DIY for a Tank Overflow

An overflow in the aquarium is required if the hobbyist chooses to run a sump. Incorporating a sump, allows the aquarist to hide many unsightly pieces of equipment in this reservoir. Aquarium heaters, power heads and nylon bags of filter material can all be placed in the sump. Water runs into and through the aquarium's overflow pipe (which has its opening at the water surface), to the remote sump, from where it is returned to the aquarium via a pump. This process is continuous, provided the pump continues to run.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium with base pane, predrilled with .72-inch diameter hole in back right hand corner
  • Plastic sump, 26.4 gallons
  • 15.6-inch PVC pipe, .72 inch diameter with male thread
  • 11.81-inch PVC pipe, .72 inch diameter with female thread
  • Washer, .72-inch diameter
  • Silicone, non-toxic
  • 160-gallon-per-hour submersible pump
  • 4.86 feet flexible plastic pipe, .2-inch diameter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Position the sump (plastic 26.4-gallon reservoir container) directly under the pre-drilled hole in the tank's base pane.

    • 2

      Place a washer over the threaded end of the 15.6-inch PVC pipe and position this end of the pipe in the pre-drilled hole in the base pane of the aquarium.

    • 3

      Screw the 11.81-inch PVC pipe from underneath the aquarium into the 15.6-inch PVC pipe. Tighten well.

    • 4

      Squeeze a continuous bead of silicone around the washer (inside the aquarium) and smooth with your finger to form a watertight seal.

    • 5

      Squeeze a continuous bead of silicone around the 11.81-inch PVC pipe where it enters the hole in the base plate. Smooth the silicone with your finger to form a watertight seal. Leave the silicone to dry for at least a day.

    • 6

      Attach the 4.68-foot plastic tubing (0.2-inch diameter) onto the "exhaust" nozzle of the submersible pump and place the pump into the sump. Hang the opposite end of the pipe over the aquarium rim at the opposite end to the pre-drilled hole.

    • 7

      Secure this end to the aquarium rim with a plastic clamp. Fill the aquarium until water begins to flow into the vertical 15.6-inch PVC pipe and down into the sump. Fill the sump to the half way mark with water.

    • 8

      Plug the submersible pump into a power source and turn it on.