Drill-Less Siphon Overflow

[Lil_Stinker]

overflow diagram.gif (28.5 KB)

This is a much more stable version.

I first posted this several years ago on Reef Central. It has had quite a life since then.
These are now all over the world. They are wonderfully idiot proof.
If you want to control flow, decrease the output of the pump. Never restrict the outflow. You are just begging for disaster.

F. Wayne Johnson
Aquayne

This is similar to the design that inspired me, but as I stated previously....

Saw it, inspired me, but more clutter than I wanted. I don't think mine will loose siphon either.

Only tests will tell..

I also wanted only 1 pipe in the tank

 

[Lil_Stinker]

Before I eat my words, I figured I should run the numbers... I grabbed a caliper and some pipe and...

1 1/2 pipe (sch 40) = 1.6" ID
Area = 2.01 square inches

3/4 pipe (sch 40) = 1.05" OD
Area = .866 square inches

That is a combination that will probably be hard to beat.
If anyone wants to calculate other sizes, the formula is

Area = .785 x D^2

D = diameter
D^2 = diameter squared

what ever phappened to 'pi' x R^2 ? I am confused

pi = 3.141592654

1-1/2 inch pipe ID
R = .75 (1/2 of 1.5 inch)
.75*.75 * 3.141592654 = 1.767145868

3/4 inch pipe OD = 1 inch
R = .5 (1/2 of 1 inch)
.5*.5 * 3.141592654 = 0.785398163

Net area = 0.981747704

*****

3/4 inch pipe ID
R = .375 (1/2 of 3/4 inch)
.375*.375 * 3.141592654 = 0.441786467

The inside pipe area will be about 1/2 the effective area of the outside pipe.

A 1 inch pipe would have been a better match with the 1.5; causing a net outside area of 0.539961237 and an inside area of 0.785398163 (causing a faster outside flow & clearing debris), however the couplers for the 1 inch pipe did not fis inside the 1.5 inch end plugs, forcing me to use the smaller 3/4 inch pipe for the inside.


Help me CHOMPERS; I am not familliar with D^2 * .785.. Please supply a reference.. (nevermind I found one)
http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol2/circle_area.html
Supports both formulas but it would be more accurate as 0.785398163 or even 0.7854

In any event; the flow rate will determine how well debris is cleared; since the flow will be the max determined by the pumd (not to exceed the 3/4 inch max flow) I will understand that I will need to clean the 'trap' every so often. I will post when the forst 'sludge fest' is completed.

Still need a few things to complete thei trap .. Check valve for the top. 'gurgle' valve for the boffom. and a bit if time to put them in place.

Then the DIY sump design that I am sure will cause a people to cringe


To answer an earlier question... This will be installed on one of my 55g tanks until proven in the real world, then who knows, perhaps on all 3 of my 55g tanks

 

[CHOMPERS]

what ever phappened to 'pi' x R^2 ? I am confused

This has to be my last post for the next three weeks And it has to be incomplete

(I'd stick around but I am really torn between sitting in front of the computer vs. going fishing on the Canadian border. I am hoping for a small musky or Northern Pike to follow me home )

The pi r^2 formula is still around. I just simplified it to use on the most basic calculators. And to use the diameter instead of the radius, less math is involved. Another tip to simplify math is to only use two or three decimal places in your calculations. Pi really only needs to be 3.14 because you really can't measure a hundreth of an inch with a ruler. I used a caliper to measure the pipes which was really an overkill because the same pipe from the same factory made at a different time will have allowable tollerances of more than one hundreth of an inch. To use pi or any other calculation to twelve significant figures implies that it is possible to measure a hydrogen atom with a ruler. Just a weird bit of trivia. I had to have this explained to me too

Oops, I am babbling about entertaining stuff (to us nerdy folk) instead of helping with the math, etc. And time is a wastin'. Hmmm, had to re-read your post to see what I was suppose to respond to...I guess that was it, right? I am operating on zero sleep so details are getting the best of me right now.

Oh yeah, the pipe measurements are never what they want you to think they are...for some odd reason. My 1.5 inch pipe was a little light on the plastic (but better for flow). It measured 1.6 inches inside diameter. It is really splitting hairs, I just added that for trivia and some head scratching. The OD of the 3/4 in pipe measured out at 1.05 inches...the five hundreths would be hard to detect using a ruler. It is that allowable tollerance thing again. Splitting hairs, I know.

and for the kicker (that is me laughing at myself) I screwed up on the math! Feel free to laugh with me...or at me I entered [(D^2) x pi]/4 instead of (D^2) x pi/4 and didn't check how the calculator translated how I entered it. (That Order of Operations thing.) That's what I get for not using the .785 formula...me and my stupid calclulator (Doh!!!) (extra L in calculator was a mistake, but maybe I need to get a clue )

And I guess I will have to wait three weeks for the sump design. I am tossing ideas around to fit limited space. I am really close to drilling holes in the wall. The hammer drill is already in positon waiting for me.

Also, if this helps, I do my R&D outside with buckets on ladders, and the PVC pressed together without glue. Leakage is minimal and you can make changes on the fly.

 

[CHOMPERS]

... I screwed up on the math! ...

This is what I get for staying up all night and then trying to do math... It didn't matter how I entered it, the order of operations was correct. So was my math... Man I need this vacation!

 

[Lil_Stinker]

This is what I get for staying up all night and then trying to do math... It didn't matter how I entered it, the order of operations was correct. So was my math... Man I need this vacation!

'Sea' you in a few weeks !!

 

[black_monster]

edit.

 

[Lil_Stinker]

Okay; I tested this in a couple 5g buckets, on a set of stairs. works dandy, started & stopped a dozen times.. I plan on using it when this ... http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33590 ... is in service ...

Thanks for all the inspiration

 

[sczu]

cool