Cover for overflow U-tube to prevent algae growth

rxx2 · 12/28/2009, 04:54 PM

Anyone cover their U-tube of their overflow to prevent algae growth?
I'd love to hear what you've used. Looking for something with a clean look.
TIA,
Ben

Saltmaniac · 12/28/2009, 05:28 PM

I cut a piece of acrylic to fit the overflow top, spray painted it black and set it in place...worked like a charm.
-Salty

rxx2 · 12/28/2009, 06:26 PM

Thanks for the info Salty!

bigworm175 · 12/28/2009, 06:46 PM

I just put a towel over mine. But I'm a Ghetto reefer

rxx2 · 12/28/2009, 06:55 PM

I hear ya. Have this tank at work that we just put a brown bag over it.

Hoping to do something a little different with this one.

jparadise · 12/28/2009, 07:15 PM

A folder works good. It is a little stiffer than paper

Russter · 12/28/2009, 07:28 PM

You could cut a piece of pvc in half lengthwise and heat it up and bend it into the correct shape. Actually I think I am going to do this tomorrow.

jbird69 · 12/28/2009, 07:56 PM

I had a scrap of shower pan liner. Because of the warmth of the canopy area its form fitted perfectly to the overflow box and utubes.

rxx2 · 12/28/2009, 09:12 PM

Let me know how that PVC works out.

rxx2 · 12/28/2009, 09:13 PM

Shower pan liner ehh.
I'll have to see what that stuff is.

Daniel Reef · 12/28/2009, 09:15 PM

Can anyone post pics? I have an overflow U-tube and would like to know what to do to prevent algae as well.

Sohal Tang Tim · 12/28/2009, 09:20 PM

I have heard that black acrylic is excellent for this application....

It is definitely something worth doing = covering the overflow to prevent algae...excellent idea....

Tim

jbird69 · 12/28/2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxx2

Shower pan liner ehh.
I'll have to see what that stuff is.

A pond liner might work too. The problem is they come in rolls like 5' long and you buy it by the running foot. I install a lot of showers so Ive got scraps kickin around.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/ima...&n=228013&s=hi

rxx2 · 12/29/2009, 07:57 AM

I might try some split wire loom on just the U-tube.
Like this stuff
http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/wire...FQJaagodg0r9Ug

Financial Panth · 12/29/2009, 08:32 AM

I do. I made a cover with hard cardboard and wrapped it in fake, black leather. Works well and also cuts down what little gurggling can be heard.

deucebone79 · 12/29/2009, 03:04 PM

I use common wire conduit for my u-tubes. Work like a charm. I run them from 1 inch from the bottom in the overflow all the way down to the other end. Its cheap and looks neat and clean. Available at HD, Lowes, Radio shack etc. Sorry no pic.

chuckreef · 12/29/2009, 04:06 PM

If it is the tank side of the u-tube, use the foam sleeve that goes on an asm skimmer outlet. They are around five bucks at the LFS or online.

If its the whole box you iwsh to cover , make a cover out of pieces of black acrylic. Measure and have TAP plastics cut the pieces for you.

rxx2 · 12/29/2009, 05:58 PM

Thanks for all the ideas.
I think I'll just cover the U-tube.
Gotta see what I can find locally.

jbird69 · 12/29/2009, 06:36 PM

I would recomend covering them with something that is easy to remove...like a blanket type covering. It is good to be able to inspect your utubes regularly for bubbles or critters.

Daniel Reef · 12/30/2009, 12:52 PM

Any pics yet?

rxx2 · 12/30/2009, 02:59 PM

Haven't had time to work on it.
I'll get pix up when I'm done.

lordofthereef · 12/30/2009, 05:04 PM

Krylon fusion paint, whatever color suite your fancy.

rxx2 · 01/07/2010, 10:39 PM

Here's what it looks like with the plastic split wire loom.

spleify · 01/07/2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltmaniac

I cut a piece of acrylic to fit the overflow top, spray painted it black and set it in place...worked like a charm.
-Salty

This is exactly what I did also, worked great

Daniel Reef · 01/07/2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

Krylon fusion paint, whatever color suite your fancy.

This sounds like a good idea, but does the paint interact with the salt water?

