DIY overflow is not working

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Airline Tubing is what you use to connect your air stones (the things that add bubbles to your aquarium) to your air pump.
Assuming you have them....most people do.

Any type of small and clear (ideally, clear) tube will work really, as long as it fits in your mouth (or a vacuum pump like the aqua lifter.) Airline tubing's just convenient because we almost always have those lying around (along with check valves --- another bonus for diy overflows.)
 
Let me see if I can help clear things up for you.

The yellow mark in your drawing is denoting a one way check valve. This is placed there to allow you to remove air from the overflow. The air is then replaced by water. This requires a complete seal which means you need to have the overflow glued and sealed. Otherwise, microscopic leaks can and will compromise the vacuum needed for the overflow to function properly and it will fail.

Note the yellow mark on the top. This is where you silicone in the one way check valve.
View attachment 364113

Check valve.... This allows you to suck air out but prevents it from going back in.... very handy unless you are as skilled a Jenna as per the earlier comment.
checkvavle.jpg

Air Line or tubing.... This is what you attach to the one way valve and suck on.. (Oh you didn't know???? (jesse james fan :D ))
airtube.jpg


You are basically using "half" of a "pretzel" overflow. Pretzel Overflow There is a lot of great information in that thread as to why each part is needed and it's function.
 
Well guys I am from India and its hard to fine check valves here. Still i'll try
Is there anything that can be done in the DIY way to make it work as check valve.
 
And guys have mercy on my soul. I am not jesse james nor jenna jamesons fan. I like Aria a lot [;)]
 
You don't necessarily need a check valve although it does make it easier, all you need is something to cap the line so that air doesn't enter after you prime the overflow.


And not a fan of Jenna, that is like a crime to manhood.
 
Neophyte;3114831; said:
You don't necessarily need a check valve although it does make it easier, all you need is something to cap the line so that air doesn't enter after you prime the overflow.


And not a fan of Jenna, that is like a crime to manhood.
Click to expand...

Lolzz @ jenna.

Guys i am still confused on the working of this valve if it is there to suck air out of the PVC flow then whats wrong with the earlier setup
Alright i will glued the ends
 
The problem with just sucking from one end is going to leave an air pocket at the top of the siphon, so even though it may start working the flow going through it wouldn't be fast enough to suck the rest of the air out so you will have a poor prime and it will fail. What the valve does is allow one-way travel within the tube so you get to suck the air out of the top of the siphon without the air going back in so that on occasion you have to suck air out again you can just suck on the tube to get the air out and it will automatically seal the tube when your done.

But again you do not necessarily need a check valve just something to plug the tube when your done removing the air so that the air doesnt flow back in.
 
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