DIY WD filter and Over flow - lots of pics
#1
Posted 18 August 2007 - 08:29 PM
Thought i would make a contribution to this nice local website. Got a few friends out there that i would like to share with. To paint the picture, up untill recently i worked as an aquarist at AQWA, meaning wicked job, heaps of spare time, absolutly no money. So i basically built everything my self. I have done my best to model this tank on the surge zone of lake tanganika. yet to add a surge bucket though.
i have detailed with photos how i constructed my tropheus's filter system.
First of all the tank that recieved the royal treatment, the fish can from Kev at Malaga Aquarium, great mix of trophs.
and the filter running:
and this is how it is built:
Then i didn't want to drill my tank to after giving the grey matter a workout i finally figured out how a overflow worked enough to trust it in my rental appartment. Here is how it is build:
The integral part and insurance against the syphon breaking is this one way air valve.
I hook it up to the resticted intake of a pond pump using air tubing, this constant sucking insures that the syphon keep flowing smoothly.
In this tank i also use a SCWD device (thanks to Matt at Veba's) which helps my add some surge type action to the tank. As you can see the tank has a bit of a DIY look about it but give it a few months and algae will hopefully blend everything in nicely..
hope this inspires others to save $ on expensive filters and make there own. leaveing more $ for fish.
#2
Posted 18 August 2007 - 09:32 PM
Im using the exact same PVC overflow on my tank and it works great.
How big is the tank?
#3
Posted 18 August 2007 - 09:35 PM
Regards Cobby
#4
Posted 18 August 2007 - 09:38 PM
1.5 meters long, 35cm wide, 55cm high
how have anyone's overflows every flooded there tank or sump on them?
mine have worked very well for a few months but i'm still paranoid!
#5
Posted 18 August 2007 - 09:39 PM
Regards Cobby
#6
Posted 18 August 2007 - 09:43 PM
1.5 meters long, 35cm wide, 55cm high
how have anyone's overflows every flooded there tank or sump on them?
mine have worked very well for a few months but i'm still paranoid!
Ive been using that same overflow for a few months now and it hasnt ever caused a flood and it has gone through a few power outages.
#7
Posted 18 August 2007 - 09:47 PM
#8
Posted 19 August 2007 - 10:59 AM
i am a bit confused how it works
#9
Posted 19 August 2007 - 06:49 PM
Check out these links for some insight on how exactly it works;
http://www.cichlid-f...ht=pvc overflow
hope that helps
mat
#10
Posted 20 August 2007 - 09:47 AM
#11
Posted 24 August 2007 - 06:54 PM
#12
Posted 24 August 2007 - 06:57 PM
cos mine does and i dont no how to stop it
#13
Posted 24 August 2007 - 07:04 PM
1. Breaks the wirlpool effect of the water
2. allows the syphon to breath better.
i have to fiddle with it every time i stop the overflow (during water changes etc) to get it to work properly (silence the gurgle) but i find that i work quite well. Good luck ... its just experimentation to get it right
mat
#14
Posted 24 August 2007 - 09:30 PM
dunno if this works for real, but a mate in syd has put Plastic chain (thin stuff from bunnings down his pipe, this removes most of the noise from the vortex and gives something for the water to run down apparantly...
He also got thicker stuff and shoved it down the gutters on his house, I think this is where he got the idea from Better homes and Gardens maybe you could try that? - he rates it but I haven't tried it myself.
Cheers
Paul
#15
Posted 01 November 2007 - 08:41 PM
#16
Posted 01 November 2007 - 08:42 PM
#17
Posted 01 November 2007 - 08:57 PM
It's a vent. though im not exactly sure how to explain how it works...
#18
Posted 02 November 2007 - 03:21 PM
answers..
when water level drops below standpipe level ( pipe it drains till it reaches the level of the T piece (part F). the water will stay at this level, hence pipes A remail full of water. When water begins to flow again the water in pipes A keep the syphon working.
pipe C is to allow the syphon to breath.
To start the syphon fill pipe B and C (pipe B should be underwater) and suck on the one way valve (part G) till the water starts flowing.
#19
Posted 23 November 2007 - 11:47 AM
What size PVC did you use for the overflow system?
Any what sort of pump have you got in the filter?
I am planning to build something similar for my 6x2x2
#20
Posted 24 November 2007 - 11:51 AM
Weir Pro 6000 pond pump for return.
Good luck with the system for ya 6 foota. I can help with info if ya need bud
mat
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