HOW TO: $10 DIY aquarium overflow - UPGRADED and MODIFIED TUTORIAL

How to build a DIY PVC aquarium overflow, modified and upgraded.
Get the ultimate DIY book ► thekingofdiy.com
Follow me ► / uarujoey
Original video ► goo.gl/4EU9ZX
How it all works ► goo.gl/L1Fg7M
Have an issue? cant get it to work? HERE IS THE FIX: I have been answering questions on this project for years now.. and no longer will. Its the same answer again and again... the #1 answer that solves 99% of all issues is this: PAY ATTENTION TO THE VIDEO. 99% simply do not follow the instructions or build it the same way, yet expect it to still work. The other 1% have an air leak somewhere. Find it. Seal it. Sorry, but i simply do not have the time to keep answering the same questions, when they all result with this same solution. IF YOU MUST get help, POST A PHOTO to my fan page so i can at least SEE what the problem is. I will not be able to help otherwise. / uarujoey
Original video ► goo.gl/4EU9ZX
How it all works ► goo.gl/L1Fg7M
The modified and upgraded version ► goo.gl/ZGRtXj

[@thekingofdiy]

Hey folks, i'm also on Facebook. I post pictures, more videos and updates there: facebook.com/UaruJoey

[@ImadeItTillMidnight]

You must 100% move the T up higher to stop the overflow from emptying the pipe and losing prime. After a several minute power outage and the pump turns back on, it floods out t the tank the way you have this built. I know cause I built several trying to get it right and the T was the issue to

[@steelwill101]

Well can u do a short video or a diagram for the slower people like me?

[@ImadeItTillMidnight]

@@steelwill101 just move the Tee up several inches instead of the very bottom.

[@tonyayres6877]

Are we talking 2 inches 5“ 10 inches

[@GRude420]

Mine works fine the way it shows in the video. Instead of a check valve, I ran it to a powerhead air intake that I have. Anytime there is a power failure, when everything turns back on the powerhead clears out the air pocket in the overflow and it take off again. Also, I put a small hole in the return line just below the water surface so if there is ever a back syphon to the sump, it will only drain water back until that little hole is breathing in air. Double redundancy, and best of all --- NO WET CARPET!

[@shindama]

Joey- can you please provide an update on a PVC overflow or another overflow system in a non-drilled tank

[@superaquatics]

Hi Joey, these were the type of videos that originally got me following you. Please start making more of these types of DIY videos again as that's what made you king of DIY.

[@war8679]

I can't get the suction to start. It just fills up the weir and then keeps filling up the tank

[@elgallegos9190]

Did you ever fix it ?

[@demitri2461]

If you do exactly as he says it will work fine, I’ve used this model for all my fish tanks

[@thomasashe2681]

Did you fill the pipe before turning upside down inside the weir? If you didn't, it won't start (if I am not mistaken). Others here can let me know if I am correct.

[@PhoenixRising2040]

​@thomasashe2681 absolutely correct, without removal of air from the upside down U pipe the system will be siphon locked

[@zzzyawn2629]

Instead of using an aqua lifter, you can use a power head with an air intake. This will double up for flow through the tank as well as ensuring the overflow is primed in the event of a power outage. Have used this method on many overflows in the past and it works well.

[@PentButler]

Show me how

[@mustafaalnassah9704]

can you pls show us how to do it ?

[@jamiem5364]

Now thats a fantastic idea!

[@cmcmillan22]

pretty simple, you get a power head that has an air connection on it, take the air hose and plug it into the top of the overflow. the power head clicks on after the power outage and syphons the water out of the overflow. works well.

[@AnxiousCowboy]

Cody McMillan how does the power head work if the power is out

[@chaigupta1507]

I've remade mine twice now and it doesn't work. When the power cuts out the weir tube drains and floats to the top, so when it cuts back on the display just overflows and the overflow fails to restart. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong

[@AbdullahMinor]

thank you so much keep your hard work you're the best

[@thekingofdiy]

+Abdullah Minor (Alshikhi) Thank you. glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheMrFreebody]

Wtf, i built 2 just as said, 3 1 foot peices, and mine does not flow anything

[@thekingofdiy]

