Making ghost overflow box from scratch
- Thread starter FishNDip
- Start date
Weldon 4 is what I use. It is watery but u don’t use it like u do silicone. It is a different technique of applying it.
Personally, I would make the interior weir out of acrylic & let the bulkheads hold it in place. Then I would make the exterior box out of glass like a normal exterior box. That way the bulkheads are only holding the interior weir & it is less likely to have a leak because u aren’t relying on gaskets to seal the exterior box to the tank.
Personally, I would make the interior weir out of acrylic & let the bulkheads hold it in place. Then I would make the exterior box out of glass like a normal exterior box. That way the bulkheads are only holding the interior weir & it is less likely to have a leak because u aren’t relying on gaskets to seal the exterior box to the tank.
mcgyvr
New member
weldon 3 or 4 is exactly what you want for making any acrylic box..
You might want to watch some videos on youtube about how to work with and solvent weld acrylic.. Note how capillary action pulls the solvent into the joint..
Proper edge prep is key..
Silicone is for glass construction only..
I'd highly suggest a bunch of practice pieces first before you attempt the final box.
FishNDip
New member
Not sure how the interior acrylic box is held on by the bulkheads. Have a pic? Most people just silicon there acrylic boxes to the back of the tank.
The glass box seems sturdy, but the only thing is I would need exact cuts from the store since I don't have the tools to cut glass.
D-Nak
Active member
The ghost overflow exterior boxes are NOT siliconed to the back of the tank. Since the bulkheads are screwed into the box, as they're tightened they secure the box to the tank.
Can I ask why you want to make your own instead of just buying one? The beauty of the ghost overflow is that you simply drill holes and sandwich the two boxes together and you're done. Unless you're handy with tools that you already have, and can work well with acrylic, you're going to end up spending more money than had you just bought one.
mcgyvr
New member
No they don't..
FishNDip
New member
Well, I was viewing the ghost overflow as a quiet way to get the water to the sump, and when I saw the box, I thought. "PSH I can make that." I don't work a lot with plumbing, so this is a learning experience for me. I could just do 3 pipes coming down. Don't really care as long as it's quiet.
FishNDip
New member
D-Nak
Active member
That's not a ghost overflow. I'm starting to think that you don't know what makes it different from other overflows and why it's worth getting.
Here's the real ghost overflow, now called the Shadow:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/16-shadow-overflow-synergy-reef.html
And here's a cheaper knock-off version:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eclipse-l-overflow-box-1000-gph-eshopps.html
Ghost overflows consist of two separate boxes, one for the inside and one for the outside, connected with bulkheads. All other overflow boxes are not referred to as Ghost overflows.
mcgyvr
New member
um.. no
FishNDip
New member
My apologies, but since I was making it, I also thought of a design in my head that the box was siliconed to the back of the wall instead. Which I still plan to do whether I make a "ghost overflow" or not.
FishNDip
New member
Honestly I'm not on here to debate, but learn.
D-Nak
Active member
Ah, okay. Sounds like you're planning to make a more of a standard overflow. I think the reason the Ghost was originally named "Ghost" was because the inside box is only about 1" thick so it blends into the back wall.
mcgyvr
New member
Understandable..
Want us to get you back on track? If so we are going to need more information from you and ensure you don't move forward until we get you straight..
Where have you drilled holes already? In the back glass?
How did you decide where to drill them?
What type of overflow box are you trying to make here? A true ghost style with an internal and external box or just something like the glass holes box that you show in the BRS video?
There is quite a bit of planning that must go into one of these boxes to ensure it performs correctly..
FishNDip
New member
So I already drilled 3 holes in the back glass. It seems that was wrong though, and now I either enlarge the holes to fit a bulkhead, (which I'm very tentative about doing because the holes would be to close togother) the other option was buying a 1/2" bulkhead and see if it fits. It was suggested I don't do costume "ghost overflow" because of the cost. Taking that advice I'll do 2 pipes leading to the sump and 1 return pipe.
nereefpat
New member
What is the tank size?
Could you start over, this time buying an overflow like this: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eclipse-l-overflow-box-1000-gph-eshopps.html
?
Could you start over, this time buying an overflow like this: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eclipse-l-overflow-box-1000-gph-eshopps.html
?
mcgyvr
New member
How close are the holes you already drilled?
You don't have to drill the new holes centered on the old ones.. So that "might" give you a chance for survival of the tank..
1/2" bulkheads are basically useless even with your under 40gallon display tank.. But you could just run with it and just accept low flow through the sump which may not even be a noticeable problem..
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