DIY screen for durso-type overflow < $3

[BubbaWPB]

My recent reef-ready aquarium came with overflow kits for the two corner overflows. The outflows are 1½". It presented a BIG hole that fish, snails, crud and other stuff could get sucked up in (with a possible clog and overflow). Expecially after a major overflow at a LFS last week when a bunch of sea cucmbers clogged a 1½ inch overflow, I decided that a screen would be essential. I looked around at plumbing shops and online, and found an 8 inch X 1.5 inch one at about $15 (+ shipping, since it was online). I decided to do it myself.

Since I had the tools (hacksaw, drill, and 3/8" drill bit) the total cost was less than $3 (US). The 3 inch X 8 inch filter bag with draw string was $1.49. The 8¾ inch piece of 1½ inch PVC pipe was less than $1 (I get it in 12 foot sections for a couple of bucks).

Here are some pics... materials, final, and close up.

[Reefland]

Hmmm, I wonder if your asking for more trouble with this setup?
1. It seems that the amount of water that the drain could flow is significantly reduced.
2. With the small holes and the netting to boot, I think that algae would be able to easily grow and reduce the flow even more...if not totally stop it.

[BubbaWPB]

This sort of screen is used in water pumps throughout Florida and are commonly used to screen water from deep wells and lakes. They are expensive and the screen is glued to the pipe.

I drilled all the holes in the screen pipe to ensure that the flow is not reduced. There are over sixty 3/8" holes in the side of the pipe equaling over 70 additional square inches (60 X 3/8 X pi) of intake than just the end of the pipe.

Yes, after a time, the screens do plug with algae if left without maintenance, but the nylon screen bag is easily removed and washed (or inexpensively replaced). Not any more maintenance than the plastic "screen" that came with my current overflow... I take that screen out and clean the algae out of it every month or so, too.

[Reefland]

Glad to hear you have a plan to make sure it stays clean, I think algae growing and covering the holes would be my biggest concern.

[BubbaWPB]

It is indeed a worry. I'm glad you pointed it out in case anyone else tries this on his/her own.

What would this hobby be like without all the loving maintenance we provide to our tanks?!?

[Poseidon]

NIce!

I have just the place for that! A LFS I have been helping out at, could use that on the central filtration system I just put in for them!

[Randy]

I have also seen people use "slits" created by a saw in their Durso inlet. That would work great too and act as a screen. I never did the hole on the side of the Durso before how does that work for you? I imagine it could occasionally slurp air but if the pipe size is right on it could work perfectly. I usually do the hole on the top.

[BubbaWPB]

The hole on the side of the durso came drilled that way from the manufacturer. It also has a little clear plastic tube at the top to stop the gurgling noise. The hole on top would function to stop the siphon if the pump shuts off, so I don't have a clue why the other hole is on the side...

Slits are also commonly used on water filters... they also clog with algae and slime after a while (unless the slits are wide enough to let in critters). I used the big holes covered with the mesh bag for easier maintenance - just wash/replace the mesh bag (as opposed to having to remove the slitted tube and scrub it clean).

I use reclaimed water from a canal (that's a fancy south Florida word for a big ditch) behind my property to water my lawn. I've had both the slitted filters and the ones with the round holes/screen. The design doesn't matter as much as being able to clean it when it gets clogged with algae and slime. I have panty hose over the 4" intake tube in the ditch for the same reason as the mesh bag on the durso intake. When it gets all clogged up, I just change the panty hose.

[johnny gray]

let us hnow how it works out