DIY sump and overflow setup

[discusdude]

I thought i would share some pics of my sump setup. The setup links together four standard 4ft tanks. I made the overflow boxes based on pictures and diagrams i had come across on the internet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Alistair22/My%20Fish/899_9992.jpg
One of the tanks has a hole drilled, the other 3 have overflow boxes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Alistair22/My%20Fish/899_9989.jpg
The boxes themselves are made from 50mm PVC, with 25mm PVC siphon tubes. The top 50mm T leads down into the sump, the lower one will soon have a PVC ball valve attatched. When this is setup, in order to do water changes all i will have to do is turn the valve, and the water in the tank will flow down to that level. Effectively draining 50% of the water from the tank.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Alistair22/My%20Fish/900_0003.jpg
This is the sump that the water flows down into, its comprimised of 3 plastic tubs, 2 hold medium, and the other holds water!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Alistair22/My%20Fish/899_9997.jpg
One of the medium tubs, they are both 18 litres.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Alistair22/My%20Fish/899_9982.jpg
The water is returned to the 4 tanks via 15mm pvc, all of which have a ball valve so i can adjust flow rates.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Alistair22/My%20Fish/899_9995.jpg
This is one of the 25mm overflow tubes. THe water is pulled through initially by that airline which is siliconed firmly (I hope) into place. This is the main flaw in the system, if the siphon breaks, the water will overflow from the tank.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Alistair22/My%20Fish/899_9979.jpg
The water is pulled though these sponges. Behind them is the 25mm siphon tube inlet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Alistair22/My%20Fish/899_9976.jpg
2 of the overflow boxes.

This system has been running for over 6 months and i am very pleased with the results. :P

Cheers
Alistair

[Billy]

hi discusdude,

is there any noise from the overflow ??? and around how fast the water is returned to the sump ??

i wanted to drill my tanks instead of a overflow box since my overflow pipe is causing alot of problems.

[kalebjarrod]

fantastic!

i am impressed, the only problem i see is that you live in Victoria so i can't come and vist your set up :lol:

what do you do for a backup in case of illness?

all in all, top stuff

[DiscusMan]

I am thinking of making an overflow box for my tank inside.

Can someone lead me in teh right direction for what this looks like in more detail.

got any good links

Wayne

[danDman]

I am thinking of making an overflow box for my tank inside.

Can someone lead me in teh right direction for what this looks like in more detail.

got any good links

Wayne

Hi Wayne,
Here's a homemade overflow made from pvc.

dan

[danDman]

pics

[jim from sydney]

ok you guys you are all experts in this....not me....so tell me this please....

i have just installed a 6ftx2ftx19inch tank, bare bottom with some 20 baby discus about 4-6 months old.

now for something simple for changing water......presently it is a bucket job and too much work........so what do i do and need....keep it simple with some diagrams....can do my own plumbing but need advice please.

i run an external filter and a sponge presently it keeps the water very clean.

can do??????? thanks .....Jim.

[kalebjarrod]

make a syphon system like matt's

thats one of the better syphons i've seen or you can do a setup like mine!

thats a little more work

http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1711

[jim from sydney]

Ryan....thanks had a look and contacted Mat with some more thoughts.....Jim