Have an issue? cant get it to work? HERE IS THE FIX: I have been answering questions on this project for years now.. and no longer will. Its the same answer again and again... the #1 answer that solves 99% of all issues is this: PAY ATTENTION TO THE VIDEO. 99% simply do not follow the instructions or build it the same way, yet expect it to still work. The other 1% have an air leak somewhere. Find it. Seal it. Sorry, but i simply do not have the time to keep answering the same questions, when they all result with this same solution. IF YOU MUST get help, POST A PHOTO to my fan page so i can at least SEE what the problem is. I will not be able to help otherwise. facebook.com/UaruJoey Original video ► goo.gl/4EU9ZXHow it all works ► goo.gl/L1Fg7MThe modified and upgraded version ► goo.gl/ZGRtXj

[@XCyclonusX]

I have a question thats not in the video. I want to do this but I want to also keep my water line above the trim of my tank. That means the slots for the weir could be at most about 1/2 of an inch. Is that too short of a slot. Would it work or should I just the cut the pipe off at the top a afix a screen to the hole?

[@matthewmeek4289]

The bottom of the weir teeth will be your water level

[@darthddy]

do i need the outter pvc pipe if i install on a biocube that has a overflow chamber

[@schilling3003]

Yes and no. It would work, but if your return pump failed you could have a mess. The back of the biocube has inlets that are halfway down the tank, so that's how far it would drain.

[@ghos282]

Both this and the 'original' design have their specific 'niche' applications. I use the original design (with ball valve added to the drain pipe connection) for water exchanges with aged (Municipal) water, (rather than a constant water exchange system). The original design is better at 'skimming' the occasional bacterial surface film (which might form if you accidentally overfeed). straight down the drain. --The design presented in this video however, merely concentrates that film at the base of its larger in tank 'well' and when shut off during periods of non use allows all of that trapped bacterial film to redistribute across the take surface again.

[@yossiceasar8550]

Will it work if I need a 1200GPH flow rate or will I be needing two units? Or maybe a 3" outer pipe with a 1.5" inner pipe?

[@austinweidner7855]

Anyone still using this? I’m building it now, does it run good?

[@joshcanada3988]

I'm looking to build the same thing to set up a sump for my 125

[@alabdelsalam6027]

The over flow works but super loud, i tried every trick to make it quiet but no luck. Also it loose prime so you will have to add pump. he makes it looks so simple, user friendly but its far from it. Be aware

[@faile486]

Is there an alternative to the Toms pump? It's no longer in production.

[@marcindering82]

Hi Joey, I just built this overflow but I’m struggling to get it primed. Would you have any instructions for me please? I cap it on the bottom, fill it with water and when I uncap it it stops. Thank you

[@paulynaraojo9197]

Are you filling the aquarium?

[@pelimo]

@thekingofdiyjoey this is my issue as well. Any suggestions? I'm using this as a link between two tanks but it won't stay primed.

[@tabxtra7057]

Great video... But i was wondering if instead of using an airpumpe, hooking up an Diffusor from the return line would work to. and be completely automatic?

[@ImadeItTillMidnight]

I still cannot get either this or the old style on a drip system. With the aqualifter it still loses prime and overflows the sump.

[@seantruesdale6896]

I have suckling noise from the overflow. Super annoying

[@zoenielsen9938]

Same, it gurgles really loudly. Did you ever figure out how to quiet it?

[@jasonmixell8055]

I made an excellent overflow by putting a bulkhead in an old hanging filter. It has it's own suction with weir and you can use the pump to get flow started. Works perfectly and if you lose power siphon automatically breaks so no overfill.

[@nicksmith8375]

What is this you speak of?

[@chaigupta1507]

This is a cool idea

[@marcforonda3401]

great vid! but i dont understand how you primed it just by pouring water through the top? when i tried nothing happened

[@gbduga]

Did you figure out how to prime it? I am having the same problem. I fill the pipe and uncap it, but it just drains out all the water from that pipe and is not overflowing water from my tank. Do you need the aqua lifter pump for it to work? It looks like in the video that he doesn't have it attached but it primes without any issue. My design is identical except I drilled holes in my weir because I don't have a tablesaw.

