DIY weir overflow ATS

[karimwassef]

I posted this in the main ATS thread, but I thought I'd post it here again for other DIYers. My tank is 8' long with an end to end weir and overflow, but I think this concept will work for any overflow that gets light or can be lit.

Here's the back of my tank
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/2CF77DC9-5EF8-4F13-954C-D31AB31A988D_zpsgpukoure.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/2CF77DC9-5EF8-4F13-954C-D31AB31A988D_zpsgpukoure.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2CF77DC9-5EF8-4F13-954C-D31AB31A988D_zpsgpukoure.jpg"/></a>

My end to end weir is in the exact same location under the horizontal 2" PVC pipe. I had a period of excessive feeding (I was traveling and autofeeder malfunctioned) for two weeks coupled with the lack of cleaning... And this happens:

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/BC43436F-6EC1-4428-95AD-F8A9027F98EF_zps6slpgkof.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/BC43436F-6EC1-4428-95AD-F8A9027F98EF_zps6slpgkof.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo BC43436F-6EC1-4428-95AD-F8A9027F98EF_zps6slpgkof.jpg"/></a>

Yes... Long flowing swaths of GHA. They're not in the tank or the sump. They're just here where the flow is very high, and with direct halide light. So I decided to put a plastic screen in the weir stretched on a PVC frame.

I really think this will work for any overflow box - The only requirement is to have a vertical or horizontal flow of water away from the DT. The idea is to not create a new space, but to use an existing space where the water already flows quickly and in a controlled space. I call it my "end to end weir overflow scrubber"

It's 5" wide x ~5' long. I zip tied 5 sheets that I roughed up with a hole saw drill bit. I used pex tube to get smaller than a 1/2" PVC.

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/11255F3A-5F0C-4257-87B0-07F1E302D3D0_zps2ctw7vsf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/11255F3A-5F0C-4257-87B0-07F1E302D3D0_zps2ctw7vsf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 11255F3A-5F0C-4257-87B0-07F1E302D3D0_zps2ctw7vsf.jpg"/></a>

Here's the view of the whole thing submerged/floating. The three halides are overhead provide a lot of direct light.

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/57760BBB-8F72-4197-A829-400A6AB62587_zps7vikutzx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/57760BBB-8F72-4197-A829-400A6AB62587_zps7vikutzx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 57760BBB-8F72-4197-A829-400A6AB62587_zps7vikutzx.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/89A4177E-53E3-4A3B-A3DF-4F3C81F78603_zpsyxtc5vsb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/89A4177E-53E3-4A3B-A3DF-4F3C81F78603_zpsyxtc5vsb.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 89A4177E-53E3-4A3B-A3DF-4F3C81F78603_zpsyxtc5vsb.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/1D098F5C-3189-4824-BC61-F529CD34CC34_zpspvekk9w2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/1D098F5C-3189-4824-BC61-F529CD34CC34_zpspvekk9w2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1D098F5C-3189-4824-BC61-F529CD34CC34_zpspvekk9w2.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/1D66E21F-582D-4998-907B-873009F9C68B_zpsx09lneve.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/1D66E21F-582D-4998-907B-873009F9C68B_zpsx09lneve.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1D66E21F-582D-4998-907B-873009F9C68B_zpsx09lneve.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/18500614-0EB5-40B0-8A17-FE3D9E03585D_zpsigzkjecw.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/18500614-0EB5-40B0-8A17-FE3D9E03585D_zpsigzkjecw.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 18500614-0EB5-40B0-8A17-FE3D9E03585D_zpsigzkjecw.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/39A6FF73-F777-42B3-BE95-FDD0EA49E873_zpsgtg04ray.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/39A6FF73-F777-42B3-BE95-FDD0EA49E873_zpsgtg04ray.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 39A6FF73-F777-42B3-BE95-FDD0EA49E873_zpsgtg04ray.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/C17D90A8-14AB-4102-A754-A111B52E3C19_zpsjw1gh96l.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/C17D90A8-14AB-4102-A754-A111B52E3C19_zpsjw1gh96l.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo C17D90A8-14AB-4102-A754-A111B52E3C19_zpsjw1gh96l.jpg"/></a>

Cleaning up the section here was a bit of mess. Lots of coralline, hair algae, snails, crabs, pods, starfish, even anemonae.

