My DIY ghost overflow design - Page 2

_Snuffles · 01/30/2016, 11:06 PM

is the glass going to be tempered? if not why not drill the holes yourself?

scuzy · 01/30/2016, 11:33 PM

Its not hard to drill it yourself long as you go slow and with lots of running water.

sruiz · 01/31/2016, 12:25 AM

+2 on the modular marine overflow. I just set up an overflow I got from them (with a little help from RC) and it works Awesome. They will work with you and get your specs.

zelie_dad · 01/31/2016, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketEngineer

Can you make the external box wider? The 3" is the problem. In order to have the proper distance between the hole and the edge of the glass, the box should be 5.25" instead of 3". That's one of the reasons they think its going to break when they make it.

Could you produce me a drilling template, that could be transfered to the glass? I'm pretty new to CAD, and I don't think I could make something like that.

zelie_dad · 01/31/2016, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sruiz

+2 on the modular marine overflow. I just set up an overflow I got from them (with a little help from RC) and it works Awesome. They will work with you and get your specs.

Would you mind giving me your specs and what the cost was?

Mrramsey · 01/31/2016, 07:22 AM

Also all of the polished edges are racking the price up. You really only need polished edges clear joints. Since all that you have are behind the tank you could just have them ease the edges. That would remove the sharp edges.

I had my first overflow estimate and it was like $250 then removed all if the edge work and it was like $60.

I do agree with rocket though... Make it a little wider and pick up an extra piece. Drill it yourself. make a jig to guide your holes and keep it firmly clamped.

RocketEngineer · 01/31/2016, 09:38 AM

You could do it, I did but I broke the first piece of glass I bought. Here is the setup I used that worked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketEngineer

This morning I picked up the replacement glass for the bottom of the external overflow box. I decided to test a different drilling setup on the broken piece and when that worked, I decided to just keep going and drill the good piece.

The setup starts with an old closet shelf board that I clamped to the picnic table. I then clamped the glass between the board and the template with the drill guide on top. A spring clamp holds the hose in place. Two secondary clamps hold the opposite end of the template and keeps the hose out from underfoot.

FYI, you can never have enough clamps.

The results:

One drilled piece.

Next step will be gluing the boxes onto the tank.

Obviously this was when the weather was a little warmer

.

Does that help?

Poseidon · 01/31/2016, 09:51 AM

FWIW, drilling glass with a cordless drill and a clutch set to 1, makes it MUCH easier, if the drill binds, the clutch spins and that torque is NOT transferred to the glass, keeping you from breaking it. I've drill quite a few tanks this way, even 10G tanks with 1/8" (I think, it was really thin) glass.

zelie_dad · 01/31/2016, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrramsey

Also all of the polished edges are racking the price up. You really only need polished edges clear joints. Since all that you have are behind the tank you could just have them ease the edges. That would remove the sharp edges.

I had my first overflow estimate and it was like $250 then removed all if the edge work and it was like $60.

I do agree with rocket though... Make it a little wider and pick up an extra piece. Drill it yourself. make a jig to guide your holes and keep it firmly clamped.

I'll email them on Monday with updates specs, no holes and no polished edges, and see what they come back with.

zelie_dad · 02/02/2016, 10:41 AM

I got the updated quote. They want $88. Cheaper than the modular marine, but once I factor in cost of the bulkheads, ~$30, and silicone, and time, it's a wash. Modular Marine said they would build my overflow without the vertical slits, but they recommend a size of 14 inches. So theirs would be a foot shorter than the one I designed out of glass.

Would I really notice a big difference in the skimming performance with a 26" long weir vs. a 14" long wier?

ThisGuy12 · 02/02/2016, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelie_dad

I got the updated quote. They want $88. Cheaper than the modular marine, but once I factor in cost of the bulkheads, ~$30, and silicone, and time, it's a wash. Modular Marine said they would build my overflow without the vertical slits, but they recommend a size of 14 inches. So theirs would be a foot shorter than the one I designed out of glass.

