SPN and Dr. Bronx - stuff we talked about at zoo

[silkchaos]

Jerry and Steve â€"œ Here are the various threads I was talking about today:

On URS : Clams (links to another thread that has the info)


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1345325
That links to: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=508002&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Daveverdo’s thread on Home Depot Sand:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1331876

overflow: using pvc pipe
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...did=1327400&highlight=coast+to+coast+overflow

Some pics of this style:

 

[Piazzon12]

very cool overflow idea... how loud is it??

 

[silkchaos]

According to the long involved thread - its not. I dont' have one in place yet (the pics are from other threads), but since its onlly going to cost a few bucks to try it (compred to the 40 that an overflow is going to run me), I am going to set it up this week I think. (have to finish staining the stand and get hte baffles into the new sump before I can actually set it up and see).

I also need to figure out what they painted the pvc with! I would MUCH rather have it black then white!

 

[drbronx]

Good memory Robinson. Thanx for the links. Some fascinating threadsThey probably colored the PVC with a black Sharpee. Or not. I didn't see in the thread (or maybe I missed it, how do they plumb the returns? In one picture it appeared that it was plumbed over the top of the display. There was a lot of plumbing between the tank and wall which would be a bummer if anything went wrong. Plus i didn't see any unions.

 

[fatrip]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12105477#post12105477 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by silkchaos
According to the long involved thread - its not. I dont' have one in place yet (the pics are from other threads), but since its onlly going to cost a few bucks to try it (compred to the 40 that an overflow is going to run me), I am going to set it up this week I think. (have to finish staining the stand and get hte baffles into the new sump before I can actually set it up and see).

I also need to figure out what they painted the pvc with! I would MUCH rather have it black then white!

it looks to be that they used black PVC, which you can get from McMaster Carr. or you can try painting it with a platic adhering enamal such as krylon fusion. or a sharpy works but wears away.

 

[RyanM]

I dont know, If that gets choked off with algea youd have a mess. You have to keep the slit narrow or stuff will go thru it and the narrower you make it the faster algea would grow it shut. Wouldnt be hard to keep clean. Just a swipe now and then but if you forget it wouldnt be pretty.

 

[BSamuelson]

Just thinking, but if you used a T-union where the 90Deg is you could cut the open end down to ~0.5 inch above the overflow and you would have a backup if the narrow slit got plugged. Might add to the noise though.

 

[silkchaos]

well, you figure that slit is the entire width of the tank - so to get the entire thing plugged... As long as you are looking at it weekly (at a minimum) I can't really see it being much of an issue.. No worse than any other type of overflow..

Just my thoughts.

 

[RyanM]

It wouldnt have to be entirely plugged. It would only have to plug
just far enough so that more water was going in than could go out. You wouldnt know when then was going to happen. It would be fine one minute then just a little longer growth on the algea and bamb. It would run in faster than it could run out and over flow.

The Union at the end as a back up is a VERY good idea IMO.

 

[Piazzon12]

or just keep the return compartment in your sump small enough that it can't overflow the tank, just run dry

 

[nwrogers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12111230#post12111230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Piazzon12
or just keep the return compartment in your sump small enough that it can't overflow the tank, just run dry

That would work as long is there is not an auto top off.

I don't think the idea above would be overly risky with regular maintenance. Especially if there were two slits instead of one. There is some risk, but all overflows are a risk IMO Why not make a calfo style overflow out of glass? That can work if done right...

 

[silkchaos]

[ There is some risk, but all overflows are a risk IMO

This was my thought too.

Why not make a calfo style overflow out of glass? That can work if done right... [/B]

lack of ability..

 

[Piazzon12]

right about the ATO Nate...

no ability necessary if you are putting it on the inside of your tank.... if it leaks a little, not big deal. on the outside of the tank, however, is another story. I could help you out... its just glass and silicone...
I like the pvc version better for a smaller tank....I would have done it on my 20G, instead of a calfo, had I known.... it takes up less space. you have to make a calfo at least like 3 in deep in order to fit a pvc 90 on the end of the bulkhead to quiet things down.