Flow varies from steady state 4000gph to a surge variance between 2000gph and 8000gph. Not all that flow moves over the sheet since only 5' out of the total 8' is covered. But it experiences flow in two directions: once in the overflow direction and another from left to right since the main overflow pipe is on the far right, so all the flow from the rest of the weir has to cross to get to the right.

It really was hard to keep it locked down because of my surge causing the water level to fluctuate by 4" or more and the material floats. I use a large shell to hold one end down.

INSTALL DATE 10/24/2015

 

[karimwassef]

After three weeks:

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/39B34D63-0DEB-455F-8CE9-06A25BE9BE38_zpsvibbewtu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/39B34D63-0DEB-455F-8CE9-06A25BE9BE38_zpsvibbewtu.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 39B34D63-0DEB-455F-8CE9-06A25BE9BE38_zpsvibbewtu.jpg"/></a>

The black grate on the left is to keep animals out. The grungy strip on the right is the scrubber.

Closer look:

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F921215E-78AF-4156-B520-85E89C84DE0F_zpsb2ikxl3k.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F921215E-78AF-4156-B520-85E89C84DE0F_zpsb2ikxl3k.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F921215E-78AF-4156-B520-85E89C84DE0F_zpsb2ikxl3k.jpg"/></a>

The overflow rock and glass are still holding mats of GHA where fish and other animals can't easily gain access. During a surge, my sailfin runs some wild acrobatics to swim up and sideways to access these areas. Like a fighter pilot.

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/D15BF661-4202-435A-B6BB-732CD8238101_zpsjy1cktll.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/D15BF661-4202-435A-B6BB-732CD8238101_zpsjy1cktll.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D15BF661-4202-435A-B6BB-732CD8238101_zpsjy1cktll.jpg"/></a>

Here's a view showing the GHA on both at the same time:

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/347DA61B-2749-48E4-8E3A-C516056FA222_zpsnpkdgmoo.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/347DA61B-2749-48E4-8E3A-C516056FA222_zpsnpkdgmoo.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 347DA61B-2749-48E4-8E3A-C516056FA222_zpsnpkdgmoo.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/0EF8C9C6-F242-4CC4-8AED-888741322F4A_zpsidg9r3x3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/0EF8C9C6-F242-4CC4-8AED-888741322F4A_zpsidg9r3x3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0EF8C9C6-F242-4CC4-8AED-888741322F4A_zpsidg9r3x3.jpg"/></a>

I also have an interesting hitchhiker: Xenia

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/C2449A73-2399-41C8-B2E3-349935AEBCBC_zps0l4jsgqx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/C2449A73-2399-41C8-B2E3-349935AEBCBC_zps0l4jsgqx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo C2449A73-2399-41C8-B2E3-349935AEBCBC_zps0l4jsgqx.jpg"/></a>

This little cluster of 6 polyps he been floating around the tank. It broke off from the colony that's decided to grow right up to the water surface at the overflow:


<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/6854E859-F7FB-415A-B11E-B58B924D79D9_zpssuv8k6xt.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/6854E859-F7FB-415A-B11E-B58B924D79D9_zpssuv8k6xt.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 6854E859-F7FB-415A-B11E-B58B924D79D9_zpssuv8k6xt.jpg"/></a>

this gowth is powered by the offshoot light from my MHs and uses the natural overflow region behind my weir..

and here it is after 5 weeks:

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/664397DA-AA89-4CD3-B4D3-8E52DA8E0969_zpsspgtewpz.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/664397DA-AA89-4CD3-B4D3-8E52DA8E0969_zpsspgtewpz.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 664397DA-AA89-4CD3-B4D3-8E52DA8E0969_zpsspgtewpz.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F8B11EAA-97D1-4976-B199-F867D360DFD7_zpsjicw5qs4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F8B11EAA-97D1-4976-B199-F867D360DFD7_zpsjicw5qs4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F8B11EAA-97D1-4976-B199-F867D360DFD7_zpsjicw5qs4.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/93EF70EE-9F20-49BA-A479-4ECB9C26F6E3_zpsemmacdau.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/93EF70EE-9F20-49BA-A479-4ECB9C26F6E3_zpsemmacdau.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 93EF70EE-9F20-49BA-A479-4ECB9C26F6E3_zpsemmacdau.jpg"/></a>

