DIY Glass internal overflow box?

JaneG · 07/18/2011, 03:57 PM

Hello,
I am working on an overflow box for my 17.4g ada tank. I want the tank to have a very clean look and had the back wall drilled w/ two holes. I plan on making the overflow box out of glass. So far, I have siliconed a 3 sided "corner" box, but don't know what I am going to do for surface skimmage. What would you all suggest? I was thinking of using acrylic and cutting teeth in it with a dremel and then using silicone to attach that to the glass but I would love some more suggestions! Thanks!

Jane

rwb500 · 07/18/2011, 04:13 PM

I've done this, and i just used a flat (toothless) piece of glass. it worked but i had a sixline wrasse go down the drain twice. some people use a flat piece of glass and then attach plastic mesh across the top (with liberal amounts of silicone). So the water goes through the mesh right before the toothless overflow. thats what i would do if i were you. siliconing acrylic to glass may work but its relatively risky. and cutting teeth is glass is a huge pain.

ludiNano · 07/18/2011, 04:16 PM

from my understanding toothless overflows make for the best surface skimming. Just not the best to keep fish out.

egos4life · 07/18/2011, 04:17 PM

you can buy the teeth on aqua cave i believe and melevsreef site shows you how to diy

JaneG · 07/18/2011, 04:30 PM

I'm considering trying to replicate this:

(hope it's okay that I use this picture!)

It's an ADA 90p with an internal overflow. As far as I know, it's glass with acrylic teeth siliconed to the glass. Does anyone know where I could find this acrylic piece? I think that the mesh idea sounds good as well! You meant that I put a rectangular piece of eggcrate laying flat on the top, right? Fish wouldn't get stuck from the suction on this, would they? I'm tempted to do nothing at all, but since I'm going to keep jawfish, I think I better cover it.

Roggio · 12/19/2011, 11:40 AM

I'm also curious, bump!

Roggio · 12/19/2011, 11:47 AM

I'm also curious, bump!

uncleof6 · 12/19/2011, 12:33 PM

Teeth reduce the surface skimming ability of an overflow, by half at the very least, and often more. The teeth also create a "louder" overflow, requiring a far lower flow rate for silence.

Considering, that the purpose of an overflow is surface skimming, the teeth are rather counter productive.

Even with teeth, if a fish wants to get in the overflow it will. Usually, they take the trip down the drain, and you find them swimming happily in the sump. A fish would not get stuck against a screen over an overflow by suction, (water flow is around the edges), but may suffocate flopping around on top of it, or hit the floor. Longer length "weirs" (overflow edge) with thinner layer of water going over, cut down on accidental trips to the sump.

av8rtrb · 12/19/2011, 12:38 PM

I think eggcrate would be easiest as long as you don't have any fish small enough to fit through the openings. You could also silicone the eggcrate vertically to the top of the glass.

av8rtrb · 12/19/2011, 12:44 PM

Also as an alternative to eggcrate, Bulk Reef Supply sells rolls of clear plastic screen netting with 1/4" openings. This could be used to keep the fish out but still get the benefit of skimming.

ohioreef71 · 12/19/2011, 02:36 PM

I'm doing a toothless almost coast to coast on my 125g A lot of people say teeth don't skim as good as a flat overflow and I agree. You just have to use egg crate or something to keep fish out.

Roggio · 12/25/2011, 09:28 PM

Uncleof6,

I always enjoy your commentary. I think I'm going to try it without teeth and put some gutter guard or something in the overflow to keep fish from jumping in. The previous owner of my tank had it loaded with bioballs and some kind of netting to keep them submerged and fish out. Thoughts?

BTW- Good call on the black reef safe silicone!

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncleof6

Teeth reduce the surface skimming ability of an overflow, by half at the very least, and often more. The teeth also create a "louder" overflow, requiring a far lower flow rate for silence.

Considering, that the purpose of an overflow is surface skimming, the teeth are rather counter productive.

Even with teeth, if a fish wants to get in the overflow it will. Usually, they take the trip down the drain, and you find them swimming happily in the sump. A fish would not get stuck against a screen over an overflow by suction, (water flow is around the edges), but may suffocate flopping around on top of it, or hit the floor. Longer length "weirs" (overflow edge) with thinner layer of water going over, cut down on accidental trips to the sump.

jimbinsc · 01/08/2013, 10:40 AM

Interesting. I was thinking about doing this too. I have several pieces of 1/16th inch glass just waiting to cut my fingers. Would that be thick enough for an overflow about 12-15 inches long? My concern is how visible the plumbing would be. Do others find that an issue?

uncleof6 · 01/08/2013, 11:05 AM

1/16" glass is too thin and brittle to be used around an aquarium. It is for glazing (windows), and cheap ones at that. For all practical purposes, 1/4" glass is the thinnest one should consider.

