DIY PVC Overflow questions

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kavin2845

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 26, 2012
985
1
16
Malden,Massachusetts
just have a couple of question about the DIY PVC Overflow, so i got everything planned out and am pretty much set to go out and buy the materials to start my sump, but then a couple of questions came to mind,

1. How does all the detritus get into the overflow? does it all just stay on the bottom of the tank? and you guys siphon it out every week?

2. How could i keep my fish from getting sucked up into it? is their some type of mesh i can buy to cover up the hole?

3. Are their different designs out their were only one tube is in the tank instead of the 'U' shape? can you guys give the name of it?
some thing like this
MVC00055s.JPG



So ya those are my questions thanks

oh and BTW if you guys are wondering which overflow design im doing, its the one Joey shows us how to make on youtube



this is what im planning to do
9e279a2a_vbattach185935.jpg


but will change if i can find a better design.
 
That is why he go to design. Just did mine last week. They make a pvc piece that is like a screen shaped like a cone.

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You make your pipe based on what gph you want to have. Make it so it can handle more then your pump can. And use a filter sock bigger then you think you will need. I made mine with a 4x8 sock to handle about 400gph. Bad idea on that one. Should have gone bigger.

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Be sure and size pipe and flow properly, I made one of these PVC types, and the flow would sometimes become too slow for a 1" diameter pipe size. Because the flow would sometime vary, siphon would occasionally break, and I'd end up with water on the floor, I ended up drilling the tank, and have not had a problem since.
These (or any for that matter) overflows do not pick up heavy particulate unless you have a strong flow throughout breaking larger chunks into smaller floating ones.
A power head aimed at the substrate will aid in this.
As stated above, there are screw type caps with screens made to prevent large debris and fish from getting sucked into the sump, these can also get plugged without regular clearing, if not maintained, create siphon breaks.
 
duanes said:
Be sure and size pipe and flow properly, I made one of these PVC types, and the flow would sometimes become too slow for a 1" diameter pipe size. Because the flow would sometime vary, siphon would occasionally break, and I'd end up with water on the floor, I ended up drilling the tank, and have not had a problem since.
These (or any for that matter) overflows do not pick up heavy particulate unless you have a strong flow throughout breaking larger chunks into smaller floating ones.
A power head aimed at the substrate will aid in this.
As stated above, there are screw type caps with screens made to prevent large debris and fish from getting sucked into the sump, these can also get plugged without regular clearing, if not maintained, create siphon breaks.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
and you said that these types of overflows don't pick up heavy particles in the water, so how do you handle this? would i have to run a canister as well or wait till the end of the week and siphon in out?
 
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