Need help with DIY wet dry filter

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spongebob281

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 1, 2009
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houston
I'm trying to DIY a wet dry filter for my 500 G similar to this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxOQvzQWoLk

I want to use the same concept he has in the video which is a plastic drawer. But I want to use a much more compact one that is about 12 inches tall with four small compartments. My question is I noticed he has an overflow box to prevent flooding in case the power goes out. Do i really need an over flow box? I'm thinking what if I just use a type that goes into the main display and drill an air hole just below the water level. That way if the power is cut off the air hole will prevent water from flooding my sump.
 
spongebob281;3801739; said:
anyone???
Click to expand...

Would guess we are waiting on the results from your research on overflows.
How they work, differnt styles and which you plan on using.
 
Overflow is definitely easier. I tried to get creative with my sump & use powerheads/float switches, etc. to get the water out of the display, but its just too many variables. Go with tried & true plumbing techniques!
 
Why cant i drill a small air hole in a tube just below water surface to prevent flooding..I already have an overflow but drain pipe is being use for something else in the sump
 
Not even really sure what you're asking. I thought I caught your question, but now I'm pretty sure I misunderstood. Can you clarify for us?
 
I was going to put an air tube in the display tank and have it drain to the plastic drawers which then drain into the sump. What im trying to do is instead of using an overflow why cant i drill a small hole in the air tube just below water level in the main tank so if my power goes out the small hole prevent a flood in the sump. My question is do i really need an overflow or will the tube with a small hole drill into it suffice/?
 
When talking about drilling a hole, do you mean in the return line (the hose going from the sump up to the tank, returning the clean water)? That's how most people do it, so that if the water starts to drain back down, the air will break the siphon.

If not, and you are trying to get around an overflow, that will not work. There has to be an overflow of some sort, whether the tank is drilled, overflow box (u-tube style), or DIY pvc.
 
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