DIY Sump and Overflow Questions

[rdnelson]

After looking through some of these DIY Build threads I feel a bit in adequate but....

Hope you guys can help me out a bit. Just got into SW a couple months ago. Didn't listen to the LFS and therefore did not have my 45 drilled but went with a canister. Now I regret it big time. So, since I am on a tight budget and don't want to tear down my tank to drill it, I am considering DIY overflow and sump.

Questions:
1. Am I being over paranoid worrying about loosing my siphon and flooding?
2. Would love some good tips on joining acrylic as well as some good ideas on where to purchase raw materials.
3. Would love to see some good plans on projects any of you have done in the past that worked out well.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[marcosbr]

i have a sump for sale. is complete. selling for 100.
Eshopps Wet-Dry Filters

 

[darcurr]

I've built a few things out of acrylic, but I wouldn't recommend an overflow box as your first project due to it's complexity. Do yourself a favor and buy one (CPR's are good). You should be very concerned about loosing your siphon. A good overflow box will have a way to attach an aqua-lifter(or some other kind of pump) and ensure you never loose siphon.

 

[rdnelson]

darcurr;689758 wrote: I've built a few things out of acrylic, but I wouldn't recommend an overflow box as your first project due to it's complexity. Do yourself a favor and buy one (CPR's are good). You should be very concerned about loosing your siphon. A good overflow box will have a way to attach an aqua-lifter(or some other kind of pump) and ensure you never loose siphon.

That is the biggest thing that has stopped me so far. That, and how hard it would be to fuse the acrylic. I will check out the CPR's. Thanks for the advice.

 

[rdnelson]

Spent a good 2 or 3 minutes typing a reply from the I-phone app only to have it head out to never never land. LOL


---
I am here:

 

[rdnelson]

I am sure I would pay the same either way but it would sure be nice to look at it and say I built that. My wife gets so frustrated with me because whenever she wants to buy something she hears "I can build that". LOL


---
I am here:

 

[darcurr]

rdnelson99;689783 wrote: I am sure I would pay the same either way but it would sure be nice to look at it and say I built that. My wife gets so frustrated with me because whenever she wants to buy something she hears "I can build that". LOL


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.437242,-84.438386">http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.437242,-84.438386</a>[/QUOTE]


My woman rolls her eyes when I say it :thumbs:

 

[rdnelson]

LOL darcurr. SInce you have built a few things, can you point me in the right direction on where to get materials, which materials are best and how you join the pieces? Do you use a solvent type glue that welds it together or?????

 

[darcurr]

I've gotten most of my stuff from tap plastic, plus they will cut to order. I use weld-on 3, but there are others. In my experience, I end up with cleaner joints with it. My technique is to 1. place fine strands of wire (one every 2-3 inches) along the joint. 2. get everything help in place with a combination of tape an clamps. 3. Apply weld-on with syringe (I get mine from tractor supply) 4. once the weld-on has wicked into the joint, I remove the wire.
5. Wait
The worse thing you can do is move it before it's set up fully. I always wait 24 hours (definitely over-kill). Hope it helps. There are alot of info on the web if you dig. Also, if you don't care what it looks like, use weld-on 16. It goes on really thick and easy.

 

[rdnelson]

Great. Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I looked on Tap Plastic but wasn't sure of what would be the best material to use. Don't know much about acrylic and wasn't sure if there were different grades that effect the overal outcome. I may attempt a sump first and if that works out well, I will then try an overflow box. Have the fun is the challenge for me. I do some woodworking (nothing like I have seen on this site) and have taught myself all I know with the help of Norm. Got to love New Yankee Workshop. LOL I would post some of my stuff but up against the stuff I have seen here I would be embarased. Hehehehe

 

[darcurr]

here's a link to what I use for clear acrylic
http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=508&PHPSESSID=2011092504145290135601">http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=508&PHPSESSID=2011092504145290135601</a>

GARF has a calculator for DIY aquariums that will tell you what thickness to use. [IMG]http://www.garf.org/tank/buildtank.asp">http://www.garf.org/tank/buildtank.asp</a>

I usually add an 1/8 to whatever they recommend, but I usually leave off the euro bracing they recommend. Good luck with it. :thumbs:

 

[rdnelson]

Wow! Great links darcurr. The GARF page is fantastic. Both are now in my favorites list. Good thing because although I barely have my 45 up and running, last night my wife says in passing...."I would like to have a small tank in the bedroom". LOL The beginning stages of Multiple Tank Syndrome. LOL

 

[eagle9252]

I used melevsreef.com. this was my first project and it did just great.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2069391">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2069391</a>

[IMG]http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc225/propane4x4/fish%20tank%20build/?action=view&current=0916011200.jpg alt="" />

alt="" />

 

[eagle9252]

&lt;img src=&quot;

alt="" />" alt="" /&gt;

Edit: sorry fell a sleep before posting. I did not have the correct blade on the saw and did not have a router. I was not happy with the weld-on 4 at the time so before I put any water in it I went around everything with weld-on 16.

 

[rdnelson]

Wow. Nice job eagle. I may need to give it a shot. Whats the worst I can do but mess up some acrylic right? LOL What kind of blade did you use? I have a table saw, roto-zip, dremmel, router and router table.... I figure I got the tools down but just not sure on the blades to use. I assume that the cutting speed would be pretty critical to keep it from melting the acrylic and gumming up the blades.

 

[eagle9252]

I used a regular 10" table saw. it had a plywood blade 100t atb non carbide blade. what i have now is a carbide blade. much nicer cut.

 

[rdnelson]

I have a plywood blade but may get a carbine. Thanks for the info. I found my next project.

 

[eagle9252]

if you need any help let me know. it's easier than it looks

 

[rdnelson]

eagle9252;694614 wrote: if you need any help let me know. it's easier than it looks

I will deffinately look you up. Maybe a week or two before I get started. I have to build a new screened top for my tank first. My brand new Diamond Goby had better aim than I thought he would. I can't believe he could fit through a para cube lens but sure enough he did. :-( My wife was crushed so before I can get another one I need to make sure the same thing wont happen again.

 

[rdnelson]

One thing I could use right now..... What width would I need to go to get the proper flow for a 45gal tank?