Making Overflow Teeth

[Ereefic]

Does anyone have a template I can print out to make a jig for routing out overflow teeth?

 

[Racenrich]

Ereefic,
I used a basic ruler, mark ever 1/2 inch. Cut the teeth down 1/2 as well, snapped every other one off..wala...simple yet effective.

 

[RichConley]

TEETH ARE BAD.

Teeth limit your surface skimming, and do nothing to keep things out of the overflow. Theyre eye candy, nothing more.

 

[prugs]

I have teeth on the return baffles in my sump. Keeps the macro/snails from going over the edge.
I use gutter guard for the over flows in the main tank, helps keep fish/snail out.
I use a leigh router jig for cutting teeth. You could do them on a table saw too.
Gutter guard actually does a better job. Small fish/snails seem to find their way over/threw the teeth.

 

[Donw]

Just do a internet search for a diy box joint jig. Very easy

Don

 

[spectrajoel]

I used a dado set at 1/2" and just pushed the part into the blade as deep as you want the teeth to be.

RichConley -- What do you mean with your above statements? Why are they just eye candy?

 

[IndyMatt]

I think he was meaning they do not keep fish other stuff out of the overflow box.

 

[Racenrich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7722403#post7722403 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
TEETH ARE BAD.

Teeth limit your surface skimming, and do nothing to keep things out of the overflow. Theyre eye candy, nothing more.

Would you be more elaborant than that? we could some insight to your comment please.
Thanks

 

[Ereefic]

I believe the argument on teeth are you aren't pulling as much surface water than you would with a straight edge (like with a calfo style horizontal overflow).

 

[spectrajoel]

It would seem to me that having teeth would allow for fluctuations in the level of the water. If I make teeth that are 1.25" tall, that means that I don't have to be as religious about water top offs. because as the water evaporates the teeth will still let water pass, where as a solid or straight style overflow might be high and dry..Perhaps this is not ideal...just trying to understand.

 

[Ereefic]

The tank water level will remain the same, it's the return area of the sump that will fall with evaporation.

 

[Hobster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7727195#post7727195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spectrajoel
It would seem to me that having teeth would allow for fluctuations in the level of the water. If I make teeth that are 1.25" tall, that means that I don't have to be as religious about water top offs. because as the water evaporates the teeth will still let water pass, where as a solid or straight style overflow might be high and dry..Perhaps this is not ideal...just trying to understand.

The water still forms a straight line (level) whether there are teeth or not. If an overflow is installed with a straight edge and is not exactly level, the water will flow over the lowest point.

 

[spectrajoel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7727283#post7727283 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ereefic
The tank water level will remain the same, it's the return area of the sump that will fall with evaporation.

Had to think about that for a second...but I get it now...thanks!