VERY SIMPLE OVERFLOW?

[CHOMPERS]

hmm, i don't think you guys get how it works -

Actually both Rallysman and Dr. Joe get it. They have tons of experience with DIY overflows and are both quite brilliant. They will never give you bad advice.

Experimenting is fun and really expands the mind. Plus great ideas come out of other failed ideas. Keep playing with it until you get all the bugs worked out of it. By the time you have a working design, you will be the next pro giving out the advice.

Keep the ideas rolling and never let anyone tell you that "you can't do that".

 

[Benjine]

You're right Chompers - you guys do have tons of experience and have probably been through this process before, it's just a hard thing to explain by typing.

So far I've found it is definitely not 'very simple'. The siphon seems to need some head pressure to get enough flow to keep up with the pump - which means the second loop is actually below normal tank level.
It does actually work once you fiddle with the heights but - as a few people have asked - when the pump stops the siphon continues slowly to drain the tank beyond the capacity of the sump (ie wet floor)
It does start up again by itself after turning the pump off though.

I'd be interested to make the one Dr Joe mentioned - it looks pretty well nutted out - but all this fiddling with pipes gave me another idea with less risk of water everywhere...

A vertical peice of 150mm PVC pipe just taller than the tank with the pump inlet in the bottom and an overflow back into the tank from the top. Aeration half way up and full of filter media - I'll do a sketch and post it soon.

P.S. Starting up - I'm on the sunshine coast, and I've got a barra lined up - it's in my pond atm but I want to have it in inside while it's small enough to keep in a tank. Ultimately i want a saratoga jardinii but don't want to spend $150-200 so it will be bass, purple spotted gudgeons, sleepy cod - something like that until i afford the jardinii

here is some of my experimentation....

 

[Starting up]

Hi mate.
Nice fish. Toga's are so $$$$ for a native. I would love to get a Murry cod for my 6fter but have 4 Oscars in there for now.
I'm on the central cost of N.S.W. Good to hear from a fellow Ozzy good luck with your idea's

 

[Dan F]

I love experimenting and building unique DIY projects, however, I wouldn't mess with this one...

When you are looking at something as prone to catastrophic failure as an over-the-back overflow, it seems best to stick to a design that is proven reliable over time.

I'm certainly not saying it is impossible, but I have some worries. First of all, if you get your pipe size large enough for the flow you want, it seems there wouldn't be enough flow to clear accumulating air out of the top bend. Second, it isn't pulling off surface water. Most store-bought overflows incorporate a surface skimming box.

You might set up a couple tubs on the patio and run the thing for a period of time before using it in your house.

Good luck!

 

[Benjine]

Good point Dan Feller, that's what I've come to - the risk is really not worth it and it doesn't work like a true overflow anyway. Also, i don't have the time to spend getting it to work.

I will work on my next idea which has doesn't involve the risk of my tank filling up the lounge room! (and I know it works cus I've got the same think in my pond already)

 

[Dr Joe]

Come on...How about a clue?

 

[ciryn]

Let's see this idea evolve!!!!do more testing.