07/18/2011, 03:57 PM	#1
JaneG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 279	DIY Glass internal overflow box? Hello, I am working on an overflow box for my 17.4g ada tank. I want the tank to have a very clean look and had the back wall drilled w/ two holes. I plan on making the overflow box out of glass. So far, I have siliconed a 3 sided "corner" box, but don't know what I am going to do for surface skimmage. What would you all suggest? I was thinking of using acrylic and cutting teeth in it with a dremel and then using silicone to attach that to the glass but I would love some more suggestions! Thanks! Jane

07/18/2011, 04:30 PM	#5
JaneG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 279	I'm considering trying to replicate this: (hope it's okay that I use this picture!) It's an ADA 90p with an internal overflow. As far as I know, it's glass with acrylic teeth siliconed to the glass. Does anyone know where I could find this acrylic piece? I think that the mesh idea sounds good as well! You meant that I put a rectangular piece of eggcrate laying flat on the top, right? Fish wouldn't get stuck from the suction on this, would they? I'm tempted to do nothing at all, but since I'm going to keep jawfish, I think I better cover it. Last edited by JaneG; 07/18/2011 at 04:40 PM.

12/19/2011, 11:40 AM	#6
Roggio Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 137	I'm also curious, bump! __________________ _______________ Current Setup: 150 reef and 250 Lagoon tied into 170 gallon sump/fuge with emphasis on biological filtration. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2639608

12/19/2011, 11:47 AM	#7
Roggio Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 137	I'm also curious, bump! __________________ _______________ Current Setup: 150 reef and 250 Lagoon tied into 170 gallon sump/fuge with emphasis on biological filtration. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2639608

12/19/2011, 12:33 PM	#8
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	Teeth reduce the surface skimming ability of an overflow, by half at the very least, and often more. The teeth also create a "louder" overflow, requiring a far lower flow rate for silence. Considering, that the purpose of an overflow is surface skimming, the teeth are rather counter productive. Even with teeth, if a fish wants to get in the overflow it will. Usually, they take the trip down the drain, and you find them swimming happily in the sump. A fish would not get stuck against a screen over an overflow by suction, (water flow is around the edges), but may suffocate flopping around on top of it, or hit the floor. Longer length "weirs" (overflow edge) with thinner layer of water going over, cut down on accidental trips to the sump. __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

07/18/2011, 04:13 PM	#2
rwb500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,694	I've done this, and i just used a flat (toothless) piece of glass. it worked but i had a sixline wrasse go down the drain twice. some people use a flat piece of glass and then attach plastic mesh across the top (with liberal amounts of silicone). So the water goes through the mesh right before the toothless overflow. thats what i would do if i were you. siliconing acrylic to glass may work but its relatively risky. and cutting teeth is glass is a huge pain.

07/18/2011, 04:16 PM	#3
ludiNano I'm becoming...Brundlefly Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bettendorf, Iowas Posts: 1,804	from my understanding toothless overflows make for the best surface skimming. Just not the best to keep fish out.

07/18/2011, 04:17 PM	#4
egos4life Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CEN CALI Posts: 123	you can buy the teeth on aqua cave i believe and melevsreef site shows you how to diy

12/19/2011, 12:38 PM	#9
av8rtrb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 52	I think eggcrate would be easiest as long as you don't have any fish small enough to fit through the openings. You could also silicone the eggcrate vertically to the top of the glass.

12/19/2011, 12:44 PM	#10
av8rtrb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 52	Also as an alternative to eggcrate, Bulk Reef Supply sells rolls of clear plastic screen netting with 1/4" openings. This could be used to keep the fish out but still get the benefit of skimming.

12/19/2011, 02:36 PM	#11
ohioreef71 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 401	I'm doing a toothless almost coast to coast on my 125g A lot of people say teeth don't skim as good as a flat overflow and I agree. You just have to use egg crate or something to keep fish out.

01/08/2013, 10:40 AM	#13
jimbinsc Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 5	Interesting. I was thinking about doing this too. I have several pieces of 1/16th inch glass just waiting to cut my fingers. Would that be thick enough for an overflow about 12-15 inches long? My concern is how visible the plumbing would be. Do others find that an issue?

01/08/2013, 11:05 AM	#14
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	1/16" glass is too thin and brittle to be used around an aquarium. It is for glazing (windows), and cheap ones at that. For all practical purposes, 1/4" glass is the thinnest one should consider. __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

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