Can i run this drain without an overflow? Your advice is needed!

greatXss · 08/27/2008, 10:56 AM

I have a 1.5" drain through the bottom, and a 3" adapter on the top (theory is that it will help with noise) I really don't want to give up a bunch of tank space by putting in an overflow if i don't have so, so my question is, can i set this pipe to the height i want the water, maybe cut some slots in the side of the 3" adapter and put a grate on top to minimize creatures getting into it?

I have a piece of 1/4 acrylic that i can heat and bend into a half circle for the overflow, but its going to take up more space.

Other option in my head is to remove the 3" adapter and put a 3" pipe around my drain at desired height. Set the 1.5 a few inches below desired height. This idea is only so i don't have to fool with heating up the acrylic.

A premade overflow is out of the question due to cost.

I suppose if i remove the adapter and bend the acrylic to a smaller half circle it wouldnt be AS bad.

Suggestions?

an411 · 08/27/2008, 11:08 AM

I dont see why the way you have it set up wouldn't work. I mean the water is going to stop draining once the water line gets below the drain. The only thing that you should check once you fill up is that wherever the drain height is make sure that your sump can hold that amount of water in case gfi trips or power goes out

crvz · 08/27/2008, 02:15 PM

theoretically it works, but it may be rather noisy.

nycreef · 08/27/2008, 02:16 PM

Do a durso drain, youll thank me later

Jeff cousteau · 08/27/2008, 03:41 PM

do you have syphon breaks on your returns?

K' Family Reef · 08/27/2008, 04:47 PM

where did you get that 3" adaptor (for the overflow)
have checked both lowes/hd but havent found anything like that

greatXss · 08/29/2008, 09:30 AM

I got the adapter at Lowes. They have a box full of em...

I am drilling anti siphon holes today...someone on another forum pointed that out to me last night...preventing a major catastrophe!

I am going with the popular Durso drain after all. I am forming the overflow soon for it, so that will take care of the display tank water levels...

Also, i have simplified the return plumbing, looking for a smaller return pump, and bought two Korilla 1 for water movement. Someday id like to add a wavemaker

Pay no attention to the second half of the durso. I was going to drill the tube about a million times to act as a strainer, but have decided against it since there wont be room to access it easily for cleaning.

limitdown · 08/29/2008, 11:59 AM

I assume you're going to build an overflow box around the durso to improve the aesthetics

greatXss · 08/29/2008, 12:03 PM

yup, ill make it when i feel like trying to bed the piece of acrylic i have

I started gluing plumbing together today...its slowly coming together!

08/27/2008, 10:56 AM	#1
greatXss Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nicholasville, KY Posts: 267	Can i run this drain without an overflow? Your advice is needed! I have a 1.5" drain through the bottom, and a 3" adapter on the top (theory is that it will help with noise) I really don't want to give up a bunch of tank space by putting in an overflow if i don't have so, so my question is, can i set this pipe to the height i want the water, maybe cut some slots in the side of the 3" adapter and put a grate on top to minimize creatures getting into it? I have a piece of 1/4 acrylic that i can heat and bend into a half circle for the overflow, but its going to take up more space. Other option in my head is to remove the 3" adapter and put a 3" pipe around my drain at desired height. Set the 1.5 a few inches below desired height. This idea is only so i don't have to fool with heating up the acrylic. A premade overflow is out of the question due to cost. I suppose if i remove the adapter and bend the acrylic to a smaller half circle it wouldnt be AS bad. Suggestions?

08/27/2008, 02:15 PM	#3
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	theoretically it works, but it may be rather noisy. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/27/2008, 02:16 PM	#4
nycreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New York City Posts: 190	Do a durso drain, youll thank me later __________________ 787 gal. Sps display tank/ 80 gal. frag tank / 75 gal. fuge / 300 gal. sump 8 Radion Pros/ 8 400W MH 20K Radiums /Vertex Doser for Cal. Alk. Mag/ Avast Kalk ATO/ Reef Dynamics BP1000 Reactor/ Avast G Current Tank Info: 787 Gallon Sps Lps

08/29/2008, 09:30 AM	#7
greatXss Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nicholasville, KY Posts: 267	I got the adapter at Lowes. They have a box full of em... I am drilling anti siphon holes today...someone on another forum pointed that out to me last night...preventing a major catastrophe! I am going with the popular Durso drain after all. I am forming the overflow soon for it, so that will take care of the display tank water levels... Also, i have simplified the return plumbing, looking for a smaller return pump, and bought two Korilla 1 for water movement. Someday id like to add a wavemaker Pay no attention to the second half of the durso. I was going to drill the tube about a million times to act as a strainer, but have decided against it since there wont be room to access it easily for cleaning. __________________ Where Kentucky's saltwater lovers come to hang and play 72 RR Bowfront 12 Nanocube Current Tank Info: 72RR Bowfront, 20g sump, 40LBS sand, 200LBS LR

08/29/2008, 11:59 AM	#8
limitdown Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 640	I assume you're going to build an overflow box around the durso to improve the aesthetics __________________ All I want for Christmas is to stay employed... Current Tank Info: 200g display + 50g sump FO

08/27/2008, 11:08 AM	#2
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	I dont see why the way you have it set up wouldn't work. I mean the water is going to stop draining once the water line gets below the drain. The only thing that you should check once you fill up is that wherever the drain height is make sure that your sump can hold that amount of water in case gfi trips or power goes out

08/27/2008, 03:41 PM	#5
Jeff cousteau Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Truro,Nova Scotia,Canada Posts: 232	do you have syphon breaks on your returns?

08/27/2008, 04:47 PM	#6
K' Family Reef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,966	where did you get that 3" adaptor (for the overflow) have checked both lowes/hd but havent found anything like that

08/29/2008, 12:03 PM	#9
greatXss Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Nicholasville, KY Posts: 267	yup, ill make it when i feel like trying to bed the piece of acrylic i have I started gluing plumbing together today...its slowly coming together! __________________ Where Kentucky's saltwater lovers come to hang and play 72 RR Bowfront 12 Nanocube Current Tank Info: 72RR Bowfront, 20g sump, 40LBS sand, 200LBS LR