[@harrytzo]

@@gbduga I m having the same issue. Works in the beggining but after it turn off the pump and on it doesn't drain any more

[@keithmcgee1253]

Hi Joey, are you presently still running your overflow with the Toms aqua lifter pump? How has it been working for you? My overflow keeps losing prime and my tanks are overflowing every other week or so. Tried everything and this is the only thing left for me to try. Drilling my tanks is not an option as I have only been able to successfully drill 3 out of 6 55 Gallon tanks. Let me know Keith

[@fordmangtho351]

I had originally built your PVC overflow, for my 350L marine aquarium, worked great but kept finding fish in my sump. I made this version today and now I'm getting a gurgling sound every 30 seconds or so, this is going annoy the wife. I had trouble getting tit to flow at a higher flow rate than my previous overflow, until I put a cap over the top of the the pipe that was used to pour water to get system started. Going to give it a couple of tweaks tomorrow. Love you tutorial videos, I've used a heap of them

[@silencedknight]

Did this work for you? Check out the Stockman standpipe. I did it with a modified concept.

[@fordmangtho351]

I figured out need to drill a small hole in the cap, stopped the gurgling, but still noisier than the previous overflow design, I've got next week off so will play around with it more

[@silencedknight]

Simon Ford Yes the noise at the top of the cap does make a good amount of noise but the weir does as well (since the water is falling into the the bottom of the weir). If you have the drilled hole design you can follow the stockman standpipe for a solution, or if you drilled the holes at the very top like I did put an endcap that is a size bigger than the weir to cover the top of the pipe. As for the fish getting sucked in, that was a little bit of playing around to do. I first got a drain cover to cover it over and tied rubber bands around it (cut the bottom of the drain cover to slip over the weir). This didn't work out so well. I decided to buy a pipe bigger than the weir to cover the weir and drill many many tiny holes on the big pipe that's covering the weir so that my fish wouldn't get sucked in. I believe I need to drill more holes in the big pipe that covers the weir since it stopped taking in as much water as it did before. It's still below the surface of the water but the water line isn't at the height I want it to be. I can post pictures of what I mean tomorrow if you would like! I may not have the best option and I'm still trying to toy around with it but my fish have stopped getting sucked in.

[@fordmangtho351]

thanks, I'm going to play around with it when I've more time, its gotten a lot higher flow rate which is great, means can have return pump on full to give extra flow for corals

[@Mastafu100]

hey i did it and it works very well but i have a problem the water that goes from the pipe to the sump has a lot of big air bubbles which are very loud, anyone know how to fix this problem ??

[@zoenielsen9938]

Same did you ever figure out how to stop the gurgles?

[@KevinvanRoosmalen]

It isn't working for me?

[@princeofdiy7485]

Hey bro. I just want to say thanx. I made your first overflow and had hardly any flow at all and just upgraded it with this. I just drilled my holes instead of slotting it and it works exactly as you said. Thanx again!!!!!

[@tiamat9360]

Prince Of DIY Ad12)0

[@joshuawgarner]

Where can I find a Tom's aqua lifter for less than $32?!

[@garryphinney4258]

Can not get it prime up

[@danielcaldarona9545]

Well I had my doubts. It didn't work well at first, BUT after I figured out that my issue was air leaking in (during dry fit testing) and I played with the tubes to get a better seal...... Whoosh! Serious flow bro! Thanks!

[@brentburton2431]

how did you find the air leak mine wont prime?

[@jeffk464]

Is the hole for the suction cup risky? Seems like if you have a power outage and a small leak at that point it could drain your tank to the floor.

[@robyp]

+Jeff K i also think it's risky. Usually I attach the suction cup with zip ties. Ugly but safer

[@Yoshiruu68]

+Jeff K The suction cup hole is in the bigger pipe which doesn't go anywhere. Its not risky at all since the small pipe is the one taking in the water to the sump.

[@robyp]

the level of the water is decided by the lowest hole in the bigger pipe. It should be on the top, but if the suction cup hole is not sealed, water will enter from there, so that will be the lowest hole. Sure, the return pump will greatly compensate the little leak, but if it stops the aquarium will be drained.

[@hellionb]

+roby p The hole isn't going to provide enough water for the siphon to continue. The weir will drain and allow the siphon to break before that tiny hole can refill the weir. Even so, always test your work under supervision so you don't have a catastrophe because you thought it was right.

[@squirlybmx]

+Jeff K Even if that were the case just take some silicone and run it around the back of the suction cup and pipe. Impossible problem indefinitely solved.

[@StevePolandAquatics]

The more videos I make, the more respect I have for you and the work that you've put into this channel.

[@thekingofdiy]

+Steve Poland Cichlids Thanks Steve. Im planning on doing a behind the scenes video eventually. Perhaps you'll find some tricks in it. :)

[@aldwindj]

how do i silent the noise on the overflow when passing the weir?

