Overflow help

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punkshok

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 4, 2006
50
0
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Connecticut
I am trying to build an overflow tomorow and just had a few questions just to re-confirm what I already think

I have a 55 gallon tank,
I am going to make the classic PVC overflow that I am sure we have all seen...

1. What size pipe should I use, and what would that be rated at(gph)
I know I want to use either a 1" or 1 1/2" but do not know the number they would run at
2. What size pump should I get to run this back from my sump, about 3 ft. up
3. Will the water level now be lower because of this...I meen would the water level end up being about the level of the intake of the overflow? or will the water level remain higher than the intake? If it drops to about the level of the intake will the siphon break?

very sorry if this sounds over done to anyone but these are just a few questions I could not find out any where else, believe me Ive looked quite a bit...
Thank you for any help
 
Overflows really are not that complicated; we just don't have a good thread that explains them. It is on my to-do list though.

For now, do not try to reinvent the overflow. After you build one and see it working, then you will get a feel of what you can do and can not do. There have been many people who have built their own version without understanding how they work and then later find out that they have to scrap their work and start over.

Here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Build exactly as you see it in the picture in the sticky thread.
2. The bottom two loops need to be at the same level (it will make life easier).
3. The tee needs to be as low as possible. In other words, build so that the inside bottom loop is near the bottom of the tank.
4. The vent tube is not optional. And it must be plumbed to over the top of the tank.
5. The inside bottom loop and riser pipe also are not optional. They are so the tank does not drain its entire volume into the sump and onto the floor.

A successful overflow will not allow the tank to flood the room and will restart after a power outage without your help. You should simulate a power outage by shutting off the pump until the water levels stabilize and then turning on the pump to make sure that the system starts again without assistance.
 
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