Re: simple overflow system
Posted by Chromedome on 2009/5/20 13:29:36
The overflow itself is not that complicated. I used a male and female 1/2" pipe thread adapters for 1/2" PVC pipe. Drilling a 3/4" hole in the bottom of the container, I place the male fitting from underneath with a metal washer so as to provide stability. Bear in mind that the 1/2" pipe thread is actually a bit larger than 3/4", so a wrench will be needed to put the washer on the fitting. You will want this tight fit!!!
The fitting is then screwed into the hole in the container. This will not require a wrench, as the plastic container is more pliable. Once in place, an O ring with a 3/4" Inside Diameter (ID) is placed over the fitting. The O ring should not be too thick, or else the female fitting will not seal against the male fitting on the rubber washer inside. The female fitting is then wrenched down onto the male fitting.
Once this is done, the overflow tube can be placed in the female fitting. The one in my photos can be replaced by a sponge filter assembly, but you'll have to figure out how to fit that on yourself. Self made sponges from raw material should not be too difficult to fit.
A short piece of PVC is place in the male fitting underneath to feed into the drain system. The drain should always be at least three times the diameter of the overflow. Also remember to angle the drain line down to the exit, to avoid areas of standing water in the line.
Attach file:
male fitting with washer.JPG (0.00 KB)
O ring three quarter ID.JPG (0.00 KB)
O ring over fitting.JPG (0.00 KB)
female fitting.JPG (0.00 KB)
overflow assembly.JPG (0.00 KB)
overflow underside.JPG (0.00 KB)
overflow into drainline.JPG (0.00 KB)
The fitting is then screwed into the hole in the container. This will not require a wrench, as the plastic container is more pliable. Once in place, an O ring with a 3/4" Inside Diameter (ID) is placed over the fitting. The O ring should not be too thick, or else the female fitting will not seal against the male fitting on the rubber washer inside. The female fitting is then wrenched down onto the male fitting.
Once this is done, the overflow tube can be placed in the female fitting. The one in my photos can be replaced by a sponge filter assembly, but you'll have to figure out how to fit that on yourself. Self made sponges from raw material should not be too difficult to fit.
A short piece of PVC is place in the male fitting underneath to feed into the drain system. The drain should always be at least three times the diameter of the overflow. Also remember to angle the drain line down to the exit, to avoid areas of standing water in the line.
Attach file:
male fitting with washer.JPG (0.00 KB) O ring three quarter ID.JPG (0.00 KB) O ring over fitting.JPG (0.00 KB) female fitting.JPG (0.00 KB) overflow assembly.JPG (0.00 KB) overflow underside.JPG (0.00 KB) overflow into drainline.JPG (0.00 KB)This Post was from: http://www.livebearers.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=893