diy overflow

[joshuaroot]

i am gettin a 120 tank and i did not buy the overflows built into it becuz thats 100 more on top of the price. my question is would 1/4" black acrylic be think enough to make my own corner over flows? i am drilling the tank myself and have to designe my own over flows. Thanks!

 

[dngspot]

I made an external overflow with 1/8 inch acrylic, with out a doubt it holds 5 gallons of water on its own. The back of it is wide and deap.

 

[CoolUsername]

If the overflow will have a stand pipe and the difference in side and outside the overflow will be small with 10 or so inches, then yes 1/4" will be enough.

If your tank is tall over 18" and your overflow will not have a standpipe or will be empty for long periods, then 1/4" is too thin. The water pressure from the full tank could pose a problem if it is too great.

 

[dngspot]

Take a look at the manufactured units and this will help you decide what thickness to use. They look pretty thin to me.

 

[mg426]

I used 1/8 inch on my DIY overflow/siphon.

 

[joshuaroot]

i am talking about making an internal overflow and having the tank drilled not a hang over one.

 

[dngspot]

If you look at the manufactured units they have a bow to support the water load. The over flows are usualy made out of 1/8 inch plastic. 1/8 inch acrylic should be fine. I have run my unit with out the stand pipe for a long time. It is 1/8 inch acrylic and does not have a bow to hold the water load. The drop in my overflow is 18 inches.

 

[manderx]

i really like the one i recently made.

click my red house to see pics of it installed.
even if 1/8" is strong enough, 1/4" is alot easier to glue.