pvc overflows
- Thread starter skyshrimp
- Start date
IMO the siphon will drain to the level of the siphon in the tank, that should not be a problem. The only problems I have ever had is on the return to the tank. You have to drill a hole in the return for a siphon break. What has happened to me a couple of times is a little hair algae forms on the return and when the pump is turned off and the siphon starts the hole gets plugged and does not break the siphon.
Luckily for mr the times this has happened I have caught it in time to only have minimal water spilled (sump overflow)
Luckily for mr the times this has happened I have caught it in time to only have minimal water spilled (sump overflow)
skyshrimp
New member
I think I've got a better idea. What do you all think of using a canister filter to pull water out of the tank to the sump. Then using a return pump with a ball joint to restrict the flow if needed to match the canister filter flow because I'm thinking a canister filter pump isnt as strong as return pump. This way cycle is never broken and when power kicks off for awhile everything stops. Then when power kicks back on everything flows as good as before. Best of all of this is ...drumroll please.......no overflows anywhere.
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skyshrimp
New member
Awww really so no canister as drain to sump, dang I was so sure too lol. I'm currently using the 1 inch pvc pipe but im thinking if i use the 1 1/2 inch pipe and add a check valve or I may just add a check valve on my current pvc overflow but where? And in case of power outage will the siphon continue?
RUFISHY2
New member
There is a chance I'm misunderstanding...are you talking about putting a check valve in your overflow? If so, don't worry about it water will never drain up.
A check valve on your return line will do the trick, if we're talking about stopping siphon through your pump.
The siphon will continue until the pipe stops being fed.
Is your 75 a standard AGA/Perfecto/ML?
If so, the sides are not tempered, and therefore absolutely drillable. I didn't realize this was an up and running tank tank though, that makes it harder, but not impossible.
A check valve on your return line will do the trick, if we're talking about stopping siphon through your pump.
The siphon will continue until the pipe stops being fed.
Is your 75 a standard AGA/Perfecto/ML?
If so, the sides are not tempered, and therefore absolutely drillable. I didn't realize this was an up and running tank tank though, that makes it harder, but not impossible.
I thought about the PVC overflow for awhile, but I decided against it in the end. Not only are you going to have a bunch of ugly PVC in the tank, you can't tell if you're getting air in the tubes. You also won't get much surface skim with a small PVC inlet, you'd almost have to make a C2C inlet. I ended up getting an eshopps overflow box off of xcorallusx secondhand, and it has a clear u-tube so I can constantly monitor the siphon, and every now and again a bubble will build up and constantly be pushed down, which isn't a problem until the power cuts out and it floats to the top of the u-tube and cuts the siphon. Others have suggested putting an aqualifter type dosing pump at the top of the u-tube to constantly maintain the siphon, but this will cut off too when the power goes out...I get rid of the occasional bubble by simply pushing the box a little lower into the tank momentarily to increase the water volume which increases the flow through the u-tube pushing the bubble out. This happens maybe once every week or three, depending on the amount of bubbles making it through. A filter sock on the sump intake greatly reduced this problem, and baffles would work equally well. (I just didn't feel like putting them into my sump)
Bottom line- if you don't want to worry about flooding your place, drill your tank.
Bottom line- if you don't want to worry about flooding your place, drill your tank.
firebirdcrzy
New member
Completly agree here, you would be asking for a flood doing this. Say your return pump fails and the canister keeps pumping water. you will have a drained display tank and a soaked floor. What if the canister fails and return pump keeps running? you will have an empty sump and burned up pumps.
skyshrimp
New member
ok so how about this. i called pet and aquatic warehouse today and they said they arent for sure about the tank being tempered or not. i got my tank early this year in feb. when they were doing that 50% off all tanks sale and i got my 75g from there. it had a do not drill sticker on the botton but not the sides. so is it safe to drill the sides or back? or does the sticker apply to the whole tank. the guy at the store said he wasnt for sure but if i do drill it be careful. i dont know what to do.
RUFISHY2
New member
Breaking the tank is ALWAYS a risk, tempered or not. I am 99.99999999% sure you can drill that tank (on the sides of course)
If the tank were to be tempered (I am 99.99999999% sure it's not), of course it would not matter how careful you were, it's still going to explode.
I would imagine you could contact the manufacturer, and they could tell you with surety. They'll also remind you that drilling the tank will void all warranties, blah, blah, blah.
If the tank were to be tempered (I am 99.99999999% sure it's not), of course it would not matter how careful you were, it's still going to explode.
I would imagine you could contact the manufacturer, and they could tell you with surety. They'll also remind you that drilling the tank will void all warranties, blah, blah, blah.
AIMFish
Premium Member
http://marineland.com/sites/Marineland/Documents/Standard%20Aquarium%20Specs.pdf 
Oh and use a bulkhead, not just pvc attached to the tank.
Oh and use a bulkhead, not just pvc attached to the tank.
skyshrimp
New member
Ok I got good news. I drained my tank about half way and used my cell phone white light screen and I bought a pair of polarized sunglasses. My porch door is tempered..says so right in the sticker, but I put on the glasses and placed the white light behind the porch glass and wallah I can see the tempered stess marks on the glass. So with my tank halfway drained I do the same thing and tadaah no stress marks.
Just to be triple safe i went to the pet store with my shnazie polarized glasses. I ask if I can check the tanks for temperedness. Since they still have the same tanks i bought earlier this year. I did the sides and got the same results and i did the bottom and BLAM stress tempered marks on the bottom. So now I know my tank is drillable on all sides but the bottom. Now I gotta buy the drill and other stuff. I finally know and I will driiiilll.
Just to be triple safe i went to the pet store with my shnazie polarized glasses. I ask if I can check the tanks for temperedness. Since they still have the same tanks i bought earlier this year. I did the sides and got the same results and i did the bottom and BLAM stress tempered marks on the bottom. So now I know my tank is drillable on all sides but the bottom. Now I gotta buy the drill and other stuff. I finally know and I will driiiilll.
skyshrimp
New member
Ok I got good news. I drained my tank about half way and used my cell phone white light screen and I bought a pair of polarized sunglasses. My porch door is tempered..says so right in the sticker, but I put on the glasses and placed the white light behind the porch glass and wallah I can see the tempered stess marks on the glass. So with my tank halfway drained I do the same thing and tadaah no stress marks.
Just to be triple safe i went to the pet store with my shnazie polarized glasses. I ask if I can check the tanks for temperedness. Since they still have the same tanks i bought earlier this year. I did the sides and got the same results and i did the bottom and BLAM stress tempered marks on the bottom. So now I know my tank is drillable on all sides but the bottom. Now I gotta buy the drill and other stuff. I finally know and I will driiiilll.
Just to be triple safe i went to the pet store with my shnazie polarized glasses. I ask if I can check the tanks for temperedness. Since they still have the same tanks i bought earlier this year. I did the sides and got the same results and i did the bottom and BLAM stress tempered marks on the bottom. So now I know my tank is drillable on all sides but the bottom. Now I gotta buy the drill and other stuff. I finally know and I will driiiilll.
