Megaflow overflow plumbing question

[badazztealcobra]

The display tank that I'm finally going to be getting this weekend has a megaflow overflow on it, but doesnt have any of the associated plumbing with it. Do I need to buy the all glass accessory kit for it or can I just make a durso pipe and return pipe with PVC from Home Depot ???

Not sure if theres anything "special" about the stuff that all glass originally puts into their overflows...

Thanks in advance....

 

[SlowCobra]

As far as I have read on here the "included" kit is garbage and noisy as hell. Just make yourself a Durso. Depending on the type of bulkhead in the tank or included with the tank you just may need a threaded adapter.

 

[goat585]

You can do either one. I made a durso for one of my tanks and used the All glass kit on my other tank. The all glass kits are easy to install and overall are not that much more expensive depending on how you do your return lines into the tank.

I think I would just use the kits in the future unless I have extra parts lying around.

I have not had any noise issues with the all glass kits. I had more problems with my durso until I got it adjusted properly.

 

[Larry Waughon]

I used the All glass kit,but it could be built pretty easy.

 

[badazztealcobra]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10861593#post10861593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by goat585
You can do either one. I made a durso for one of my tanks and used the All glass kit on my other tank. The all glass kits are easy to install and overall are not that much more expensive depending on how you do your return lines into the tank.

I think I would just use the kits in the future unless I have extra parts lying around.

I have not had any noise issues with the all glass kits. I had more problems with my durso until I got it adjusted properly.

From what Ive found, they all glass kit is around $50.... I would think I could do it for $10-$15 in PVC unless im crazy ???

 

[pscheel]

Here is a linl that might help you.

http://www.dursostandpipes.com/BuildYourOwn/tabid/54/Default.aspx

 

[asm481]

The all-glass comes with bulkheads. That was my problem when I first started, I didn't know where to get bulkheads so I went with the kit. Yes a durso is fairly easy to build. If you do build your own I would suggest you not glue it in so it can be removed for servicing or to get that stray fish out of the overflow.

 

[kimoy]

for me, if ia have to do it all over again, i would just build my own. the AGA is identical to the DIY. the only difference is that the AGA can be adjusted to your preference but the DIY is somewhat permanent and if you need to change the standpipe height, you need to change the whole tube. otherwise they work the same.

 

[goat585]

I believe bulkheads are around $8-10 a piece and you need 2. The all glass kits include locline for your return which is usually around $10 or so. Plus add you cost for the PVC and fittings to build the durso. You are probably close to $40 doing it yourself.

You may be able to do it for cheaper but when I priced mine out it was not worth the effort. My all glass kit also had an extra bulkhead and dual locline returns.

 

[MSU Fan]

Also, keep in mind that the AGA kit loc-line isn't compatible with the regular loc line, so expansion isn't possible if you want to.

 

[rickyb]

Here are my 2 cents worth:
I bought the AGA kits for my tank, I have not had any issues with noise. The 90 elbow already comes with a nipple for air to go in and it also has holes in the side to prevent noise. IME hard to achieve with a DIY without modding several times.
The AGA and Oceanic are the same kit part numbers
The AGA bulkead seals are crap, unless they have change them recently I would buy new seals and not use theirs.
I didn't know that they loc lines were different, but they now come with dual loc lines per kit.

 

[hoosierpat]

I have set up quite a few AGA tanks and I also have built quite a few of my own Durso setups. The durso pipe itself only costs about $6 in pvc. The bulkheads might only cost you $10 apiece but the caveat is that the return bulkhead is a funny size and will not fit most holes that are drilled for 3/4" bulkheads. So you will have a hard time finding them, at least locally. Then the loc line is probably going to cost at least $10 and probably more than that if you buy it locally. You're probably best off just buying the kit if you can find it for about $50. I have never had any problems with the gaskets on the bulkheads and I've installed close to a hundred of them.

 

[NewSchool04]

I've built dursos for past tanks and now use two AGA durso on my 180. I think they're great and well worth the money. You can adjust the height of the pipe with the AGA and it's easy to do and dead quiet. The durso's that I've built have been dead quiet but take time to adjust and can't be raised or lowered. The ease is worth the money and the ability to raise and lower it makes it well worth it extra $$$.

That being said, I didn't use the AGA bulkheads. I don't like the idea of using vinyl tubing for my drains or returns. I used regular Schedule 40 1" and 3/4 bulkheads, slip (for the drain and return pipes to jam into) and hard plumbed with PVC underneath the tank to the sump.

 

[waldomas]

I use schedule 40 also. I just put a union up close to the bulkhead so I can easily remove (detatch) the drainlins into the sump. If you use tubing, don't use clear. Green algae can grow in it.

BTW, I don't regret using the AGA overflow kits.

 

[badazztealcobra]

I found the kit with the dual locline nozzles for $44 on ebay, I decided to just buy it and be done with it.... Thanks for the input everyone...

 

[NewSchool04]

take a look at the bulkheads provided and then take a look at Schedule 40 bulkheads. It might not be a bad idea to spend an extra 15 bucks and get a better bulkhead.

The overflow kit is great and works perfectly, so I think you made a good decision.

 

[bubbletip2]

The bulkhead are garbage and will most likely cause problems down the road. Pitch em. They are no good for anyone. Getting the locline with the kits covers the cost even though you can't expand them as they are not compatible with regular Locline. I got 2 Oceanic kits with my tank and I am sure it is similar to All-Glass. The pipes that come with the kit are easy to install, easy to raise and lower, and not noisy at all on my tank. you just need quality bulkheads.

 

[scarpenter]

I've built dursos for past tanks and now use two AGA durso on my 180. I think they're great and well worth the money. You can adjust the height of the pipe with the AGA and it's easy to do and dead quiet.


You say it is dead quiet...did you also use gate valves on your drains