My first DIY pvc overflow **PICS**

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Tilapia Buttikoferi

Tilapia Buttikoferi

Gambusia
MFK Member
Feb 10, 2008
219
1
18
Provo, UT
So tonight I decided to take a leap of faith and spend a whopping $19.45 on building one of these contraptions. After tinkering a bit and making a few cuts this is what I have come up with for my 100 gallon. I am not looking for a really high GPH rating because I already have a fluval 404 handling the filtration currently; so I opted to go with the 3/4" pipe a 1" 90 elbows and T fittings. Evidently, I do have a few questions:

1. Will this design work well without gurgling noises or any other power failure complications?

2. What kind of check valve do I need to buy and how do I install it?

Help would be mucho appreciated.

Thanks fellow MFKers!:headbang2


Here are the pics, in and out of the tank. I still haven't glued it together and I plan on painting it black with krylon fusion after adding Midnight's special overflow strainers..

overflow001.jpg

overflow004.jpg

overflow002.jpg

overflow003.jpg

tank81108.jpg
 
That's a different tank on an overflow. You'll have to keep us posted on how well it works.
 
Tilapia Buttikoferi;2127061; said:
1. Will this design work well without gurgling noises or any other power failure complications?

2. What kind of check valve do I need to buy and how do I install it?




Tilapia Buttikoferi;2127175; said:
Also, what size sump should I use? I was thinking somewhere in the range of 25-30 gallons?
Click to expand...

1. I would say that you are going to have some gurgling with this setup, but not a whole lot. This design works fairly well. Put everything together except for the top pieces and give it a shot. If it is too loud then take the top pieces off and add some 90s to help quite it down.

2. you will need a check valve inserted in the section that sits on the top edge of the tank. This is to occasionally remove any air that has built up. ust drill a hole and silicone the check valve in. Make sure you get the valve so that it is facing the right direction...out.

3. I typically like to see a sump that is 1/5 to 1/4 the sizae of the tank. Larger is possible, but not necessary. In this case a 30 long woul be perfect. That is what I plan on using in my 120.
Click to expand...
 
It's not going to work. As soon as the water level reaches the up turned 90's, it will stop flowing all together. (It will not restart if more water is added.)

Make both bottom loops level to each other and you won't run into problems.
 
CHOMPERS;2128049; said:
Make both bottom loops level to each other and you won't run into problems.
Click to expand...

Like this? Am I ready to glue it together yet? :D

overflow.jpg
 
Ive got my sump design drawn up, and it is based on Just Looking's design except it's 30 gallons, 48x12x12 and it will be constructed out of glued and screwed together 1/4" mdf, coated in fiberglass resin and then painted.

My question is what size, make, or model return pump should I use?

Dr. Joe I would love to hear your input!
 
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