question is do you guys think it will keep its prime at 1 gal an hour
i want to put the drip system on my 135 but i don't want to put a sump on it if i don't have 2

so what i want to do is use a diy overflow like in the sticky and drip 1 gallon per hour in the tank
3/4 inch pipe should be fine for this

any thoughts i say it should work but has anyone done this

thanks
mike

 

[rallysman]

No it wont Mike, I tried. There is a DIY that you can make that will keep it's prime though. I'll either take a pic of mine or try to find the pic on here somewhere. It's even easier than the one you posted originally.

 

[eh1421]

ok thanks bro

let me know

mike

 

[rallysman]

Take a small section of PVC (I used 1/2") and make a big U shape. Then get a peice of 1" and cap the bottom. Install a "T" where you want the water level to be, hang it on the tank (I used a PVC hanger zip tied to the 1" tube), put the "U" in the 1" tube and the tank then it's done. Just fill the 1" tube and install an air line check valve on the "U" to pull the air out.

I think this is the method that Li and a couple of others are using. It's working great for me.

 

[eh1421]

makes since 2 me bro
the water in the 1" pvc is the same level as in the tank
when the water gets higher in the tank it gets higher in the pipe and goes to the drain
perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you sir
good call bro

mike

 

[coolkeith]

The overflows works fine for my drip system. I think the key is to not let air backflow into the system and to minimize splash in the down tube. Just raise the vent tee so that it is higher. That would make it about the same as other method.

 

[Euge]

The overflows works fine for my drip system. I think the key is to not let air backflow into the system and to minimize splash in the down tube. Just raise the vent tee so that it is higher. That would make it about the same as other method.

i think you missed the point of his question.

 

[coolkeith]

Yeah, I never knew questions had points. I use a drip system and an overflow and it works without losing it's prime.

 

[rallysman]

Mine kept getting air in it from splashes when I fed the fish.

 

[CHOMPERS]

After the overflow ages some, it grows the usual bio-gunk inside just like the rest of the aquarium. This stuff is alive and expells dissolved gasses into the water. In very low flow applications, the dissolved gasses reach the saturation point and then start to collect in small bubbles. As these bubbles grow, they break away from the sides and float upwards. They collect in the top loop until the point that flow is no longer possible.

The remedy is to either use smaller diameter parts or to clean the overflow every now and then (about four times per year).