DIY overflow confusion

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Amaroq

Amaroq

Candiru
MFK Member
Jul 1, 2007
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In The Little Town Of Bedrock!
Before you get mad at me and tell me to look at the sticky and do a search i HAVE already

Im planning on building a DIY overflow and sump for my 55, Im thinking atleast a 10 gallon probally a 15 gallon sump. What i need to no is, im planning on 650 GPH to 750 GPH. Im not sure on how wide i need my piping, from everything ive read its been saying i would need 1" to 1 1/2" but when i went to home hardware today i was told that would be way to big and to use 3/4" and 1" at MAX the guy was also telling me to use bendable piping like the clear tubing, i wasnt sure as to if i could use bendable piping for the loops or not so i ended up just saying ill come back another day. I was looking at the PVC elbows and what not, they were the black ones. I think i remember reading that i shouldnt use them because they arent "potable" correct term? Other then the pieces that would connect to bendable tubing they had none that i saw atleast white elbows, white ones ARE safe right? Also can i use the bendable tubing because if i can i think it might be easier but i would prefer to stick with the cheaper PVC style overflow.

Sorry for all the questions,
Spencer

 
i would use 1" or 1 1/4" piping. dont use bendable. not sure about the black i know white is safe, you can also paint the white black if you want it black. i would just use the pvc elbows.
 
Sump = 1/4 to 1/3 the size of the main tank as a rule of thumb, so if your going to push 650gph-750gph lean toward 15g-20g sump.

Did you mention to your friend at the hardware that this was gravity feed? :D

Sounds like he's talking about pressurized systems.

And what soggysandwich said.

Dr Joe

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Yes i said it was going to be gravity "powered" but he said that it wouldnt be able to handle that kind of pressure? I take it he must be talking about the pump pushing the water back up. He said the black was for drains and sumps so maybe that helps? Ill see what i can squeeze into my space, its not to big but ill get some measurements and try and find a usable rubbermaid bin I dont really want this to be seem because its in my room so id prefer for it to be hidden. Measurements are 35" long x 15" wide x 17" tall and that would be 40 gallons but i wont be able to find a rubbermaid bin like that so ill just look around for the closest to it. Not to mention i wont even fill it up all the way unless for some crazy reason my soon to be overflow screws me over and fills it to the brim which it wont :) LOL I think im gonna ditch all my ideas for a plant area and just stuff as many pot scrubbies as i can possibly fit in there and put a spray bar over it and throw in a pump LOL
 
Ok then, the black pipe is not potable so don't use it.

If you really want to push the envelope, put an air stone (or wand) below all the pot scrubbers for better aeration.

As for the sump check different stores we have at least 5 brands here and all are slightly different sizes. (and you may want ot frame it since it will bulge when filled with water).

Dr Joe

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I thats what i might do, although do i have to do this or is it just a personal thing? Do i risk it exploding under pressure and flooding my floor is it bows to much? at most ill keep it at will be 20-25 gallon anyways for i can fit a 30 gallon down there then ill just keep it 3/4 of the way full. I think ill just go with 1" for my piping, now do i have to glue the pvc pieces together at all or will they hold themselves in place under the "pressure" ?

For my bins actually what i think i might do is just buy as big of long ones as i can and just stack them so i can seperate chambers and then the last one will just be the pump and probaly more scrubbies, can NEVER have to many! LOL
 
Most of these Sterilite & RubberMaid tubs weren't made to hold water, or anything that heavy. Fill one up and see what you think :D. I use them outside with and without bracing and I can see slight stress marks (stretch or fractures) at the top corners of the unbraced ones, but no failures. I have some heavy duty 55g tubs that I thought were solid till I filled them with water and they bowed 3" total at the top :screwy:.

Take a look at midnight's transporter http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65275

Luckily we're working with inexpensive products here which will allow you to experiment with designs.

Dr Joe

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Ok, well this tub will be a tight fit anyways and im certain im not going to fill this thing completly full anyways. I think the wood around it should hold it fine not to mention i wont be able to squeeze anything else in there or i wont be able to close the doors! How should i turn this into a sump? Im kinda wanting to do it like all the other sumps on the site but i doubt i be able to make all the section in it with a unlevel bottom, well i could but it would take alot of effort. I think i might just buy a few of the shortest height wise but the longest and widest i can find and just stack them and each will be its own chamber/drip plate. Theres to many option right now, Ill just buy the biggest ones i can find and then continue from there. If i absolutly need to i can put this thing beside the dresser but i dont really want to if i dont have to.
 
One tub and layer the filter & bio-material with eggcrate material as a separator. Put the pump in the bottom and a spraybar / drip plate on top.
 
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