 

[karimwassef]

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/3AFFDD26-B43A-4DB3-9726-4A5B1B96A726_zpsnltkr470.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/3AFFDD26-B43A-4DB3-9726-4A5B1B96A726_zpsnltkr470.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3AFFDD26-B43A-4DB3-9726-4A5B1B96A726_zpsnltkr470.jpg"/></a>

5 weeks = 23g of algae removed (water squeezed out). I'm feeding about 1 cube per day on average.

and now after 8 weeks and two cleanings (at 3 weeks and ~ 5 weeks):

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/C6ED526C-9144-4334-8DB4-FD337EFAA995_zpsmgaxnkxf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/C6ED526C-9144-4334-8DB4-FD337EFAA995_zpsmgaxnkxf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo C6ED526C-9144-4334-8DB4-FD337EFAA995_zpsmgaxnkxf.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/1885A1EF-B157-46CC-8EF3-25FC751C6506_zpsvogo9xpo.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/1885A1EF-B157-46CC-8EF3-25FC751C6506_zpsvogo9xpo.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1885A1EF-B157-46CC-8EF3-25FC751C6506_zpsvogo9xpo.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/9ECCCF5B-8265-48D0-9C0F-406190F50BC6_zps1vpsfuym.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/9ECCCF5B-8265-48D0-9C0F-406190F50BC6_zps1vpsfuym.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 9ECCCF5B-8265-48D0-9C0F-406190F50BC6_zps1vpsfuym.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/64E1E951-5B01-4B23-B889-7D5C77D15DF3_zpsmnhkq5nd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/64E1E951-5B01-4B23-B889-7D5C77D15DF3_zpsmnhkq5nd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 64E1E951-5B01-4B23-B889-7D5C77D15DF3_zpsmnhkq5nd.jpg"/></a>

 

[karimwassef]

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/76BBC291-1A20-4FE0-A556-17906D17E49F_zps37fdhust.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/76BBC291-1A20-4FE0-A556-17906D17E49F_zps37fdhust.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 76BBC291-1A20-4FE0-A556-17906D17E49F_zps37fdhust.jpg"/></a>

The Xenia is still here

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/5F7AA1EF-1B64-442E-B0A0-D8F5B8916184_zpscum5psg3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/5F7AA1EF-1B64-442E-B0A0-D8F5B8916184_zpscum5psg3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5F7AA1EF-1B64-442E-B0A0-D8F5B8916184_zpscum5psg3.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/301BCB95-D9E7-4315-8B4B-F5840DA02A15_zpsmnt2vnei.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/301BCB95-D9E7-4315-8B4B-F5840DA02A15_zpsmnt2vnei.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 301BCB95-D9E7-4315-8B4B-F5840DA02A15_zpsmnt2vnei.jpg"/></a>

70g squeezed into a "bolus"

 

[karimwassef]

Here's my tank thread by the way... not perfect, but no hair in it.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2545088

I'd say my basic philosophy is that feeding is necessary for life, health and growth. The more I feed, the faster they grow - as long as the excess nutrients are removed.

 

[karimwassef]

The mass I removed did have a large number of snails, worms, starfish and pods.

 

[mr9iron]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

 

[karimwassef]

Thanks. I think everyone has a surface where water flows naturally and grow algae there.

 

[chucknorris559]

Wow. Nice. I noticed algae growth in my overflow and have always wondered about doing something like this. Maybe I'll give it a shot.

 

[karimwassef]

I'm considering changing the back structure from PVC to a flat plate. The PVC makes to harder to scrape the algae off. Maybe I'll modify the attachment too so it clips on the weir glass instead of lying in the gap.

This is a decent Mark 1 design. Now comes the enhancements

If you try this, please post your versions with pics and results so we can all learn

 

[laverda]

I have planning to incorporate an ATS in my overflow on my new 300 gallon build. I have not worked out the details yet. I really wanted to build an external overflow at the end of the tank and have it in there.

 

[karimwassef]

This is a convenience build - the point is to use what you have already working and just convert / enhance it to grow an ATS there.