[@alabdelsalam3358]

i have the same exact issue ! I feel like i need to wear ear plugs

[@aldwindj]

@@alabdelsalam3358 i remember that a put a cap and drilled a hole on the open pipe. I hope it helps.

[@osmelvillarreal682]

Anyone else having issues with lossing flow after power outage currently have a tom pump but without it looses prime

[@silencedknight]

+osmel villarreal no that's strange I don't even have a tom pump in mine and it hasn't lost its prime yet. Do you have a picture we could see?

[@markcollins3424]

Yes, same here. Will not hold prime after any sort of power outage.

[@blake1726g]

I have this setup works perfect but slightly loud anyone know how to quite it down a bit

[@austinweidner7855]

I’m building this setup here in a few days. Have you had any flooding? I’ve heard a lot of horror stories it’s kinda scary

[@beng2736]

In theory, couldn't you also shorten the vertical pipes drastically? From my understanding, the lower outside U of the overflow shouldn't have to be so low, you could save on PVC by making the vertical pipe shorter so long as the T is still above the U but below the water level of the tank, right? Might make it a bit more compact. I ask as I'm building similar, but vertical height above the sump is limited.

[@vbsurfer2000]

First thing, this system works great. One problem that you didn't cover with this Overflow is what happens during a power outage. Yes your water will stop on the siphon side but if your return line is still below that point, it will continue on the return side. The way i fixed this problem was to drill a small hole on the return line at the same level as the siphon side. If you dont then your sump with overflow on to the floor. Might want to cover that side of this project as well if you haven't already. BTW great channel Thanks.

[@frankpalumbo7773]

THANK YOU AND NOW I HAVE MY OWN DYI SUMP AND OVER FLOW...

[@kevinf.5957]

This is a very simple overflow to follow, i was just wondering if it is necessary to have the pcv go straight to the bottom of the tank, or perhaps lets say half the length of the tank?

[@prabhjotsidhu]

Nicely done... I'm going to try this out on my 55gal this weekend... I was thinking of drilling my tank but this is definitely look much nice... Lots of positives with only the priming seems like an issue but I got muscle sitting on my shoulder waiting to be used! :) THE KING OF DIY - Advice was appreciated... Keep up the solid work, I would buy your book if i had the extra $$$...

[@beej1254]

Just modified the original and added in the weir. Working great so far and just as quiet as the last. I'll have to make the holes bigger I think because the water is dropping really far

[@BradleyCooksa]

Love your work and vids. They have become crucial to my next big sump build for 2x2ft and 2x4ft tanks. All plumbed together. If I may add. The only addition I have looked to make, at the top of the overflow, where you drill in the air pipe, drill the other end into the inlet. Creating a venturi, so the airlift pump isn't required

[@fisherbrandon3449]

What inlet are you talking about? The overflow inlet or the inlet where the water goes into the tank from the sump?

[@brentburton2431]

anyone have any tips to get this primed i have the tee at the same level followed everything to the letter but it just wont siphon

[@Abdul-qr4bd]

Why doesn't know one help us. Where is king diy.

[@Draconem97]

Mine loses prime when the pump loses power and then when it starts back up, the overflow doesn't start back up, I made it to your exact method yet it doesn't keep flowing after. I don't want to need another power source to run the tank (it costs heaps more here in australia). Its getting frustrating

[@gilberto518]

I made mine following your video but from time to time stops working NO IDEA WHY ANY SUGGESTIONS?

[@joelchristman181]

Any suggestions from the internet world on how to reduce the noise from the water going over my weir and down the oversized pipe? I made this setup using 3/4" and my stand pipe is 1 1/2" (double the size). I'm doing a good job on the balanced water level (about 1" above the base of the notches in the top of the oversized pipe). But I'm getting a lot of noise from this part of the overflow. Do I need more notches, bigger notches, less notches? Should the oversized stand pipe be full of water or is it always a waterfall effect across the weir and down to the suction location? Thanks in advance. Oh... and from experience make sure your suction cups on the oversized stand pipe are sealed watertight into the hole. I unplugged the system, went out for an hour and had a spill because water was getting in through the suction cup location. Live and learn :-)

[@nick92028]

I am having the same problem now and it is making crazy. I cannot figure out how to fix the loud noise of it running down the weir. Did you find a fix?

