10 Gallon with overflow

supernova · 04-15-2004, 11:18 PM

Does anyone have any pics of 10 Gallon Nanos with overflows, I am asking because I am preparing to set a 10 G. up and I want to have an oveflow. I found this one on the net while surfing and I am thinking of making one for myself.
The one pictured goes in the upper right corner where you could siphon out or drill a hole. Any comments would be helpful.

ckreef · 04-15-2004, 11:24 PM

using that you would need to drill. In order to have a siphon type overflow without drilling you need to also have a outside of tank overflow that works in conjunction with one in the tank.

Another popular method is to drill up high and bulkhead it using a large bulkhead (1" or so) then yopu add a 90 degree elbow pointing up so the water surface skimms into the builkhead and then down into your sump.

supernova · 04-15-2004, 11:29 PM

If I go with that overflow i would end up drilling and using a bulk head, will I have a greater chance of running dry with just the bulk head with elbow, or could i just drill some holes in the elbow for more safety flow, even though this would never happen I would imagine. Im just paranoid.
Changed my mind, how about putting the bulk head and elbow in like you stated and add a strainer and have the strainer 1/2 way covered in water

TwoBuck40 · 04-18-2004, 04:37 PM

TwoBuck40 · 04-18-2004, 04:38 PM

What I did to my 10g is plumb it to a pump that fills the fuge. the water then overflows out of the fuge and back into the main tank. If you have an auto topoff it works great, if not (like me) you have to keep up with your evap makeup otherwise you end up with lots of bubbles in the fuge. I've been using this design (DIY) for about a year and a half. the pump is a 200gph, and is in a baffeled chamber to careate a easy flow into the main chamber.

supernova · 04-18-2004, 05:51 PM

looks like a good design, but I want my sump under the stand, the only difference is that i would have to pump the water up and let gravity take it down, thanks for the help

ckreef · 04-18-2004, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by supernova
Changed my mind, how about putting the bulk head and elbow in like you stated and add a strainer and have the strainer 1/2 way covered in water

Yes you would want some type of strainer to keep fish and what not from going down the overflow. Go to Lowes and buy a roll of plastic gutter gaurd. Comes in a roll 6" high by 20' in length and cost approx $10.00. You can get it in a dark brown.

When you drill the hole measure carefully so that when you have the elbow installed and pointing up the top rim of the elbow is at the very bottom of the tanks top plastic trim. As long as your tank sits level the pump will raise your water level a little bit so that the water level is hidden by the tanks top plastic trim.

I hope that made sense.

supernova · 04-18-2004, 08:06 PM

That made perfect sense cause I have been thinking about that, But that small overflow will solve that problem right. Or does it need to have the slots carefully cut to the right depth? Also I have seen people say you can and cant drill a 10 gallon with out breaking it. Any suggestions on how to drill with no breaking
Thanks

ckreef · 04-18-2004, 11:01 PM

You can use that small overflow pictured but you would need to install the bulkhead before glueing in place and then if the bulkhead ever leaks you have a harder time fixing the leak. Also silicone will NOT hold properly to Plexiglas/plastic over the course of time. The regular version of "Household Goup" will hold equally well to both plexi/plastic and glass.

If it was me I would just use the elbow instead of the overflow. As long as you use the gutter guard and have the rim of the elbow right at the bottom of the top tank trim then you should not have to cut any slots and you will get better overflowing then if you did some kind of slot arrangement.

I have drilled many 10 gal tanks in the past. Most have been successful but i have broke a few due to how thin the glass is. Take your time while drilling and try not to put any extra pressure on the drill bit especially as it comes through the far side of the hole. Breakage usually occurs because of applying to much pressure while drilling. Slow and steady will give you the best results.