Would I really notice a big difference in the skimming performance with a 26" long weir vs. a 14" long wier?

Yes, almost less than half the amount of surface skimming. The more surface skimming the better, which is why beananimal recommends a coast to coast overflow.

For an 1-3/4" hole I ready that you need it to be 1-3/4" minimum down from the top of the glass to the top of the hole all around.

zelie_dad · 02/02/2016, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisGuy12

For an 1-3/4" hole I ready that you need it to be 1-3/4" minimum down from the top of the glass to the top of the hole all around.

So I need the twice the diameter of glass around the any holes that I drill into the glass. Correct? I'll update the drawings and check back in.

ThisGuy12 · 02/02/2016, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelie_dad

So I need the twice the diameter of glass around the any holes that I drill into the glass. Correct? I'll update the drawings and check back in.

I can probably draft it up for you tomorrow morning when I'm at my computer if you can wait till then.

zelie_dad · 02/03/2016, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisGuy12

I can probably draft it up for you tomorrow morning when I'm at my computer if you can wait till then.

I'm on no rush. I didn't get a chance to update my drawings last night. I got a sick kid at home.

thejuggernaut · 02/04/2016, 09:46 PM

The dimensions you have are pretty close to the ones I used on my 40B. My build thread is here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2547792

CaptainDave · 03/09/2016, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvenFurther

I ordered a custom modular marine overflow box, they did a great job. It was well worth it.

Are the return pipes on the modular marine overflows spaced so that you can set it up Bean Animal style? In the pictures, they look awfully close together.

Thanks in advance!

CaptainDave · 03/09/2016, 10:03 PM

Found this thread that would suggest that it is, at least in the 18in version

EvenFurther · 03/09/2016, 10:18 PM

I had the 18" version and there was enough space. Just place the vertical dry emergency in the middle, and keep the pipe fittings compact.

FYI you're referring to the drain bulkheads, not the return pipes.

zelie_dad · 03/10/2016, 11:50 AM

I order a 14" MM overflow, and got it installed last night. Awesome quality. I'm super happy about my purchase. The only thing is I had to trim the 1.5" bulkheads so the BA plumbing fit.

zelie_dad · 03/10/2016, 11:52 AM

Here are some images from my tank with the MM overflow installed.

zelie_dad · 03/10/2016, 12:53 PM

On the last image, you can see how far out the bulkheads go. I ended up trimming 5 threads off to get the BA plumbing to fit.

saf1 · 03/10/2016, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejuggernaut

The dimensions you have are pretty close to the ones I used on my 40B.

That is very clean. If I thought I could get away with drilling my 40 breeder with a lower waterline and water in it, I'd make one of these today. Biggest regret was not drilling it ahead of time and installing a BA overflow from the beginning. But I didn't plan it properly and then ran into a time crunch and had to combine two of my 29 gallon biocubes...

Great job though, very clean and looks great.

CaptainDave · 03/10/2016, 08:36 PM

Thanks for the responses, guys. I ordered a 12 inch overflow from Modular Marine today. Will let you know how it works out!

rickztahone · 03/10/2016, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainDave

Thanks for the responses, guys. I ordered a 12 inch overflow from Modular Marine today. Will let you know how it works out!

I didn't know they made a 12" one. How do you fit 3 pvc fittings in that small space?

CaptainDave · 03/11/2016, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickztahone

I didn't know they made a 12" one. How do you fit 3 pvc fittings in that small space?

I emailed them, and they told me you could fit a BA setup in there, as long as you used the middle pipe for the emergency drain and angled the other two fittings to the side. It has 3/4" downpipes. It hasn't arrived yet, I'll try to post a picture when it does.

01/31/2016, 12:25 AM	#28
sruiz Reef'R Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Searching... Posts: 1,381	+2 on the modular marine overflow. I just set up an overflow I got from them (with a little help from RC) and it works Awesome. They will work with you and get your specs. __________________ Don't forget your water change.