[@haddymansur6361]

hi joey ! is thr any way u can reduce da weir noise ?

[@luminoustrail7640]

I was planning this days in making an overflow, thanks! People like me appreciate your work, Joey!

[@thekingofdiy]

+Francisco Traverzo Thanks!

[@glendasanders6706]

@@thekingofdiy non. M.!MP mo

[@jross1798]

Call me crazy, been doing DIY stuff for a while but even with it built exactly like you have it, everything completely cemented, pre-filling the pipe, this thing does not flow automatically nor does it start back up automatically. I've even added the aqua lifter and it doesn't seem to pull the air out completely or quickly enough. Not really sure what I'm missing on this one. Pipe size is correct, exactly mirrored the video. Sorry I know this is an old video but there's not a lot like it out there

[@MsSoin]

I was wondering in case of power faillure if there is a leak on the suctioncup below the drainage point, wont your aquarium run dry and your sump overflow? i tried to silicone mine close but can't get it 100%

[@mattfisher401]

Make that hole really small so it's tight. Some pipe thread compound or Vaseline migh ensure that it's water tight.

[@thomasashe2681]

Instead of using the Aqualifter pump, could you use the check valve like you did in the previous version?

[@alecocampo615]

mine didnt work, my pump empty all the water in my sump and my overflow doesnt flow fast

[@Harlzburg]

Same, did you ever figure it out? I mean he is using it and it obviously works so why doesnt ours, what are we doing wrong?!

[@adamaustin8632]

@@Harlzburg Did you cement the PVC connections together? If you have any air leaks, it won't work.

[@knightmare2211]

I just set this up. And all I can think is. If I lost the siphone and the tank under runs dry. How boned you’d be. I already wasted about 60$ in materials and a day of playing with flow. I’m probably better off spend a couple hundred for peace of mind when sleeping or out of town.

[@joeyjusta4730]

I cant get mine to prime. I built it just like this, i got to fill the tubes up and release the plug and turn on my pump and the overflow doesnt work display tank just keeps rising . pls help

[@joeyjusta4730]

Got it to work but when I shut off my pump the overflow keeps flowing. Wtf

[@thesoundyouneed4191]

It works fine but when i turned off the pump then i turned on it doesn't work. water is not flow to my sump.again i have to release the air. HELP ME PLEASE!!!

[@MrJustingoodman961]

I just completed my build of this upgrade it took me a little time to figure it out. what I found was that the pick-up tube that slides down in the weer. Has to be ever with the CENTER of the output on the tee. When the tee was below the pick-up tube it created a syphon. And when the tee was above the bottom of the pick-up I could look down the stand pipe and see the water below the outlet. So when there even it brings the water upto the outlet but leaves an air gap to break the syphon.

[@saggysundays1487]

+Justin Goodman Hi Justin. could you please post a video about what you did with the overflow?

[@Shinnosuki]

+Justin Goodman I just tried making this and it works but the flow is very slow. Can you please tell us more about what you mean for the TEE? Is it just to mount it higher than the tube thats inside the weir? I can't figure it out, just now when I tried to restart it, it won't drain at all. I tried priming it and I know it's fully sealed because I can blow into a hole while covering all others, I can't get any air in at all. The only difference I notice thats on mine is where the water flows out, instead of using a 90 degree, I just installed a tube into it and the water slides out.

[@ParsonsPre]

..

[@dudeWHATsweet]

Important! The pipe in the tank must be longer than the center of the T piece or outlet of the t piece. This will automatically be done if you kept all the pipes the same length when building. I could not get it to start unless i: 1) submerged the entire unit getting ALL air out the whole system. Cap all ends including the pipe in tank. 2) put the fully primed apparatus into place ( not in wier yet rather slide that over once the its flowing) 3) remove the vent cap, remove the outlet cap, lastly remove the cap on the inlet of the tank. It should work.

[@honda3291]

dudeWHATsweet mine works but my toms lifter pump while its working gets mostly air and the pipe going into the sump sees a lot of bubbles

[@b0bther4md0m]

I know this is an old vid, but I'm really struggling to get an aqualifter equivalent in the UK, can enyone help?

[@grahamdelacey5779]

use a power head off an old internal filter, they usually have a little air line that draws in air from out side the tank. get some tubing long enough and use that in place of the aqualifter. love from down under mate.

[@killertctma]

Made one of these almost identical to this but cant seem to make mine work without capping the primer spout? How does he get his to work without it?

