Does anyone know how to cut the notches for overflow baskets?

[prsnlty]

I am going to make 2 or 3 tall skimmer box columns using round 4" pvc pipe (then agrocreting them to look natural and grow coral on them). But I'm unsure of how to cut the skimming notches. Does anyone know how?

 

[redfishbluefish]

A router and router table.

 

[prsnlty]

Thanks Any special bit?

 

[bradenr]

You dont need a router and a router table but you can use one. An easy method and the way i made mine was measure 1/2'' along your ABS board and 1 inch down all the way across. then drill 1/4 holes at your half inch marks and use a skill saw to make the straight cuts and you have your teeth.

 

[beaslbob]

one person just glued some egg crate to the top of the overflow box.

 

[prsnlty]

Kool! I don't know about using a skill saw because of the blade depth . But I like the idea of drilling the holes and maybe using jigsaw. I'm going to be using 4 inch round PVC for 22 inch columns. So each will have a 13 inch skim area.

I prefer the router idea but only have a hand held and no table.

Lol, egg crate? Well if it works...

 

[Reefing Madness]

Melev's Reef - Making Teeth

 

[bradenr]

jigsaw yea I don't know why I said skill saw. yeah I used my handheld jig and it worked pretty well, at least for a DIY

 

[prsnlty]

jigsaw yea I don't know why I said skill saw. yeah I used my handheld jig and it worked pretty well, at least for a DIY

thanks I have to get these done asap to agrocrete them since it will take about 6 weeks before I can place then in the tank. This is going to be a fun 180g build

 

[JMSKI333]

+1 on a router table. Just go to your local hardware store and find one that has the thickness you want. You will want one without a bearing.

 

[prsnlty]

+1 on a router table. Just go to your local hardware store and find one that has the thickness you want. You will want one without a bearing.

The bit or router?
Thanks

Jackie

 

[JMSKI333]

The bit or router?
Thanks

Jackie

The Bit. Some have bearings for riding on the edge of wood, and some don't for your application.

 

[prsnlty]

I had a feeling you meant the bit but at the risk of looking stupid I thought I'd ask anyway. Lol

Tank you

 

[VicD81]

You dont need a router and a router table but you can use one. An easy method and the way i made mine was measure 1/2'' along your ABS board and 1 inch down all the way across. then drill 1/4 holes at your half inch marks and use a skill saw to make the straight cuts and you have your teeth.

Hey what did you use to make them overflows? I see that acrylic is textured.

 

[bradenr]

Hey what did you use to make them overflows? I see that acrylic is textured.

I used black ABS acrylic sheets from ebay. they are like $6 for a 12x12. then i just used aquarium silicone

 

[bradenr]

12"x12"x 1 4" Black ABS Plastic Vacuum Forming Sheet Textured Front Smooth Back | eBay

 

[prsnlty]

Haha, this place is 40-50 minutes from me but his shipping is cheaper than what it would cost me in gas! Thanks for the link

 

[lemonyx]

I used black ABS acrylic sheets from ebay. they are like $6 for a 12x12. then i just used aquarium silicone

Silicone and acrylic just don't work too good.

 

[VicD81]

Silicone and acrylic just don't work too good.

Ive seen a couple ppl say this but I had to deconstruct my sump because I cracked the glass and the acrylic was on there so good that I gave up trying to remove it and bought new acrylic sheets. I was only able to remove one baffle and it was a pain to clean the silicone off the all the edges.

 

[prsnlty]

If you shouldn't use silicone to attach the overflow box to the glass, then what do you use. I'seen tons of them and it looks lije silicone to me.