12/28/2009, 04:54 PM	#1
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	Cover for overflow U-tube to prevent algae growth Anyone cover their U-tube of their overflow to prevent algae growth? I'd love to hear what you've used. Looking for something with a clean look. TIA, Ben

12/28/2009, 05:28 PM	#2
Saltmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 50	Cover Overflow I cut a piece of acrylic to fit the overflow top, spray painted it black and set it in place...worked like a charm. -Salty

12/28/2009, 07:56 PM	#8
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	I had a scrap of shower pan liner. Because of the warmth of the canopy area its form fitted perfectly to the overflow box and utubes. __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

12/28/2009, 09:15 PM	#11
Daniel Reef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 1,430	Can anyone post pics? I have an overflow U-tube and would like to know what to do to prevent algae as well. __________________ Daniel Restarting my tank 90g 20g Life Reef sump 5ft Life Reef Skimmer See my album for pre-build tank pictures.

12/28/2009, 09:20 PM	#12
Sohal Tang Tim Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Collingwood , ON, Canada Posts: 928	black acrylic I have heard that black acrylic is excellent for this application.... It is definitely something worth doing = covering the overflow to prevent algae...excellent idea.... Tim __________________ "My God Reefs are Gorgeous!" Current Tank Info: 25 gallon reef

12/28/2009, 06:26 PM	#3
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	Thanks for the info Salty!

12/28/2009, 06:46 PM	#4
bigworm175 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 418	I just put a towel over mine. But I'm a Ghetto reefer

12/28/2009, 06:55 PM	#5
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	I hear ya. Have this tank at work that we just put a brown bag over it. Hoping to do something a little different with this one.

12/28/2009, 07:15 PM	#6
jparadise Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 63	A folder works good. It is a little stiffer than paper

12/28/2009, 07:28 PM	#7
Russter Northern Reefer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Posts: 531	You could cut a piece of pvc in half lengthwise and heat it up and bend it into the correct shape. Actually I think I am going to do this tomorrow.

12/28/2009, 09:12 PM	#9
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	Let me know how that PVC works out.

12/28/2009, 09:13 PM	#10
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	Shower pan liner ehh. I'll have to see what that stuff is.

12/29/2009, 07:57 AM	#14
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	I might try some split wire loom on just the U-tube. Like this stuff http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/wire...FQJaagodg0r9Ug

12/29/2009, 08:32 AM	#15
Financial Panth Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NW burbs of Chicago Posts: 209	I do. I made a cover with hard cardboard and wrapped it in fake, black leather. Works well and also cuts down what little gurggling can be heard.

12/29/2009, 03:04 PM	#16
deucebone79 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: katy tx Posts: 5	u tube cover I use common wire conduit for my u-tubes. Work like a charm. I run them from 1 inch from the bottom in the overflow all the way down to the other end. Its cheap and looks neat and clean. Available at HD, Lowes, Radio shack etc. Sorry no pic.

12/29/2009, 04:06 PM	#17
chuckreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Davis, Ca. Posts: 816	If it is the tank side of the u-tube, use the foam sleeve that goes on an asm skimmer outlet. They are around five bucks at the LFS or online. If its the whole box you iwsh to cover , make a cover out of pieces of black acrylic. Measure and have TAP plastics cut the pieces for you.

12/29/2009, 05:58 PM	#18
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	Thanks for all the ideas. I think I'll just cover the U-tube. Gotta see what I can find locally.

12/29/2009, 06:36 PM	#19
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	I would recomend covering them with something that is easy to remove...like a blanket type covering. It is good to be able to inspect your utubes regularly for bubbles or critters. __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

12/30/2009, 12:52 PM	#20
Daniel Reef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 1,430	Any pics yet? __________________ Daniel Restarting my tank 90g 20g Life Reef sump 5ft Life Reef Skimmer See my album for pre-build tank pictures.

12/30/2009, 02:59 PM	#21
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	Haven't had time to work on it. I'll get pix up when I'm done.

12/30/2009, 05:04 PM	#22
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Krylon fusion paint, whatever color suite your fancy. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

01/07/2010, 10:39 PM	#23
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	Here's what it looks like with the plastic split wire loom.