Beermaster Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Okay here is the goal I picked up a 16" cube to make a nano tank with I want to have a sump/fuse ( going to use a 5-10gal tank) with a auto topoff what i am having a little issue with is plumbing and building the overflow for it i have a couple ideas, but having never done this before, could use a little guidance I will post some pictures tonight or tommorow of some of my ideas I am able to get the tanked drilled at my local glass shop (a couple good freinds own it) thx in advance Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majestic_Aquariums Posted March 15, 2005 Report Share Posted March 15, 2005 Talk to Andy L (if you haven't already) or Albert Dao. Either one of those guy's will help you out I bet, and they both know what they are talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap'n Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 Go here: http://www.canreef.com/ and search for the same questions, or ask them of all the knowledgeable folks on the board. You'll find everything saltwater you're looking for there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 I think external overflow boxes are the only way to go (notch the top of the tank, install a box on the back). Easy enough to DIY. When you build it (or buy the pieces) get holes for 2 1" bulkheads - then you can run a setup similar to chad's (fish on canreef), the primary drain is throttled down via a ball valve to what the pump returns. Results in a 100% quiet return. the second bulkhead, gets a standpipe (3-4") so that it's acting as a backup - if somehow the pump kicks it up a notch etc - the water will still end up in the sump, not on the floor. On my new 65g I'm using a UGJ type setup, so I can avoid 3-4 setups, and just rely on the return pump from the sump. There's a picture in the SW forum. Wasn't too bad to build - bit of a challenge melting the pvc into a nozzle shape without causing burning down the house. Auto topoff is relatively simple. There are dozens of DIY electrical diagrams around - for a tank like my 2.5 I can get away with a air driven unit (just a battery air pump + float switch), most larger tanks however require a bit more of a system. For your system, you'll probably want to run with a powerhead driven unit, will require a powerhead, relay, float switch & 12/24v transformer (will depend on what relay). Float switch mounts on the return pump side of the sump - any time water drops below a set level, powers fed to the powerhead, which pumps water (or water / kalk mix) into the sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beermaster Posted March 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 (edited) I think external overflow boxes are the only way to go (notch the top of the tank, install a box on the back). Easy enough to DIY. okay so build this box outta glass and attach it to the back of the tank? or what about putting a piece of glass that is only say 14.5" tall in about 3"-4" away from the back on the inside? wouldnt that do the same effect? or kida cut like Front view _________________________ |`````` \_________/ ``````| Â Â Â top view _______________________ | Â | | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | | Â Â | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | | Â Â | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | | Â Â | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | | Â Â | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | | Â Â | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | | Â Â | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â | |___|__________________| thats what i was kinda thinking of will require a powerhead, relay, float switch & 12/24v transformer (will depend on what relay) where would i find a float switch? sry for all the questons , i just wanna try to do this right Edited March 16, 2005 by Beermaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 okay so build this box outta glass and attach it to the back of the tank?or what about putting a piece of glass that is only say 14.5" tall in about 3"-4" away from the back on the inside? wouldnt that do the same effect? or kida cut like Front view _________________________ |`````` \_________/ ``````|   top view _______________________ |    | |                  | |  |                  | |  |                  | |  |                  | |  |                  | |  |                  | |  |                  | |___|__________________| thats what i was kinda thinking of That will work but the real advantage of having the external overflow is it takes up no room in the tank. where would i find a float switch? Talk to Harvey (newguy) about Auto-Top-Offs. He makes them and his prices are really good for the whole setup. You might have to pm him on Canreef though. sry for all the questons , i just wanna try to do this right No worries m8 we all have to learn sometime. If you don't ask you won't ever get an answer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beermaster Posted March 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 (edited) Okay maybe i just have to see one, to understand the concept! I have never done SW or a sump, i do lots of reading on it but itstill hasn't sunk totally in Does anyone here in edmonton have a SW with a overflow and sump that wouldn't mind a visit? I'll bring beer.............................. :beer: thx Mark Edited March 16, 2005 by Beermaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richer Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 Too bad you didn't tell me, you could have checked out my tank and sump when you picked up that cube from me. I think a large majority of the people on canreef use sumps on their tanks and most likely won't mind a visitor... especially if that visitor brings beer -Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beermaster Posted March 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 yea Rich, i thought about that later lol I also thought this would be an easy endenvor but as it happens, i have a little understanding to do first, b4 i attempt this I just wanna try not to make the newbie mistakes that always happens when you rush into things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beermaster Posted March 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2005 Ok so building an external overflow, I would have to notch the back of that and attach the overflow to the outsde back glass correct? what advantage does this give over building a overflow inside the tank. the issue i have is i wan this to be very clean looking with no real hardware visible kinda like this but on a bigger scale man so many options to think about lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 Basically it means you don't loose any space - done properly you wont see any equipment (all will be contained within the sump) Good luck making one as nice as Chads that one took some serious work/planning. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap'n Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 Agreed, Chad did a fantastic job! First tank I've seen that made me consider a nano. You won't be able to have it viewable from all four sides if you do the outside overflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majestic_Aquariums Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 Is it possible to use and aquaclear 300 or something for an external overflow? With a few mods/valves, would this not drain down to the sump, with your pump returning at an equal amount? I saw an external overflow @ Aquarium Illusions that was acrylic, but I think it was over $100 bucks! Just a thought, anyone think it would work? And what would you have to do to make it work without the risk of flooding? :eh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richer Posted March 18, 2005 Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 It could work with a few modifications... some modifications would include a box hung/clamped on the inside of the tank, and a couple other more minor mods on the AC300 unit itself. The problem I have with hangon overflow boxes is that they may be prone to failure over a period of time. I have read quite a few diaster threads where the overflow box lost its siphon. IMO, its worth putting out a small amount of extra work it takes to actually drill your tank (assuming its not tempered). Beermaster - Chad's tank (the one that you posted) is connected to an Eheim canister which he modified with a light inside of it. You can't achieve that look with the standard tank/sump combination... because if your power ever goes out, or your return pump fails, your entire display tank will drain into your sump and probably all over your floor :boxed: . Like what a few people have already suggested to you, I would personally notch out your tank, and put an external overflow on it. A single 1" bulkhead would be more than enough to handle all the flow you would put through a 16" cube, though personally I would stick two 1" bulkheads on there for safety reasons (in case one gets clogged with something). -Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beermaster Posted March 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2005 Okay i am going to build a external overflow, out of glass this weekend, how big should this be on a 16" back i was thinking 8"X5"X10" (LxWXH) with 2 1" bulkheads as for the closed loop, i am still reading on what that is and how to build it, that way i know where to drill the returns as for notching the back, just use a glass cutter and go nuts or should i take it to my local glass shop and get them to cut it? Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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