DIY overflow any help? - Aquarium Advice

dustybrannum · 08-01-2003, 01:06 AM

here is my idea, sort of, any further ideas are greatly appreciated.

justDIY · 08-01-2003, 01:19 AM

you're on the right track!

you don't need the extra chamber on your inside "box"

and the chamber "baffle" or weir actually on the outside box needs to be "taller" - this is what sets your tank's water level.

it also prevents the siphon from breaking during water changes and the like

-

depending on how many [acronym:ec545e393e="Gallons per hour"]GPH[/acronym:ec545e393e] you want to flow, you may need 2 or 3 siphon tubes and drains ... I had a calculator for this at one time- i'll try to dig it up for you

going great - keep it up!

justDIY · 08-01-2003, 01:22 AM

here's the calc

http://reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php

I wish it was programmed to have a threshold to say you need 2 drains at 1.5 inches, rather than say you need a drain that is at least 1.92 inches

but it helps

just round up and divide, and then round up to the closest pipe size and you should be OK

dustybrannum · 08-01-2003, 01:29 AM

ok see if you like this

dustybrannum · 08-01-2003, 01:36 AM

ok, working idea any further suggestions? gonna use a "mushroom" drain

justDIY · 08-01-2003, 01:39 AM

almost there!

you have the drain and siphon sizes reverse, siphon should be bigger than the drain.

-----

I know you're planning teeth, but they're hard to draw!

about the teeth:

you will want to cut straining "teeth" into your internal box (1/4 inch is a popular size, spaced 1/4 inch apart), you want the bottom of the "teeth" to be at or below the same level as your outside weir ... this will ensure most efficient operation and minimize build up of debris inside the overflow

the tops of the teeth should come out of the water somewhat as well, to help prevent debris from "falling over" the edge and getting stuck in a siphon

dustybrannum · 08-01-2003, 01:48 AM

ok here it is updated

justDIY · 08-01-2003, 01:49 AM

oh, 1 more thing ... that 1" wide "space" between your inside and outside box is too much

measure the width of your tank wall, and then add like 1/8th" for fudge factor and use that as your spacing

safe bet would be at most 1/2" space

dustybrannum · 08-01-2003, 01:50 AM

yes 1/4 inch screens and 1/4 inch apart

dustybrannum · 08-01-2003, 01:53 AM

ok on the separation

08-01-2003, 01:06 AM	#1
dustybrannum Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sherman, texas-college in arlington,tx near Dallas Posts: 318 Images: 8	DIY overflow any help? here is my idea, sort of, any further ideas are greatly appreciated.

08-01-2003, 01:50 AM	#9
dustybrannum Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sherman, texas-college in arlington,tx near Dallas Posts: 318 Images: 8	yes 1/4 inch screens and 1/4 inch apart __________________ Dusty Brannum

08-01-2003, 01:53 AM	#10
dustybrannum Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sherman, texas-college in arlington,tx near Dallas Posts: 318 Images: 8	ok on the separation __________________ Dusty Brannum

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08-01-2003, 01:19 AM	#2
justDIY Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Earth Posts: 1,191 Images: 12	you're on the right track! you don't need the extra chamber on your inside "box" and the chamber "baffle" or weir actually on the outside box needs to be "taller" - this is what sets your tank's water level. it also prevents the siphon from breaking during water changes and the like - depending on how many [acronym:ec545e393e="Gallons per hour"]GPH[/acronym:ec545e393e] you want to flow, you may need 2 or 3 siphon tubes and drains ... I had a calculator for this at one time- i'll try to dig it up for you going great - keep it up!

08-01-2003, 01:22 AM	#3
justDIY Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Earth Posts: 1,191 Images: 12	here's the calc http://reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php I wish it was programmed to have a threshold to say you need 2 drains at 1.5 inches, rather than say you need a drain that is at least 1.92 inches but it helps just round up and divide, and then round up to the closest pipe size and you should be OK

08-01-2003, 01:29 AM	#4
dustybrannum Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sherman, texas-college in arlington,tx near Dallas Posts: 318 Images: 8	ok see if you like this

08-01-2003, 01:36 AM	#5
dustybrannum Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sherman, texas-college in arlington,tx near Dallas Posts: 318 Images: 8	ok, working idea any further suggestions? gonna use a "mushroom" drain

08-01-2003, 01:39 AM	#6
justDIY Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Earth Posts: 1,191 Images: 12	almost there! you have the drain and siphon sizes reverse, siphon should be bigger than the drain. ----- I know you're planning teeth, but they're hard to draw! about the teeth: you will want to cut straining "teeth" into your internal box (1/4 inch is a popular size, spaced 1/4 inch apart), you want the bottom of the "teeth" to be at or below the same level as your outside weir ... this will ensure most efficient operation and minimize build up of debris inside the overflow the tops of the teeth should come out of the water somewhat as well, to help prevent debris from "falling over" the edge and getting stuck in a siphon

08-01-2003, 01:48 AM	#7
dustybrannum Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Sherman, texas-college in arlington,tx near Dallas Posts: 318 Images: 8	ok here it is updated

08-01-2003, 01:49 AM	#8
justDIY Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Earth Posts: 1,191 Images: 12	oh, 1 more thing ... that 1" wide "space" between your inside and outside box is too much measure the width of your tank wall, and then add like 1/8th" for fudge factor and use that as your spacing safe bet would be at most 1/2" space