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WTB: Scrape Acrylic or Glass for Overflow Boxes

Discussion in 'Buy/Sell/Trade' started by ThyRaven, Aug 15, 2011.

  1. Aug 15, 2011 #1
    ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Looking for scrape acrylic or glass where I can build 2 - 18" L by 2" D by 4" T overflow boxes.  I am having issues with my sump overflowing and flooding my basement.  My tank currently uses a HOB overflow that looses drain pressure and causes my sump to overflow as the return pump cant push the water back to my display tank fast enough.  AJ was over tonight for about a hour and we've got a plan of action for proper plumbing of my tank and to start I need to construct the overflow boxes first.
    Please let me know if you have anything I can use for my over flows.  I wanted the larger boxes, but I could go smaller ie 9" L by 3" D by 6" T but I was liking the longer space for extra surface skimming.   Please let me know if my theory is off or if I'd be better with the bigger boxes.  My tank is 125 gallons with a 40ish gallon sump.
    thanks,
    Thy
     
  2. Aug 15, 2011 #2
    vikubz Cedar Falls

    vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Something doesn't sound right with that scenario. The overflow can only go as fast as the pump that is feeding it. If the pump was too big for the overflow, then the tank would overflow and the sump would be empty. How is it plumbed now?

     
  3. Aug 15, 2011 #3
    ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I have my DT draining into a 10g where my skimmer sits, then a small pump moving water from the 10g to the sump. the return pump in the sump is having issues pumping the water back to my DT so my sump gets to full and over flows onto my floor. not sure how else to explain that. easier if ya see the mess in person.
     
  4. Aug 15, 2011 #4
    vikubz Cedar Falls

    vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Ah, There's your problem. The overflow is not the problem, it's the 10g. Having two pumps doesn't work as you can't match up the flow rates. It's easy to fix though. Best bet is to get a larger sump so you can fit your skimmer in with everything else and have one sump. Second option is to have your skimmer in a container that gravity feeds to your sump. Either way, there needs to be only one pump.
     
  5. Aug 16, 2011 #5
    ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    With the revamp of the plumbing the skimmer will go into the sump itself that way I can eliminate the 10g and use it as a small QT tank or something like that.
     
  6. Aug 16, 2011 #6
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

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    West Des Moines, IA
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    +1 your problem is 2 pumps. Big no no. I don't think you will need to change your overflow box at all if you get rid of the 10g.

    But I have an old 55g with a crack in one side panel that I'm going to cut up (most likely) for sump baffles. I found the perfect cutter at the State Fair, going to buy it Wed then tear apart the sump. All 1/4" glass or thicker (it's way old). Might be a while before it's available though.

    There are several acrylics shops in CR and you can always get 1/8" glass at True Value cut to your specs.
     
  7. Aug 16, 2011 #7
    ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I was thinking when I set up the dual pumps that there would be issues. Just didnt think they'd be this bad. Floyd if you scrape that tank here in the next week or two I'd love to get some pieces of it. If not I'm going to take you advise and call some local shops. You get that acrylic custom biz started yet? If so made you'd like some business /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/biggrin.gif Now do my dimensions sound right for my 125 gallon tank?
     
  8. Aug 17, 2011 #8
    ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Thanks to Chad I'll be picking up acrylic after work today and hopefully get it cut and start 'gluing' it together yet tonight or tomorrow for sure. Thanks again Chad!
     
  9. Aug 17, 2011 #9
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    There's a variety of issues with the current configuration, but one of the main issues was the 2 pumps as mentioned. What I discussed with him was to get rid of his current two pumps and replace them with a Iwaki 40RLT external pump that he has sitting around. The 10 gallon tank would go and his skimmer would be moved to the sump. The drain cup would be plugged to get rid of the possibility of a skimmer going crazy and pumping water out of his system. I recommended the HOB overflow be replaced as I've never known anyone to operate them for a sustained period of time without having issues that would not have occurred with a drilled/reef ready tank. Personally, I think that a coast to coast overflow would be cool on his system, but I think he's opting to go with the two separate overflows instead. Finally, much of the plumbing was friction fit together (both PVC and flexible pipe. No clamps, no glue. The plumbing needs to be set up with a more permanent configuration. Making those changes will significantly improve the configuration. Other changes recommended included larger skimmer (using a skimmer rated for 110 gallons on 160+ gallons of water), add timers for the lights, etc.

    As we all know, we rarely get our first reef tank configuration done "right". These changes are just part of the plan to help get his configuration to a point where he has fewer issues.

    --AJ

     
  10. Aug 18, 2011 #10
    ThyRaven

    ThyRaven Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    So I am re-thinking the over flow boxes. What if I just had 1 over flow in the middle of my tank that was roughly 24" L X 4" D X 4" T? Would that be a large enough box or should I do a 24" L X 4" D X 6" T ? Trying to minimize the work where I can get this built and my tank drilled faster.
     

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