Have you thought about just using a canister filter with the overflow?
Can I convert an internal overflow INTO a canister filter?
I have a 90g tank, that came pre-drilled with an internal overflow chamber that is semi-circular and extends from bottom to top in the left rear corner of the tank. There are 2 drilled holes: one has a bulkhead and a 3/4" pvc return, the other has a bulkhead with a larger diameter drain (I think it's 1.25").
As is, the tank sucks tons of air in the drain tube, and I want to minimize this for a low-tech setup. Do you think I can basically create a canister filter inside the overflow, by hooking my pump in-line so that is draws from the bottom of the drain hole and returns up the pvc and into the main tank body? I know I would need to bag and/or string the filter media so I could pull it out for cleaning.
Here's a pic of what I have in mind. This would be a side view:
![Text Line Diagram Parallel Schematic]()
As is, the tank sucks tons of air in the drain tube, and I want to minimize this for a low-tech setup. Do you think I can basically create a canister filter inside the overflow, by hooking my pump in-line so that is draws from the bottom of the drain hole and returns up the pvc and into the main tank body? I know I would need to bag and/or string the filter media so I could pull it out for cleaning.
Here's a pic of what I have in mind. This would be a side view:
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Dogfish:
Yeah, but then I'd have to buy one! I already have all the other stuff on hand, except one adaptor.
Yeah, but then I'd have to buy one! I already have all the other stuff on hand, except one adaptor.
The only thing would be getting the media packed in so that there would be no bypass.
When I bought my 110g tank used it was drilled with out the over flow cover.
I used a Eheim 2080 filter and use a intake screen 2 in above the gravel and I had my return 2 in below the water surface . I use all clear PVC and underneath I had installed ball valves to shut the flow to do maintenance on my filter .
The Eheim hoses remove from the canister witch made it easy to remove the filter from the cabinet for cleaning , I never had any problem with this set-up.
IMO: Eheim has a few good filters that the houses are remove from the
canister for cleaning by a flick of a lever.
I used a Eheim 2080 filter and use a intake screen 2 in above the gravel and I had my return 2 in below the water surface . I use all clear PVC and underneath I had installed ball valves to shut the flow to do maintenance on my filter .
The Eheim hoses remove from the canister witch made it easy to remove the filter from the cabinet for cleaning , I never had any problem with this set-up.
IMO: Eheim has a few good filters that the houses are remove from the
canister for cleaning by a flick of a lever.
If the tank sucks in too much air, maybe look at redoing the plumbing instead just to fix that. I assume you have a sump already with it.
Yes, you can plumb a canister through the drilled holes.
Make sure you can turn off the flow for servicing the filter. Ball valves in the tubing, if the filter does not already have that covered.
I would run it a bit to be sure there is always good flow before placing the heater in there.
Put all that media in a coarse mesh bag (around here onions and avocados come in those bags, and they will hold up in an aquarium) so you can remove it for cleaning. Be ready to vacuum the bottom of that chamber, it will get gunked up.
Make sure you can turn off the flow for servicing the filter. Ball valves in the tubing, if the filter does not already have that covered.
I would run it a bit to be sure there is always good flow before placing the heater in there.
Put all that media in a coarse mesh bag (around here onions and avocados come in those bags, and they will hold up in an aquarium) so you can remove it for cleaning. Be ready to vacuum the bottom of that chamber, it will get gunked up.
That's not what they're asking, they basically want to make their overflow a kind of filter.Yes, you can plumb a canister through the drilled holes.
Make sure you can turn off the flow for servicing the filter. Ball valves in the tubing, if the filter does not already have that covered.
I would run it a bit to be sure there is always good flow before placing the heater in there.
Put all that media in a coarse mesh bag (around here onions and avocados come in those bags, and they will hold up in an aquarium) so you can remove it for cleaning. Be ready to vacuum the bottom of that chamber, it will get gunked up.
I'd be concerned about the system running dry. The overflow hasn't much leeway for evaporation. Maybe if the tank is kept covered? I don't know why it wouldn't work otherwise. Be a very small filter, bypass and clogging would be issues as well.
Or you could use both holes for drains and just run the return separate on the outside. If one drain is run full it is completely silent and doesn't draw air into the sump. Then the second drain is mostly an emergency drain and run either dry or with just a trickle of water that runs silent and doesn't draw air into the sump. Google Herbie overflow for the whys and hows.
Or you could use both holes for drains and just run the return separate on the outside. If one drain is run full it is completely silent and doesn't draw air into the sump. Then the second drain is mostly an emergency drain and run either dry or with just a trickle of water that runs silent and doesn't draw air into the sump. Google Herbie overflow for the whys and hows.
The space in those overflows might be a bit small if that is the only filter media there is. I could see it as a screened intake for a canister filter, but not by itself as a filter.
If it were me, I'd spend $20 and create a nice sump. Would be way more effective and it sounds like you've already got just about everything you'd need.
Fix your plumbing and you'll be golden. Lots of info on how to fix it.
I estimate my overflow will allow for 18 cubic feet of evap before it runs dry, so I don't think that would be a problem. The return is already glued in place, with an elbow glued on the top (into which a spray type thingy is screwed). I was hoping to not have to buy too much stuff, but I suppose I could replace that bulkhead and plumb it for a Herbie. I was also hoping not to have an external return, but that is also no big deal. I guess I misunderstood Herbies - I though too much air (for a low-tech planted tank) enters the secondary drain, but is that not so?
It would be an internal sump more than a canister
I estimate my overflow will allow for 18 cubic feet of evap before it runs dry
that would be like 3' x 3' x 2' or 4' x 2' x 2.25'?
that would be like 3' x 3' x 2' or 4' x 2' x 2.25'?
HA!!!!!!!! Teach me to check my work!!! Yeah, I divided cubic inches by 144, not 1728. Doh. Try again: 1.5 cubic feet. Insert ashamed face...
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