Cheapest way to make siphon overflow for automatic waterchanges?

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Smertrios

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 18, 2007
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My computer art skills are not superb check this out...

Siphon.jpg

All bonds except for the tubing shown in red are acrylic "welds". Basically a 1" acrylic tube as a container on the outside of the aquarium and 1/2" acrylic tube formed into a U shape that maintains the water level. The bottom of the 1" tube will be sealed with an acrylic square and the drain is the tubing in red (probably 3/8" vinyl).

I think they can be made for under $2 but its quite a bit of work to make alot of them. Main advantage is that its small and transparent so function can be monitored easily. Something that doesn't show in the pic is another piece that helps hold it stable on the edge of the tank.

Anyway this is the best I have come up with so far...

Siphon.jpg
 
This project will give me a reason to buy some material and tools for my mini lathe (done)! Anybody have comments on the design? Pretty simple and the siphon can be started by using the "drain" *if* I plug the top. Not sure about bending the acrylic tubing tho if anyone has advice on doing that I would appreciate it.
 
I may experiment with heating and trying to form acrylic but I doubt it will turn out to be easier or use less material for what I am doing now which is cutting 45 degree angles to "weld" together with solvent. Still waiting on the solvent... Still looking for pointers on working with acrylic!
 
not much to offer in terms of shaping acrylic, but why not have the drain at the bottom of the acrylic box?
 
I made my overflow at a reasonable cost. Pretty much the same thing you have pictured.

DIY Overflow.jpg

DIY Overflow.jpg
 
This is what I have so far...
DSC00155.JPG
The larger diameter tubing is 1" cut about 2" long. The smaller tubing is 3/8" and instead of going in the top of the 1" tube I decided to make it go in the side so that the open area at the top stays a circle. Reason being is that it will make starting a siphon easier at least that is the plan. I can put something that fits over the top and then plug the drain to pull water into the 1" chamber.

@Crispy - Going to move the drain to the bottom

DSC00155.JPG
 
JK47 said:
More pics and details please? I am building on this week and had something very similar in mind.
Click to expand...

I have a couple more pics, but I'll have to dig them up. Basically, the 3/8" tubing acts as the siphon tube. This flows water into the chamber pictured above. The "T" is what regulates the water level of the tank. I can slide the overflow up and down to some degree, which will allow me to adjust the height a bit. I have since attached additions PVC after the "T". This additional plumbing is where the overflow connects into my drains.
 
Using acrylic was a total bust literally as I could not get a strong bond in the acrylic pieces. However I now have a workable design using a piece of 3/16" acrylic rod, 1" pvc pieces and 1/4" poly tubing. The acrylic rod is key to letting this work well as it holds the pvc pipe up above the water line and it is adjustable for gripping the rim of the tank. Except for the 2 pvc endcaps all fittings are friction fit.

DSC00006.JPG

The acrylic piece doesn't show up real well but it was heated then bentover and flattened to make the "gripper" for the tank rim. The poly tubing was also heat formed on a piece of 3/4" pvc pipe.

I have one tank that has a low water level for my crayfish so they can grab the floating plants easy. This will still work but instead of the acrylic tubing holding onto the rim it will push against the glass and hang down further.

Another part that doesn't show well is the vent in the top of the lid.

DSC00006.JPG
 
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