Sump and overflow

[Mr_Cool]

I finally bit the bullet and decided to build the sump and overflow I've been thinking about for about a year or so. I got the materials from Regal and cut it all myself. The sump is pretty much done. I'm waiting for the glue to fully cure so I can test for leaks. I'll post pics tomorrow.

I have a question about the overflow. I'm working on the inside overflow box right now. Just waiting to glue the last two vertical edges. I need some help with the outside box, though. I have a Rio 1700 to use for the return pump. I know it's not the best choice, but it's only a 55 gallon tank and it's been sitting around for I don't know how long. Anyway, at 4 feet of head it should pump about 350 gal/hr. The guys at Alamo aquatics told me that a 1 in. drain in the overflow would be just about right for this pump. (O'kay, here's the question...)

How do I go about putting the drain pipe in the outside overflow box. I guess I can use a bulkhead, but I'd need to buy a
1 3/4" bit to drill the hole. The other thought was to just drill a hole in the bottom of the outside overflow box, and glue the drain pipe in place. (What would I use to secure it this way, though? Would the solvent cement work on the PVC drain pipe? Or, would PVC glue work?) If I go this route, I'd need a 1 5/8" drill bit, which I'd need to go buy, too. But....

What if I just used a 3/4" drain pipe? It has an outside diameter of 1". I have that size bit. I'd just need to know how to secure it in the overflow. Would 3/4" restrict the flow too much? I'm going to look for some info online about flow rates right now. But, if anyone knows how to glue the drain in place, please let me know. Or, would I be better with the bulkhead?

(Sorry this is so long! I just keep thinking of new things as I go. Kind of thinking out loud.)

[Richard]

Or, would I be better with the bulkhead?


Yes.

Check out Dan's (Dan's Aquaplex) hang on overflows. They are a proven design. You should be able to see one at TT, Alamo, well my store too, and maybe some others.

[Mr_Cool]

Thanks Richard. One of these days I'm going to make it up to your store!

While I was checking on flow rates, I thought of something else. I bulk head would certainly be easier when it comes to cleaning. And, I could drill a 1 1/2 " hole with my drill bit, and then just grind out a litte more with my dremmel so that the bulkhead will fit. Since there's a gasket in there, it should take care of any leaking due to the imperfect hole. Right?

I plugged some numbers into the flow rate calculator, too. If I end up with a pump flow rate of 309 gal/hr, could the overflow with a 1 inch drain keep up?

[Richard]

And, I could drill a 1 1/2 " hole with my drill bit, and then just grind out a litte more with my dremmel so that the bulkhead will fit.


Nah, just make a "need to borrow" post for whatever size hole saw you need. Someone is bound to have one and be willing to help you out.



I plugged some numbers into the flow rate calculator, too. If I end up with a pump flow rate of 309 gal/hr, could the overflow with a 1 inch drain keep up?


Should be fine. I have 2 - 1 inch drains on my 215 and am running around 1100 gph. Used to be around 1900 gph before I downgraded my pump because of heat & noise.

[TheOtherGuy]

Well this is not a whole picture of an Aquaplex overflow but, you get the idea.

This one is on my 75 and I am using 2 tubes. Each tube is rated for about 250 gph. I am also a mini Durso for the drain. Pretty quiet and works great. I have tried some other overflows and many of them are not very good.

http://static.flickr.com/20/72852019_43d8aa432b_o.jpg

[Richard]

Where did you get that Durso Standpipe? LOL

Dang that is one high quality label. Impervious to saltwater. How come they fall off the completely dry shelves for no reason?

Sorry for the off topic post Mr. C.

[TheOtherGuy]

LOL - I know what is up with that?

[Mr_Cool]

I noticed the label, too!

I filled the sump with water this morning. I think everything is looking good. I'll try to post pics, but with it being Christmas Eve and all.....

[LoneStar]

I'll try to post pics, but with it being Christmas Eve and all.....


Well lets see some pics!!! :pics

[dwdenny]

yeah some pics would be nice.

[Mr_Cool]

Okay. I was taking pics today so that I can post them. The overflow box fell off the table and broke. Thanks a lot! (JK. Not your fault. I should have taken the bulkhead out first.)

Anyway, I'm trying to reinforce it right now. As soon as it dries a little more, I'll take pics of the overflow and post. Then, you can tell me if you think it will work.

Basically, I made two separate boxes; a small one for inside and a larger one for outside the tank. I glued them together with another strip of acrylic. It was a pretty good job, I thought. I guess it just hit the ground at the wrong spot and snapped the two boxes apart. I'm reinforcing it with two strips of acrylic that cross over the top of the outside box, across the strip that connects the boxes and extends to the back of the inside box. This way, I'm really connecting the inside and outside boxes again, but also connecting to the piece that originally connected the boxes. (You'll see in the pic.)

[Mr_Cool]

I have some acrylic left over. It's 1/4 inch thick. Can I make a fuge out of the same smoke colored acrylic? The only fuges I've seen have been clear, though. Just wondering if the color makes a difference.

C'mon Lonestar and dwdenny. I posted my pics. Do you think the overflow will hold?

[Mr_Cool]

O'kay. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. I have everything hooked up, and it's working. But, I just don't understand. I have a Rio 1700 for a return pump, which is rated for about 600 gallons per hour at four feet of head. Since the overflow is external, I needed to use a U-tube. The U-tube I got from Alamo is 1 1/8 inch inside diameter. That means it should be good for about 600 gallons per hour. Sounds like I should be able to get by with just one U-tube. But, that's not doing the job.

I am currently using the 1 1/8 inch U-tube, along with 3 others that I rigged up so that it would work without throttling back the pump too much. 2 of the ones I rigged up are 3/4 inch plastic tubing, and the other is 1 inch PVC that I put together with some extra pipe and a couple of 90 degree elbows. With all four of these running, I still have to throttle the pump back a bit.

What's the deal?! Is there something I'm doing wrong? I guess I just don't understand enough about how these things work.

(BTW, the overflow is holding just fine.)

[Darth-Tater]

Are you getting a good flow through the u-tube? I know in the past if I don't get a good flow it never keeps up with the pum.

DT

[Mr_Cool]

I'm getting good flow, Darth. I have FOUR U-tubes going. My brother-in-law and I have been looking at things. We think we may have this solved, but, still need some thoughts. If you look at the pics of the overflow, you might be able to see a divider/baffle that separates the outside box into two sections. It seems that the water level in the tank is tied to the height of this baffle. If I were to lower the height of the baffle by cutting an inch or so of it away, do you think that would help?

I didn't make the overflow so that the inside box can be raised while the outside box stays at the same height, though. Someone please help! I have it working now, but I'm not getting the full flow from my pump. In fact, I can't upgrade to a better pump until I figure this out.