HOW TO: DIY Aquarium Overflow PVC TUTORIAL

Video shows a step by step process on the PVC pieces need to construct a DIY overflow. Also shown is how to put it together, and how to get it running!!
Be sure to also watch the sequel to this video to find out how it works, expected cost and gallons per hour these can handle depending on pipe size, as well as why you would use one.

[emeryz]

Still need this video and it’s 2023! Joey thank you for your dedication to the fish keeping community. We love you. ❤

[Reefphreak]

This is a gigantic help for me as I am about to start my first saltwater tank. I am living in an apartment so I am terrified of the posibility of flooding by using a sump. So bad, in fact, that I was going to get all cluttered by using a canister and all the extra stuff. This is perfect for me! I appreciate it!

[WHY]

20 mins of watching this= endless hours of searching for overflow design online. Thanks a

[nigelcheung]

Thank you Joey. By reading all your posts and watching all your videos. I manage to make the overflow works! Its amazing. It costs me $70 in total since Thank you Joey. By reading all your posts and watching all your videos. I manage to make the overflow works! Its amazing. It costs me $70 in total since i did 1.5inches one. But hell is much better than overflow box...i did 1.5inches one. But hell is much better than overflow box...

[eduardolibed]

I was reluctant to DIY a sump, but thanks to your video I’m about to build one. Thank you, detailed and simple enough to understand 👍🏼‼️

[CRyGen]

I set up a 2.5ft Double Decker tank and I have this Setup so I have just one Heater and One External Filter. I used 21.5mm pipe and it's more than edequate for a 1000 lph Filter and much more. I lined it all up got all the sizes right tested it then Solvent glued it. Waited a day or 2 for the solvent to air off the bits I could not wipe off from the inside. I was a bit cautious of it failing and emtpying the bottom tank. I Expoxied the one way Valve to the top pipe directly and cable tied it on to, but once primed i think it can be dissconnected and have goriila tape over the hole. This is an Amazing Video Well Done.

[Fairbankssteven]

this is the only video that has ever been able to explain this concept to me. congratulations

[Orticai]

I have this setup on my 75g with 20g refugium. I watched this video about a yr ago and built an overflow in about 10 min has worked great ever since, one addition I did add a ball valve for fine adjustment and shutoff. Awesome video, thanks Uaru

[itsme]

Man have you come a long way with your videos. Nice job sticking with it.

[direNP]

I subscribed just to say thanks and 'cause several of your videos have been so helpful. My $130 canister filter from a manufacturer failed, and I was loathed to get another for my 60-gal tank. Thanks to this video and several others related ones, I was able to build a full functioning system for less than $20 (I already had a pond pump) and it works beautifully-- and much better than the manufactured one. I can't thank you enough for making my aquarium beautiful again within my lowly budget.

[Falcata]

Hey Joey, I made a similar aquarium overflow but the desire was to create an overflow from my 20 gallon fry tank into my 10 gallon fry tank and basically treat the two aquariums as one with only one filter. Made some adjustments to your design in this video and the setup came out great. I added an HOB filter in between the two tanks with the aquarium overflow transferring water the opposite way.

[espercasper]

This is my 1st DIY mini aquarium overflow project and to my surprise, i manage to assemble it in less than 30minute. It works like wonder for my fish tank and not to mention that it cost way cheaper then buying a ready-made overflow system. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderfull step by step guide, very practical!

[aussieaeromodeler]

Hi I just finished building your upgraded version with the wier, have to say this is probably one of the best tutorials I've used on youtube, many thanks for an excellent idea, this is going to make water changes so much easier and a hell of a lot faster, I've made it removeable so that just the wier remains in the tank, I intend painting the wier green and then planting a few stands of tall aquatic plants to hide it, and it also fits beautifully in my wife's goldfish pond / waterfeature, once again thanks for sharing the knowledge

[fourknotsnowhere]

joey, I'm building another one tonight. figured id stop by and say thanks again for the inspirations over the years

[RoysRestorations]

Joey, thank you very much for so many helpful videos. I prefer to do things myself and you have saved me a lot of time and money. I was going to drill my tank but this is a much better route in many ways. If I decide to move up to a larger tank someone will be more likely to buy a tank with no holes.

[rodgerpettibone]

I just finished making the same pvc overflow from this video. At first it wouldnt maintain flow.. but i discovered that my drain outlet was attached to a 1 in line leading to my sump.. Once i changed this to match the 1/2 inch pvc that i used to make this overflow, it workded just fine, Make sure that the drain line is the same size as the rest of the overflow and that its also submerged into the sump/ wet dry tank atleast 2 inches. This video is the best one out there... so dont blame him

[robnutt]

Tried it and works well. A little bit of noise but muffled the breather stand pipe and couldn't be happier. Thankyou!

[newj]

Finally made mine out of 1" PVC I have an overflow box but I have always wanted to do this plus I needed a little more flow my pump was pumping more water then it was getting second overflow worked perfect thanks for the video for those of you having problems the inside outside pipe does not have to be exactly the same also when priming the out take has to be in the water to your sump I read someone earlier saying it didn't work
Great video!

[jpressure]

Dude, I just wanted to say you are the SHIZNIT!!!! I think many will agree when I say it. You saved me more money than I would have saved by switching to Geico. Oh the wife said thanks, because of your videos we went from a free fish my daughter won at a fair to a 5gal, 10gal, 55gal, which I'm making my wet dry sump and my ultimate 6 foot long 150gal tank sitting on my custom homemade stand. LOL. I appreciate it, keep it up

[scottgordin]

I used this video to make the same set up but with 3/4" PVC going into 1" PVC for the intake and then 3/4" for the return on a 55 gallon project I did about 8 yrs ago, had the system running for about three years with no problems. What I did learn from it was to not glue the pipes that are in the water, and I also used a 1" ball valve towards the end of the intake to regulate the flow, also don't go cheap on the return pump.
I went cheap and used a pump that wasn't d/c current and it hummed something fierce, also I used PVC all the way to the pump and didn't use a short section of rubber hose so that did contribute to the constant hum coming from the sump, other than those few things I'd have to say it was a great affordable way to make up your own sump system, if I remember it cost me about $100 total for all the parts to make up everything including the 10 gallon tank, a few pieces of Plexiglas that I used as baffles form the 10 gal/sump, all the PVC piping and fittings and the cheap pump.
I been contemplating making up another sump system for my 125 gal I currently have running with two FX6's, but this time I won't go cheap on the return pump and will be using a 55 gal as the sump itself.