29 gal external overflow all DIY - yep another one

[impur]

Well i've been working on my 29gal trying to get it up and running with an external overflow. I will be moving the contents of my 10 gal into this tank. I will have a 250w 14k hamilton MH pendant, 10 gal sump, ~5gal fuge and returned through a scwd. Here we go with pics:

Dremel bits used:

Cut away molding:

I used the ball point bit to make a groove:

All cut out, using lots of water is important!

 

[impur]

Glass for external overflow and 3 baffles for the sump cost me $10

Bulkheads:

Cutting the holes for the bulkheads. I used electrical PVC fittings because the male adapter had a more pronounced edge that would seal better with a washer:

 

[impur]

Glue on the bottom:

While this was drying i moved onto the sump:

Sump done:

 

[impur]

Glue on one of the sides:

While that was drying i started on the overflow teeth:

 

[impur]

Thats where it stands now. I'm off for a half day of boarding so i'll finish tonight i imagine.

 

[Morbo]

:thumbsup: -Looking good.

 

[impur]

Thanks! Got the overflow completely done last night. I'll post the rest of the pics tonight.

 

[dufferdan]

Good work!

My setup is similar on a 20L. I used a Mag9.5 return through a OM squirt 4way. I very happy with my setup.

 

[impur]

Dan hows the flow through your 10g sump? I am concerned that the 9.5 will be too much and cause excessive evap.

 

[dufferdan]

The flow through the sump is pretty quick as you guessed. Evap. for me is around 1/2 to 2/3 gal per day.
For me this was the comprise I chose so, instead of building a closed loop for flow in the display and/or powerheads in the display. With the Mag9.5 on the OM Squirt 4way I am very happy with the flow, and as I want to build my tank as SPS dominant, flow is important.
Also, my tank is bare bottom, so I want a lot of flow to keep any detruis(sp) from settling in my display tank.

 

[doody]

Are you useing the revolutions on the squirt? If so, which ones? I want to use them, but I don't know which ones to get. My returns will be in each corner.

 

[dufferdan]

doody,
I'm not using the revolutions.

 

[impur]

Got new washers, and these don't leak. So i finished up and have about 2" of water sitting in the overflow box for the leak test

New washers:

Ready to glue on back:

Back glued on:

All done:

I'm setting it up this weekend and running it with FW to work out any kinks that may arise. Next week i'll start on hanging the light so i'll have more pics to add then.

 

[shadofax69]

Wow that looks great keep us updated

 

[impur]

Thanks! I set the tank up on a metal stand today for the leak test. So far so good!

 

[MacnReef]

Hey, looks familiar! Lookin good! :thumbsup:

Are you putting in a piece of black acrylic with teeth like I did?

Mike

 

[impur]

I'm gonna use some limo tint on the back, and the clear acrylic for the teeth. But i will use a black piece of acrylic glued to the back to hide the plumping. I want the teeth removable for cleaning. Picking up a new bottom for my overflow box tonight, and starting on the pendant also. Plus i picked up a stand so i need to assemble that. Gonna be a busy week, but i hope to have SW in it by saturday!

 

[MacnReef]

Cool, shooting for SW in my on Saturday too! Just need to figure out my top off.

Mike

 

[impur]

Yah topoff is a concern for me too. I may just get a relay and wire my floatswitch to a powerhead in a 5gal bucket or something. What do you have in mind for yours?

 

[MacnReef]

I just ordered my top off from www.autotopoff.com. Cost me $46 delivered with a snail guard. I will run the pump cord through the wall to the tank. The pump will be in a closet behind the tank with RODI supply to it. I will only run the RODI once the container gets low.

Mike