overflow for very low water level? buy or diy?

cellodaisy

cellodaisy

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Jan 11, 2009
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Cincinnati OH 45219
meganstrickland.com
I need an overflow to maintain a water level about 8" below the top of the tank* and handle 350gph.

I've tried diy and so far been frustrated. I'm not opposed to trying again, but I'm kind of tired of messing with it and I'm kicking myself over the money I've already spent on parts and such---not that it's all that much, but I hate wasting. At this point, I'm leaning toward buying, just so I stop throwing money and time at a diy solution that may not work, but none of the manufactured overflow boxes I can find look adjustable enough to give me the 8" of clearance I need.

I would prefer not to drill the tank, because it seems like a lot of trouble, the tank is currently in use, and holes at this water level would make the tank useless for anything else. (Right now it's a turtle tank and the 8" clearance is necessary for basking space.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 
have you tried hooking a pump to some tubing from inside the tank and running it over the rim to your i assume wet/dry set up and then just have a return pump from your filter back to the tank? i would think that would work?
 
My first thought was an Overflow to a sump. But then I had the idea of a waterfall. LOL

Is it the ... to the sump, your wanting to do?

And what have you tried so far?
 
Yes, I'm looking to bodge together a wet/dry sump. I have a pump (Mag Drive 3) and a spare 10 gallon. I'm not *too* worried about that part.

For an overflow, what I've tried so far is a whole bunch of half-baked plans with various containers, fittings, hoses, and pipes, based on the general principals of an overflow box, which seemed simple enough---and they are. It's the execution---water-tight seals, keeping up with the pump, etc.---that's giving me fits.

Basically, I tried to cheap out on this, it isn't working, I keep buying "one more part" to make it work, and I'm sick of the whole mess.

I'm wary of the two-pump idea... if they aren't perfectly matched in gph, wouldn't the tank or the sump overflow? Maybe I don't understand what you mean.
 
Happen to have any pics of what you've tried so far?

Might be able to work something out from what you already have?

And/Or

Do you have any plexi-glass experience?
 
SMinNC said:
Happen to have any pics of what you've tried so far?
Click to expand...

I'm afraid I don't. Nothing worked, so it's all dismantled. I have some 1.5" pvc, some 0.5" cpvc, plastic containers of various sizes (most with holes drilled in them), some 1/2" tubing, some 5/8" tubing... altogether, I've spent a fair bit (well, more than I wanted to), but it pretty much looks like a pile of useless carp to me now.

SMinNC said:
Do you have any plexi-glass experience?
Click to expand...

Only a little. I have some plexi sheets that I intend to use for my diy lights (which are actually going fine, I just have to make time to finish them). So far I've managed to cut a piece using the score-and-snap method, but I haven't done any shaping or gluing or whatnot.
 
I gotta run for now, but before I go I just want to reiterate that I'm fairly interested in just buying an overflow at this point, but I don't know if any are available that would adjust to allow 8" of clearance (without costing an arm and a leg).

Thank you for your input. It is greatly appreciated!
 
One of your options is to modify a conventional overflow in part only. Make a U-tube that is deep enough to reach down 9-11 inches into the tank with the oulet leg longer than the inlet. Make a hanger to hang the two baskets lower than what is normally possible. You can make your hangers out of 1/2" pvc. Be sure to cap off the ends as you don't want them to accidentally siphon. Put slots on the tank side of the hanger so you can adjust the skimmer box level. Reassemble your overflow using the modified pieces.
 
You have a few options.
First, you could drill the bottom of the tank and use a standpipe set to the water height you want. Use the pump in the sump as a return.
Second, you can buy a smaller tank that is already drilled, use a standpipe in it to set the water height, and mount it over the tank and use it as an overhead sump. Put the pump in the tank, use it to feed the sump, and let the sump overflow the standpipe, and gravity feed the tank.
Personally, I would just drill the tank if you are set on a sump, or get an fx5. The two pump thing never works out, either.
 
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