DIY overflow box thingy? lol

[fhawk362]

So I got this idea, on my 150g there is a glass beam in the middle of it, I'm sure this is common on most. and I've been considering a diy overflow, now what if I were to have a pump flow up to a rubbermaid style box filled with scrubbies on top of this beam and seal in some pvc pipes to let flow out. It seems like itd be the same basic concept just with a shorter flow to the box, heres my dilemma, I feel a rubbermaid tub on top of my tank would look kinda ridiculous, so do you guys have any ideas on what I could do to not make it look ridiculous. Also, let me know if this has been done or not, pros, cons, info, etc.
I did a quick drawing, in theory seems realy simple except for sealing the pvc, or i could use bulk heads and run flexy tube, either way it seems simple and effective but not very good looking.

 

[fhawk362]

no help? I'll have to bump this up again tomorrow

 

[Pharaoh]

There have been a few of these made. Search around. I know one member made one that was powered by his FX5.

 

[fhawk362]

It would serve the same purpose as a wet dry, correct? I don't see what would be different

 

[bitteraspects]

This is called an "OHF" (Over Head Filter). Very common in Asia, though it never really caught on in the US or UK.
basically , it uses your display tank as the sump with the filter above it. You put a submersible pump in the tank with a hose or pipe running to a tray above the tank. a spraybar delivers water over your media and back to your tank. Its not the prettiest thing, but it is effective.

Side from having a bulky container sitting on your display, the mai. Problems with this system are noise and water volume. Because of the way it drops back into your tank, and with constant evaporation, these filters can get pretty loud. And unlike a sump, its not hidden I. Your stand to muffle the noise.
Also, unless you want a huge container sitting on your tank, you will not get the added benifit of increased water volume that you do with a sump. And if you do go with a big container, that's just asking for danger.

I have built a couple of these out of planter boxes, XL rain gutters, and ply. As well as using the good ol 3 drawer box method. they're fun to make, and can be effective. But after going to a sump, you won't look back.

 

[fhawk362]

True, it seems about the easiest piece of filtration you can make though lol.

 

[bitteraspects]

A DIY wet/dry really isn't much more difficult at all.
Instead of having the pump in the tank, its in the sump. And an overow from the tank passes water over the media. With the exception of the overflow (which can be made in minutes) its pretty much the same.