so i made one of those pvc overflows and as you may know, it doesn't collect waste from the bottom. i suck it out every week while water changing, but i was thinking of creating some kind of disturbance that would cause the waste to go into the overflow. can anybody give me ideas please?
general pvc overflow issue, need advice
- Thread starter pikachux3
- Start date
A lot of people (myself included) us a power head or two to mix up the water along the substrate. For me it helps but I still have to gravel vac periodically to keep my substrate from getting gross
this is a though that i had for this problem but i have not tested the theory yet but i will post my drawing and see what people thing of it
it is a standard pvc overflow with an extra bit added onto it. i know the idea works with a hole drilled at the bottom of a tank and the pipe going to the top before heading back down to the sump so i think it should work.
perhaps add a power head to help move the wast to the pipe.
it is a standard pvc overflow with an extra bit added onto it. i know the idea works with a hole drilled at the bottom of a tank and the pipe going to the top before heading back down to the sump so i think it should work.
perhaps add a power head to help move the wast to the pipe.
thank you for the input, i don't really want to go the powerhead route, @rotccapt, could you further explain your the extra bit added to the standard pvc overflow?
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i have a bare bottom tank. i just had a thought, in addition to the overflow, a 3/4 inch pvc siphon (upside down U) that is very close to the bottom would suck up fish waste and send it to the sump. the only issue would be a way to stop it during a power outage or else it will flood the sump. any ideas folks?
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i have a bare bottom tank. i just had a thought, in addition to the overflow, a 3/4 inch pvc siphon (upside down U) that is very close to the bottom would suck up fish waste and send it to the sump. the only issue would be a way to stop it during a power outage or else it will flood the sump. any ideas folks?
my extra bit is adding a 90* elbow to the usual overflow pipe on a pvc overflow this will then attach to a tee so that there is an opening above the waterline to act as a siphon break. then you would just add a piece of pipe to the bottom of this tee that went to the bottom of the tank. the horizontal part where the tee and the 90 meet would set your water height. the open end of the tee is essential because if it is not there this would turn into a full siphon and drain your tank.
i have not tested this design because i only use drilled tanks but i have tested the bottom intake on a drilled tank so i know it works so the theory is the same so i feel it should work.
i have not tested this design because i only use drilled tanks but i have tested the bottom intake on a drilled tank so i know it works so the theory is the same so i feel it should work.
Think with the other end. I put an extra piece on my return with a spray bar across the back of the tank to push the stuff off the bottom up to the overflows.
If you add the piece to the overflow that was mentioned your tank will drain out in the event of a power outage. Assuming I can see the picture correctly since I'm viewing this on my phone.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
If you add the piece to the overflow that was mentioned your tank will drain out in the event of a power outage. Assuming I can see the picture correctly since I'm viewing this on my phone.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
There is another design for the pvc overflow that sucks from the bottom. It doesn't pull as much water as your surface pvc overflow, but you can take a peek here in the stickey.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?205645-Pipe-Sizing-Charts-and-Flow-Rates
You could use both designs and get water from the surface and down lower in the tank....
It is the second picture down. The output on the siphon break determines your water level when the electricity shuts off and restarts after it turns back on..
View attachment 801753
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?205645-Pipe-Sizing-Charts-and-Flow-Rates
You could use both designs and get water from the surface and down lower in the tank....
It is the second picture down. The output on the siphon break determines your water level when the electricity shuts off and restarts after it turns back on..
View attachment 801753