Anyone using a DIY pipe overflow?

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by mike31154

If the main pipe clogged, even a drilled tank overflow wouldn't prevent a flood. They're subject to the same rules in a scenario like that.

Depends on how you set it up. I have an emergency overflow the same size as my main that will never get a chance to clog with anything until my mainline completely fails. Then my emergency overflow would also have to completely get blocked before any water would get to the floor. I also put a cone shaped strainer on the emergency overflow so a large snail or the like can't completely block the opening either. And just to be on the paranoid side I used an external overflow with the back pane slightly lower and my sump directly underneath it so if there was an overflow problem the water would overflow my external overflow box and drop down into my sump which should catch most of the water. I think something similar could definetely be done with DIY pipe overflow without taking up too much realestate.

[daniella3d]

How did you set up your emergency overflow? Is it a completely independant overflow? or is it connected with the main overflow?

Another thing that worry me is if the return pump fail and the skimmer and heater are in the sump, then the temperature in the tank will drop and it won't be skimmer either. This is why I am worried about putting the heater in the sump. Skimmer is ok since it is ok to run without skimmer for some time.

[quote=intarsiabox;669100]Depends on how you set it up. I have an emergency overflow the same size as my main that will never get a chance to clog with anything until my mainline completely fails. Then my emergency overflow would also have to completely get blocked before any water would get to the floor.quote]

[rayjay]

Here are pictures of the ones I made for some of my seahorse tanks.
DIY Overflow Tubes

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

How did you set up your emergency overflow? Is it a completely independant overflow? or is it connected with the main overflow?

Another thing that worry me is if the return pump fail and the skimmer and heater are in the sump, then the temperature in the tank will drop and it won't be skimmer either. This is why I am worried about putting the heater in the sump. Skimmer is ok since it is ok to run without skimmer for some time.
get to the floor.quote]

The second pipe is in the overflow box but it is completely separate from the main drain. I don't know if it makes a difference but I also made the emergency drain a straight down pipe directly to the return section of my sump with no bends to slow/quieten the water down. As far as heat goes, my display tank is mostly covered as I use LEDs so it would keep the heat for some time without the water passing through the tank. I also have a new controller on order that will apparently email or text me if there is a problem. I've never used one before so I can't comment on how well it works. So far I've never had a heater or return pump quit on me so I really hope there is never a problem. I'm also lucky that my family is close by so if I'm gone for more than a day I get someone to check the tank. My biggest fear is the tank overflowing, not so much for the fish but for myself. My wife would probably drown me in what's left of the water if I destroyed her basement!