internal overflow

[reeves2k2]

for all those who are interested here is the progress i have made on drilling my tank and installing a internal overflow on a running stocked tank

firstly i had to drill the tank so went to b&q and got a diamond hole cutter (either 43 or 45mm) this was for 32mm plumbing,
i then installed and siliconed into place my 32mm tank connector:
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/9030/27082008007md7.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1977/27082008008vm9.jpg

whilst this was setting up i found some scrap glass panes lying around in the shed, i used MR Teee's Triangular overflow design as i was unable to put a full weir in and personally dont like them either
Heres the overflow just after being siliconed together:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1222/27082008005nn4.jpg

this was left overnight to cure sufficiently so i would be able to silicone it to the tank today. This was now the most tricky part of the build and install even considering drilling the tank:
after a few posts and searches around here i come up with a nice little method which enabler me to hold it in place once it had been siliconed to the tank, (this was only hard because the tank is full so i couldn't tip it up and do it that way:
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6590/27082008009wk2.jpg
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3973/27082008010yw5.jpg
the process i used was,
1. silicone the edge of the glass to be attached to the aquarium
2. line it up so it didn't look stupid and offline
3. get the top edge where i want my tank level to be set
4. press the overflow to the glass and quickly tape the top up to hold it using electrical tape
5. then i had a problem with the dam thing sliding around so i thought ill used my magetic algae scraper with a small piece of wood on top to support the weight and stop the overflow slipping down

so as you can see above that is the point im at right now initially i tidied the silicone up on the edges and inside so it doesnt look awful it is difficult to get it neatish at this point i am not concerned about it being water tight as once the silicone has grabbed and i can take the tape and scraper away i will re silicone nice and neat and make all water tight

here is what it looks like at the moment whils it is all setting and curing just waiting for a final seal up and a day to dry:
http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/6915/27082008012pc4.jpg

completed pics up in a day or 2 once all is cured and running

any comments or questions welcome!!

[cl0wn]

looking really good there, are you gonna put a 90 degree elbow on the inside? top diy fella!!

[Tangman]

Hi thats a good job for a first time try m8, folk are frightened of drilling tanks but once you have done one its easy. I have drilled dozens of holes in my time and only had one tank bust that had toughened glass which went bang like a car windscreen. I like your way of holding up the weir with the magnet , well done i bet your feeling very proud of your self i know i did when i did my first one. Twiggy:D:D

[cl0wn]

how long did you leave it to cure in the end, just wondering as i have a 6inch strip of sealant curing in my tank at the mo'.

[reeves2k2]

sorry for the long delay been out all evening
Clown i left the overflow itself overnight from around 8 ish till about 10 this morning
then i siliconed it to the tank around 2pm today and with the halide been on its all solid now!
it still needs a final seal to make it water tight and will leave it a day or so after until i fill it up

the drilling part was actually quite easy the trick is to get the hole stated and the bit not slipping around

the magnet idea was a quick thinking moment as the first attempt with just the tape ended up in the water so i sh*t myself because i no uncured it can cause ppoblems in a SW setup and the magnet was there just the right size lol found a bit of scrap wood so if any silicone run out it didnt make amess of the magnet

it does look kinda good and a decent first attempt the only minor thing i will nag myself about is than the left side triangle pane the top edge is not totally square its just off which makes the left side slightly higher by a mm or so but will see how it goes when i fill her back up but it the only way i could do it because otherwise looking at it from the front of the tank which is where i will be looking most of the time it looked funny & lobsided if i levelled it off

im not sure abou a 90 yet for a couple of reasons
1, i am not sure if a 90 will fit in there
2, the tank connector is threaded with the bold over it siliconed to the tank so how i would get a 90 on if it fit i do not know

[cl0wn]

know where you're coming from with the sealant being under halides, wonder if the heat cures it quicker? wanna get the tank filled back up as the scum on the surface is vile. plus wanna start feeding properly.

[reeves2k2]

yeah i know what your saying im not too bad because i only have 1 powerhead off at the mo and there is plenty of surface movement so not much can settle

you not got a diy project on the g at the mo?

[cl0wn]

reef flush was the recent one. that's now in, and will update on how it goes. next one is definitely 3ft ati type lighting unit. cooling fans for the ends, acrylic hood and led moonlights. this is gonna be a big one. looking forward to getting the funds to do it!!

[reeves2k2]

sounds quality mate how u gonna go about the acyrilic hood, looking forward to seeing a build thread for this one

[cl0wn]

there's a place in hull that does good things with acrylic. might get the hood preformed, more than likely just get the acrylic cut to size and weld it myself. still very much in the research phase at the mo....

[cl0wn]

here's the thread as i've hijacked yours enough. would appreciate your input tho' as you seem like you're on the same wavelength.:D

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=11663

[reeves2k2]

sounds good mate i would make sure u do do some detailed research regarding acrylic & heat etc fro halides and other tubes that may be incorporated i dont know much about acrylic so cant really help on that score

[Aquandy]

Is this design for the water outlet to the sump or return?

[Tangman]

Is this design for the water outlet to the sump or return?
Hi Andy its the outlet pipe to the sump. Twiggy

[cl0wn]

this would be just the job for geordie!