[@Abdul-qr4bd]

Why did no one reply to this.

[@killertctma]

Who knows, forgot I even posted it but the issue resolved itself. I had tried letting it sit about 10/20 minutes with the cap on. When pulled off it would not flow anymore. I left it overnight with the cap on and primed again then the next morning i removed the cap and it worked as it should. It even restarted the flow once the water level was brought back up after a water change. I have no idea what caused it to take so long to fully prime but it eventually did.

[@Abdul-qr4bd]

Air working itself out I guess. Crazy.

[@goinglt3]

Thank you so much for this idea. I followed your instruction to the letter and it works awesome. Quick question however. How am I able to make the vent pipe quieter?

[@notorious-00j99]

Christopher Lore put a cap on it with a small hole in it. Works for me.

[@rocweiller]

I did this minus the 2 inch tube since the hardware store was out, the tube going in i capped off and drilled holes. I'm having an issue while testing . It loses prime and fills the bucket up and overflows. The overflow does not reptile. Is this because I need the 2 inch tube. I know the aqua lifter says makes fail safe but in video it shows siphon happening on its own. Help

[@east.coast.herpetology7104]

R u still going to do a how to aquarium safe dift wood?

[@TheJkodd]

Yessss please do!

[@luminoustrail7640]

+justin ambroise Exactly, good idea! When I tried leaving the wood in water letting them to cure, two months later stinks like rotten and don't use them afraid of tank pollution.

[@AquaStudent]

+justin ambroise Justin, if you want to collect your own driftwood do so in a place where you're far away from pollutants and where it's legal. Stick to hardwoods (definitely avoid pines). Take it home and, if it's small enough, you can boil it in a pot of water to kill off anything living on it. It may also leech out some of the tannins. You can place the driftwood in a plastic tub and monitor how it affects the water. Pin it down with some rocks. This will help the water logging process. If you want to treat a larger piece of driftwood, try boiling water and spot treating with that. It won't be a thorough but there shouldn't be much on there to harm your aquarium anyway. The most important part is to monitor the chemistry.

[@thekingofdiy]

+justin ambroise A little late in the year for me to do it now. I had planned to travel around to give a fully detailed version. I will have to wait until next year.

[@AquaStudent]

It's not like you're in Canada living with Polar bears! :D

[@nicksmith8375]

I like this style and I tried to set it up. I am not understanding why it is so loud. I have a loud! Gurgling noise coming from the pipes.

[@zoenielsen9938]

Same here, did you ever figure out how to stop the gurgling?

[@nicksmith8375]

@@zoenielsen9938 I did not. I gave up and went canister

[@FlowingDepths]

Any advice on choosing a pump/where to get one? I'm unsure if I can find something like it at a hardware store or whether it needs to be specifically made for aquariums... also, the ball valve goes on the tubing leading out of the sump, right? Thanks, your tutorial gave me a great idea and I plan to watch more! :)

[@smn368]

People will bash but if you have a harbour freight around they have cheap submersible pumps that work great ....I've had them in my aquaponics tanks for quite some time with no failure and some of that water is groooosss haha

[@silencedknight]

I got mine online. Shop around, check prices and reviews!

[@boatheadsbazzar]

questuon. the "fail proof pump", is there a posibility that it could pick up trash and get blocked? like the idea of adding this, but I got to wondering about this posibility. Tha k you very much for all your great vids

[@christineharley7858]

+Eric Batrez www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=OE1140&child=OE1140&OE1140&gclid=Cj0KEQiAr8W2BRD2qbCOv8_H7qEBEiQA1ErTBtPHDd90LLvAw4WyNu56ySMJEX0YRbo25g63lY4WDFEaAgLG8P8HAQ

[@bradbrizzle658]

So I have this working but it is loud!!! Any suggestions?

[@soczek3000]

I have the same. The flow is great, but the air makes a terribly loud gurgling noise. How to deal with this?

[@bradbrizzle658]

I switched to a canister and ditched the sump. Too loud and never found a solution . . .

[@zoejehuty]

the 1st design is work great, but now revisit back and try to do this design. the problem i have is that it wont siphon once restart after power outage. have to prime it again. as for the prime, i did what you do, it won\t work at all for me. squeezing my brain how to tweak around.

[@malarzewski]

Great idea! but theoretically this hole for suction cup can cause water leak if it will be ill-fitting and pump fail. It will be better to avoid this hole for suction cup, but it was noticed before. Really good job, easy and eficient.

