PVC Overflow System Test run on my fishroom

A few weeks back I was planing on how my fish room will cope up this coming winter. I decided to plan a project for this. I did some research and some browsing on different forum site some suggested why not just drilled your tank and create an overflow system with sump at the bottom of one of my guppy rack. But this suggestion was so pricey and I can't afford losing a tank because it was not drilled properly. Then one day I was browsing on one fish forum site there was a DIY about a PVC overflow on one of his 55 gallon tank. That gave me an idea why not create my own and put it on my 8x10 gallon tank and a sump at the bottom.

Here's the piccs of the PVC overflow he designed:




First I check all the things I needed for the project. Did some price checking on Home Depot, Lowe's and Walmart. Here's the item list I came up with my project price are not included.


For PVC Overflow Unit(x8):

• 1 x 1/2" PVC white pipe with thw length of 5' (Lowe's)
  
• 7 x 1/2" PVC elbow white (Lowe's)
  
• 1 x 1/2" PVC Tee Slip with thread (Lowe's)
• 1 x air check valve (Walmart)
• 1 PVC Cement (Lowe's)
• 1 x 1/2" Hose adapater(Lowe's)
• 1 x 8' Aquarium Air pump hose(Walmart)
  

For Dry/Wet Sump:

• 1 x mini 5 drawer plastic container(Walmart) - I only used the first 3 drawer and drilled top!
• 1 x Blue Marineland Filter Moss(LFS)
• 1 x Plastic Pot Scrubbies(Dollar Store)
• 1 x Aquaclear 110 Biomax Biological Filter(LFS)
• 1 x 250W submersible heater(LFS)
• 1 x 18 gallon plastic tub (Home Depot)
• 1 x Tetra Pond Pump 325GPH(Lowe's)
  

For Intake Water Flow to 4x10 gallon coming from Sump:

• 1 x 2' Acrylic clear hose (Home Depot)
  
• 2 x 1/2" PVC white pipe with thw length of 5' (Lowe's)
• 1 x 1/2" PVC elbow white (Lowe's)
• 1 x 1/2" PVC elbow with thread white (Lowe's)
• 1 x 1/2" PVC elbow plug (Lowe's)
• 1 x 1/2" Hose adapater(Lowe's)

For Outflow coming from Overflow PVC unit from 1st&2nd layer of the rack:

• 1 x 8' Acrylic clear hose (Home Depot)
• 2 x 1/2" PVC white pipe with thw length of 5' (Lowe's)
• 9 x 1/2" PVC Tee Slip with thread (Lowe's)
• 2 x 1/2" PVC elbow plug (Lowe's)
• 1 x 1/2" PVC elbow with thread white (Lowe's)
• 9 x 1/2" Hose adapater(Lowe's)

Steps Taken:

• Created the PVC Overflow Unit.

• Tested the unit if it's working and all the cement has no leak.

Note: To start the prime on the PVC Overflow unit cut a foot from Aquarium Air pump hose and connect it to check valve. Pour a small portion of water on the vent portion on the unit and make sure the tank is above the length of the intake in order to test the overflow process. Then now you need to suck the air out on the overflow unit you can either use your mouth to suck the air or use a powerhead with air intake on it and use the hose connected to the check valvle to suck the air.

• Making the dry/wet sump

1. Drill a circle hole on top of the 5 mini drawer.
2. Remove the last 2 drawer this will serve as your water level on the sump.
3. Drill holes on the first 3 drawer in order for the water to flow down to the main sump.
4. Put the filter moss on first drawer.
5. Pot Scrubbies on 2nd drawer.
6. Aquaclear biomax on the 3rd.
7. Put the heater either on the side or bottom.
8. Put the Tetra pond pump.
   

• Create the Intake Water Flow to 4x10 gallon coming from Sump.
• Create the Outflow coming from Overflow PVC unit from 1st&2nd layer of the rack.
• Connect the 8 PVC overflow unit to the outflow pipe via hode adpater and acrylic clear hose.
• Once everything is connected and sealed check that all the overflow unit was properly prime.
• Plug the heater and start the pump.
• Your overflow system is now fully working.

Here's a sample pics of the overflow system with dry/wet sump at work.


Overflow Units:






Main Sump:






Outflow: