Overflow/siphon check

[K.T. Harrison]

Hello all,

I am building a new system and am attempting to 'stair-step' 3 tanks. The
4th 'tank' is the sump/wetdry filter and a 10w UV sterilizer - I pump to the
top tank, then overflow into the 2nd then into the third then to the sump.
Have you folks any intersting designs for siphon/overflow systems? Someone
at school mentioned a Harvard loop?... I was wanting to work out something a
little more streamilined then the traditional skimmer/utube/overflow box
setup -but without drilling the glass...

Thanks!
Kevin

[Dinky]

"K.T. Harrison" > wrote in message
.. .
> Hello all,
>
> I am building a new system and am attempting to 'stair-step' 3 tanks.
The
> 4th 'tank' is the sump/wetdry filter and a 10w UV sterilizer - I pump to
the
> top tank, then overflow into the 2nd then into the third then to the sump.
> Have you folks any intersting designs for siphon/overflow systems?
Someone
> at school mentioned a Harvard loop?... I was wanting to work out something
a
> little more streamilined then the traditional skimmer/utube/overflow box
> setup -but without drilling the glass...
>
> Thanks!
> Kevin
>


I know several ways to do this, and some of them rather interesting, but all
of them require holes in the glass. Any particular reason you're unwilling
to drill?

[K.T. Harrison]

Ive never cut aquarium glass before, and am worried about losing the tank
(and lose the critters in the process) Is it a project someone
inexperienced ought to be doing? Id like to hear about your system idea
anyway tho!

K.


"Dinky" > wrote in message
news:DjAkb.182112$%h1.171580@sccrnsc02...
>
> "K.T. Harrison" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I am building a new system and am attempting to 'stair-step' 3 tanks.
> The
> > 4th 'tank' is the sump/wetdry filter and a 10w UV sterilizer - I pump to
> the
> > top tank, then overflow into the 2nd then into the third then to the
sump.
> > Have you folks any intersting designs for siphon/overflow systems?
> Someone
> > at school mentioned a Harvard loop?... I was wanting to work out
something
> a
> > little more streamilined then the traditional skimmer/utube/overflow box
> > setup -but without drilling the glass...
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Kevin
> >
>
>
> I know several ways to do this, and some of them rather interesting, but
all
> of them require holes in the glass. Any particular reason you're unwilling
> to drill?
>
>

[Dinky]

"K.T. Harrison" > wrote in message
.. .
> Ive never cut aquarium glass before, and am worried about losing the tank
> (and lose the critters in the process) Is it a project someone
> inexperienced ought to be doing? Id like to hear about your system idea
> anyway tho!
>

Well, there's no danger of critter loss, as drilling must be done on an
empty tank.<g> I have 6 tanks with holes, and have never had anything but
minor leaks around the holes. I *did* break a tank once because I got in a
hurry. I felt pretty stupid. Luckily it was only a 10 gallon I'd gotten at a
garage sale for a couple bucks. If you decide to go through with it, make
sure you get tooling *specifically* for cutting glass. Wear ear plugs, and
be patient. If possible, practice on something else, like the neighbors
front window, before drilling a valuable fish tank.
The way *I* would do this would be a hole in the side of the top two
tiered tanks(perhaps 1.5 inch diameter) as close to the bottom as possible.
Bulkhead in the hole, elbow up, and tube up to where you want the water
level to be. No more water will flow into the hole and into the next tank
than your pump is moving. Also, you can extend the tube *above* the water
line and cut holes, notches, or even glue on plastic mesh. Depends on the
size of the critters. The outflow of each tank can be extended below the
waterline of the next tank down to reduce splashing.
The third tank would have the hole in the bottom, through the stand, and
into the sump.