[@maddie5730]

Hi Joey, I have recently made your DIY overflow for my saltwater aquarium, however I have a dilemma. In order to make the overflow fail proof I would need the Toms Aqua Lifter pump that you recommended in order to suction out the air. The dilemma is that I'm Australian and so the 115 volt pump would be 240 volt, so therefore it cannot be used because it would literally blow up. I'd really appreciate if you would take the time to provide me with any suggestions as I have not been able to find another pump of the same function available. Much appreciated.

[@JaceMoua]

My over flow is so loud from the weir and the pipe that draws air. Is it suppose to be loud?

[@garyblea]

Did you find a solution? I am having the same problem.

[@Saxaman]

I used this to setup an little indoor aquaponics setup! its perfect!

[@wakinyan3794]

Holy moly this thing is a beast I built my own and it does more then an extra 60% the pipe I used I should only be able to do about 600 gallons but all i had was a 800 gph pump and that bad boy can hardly keep up with this overflow!!!!

[@Harlzburg]

I used 1" pipe and have a 400gph pump and it doesnt flow enough, not sure what I did wrong lol

[@onlyericdunn]

I used a 3" weir'd setup with 1" lines. My hope and logic tells me more surface skimming! 😀 I did add a pvc ball valve and a union before sump input to aid in starting the prime and working on sump in the future. Now I just have to install flooring throughout the house lol! Thanks for the easy diy video Retail cost in USA was approximately $80 for all pvc, valve, unions, fittings... Now I just need to paint 🤣

[@tjablaj]

I have a similar version overflow but the weir is loud as heck, how do you make it more silence?

[@chuckingflem]

Dude! I built this and added a check valve for the aqualifter. It works great! Thanks for making this video!

[@petedogtired8707]

When you make this, you make 2 for redundancy so can you run a splitter off you aqualifter pump to sustain primes on both overflows? As long as you put a check valve?

[@chaigupta1507]

Mine only works when I cover the air tube so no air can get in. Otherwise, it does not siphon water. Can anyone advise?

[@wujumpa]

Making this right now, a little concerned with the sizing for a 40B though, I followed the instructions from the first video and cut the lengths of my pipe to 16", which is the height of the tank, but there's less than 1/2" of clearance from the bottom to the opening. I'm also testing it out with a knockout plug instead of a cap, 3" caps are a little expensive, so we'll see how it goes. Any problem running a pipe in the tank that's a little shorter, at most 2", than the rest of them?

[@johanconradie2285]

Hi there,I just want to know if the top pipe at the T also needs an end cap? Does the size or depth of the tank determine how deep the overflow goes into the weir?

[@rs8034a]

Just like to say thank you for this video King of DIY! Just finished the upgrade for my 120 gallon oscar tank- The return pump is 700 gph and after some tweaks is handling the flow no problem - saved me from drilling the tank - Thanks again! Keep 'em coming!

[@macsdf1]

Can't get it to prime, are there certain heights I need to follow

[@jpcreativeimagery]

@the king of diy, how do you get this going? I cannot get it started. All I did was modify the pipe height to accommodate my 40g, other than that, the design matched yours exactly but yet it will not prime

[@jpcreativeimagery]

Missed his guidelines on reaching out for help. It took a lot more suction than expected and it's not exactly full proof like the video shows. It's been running decently for several months now but took a lot of messing around with the flow of the return pump. I do not advise a ball valve for adjusting the flow inline..you just can't finetune it enough for a highflow pump like my 1100gph Rio I had lying around lol.. maybe you can depending on size of sump or power of pump but mine is only a 10g for a 40g tank which is pushing it and risky..I did power fail test to see how much would drain and you definitely want to do the same!...invest in a true acrylic overflow or get a pump that actually has flow adjustment built in. Best advice I can give based my experience with this project. Thanks to Joey for the awesome videos!

[@brettjamesmiller]

I lost a red belly piranha to my 1 1/4” over flow it was my fault not his

[@Skibidi1909]

Does the fish poop at the bottom get sucked in the weir?

[@mightyduckization]

Hi, Do you have idea of an overflow that clean the surface of the tank and also the bottom of the tank ... that would be really great... Thanks...

