Making an external overflow for my 50G glass tank

[Elite]

What is the thickness of the glass I should buy?
Where can I buy some really good aquarium silicone? I know I can buy this at Petsmart, OSH or HD. Just wondering if there is a better brand I should get.
What is the size of an overflow I should make?
How hard is it to glue them together?
Any suggest is greatly appreciated.

 

[dswong01]

Check out this thread
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=444094

 

[UCanDoIt]

You can make your overflow with acrylic plexiglass and glue with regular silicone to the back of your glass tank. Make a complete 4 sided box and glue one side of it to the back of the tank. I had this custom made by a local acrylic buy for me, it cost me $50, but sure it will be a lot cheaper if you DIY. I have this on the back of my 75g with 2 @ 3/4" bulkheads at the bottom. I put a middle partition because the 2 compartments fit an AquaClear 300 sponge in each perfectly and all I do is rinse them out every week. Very inexpensive prefilter overflow.

<a href="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/75GalOverflowBox.jpg"><img src="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/icth_75GalOverflowBox.jpg.jpg"></a>

You can make it out of glass as well.

 

[Elite]

Thanks dswong for the link.. good stuff :thumbsup:

UCanDoIt, I have a glass tank. I can't use acrylic. It doesn't "glue" to glass too well....

 

[UCanDoIt]

Great link on external glass overflow!

 

[Elite]

Spent a little time yesterday and came up with this .. First time I make this so please don't laugh if it's ugly ..

I have to figure out how to test for leak before drilling the tank and glue this thing to the tank..

It's fun to make your own stuff ..

 

[Lordhelmet]

looks good to me. keep us updated on how it's going.

 

[Ti]

Looks good

 

[trmiv]

Ugly? No way, that looks awesome!

 

[Skorpinok]

Looks good....

BTW, where did you buy the tinted glass and did you cut the holes for the bulk head your self?

 

[Elite]

Thanks Guys ..

To-Arbitrate,
I bought the glass from AMC Glass. I drilled the holes myself. It's not that hard when you have the right bit.

 

[Skorpinok]

That's a great job Phong... did you use a dremel or a rotozip and which bit did you use?

 

[Elite]

I use the regular drill /w the diamond drill bit that I bought from Ebay .. I'm still very learning how to drill it nice and clean. The holes are not perfect but at least I didn't break the glass ..

 

[Thales]

Nice!

 

[Elite]

Thanks Rich ..


I just finish drilling the holes on the tank. It's not fun drilling 6 holes on a glass tank at night .. I'm getting much better drill glass now so that is a good thing ..

 

[Elite]

Here is another pic. I just finish drilling so it's a mess .. I'm tired so I have to take a break :lol:

 

[raddogz]

Good job Phong! What is the size on the tank?

 

[Elite]

Thanks
It's a 50G - 30x18x21 ..... I love the dimensions of this tank.

 

[Skorpinok]

Okay Phong - you're hired! When I have a need to drill a tank.

That's coming out nicely. What will you be using in preventing your fish from being flushed down those holes?

 

[Elite]

Cool, I got a job ..

I'm not sure what I'm gonna use yet. I will come up with something. I don't think I will have small fish in there but I'm worry about the snails.