01/31/2016, 07:22 AM	#31
Mrramsey NEO Reefer Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Hudson Ohio Posts: 1,801	Also all of the polished edges are racking the price up. You really only need polished edges clear joints. Since all that you have are behind the tank you could just have them ease the edges. That would remove the sharp edges. I had my first overflow estimate and it was like $250 then removed all if the edge work and it was like $60. I do agree with rocket though... Make it a little wider and pick up an extra piece. Drill it yourself. make a jig to guide your holes and keep it firmly clamped. __________________ Mike My 120 Build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2389417 Current Tank Info: 120g In-Wall \| BA Overflow \| 55g Sump \| SWC Extreme 150 Skimmer \| DIY ATO \| 2 Jebao RW-8\| Fluval SP6 \| Photon 48v2 LED \| GFO and Carbon

01/31/2016, 09:51 AM	#33
Poseidon Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Swartz Creek Posts: 728	FWIW, drilling glass with a cordless drill and a clutch set to 1, makes it MUCH easier, if the drill binds, the clutch spins and that torque is NOT transferred to the glass, keeping you from breaking it. I've drill quite a few tanks this way, even 10G tanks with 1/8" (I think, it was really thin) glass. __________________ Just say no to CRABS! Current Tank Info: 85 Gallon mixed Reef. Halide/LED combo lighting.

02/04/2016, 09:46 PM	#40
thejuggernaut Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake Jackson, Tx Posts: 548	The dimensions you have are pretty close to the ones I used on my 40B. My build thread is here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2547792 Last edited by thejuggernaut; 02/04/2016 at 09:52 PM.

03/09/2016, 10:18 PM	#43
EvenFurther Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 352	I had the 18" version and there was enough space. Just place the vertical dry emergency in the middle, and keep the pipe fittings compact. FYI you're referring to the drain bulkheads, not the return pipes. __________________ Slowly Building: 38 Gal. DT Cube \| DIY Sump \| DIY Stand

01/30/2016, 11:06 PM	#26
_Snuffles Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 32	is the glass going to be tempered? if not why not drill the holes yourself?

01/30/2016, 11:33 PM	#27
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	Its not hard to drill it yourself long as you go slow and with lots of running water.

02/02/2016, 10:41 AM	#35
zelie_dad Always bring a towel Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Zelienople, PA Posts: 363	I got the updated quote. They want $88. Cheaper than the modular marine, but once I factor in cost of the bulkheads, ~$30, and silicone, and time, it's a wash. Modular Marine said they would build my overflow without the vertical slits, but they recommend a size of 14 inches. So theirs would be a foot shorter than the one I designed out of glass. Would I really notice a big difference in the skimming performance with a 26" long weir vs. a 14" long wier?

03/09/2016, 10:03 PM	#42
CaptainDave Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 783	Found this thread that would suggest that it is, at least in the 18in version

03/10/2016, 11:50 AM	#44
zelie_dad Always bring a towel Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Zelienople, PA Posts: 363	I order a 14" MM overflow, and got it installed last night. Awesome quality. I'm super happy about my purchase. The only thing is I had to trim the 1.5" bulkheads so the BA plumbing fit. __________________ "The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without" ~Dwight D. Eisenhower Current Tank Info: 40B/40B mixed reef

03/10/2016, 11:52 AM	#45
zelie_dad Always bring a towel Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Zelienople, PA Posts: 363	Here are some images from my tank with the MM overflow installed. __________________ "The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without" ~Dwight D. Eisenhower Current Tank Info: 40B/40B mixed reef

03/10/2016, 12:53 PM	#46
zelie_dad Always bring a towel Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Zelienople, PA Posts: 363	On the last image, you can see how far out the bulkheads go. I ended up trimming 5 threads off to get the BA plumbing to fit. __________________ "The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without" ~Dwight D. Eisenhower Current Tank Info: 40B/40B mixed reef

03/10/2016, 08:36 PM	#48
CaptainDave Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 783	Thanks for the responses, guys. I ordered a 12 inch overflow from Modular Marine today. Will let you know how it works out!