Coral Hind March 12, 2009 March 12, 2009 (edited) I just thought I would share an idea I had in case someone was looking for a cheap intake overflow box. So I was totally bored at work last week and I looked at my inbox hanging on my door and thought, "that would make a cool overflow box". Of course I didn't take mine but my safety officer was surprised when he came to work the next day and his inbox was missing. I scrapped the old double sided tape off and siliconed it in. This skims the surface a lot better then the two 1" pipes I had and it surely doesn't gurgle like they did either. This "inbox" was made by rubbermaid. Before shot with two 1" pipes. After shot with the "inbox" overflow installed over the bulkheads. The angle of the "inbox" does not take up as much space as other intake overflows. Finally the FTS Edited March 12, 2009 by Coral Hind
flowerseller March 12, 2009 March 12, 2009 Unless this is in a secure building, I think it should be nominated for TOTM. What would you have done if your safety evaluation sheet has in the box?
MLazar March 12, 2009 March 12, 2009 I think this is seriously innnovative! Someone will patent this someday............. And the tank is really lovely. Maureen
Origami March 13, 2009 March 13, 2009 (edited) Very nicely done! I'll bet that angle not only takes up less space, but also contributes to lower noise since you don't have quite the waterfall effect going. One thought, though, you may have to vacuum the bottom of that vee every once in a while as it will probably act as a sediment trap (unless there's some good water action going on down there to keep solids in suspension). I like it. Edited March 13, 2009 by Origami2547
Inspector March 13, 2009 March 13, 2009 Love your idea. If you could extend one tube to the bottom or near the bottom to create a flow to keep the bottom clean.
Coral Hind March 13, 2009 Author March 13, 2009 Thanks for the compliments! I doubt anything is going to settle in the bottom since there is plenty of water flow.
lanman March 15, 2009 March 15, 2009 Anthony Calfo would smile... That is a mini-Calfo overflow. bob (the guy with a full-length Calfo overflow on his 240)
ctenophore March 15, 2009 March 15, 2009 Very nice David. I'm guessing you just drained the tank down to the bottom of the inbox to silicone it in, how long did you let it cure for? Did you just spray the corals periodically to keep them wet?
Coral Hind March 15, 2009 Author March 15, 2009 Thanks. I did this during a water change. I moved some of the corals to the bottom of the tank. Lowered the water down and took a razor blade to the glass. As you guessed I splashed water on the exposed corals about every minute or so. Siliconed it in and within ten minutes I filled the tank back up. I did not add anything special like carbon and the skimmer performed normally.
ctenophore March 17, 2009 March 17, 2009 Good to know re: silicone cure time. I let my astroturf cure for 2 days before adding water. Did you use GE 1?
davelin315 March 17, 2009 March 17, 2009 Hey David, that's a cool overflow. Looks to be the darker material? I wonder how well these would work in an acrylic tank by simply using some solvent...
lanman March 18, 2009 March 18, 2009 am i the only one that doesn't know what an inbox is? Generally speaking - the kind he used is 'stuck' to a door. If you want to leave a file folder for someone, you put it in their V-shaped box on the door. See them a lot at Doctor's offices. bob
Coral Hind March 18, 2009 Author March 18, 2009 Did you use GE 1? I used an old tub of DAP 100% Silicone Sealant.
motti April 8, 2009 April 8, 2009 sorry for the dumb question.... but how can you silicon it underwater? i was looking for something similar since i added 2 more tubes to shiphon water from the display tank since my drain pipe wasn't taking enough water down.... and how safe is it for the tank? does it release any toxic chemical or anything like that?
Coral Hind April 8, 2009 Author April 8, 2009 Post #11 mentions I drained the tank down part way during a water change and siliconed it in. Then filled the tank back up. I've used 100% silicone like this before and nothing bad has ever happened. For peace of mind, just put in fresh carbon or poly-filter to absorb any off-gasing.
motti April 8, 2009 April 8, 2009 i'll do it during my next water change thought it was possible to glow it underwater
fry_school101 April 21, 2009 April 21, 2009 I checked on the boxes at staples last night. They didn't have a back to them, just the front and sides. Is that what yours looks like? If it's well siliconed it shouldn't matter I don't think, but it looks different from other overflow boxes I've seen.
Coral Hind April 21, 2009 Author April 21, 2009 Yes, mine is only three sided. Here is a top view with the pump off.
dschflier April 22, 2009 April 22, 2009 How many other people do you work with in your office? You could stay late one day get all of them and then re-sell them to us. We wont say anything if you give a good price.
tygger August 12, 2009 August 12, 2009 How many other people do you work with in your office? You could stay late one day get all of them and then re-sell them to us. We wont say anything if you give a good price. hahaha Cool idea btw!
Coral Hind August 12, 2009 Author August 12, 2009 Thanks! It is still working great and I haven't had any issues with it.
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