Overflow box [Archive] - Reef Central

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MickTheFin

01-26-2008, 09:59 PM

Since my tank isn't drilled, I'm planning to make a couple of overflow boxes. Hopefully if I've got two, if one gets air trapped in it, it won't be a disaster. I was planning on making something like this

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/overflow.html

However, I'm a bit stuck on bending the acrylic. The only thing I can think of to heat it up enough to bend would be to bring my hot air SMD rework station home from work.

Anyone think this will work?

Mike

MrTang

01-26-2008, 10:08 PM

dont see why not just like a toilets u bend lol and they dont empty out uness you want them to lol :D

marinemike

01-27-2008, 09:16 AM

looked at these on several sites and there mode up of flat single piece of material bonded together,that way no bends,check them out on fleabay.

moorish

01-27-2008, 11:33 AM

why not get the tank drilled and save the hassel of overflow boxes,when i first started i had them fitted and they were nothing but a nuisance so i got my tank drilled.derek

MickTheFin

01-27-2008, 12:18 PM

To drill the tank, wouldn't I have to empty it though? Even if I could get away with just lowering the water level, I only have about 12" of clearance between the tank and wall, so it'd have to be drilled from the inside out...

Mike

Dal

01-27-2008, 01:43 PM

I know a few people that have drilled tanks stocked LRS do it or mine does so might be worth getting them to do it so they are insured if anything goes wrong all id be worried about is the glass dust getting into the water cant be good for the fish and other livestock IMO
good luck
Dal

moorish

01-27-2008, 02:02 PM

i have been with eric when he has drilled tanks full of stock by just dropping the water level down,fish and corals have all been ok.derek

MickTheFin

01-27-2008, 02:24 PM

MickTheFin

01-27-2008, 03:51 PM

OK, I've never played with with sort of material before, so don't flame me for my poor attempts :)

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii5/MickTheFin/Overflow/Photo-0142.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii5/MickTheFin/Overflow/Photo-0143.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii5/MickTheFin/Overflow/Photo-0147.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii5/MickTheFin/Overflow/Photo-0144.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii5/MickTheFin/Overflow/Photo-0148.jpg
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii5/MickTheFin/Overflow/Photo-0149.jpg

Bending the stuff is quite easy. I've learned not to try to bend it, but just keep heating until it bends under it's own weight, then hold it in position until it cools down.

Mike

Dal

01-27-2008, 03:58 PM

thats looking good mate like your style:D

marinemike

01-27-2008, 04:00 PM

look as good as i've seen for sale,so far maybe a market for you?

MickTheFin

01-27-2008, 05:40 PM

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii5/MickTheFin/Overflow/Photo-0150.jpg

5 Gallons on RO sitting on it while the glue sets.

Mike

MickTheFin

01-27-2008, 08:33 PM

Well, it's given me something to do on a sunday afternoon... I'll sand down the edges tomorrow when the glue has set properly and make sure it's water/airtight.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii5/MickTheFin/Overflow/Photo-0152.jpg

The next one will be a little neater :o . Square corners are good :p

Mike

Chris C

01-27-2008, 08:46 PM

Looking good, if you have a small router (just a cheap one from B&Q would do) route a V shape in the back of the plastic then heat it up.
You will find it forms a much tighter bend.

Chris

marinemike

01-27-2008, 08:53 PM

if all works out,first dib's if you make and sell them.

Tangman

01-27-2008, 09:28 PM

Hmmm, now I'm confused :)

I have everything around the house to make a couple of overflow boxes. I'm tempted to make them anyway and see how it goes. However, if anyone with a glass bit wants to have a go, feel free to come on over :)

Mike
Hi Mike i have drilled quite few tanks both empty and full of stock etc. Only thing is i am in York and you are in Hartlepool which is a fair way away. I will come and drill it for you if you pay my fuel there and back, thats about all i can say as i cant offer cover if it breaks but i have not broken one yet. In fact i drilled a tank in Leeds yesterday with 6 closed loop holes. HTH Twiggy:D:D

Nicolapompicola

01-27-2008, 10:14 PM

Sorry for hijacking.... but...

Since when has there been Reef keepers in Hartlepool?!

Back on topic..

I've been looking into making one of these for my ray (freshwater) tank, as buying them is way too expensive! The only problem is that it had really wide bracing bars (about 10cm/4").. Would it still work do you think?

MickTheFin

01-27-2008, 10:23 PM

Tangman, I might take you up on that offer if this overflow box doesn't work out - lets see how it goes...

Since when has there been Reef keepers in Hartlepool?!

Since I moved here around 12 months ago :)

I've been looking into making one of these for my ray (freshwater) tank, as buying them is way too expensive! The only problem is that it had really wide bracing bars (about 10cm/4").. Would it still work do you think?
Yeah, the reason I considered making my own was because I have 4" brace bars and none of the commercial ones would fit. I'll tell you if it works tomorrow. Costwise, Everything came from B&Q (Alas, they're a non-sponsor :p) and the total bill was around 30 quid. However, I've got enough stuff left over to make another one, so it works out around 15 quid a piece.

Mike

Nicolapompicola

01-27-2008, 10:29 PM

Hmm.. It would be brilliant if it did work! It means that i could put a sump on my tank, with out having to drill the tank..

Not overly bothered about cost, as it wouldn't be me paying for it! But Ã‚Â£15 is a lot better then the Ã‚Â£70+ i've seen on the net!

MickTheFin

01-28-2008, 07:42 PM

I filled it with water overnight. No water got out, and even more importantly no air got in... So, I'll just have to wait now to complete the rest of my plumbing before I can see how well it performs.

Mike

Nicolapompicola

01-28-2008, 09:15 PM

Ooh! Could be very good then! I just hope now that it works as well as you hope it does! :D

mad pierre

01-29-2008, 12:01 AM

Sorry for hijacking.... but...

Since when has there been Reef keepers in Hartlepool?!

Back on topic..

From when I used to live there up until May last year

Peter

Aquandy

01-31-2008, 06:56 PM

Watcing this one with keen interest, and as Mike has mentioned if all goes well I'd be interested in one too ;).

MickTheFin

01-31-2008, 07:52 PM

Well the water is in the sump and nicely salted. Just waiting for it to get up to temp and I'll be testing everything out :)

Mike

Aquandy

01-31-2008, 08:09 PM

Super news, I'm almost excited as you, hope all goes well.

MickTheFin

01-31-2008, 10:55 PM

Well it works...

but...

It can't match the flow of my OR3500.

Mike

Tetley

02-01-2008, 07:34 AM

Well it works...

but...

It can't match the flow of my OR3500.

Mike

Tap the OR back a tad ;) Some soft piping and a tap - bingo :)

ATB

Tets.

Tangman

02-01-2008, 07:47 AM

Tap the OR back a tad ;) Some soft piping and a tap - bingo :)

ATB

Tets.
Hi Mike dont restrict the OR 3500 as it will rattle its head off , better fit a T piece in the line and divert water back to the sump. HTH Twiggy:D:D

Aquandy

02-07-2008, 11:34 PM

Any news, how's it going, are you using it now?

MickTheFin

02-10-2008, 11:17 PM

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you...

Been running it for a couple of weeks now. In that time the siphon has never broken and I get around 2000lph through it. However, I'm just about to move house and will be using a conventional weir and drilled tank.

If I was making another, I think I'd make it a bit longer (say 12" instead of 8") to get a bit more flow through it.

Mike