Can you order

[smallblock]

If I want to build my own tank and like a certain company's look and function of their overflows can I order just those from said company? I like AGA's look of the overflows. I would like to order 2 in the future for a 120

 

[acroholic]

You probably can. I removed the entire piece of top trim off a brand new 180 gallon AGA tank. Jenn at Imagine Ocean ordered me in a replacement. I think mine came in in about 2 weeks. If you can get top trim, I don't see why you couldn't get an overflow as well.

 

[jennm]

I don't see the overflow in their offerings. I can inquire... if you wish. Nobody's ever asked for one of those though.

I did salvage one once, from a broken tank, and we used it on another, after-market drilled tank.

Jenn

 

[smallblock]

yes jenn if you would inquire and if its available when I get ready I will get it from ya. Thanks

 

[jennm]

Inquiry sent - I'll let you know what I learn.

Jenn

 

[jennm]

Nope, they don't sell the overflow insert.

Jenn

 

[smallblock]

what, I wonder where they are getting them from, I hate the look of the castle looking overflows,

 

[jennm]

Well AGA/Oceanic (owned by same parent company) "makes" them - either in their own factory or they have an entity make them on their behalf, but they don't offer them for sale as a replacement part or accessory.

They sell overflow parts - standpipes etc., but not the box proper.

Jenn

 

[morganatlanta]

You could probably pick up an old/cracked/blown tank and scavenge them for less than they would cost new.

Or you could build a similar thing from black acrylic. They are just two sheets of plastic with some slots cut in the outer sheet. Just bend the sheets into shape with a heat gun and dremel the slots.

 

[jennm]

Blake mentioned he doesn't like the "castle" style acrylic ones...but that might be his only option unless he can salvage one.

Jenn

 

[morganatlanta]

If you build your own, it doesn't have to be "castle" style. You can build it exactly like the AGA overflow. It's just a matter of how you cut the slots.

 

[jennm]

Well the AGAs have 2 layers. They're a little more complicated than the standard corner box or whatnot.

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[kirru]

Thats actually not all that difficult. Like stated, use a heat gun to shape the you desire, and the same for the inner piece. if I had a heat gun when I did mine I would have done my overflow differently as well. but maybe when I can upgrade I can get it done the way I want.

 

[morganatlanta]

The inner sheet lets you have slots lower in the water column without the risk of draining the tank down to that level. You just have to bend two sheets of acrylic for each overflow. If what he wants is just the non-castle look of the AGA overflows, then I think the lower slots would be optional. If he wants the functionality of the lower slots, then he would need the inner sheet.

 

[acroholic]

The hows of this I don't know, but to get a curved acrylic overflow all you need is a form and an oven heated to about 250 degrees. The acrylic goes over the form, and as it heats it mold in the shape of the curve. Don't know if I'd use a household oven for this, but might be worth trying if you have access to one.

Here is a general article on bending acrylic:

 

[kirru]

Acro, you can use a regular house hold oven, just put the items on a cookie sheet at the lowest possible point in the over and let it go for about 5-10 minutes.

I have done this some procedure for taking apart car headlight lenses. its rather quite easy. And your method would be heck of a lot easier. that molding with a heat gun.

 

[acroholic]

I was mainly concerned with fumes or residue if you used a household oven. Didn't know if molding acrylic followed by baking cookies was compatible in the same oven!

 

[grouper therapy]

Acroholic;687500 wrote: I was mainly concerned with fumes or residue if you used a household oven. Didn't know if molding acrylic followed by baking cookies was compatible in the same oven!

Dave is correct the fumes are toxic. I have used my oven for it which probably explains a lot but .lol Are there enough to be concerned about I would not know .

 

[rjrgroup]

At that temp, no it just stinks. A make shift oven can be made out almost any box and a heat gun, just monitor the box and part temp. I have had to cure epoxy resin track side MANY times. Sometimes even using a heat gun with a cardboard box.
A overflow can be made mush easier by cutting 3 pieces and adhering them. A inner and out can be made as well.

 

[acroholic]

You can also make an overflow with a single piece of straight acrylic in the corner of a tank, for a triangular shape from a top down view.