[@DeMishMIsh]

10$? crazy....where i live each of those pvc corners cost 8$

[@jorgesarduysousa]

Must say I enjoy your DIY and have done quit a few of them. I am setting up a 160 gallon tank (keeping Koi's) planning on putting 2 on each end of the tank your corner Super Charge corner sponge filter, but also wanted to add in the center your overflow project that will go to a sump and return via pump. Question, is the position of the overflow best in the center since I'm planning the sponge filters. thanks for your advice.

[@acharles8375]

i know this is an old post but i am setting up a 180 gallon cichlid tank, wanted to find out how did your design work out

[@JGilbert529]

Made this last week, runs great. Thanks for saving us all so much money.

[@awmarenthlei]

Howz the overflow working

[@Abdul-qr4bd]

I can't prime mine

[@danielgala2475]

@@Abdul-qr4bd did you get it to prime?

[@Alex-il6pn]

This is a bell siphon hahaha I never thought to use it like this... this is used in aquaponics system's.

[@uncleaaron5435]

Does anyone know if you still need to put a CAP on the PVC that stands the tallest (2" above the rest), and drill a hole in it? At 5:07 he puts his palm on top to cover the hole. Does this mean we need to put a cap there?

[@robertsalazar2700]

All that work great however I am getting air in between the return and the pump I tried to purge it but after a few hours it comes back (air) is connected to a bucket canister filter

[@BrianStalter]

Very cool. Love the new look - much more pleasing!

[@thekingofdiy]

+Brian Stalter I agree!

[@timflacco]

Thanks for this. I combined your Overflow Weir, with the guy who makes drift wood out of pvc’s Technique. You almost can’t tell it’s a filter.

[@het127]

Can you post a link to that video? Sounds interesting

[@nick92028]

@@het127 Google it. It is the first thing that comes up

[@danieldevers9354]

Is there a required relationship between the level of the intake within the weir and the output? Thanks.

[@aarontheprof]

Can you please make a DIY overflowbox video ? please.

[@thekingofdiy]

+harun polat Sure, its something i could possibly do in the future

[@aarontheprof]

+The king of DIY Thank you very much, The King of DIY. I'm planning on building an overflowbox for my tank lateley. I'm from Turkey and I can't speak English well. I have been following you for a long time. Thanks.

[@brycephelps8700]

ya i would really like to see this

[@beej1254]

Still having great success with the original version of this overflow. I don't really mind the 2 pipes and some fish actually use it as shelter during lights out. I've had great flow for months and it's silent. I also put a PVC elbow on the intake then stuck a filter intake screen in that to protect fish from being swallowed. This also make this overflow extremely quiet. Great vid!

[@thekingofdiy]

+BJ Nunn Agreed. Its rally just a matter of preference.

[@joshuaolin573]

I did a smaller version of this with .5 pvc. the pipe going straight up from the t-fitting is making a whistle sound from air getting sucked in. I've considered putting a cap over it but then it would just be a siphon, and not an overflow. any other ideas as to how to fix this?

[@markho5627]

+Joshua Olin Watch his previous video on the original built. Put a cap on it and drill a small hole on the cap. It should reduce the noise and won't be a siphon.

[@paijocuwakep]

yesss, i will use it for my aquaponic set up. thank you very much :)

[@jtg9850]

I DON"T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED 😕☹😧😞😩😭. I watched your video like, 20 times. I made sure I understood everything (I thought I did) . . .and it DID make sense. I made the pvc weir out of 2" pipe and the rest with 1" pipe for my 150 gal tank. I checked and double-checked everything --- but it didn't work at all. I could get the siphon going, but then when I turned off the pump -- as in a power failure -- and turned it back on . . . nothing. No siphon. No matter what I did I lost the siphon every time I turned off the pump. What did I do wrong? Has this happened to anyone else who used this design? I even tried putting the "T" on the outlet pipe at different heights --- all to no avail. Any advice? Perhaps my neighbor offered the most sound advice--flush the fishies and take up model railroading!

[@idiotwithpc]

are you sure you're using the correct type of pump and that each tube is in the right place ? also when you have a 150 gal tank and your pvc tubes are only 1" the flow may be low

[@xjustforfun8971]

what kind of pvc cement did is safe ?

[@aarshmathur2909]

Anyone still using this today ?

[@Lllukee]

Great update u addressed all my doubts with the mk1 👍

[@gd.lal.7735]

Yes more videos every week!!!

[@thekingofdiy]

+Zavier G Im pretty excited to start as well. :)