How To Build An Aquarium Overflow
If your fish aquarium is your hobby, at some point you may realize how easy you can build a significantly better aquarium overflow for less than what you can buy one for at a pet store.
You might decide that you want to simply run your water line directly from your aquarium over to an external filter which can be a wet/dry filter system or a sump pump. There is basically two ways to run your water line for your aquarium overflow.
- You can drill holes in your aquarium so that you can use bulkheads.
- You can buy an incredibly expensive overflow box.
In the first method, the water actually flows from the aquarium out through the bulkheads. However, the problem with this particular method is that if you ever want to sell your aquarium, these holes could put a damper on the sale. Most aquariums bought in the store do not come with any holes but you can have them pre-drilled into it to make things easier for you later on.
In the next method, the aquarium overflow box helps the water to the edge and out of the aquarium into the wet/dry filter or the sump by using a siphon. Technically, this is an ideal system but it can be quite costly.
Supplies
- One black zip tie
- An empty plastic plant basket
- Waterproof silicone
- Two liter plastic jug with handle
- 1/8” air pump hose
- A few 1” bulkhead fittings
- PVC tube
- 1: vinyl, clear tubing
Tools
- Tape measure
- Garden shears a really sharp knife
- 1: wide bit drill
- A saw to cut through PVC
Measure Height
- The first step in creating your aquarium overflow is to measure the height at which you want the water to reach before it exits the aquarium.
- Put an end cap on one end of your PVC tubes. This is going to sit at the bottom of the aquarium.
- Mark your desired water height on the tube and cut straight across.
Water Diffuser
- Cut a hole into the bottom of a plant basket.
- Zip tie this basket to the end of the tube that is uncapped. This will work to keep fish out of the aquarium overflow tube.
Juice Bucket Drain
- Grab your juice jug or pitcher and make sure it can hang on the edge of your aquarium.
- Drill a hole in the bottom very carefully without cracking it.
- Place your drain fitting in this hose so the level of water in the bucket is going to always be one inch. This will allow your siphon to still work if you lose power. You will want to make sure that you use a rubber washer inside the bucket so that there is a tight seal.
- If the seal isn't tight enough you should apply silicone and allow it to dry before proceeding.
Put It Together
- Place the PVC tube either in the center or corner of the back of your aquarium.
- Hang the juice jug handle over the aquarium's edge so that the handle falls into the open tube.
- Measure a piece of vinyl hose to join the PVC and the jug together.
- Place one end of this hose half way into the upright PVC and then bend the other half into your juice jug.
- Once the two are connected, dump some water into the jug to prime it. The hose should be fairly lose as well as submerged in the bottom of your jug.
- Now you will apply a bit of suction to the alternate hose end to initially start the pump.
Of course there are other variations to this or you can just buy your aquarium overflow but this is a lot more fun and leaves you with a sense of accomplishment and extra cash in your pocket.