Convert Internal Overflow to Closed Loop

[Fish Care Practitioner]

Can someone comment about how to remove the internal overflow on a tank and plug the holes safely in prep for a synergy system/

 

[Greybeard]

Can someone comment about how to remove the internal overflow on a tank and plug the holes safely in prep for a synergy system/

Most factory overflows use an internal box, and 2 holes in the bottom pane of glass. IMHO, the way to go is to cut the internal box out (see if anyone in your local club is looking for one!), and use a standard bulkhead with a glued in socket plug (standard PVC fitting, plug that fits in spigot) to fill the existing holes.

That way, you're not making a silicone mess... chances of a leak are very low, and if you should ever want to, it's a simple matter to restore the factory holes.

Buy decent quality bulkheads. All the noise you'll hear about 'hand tight' is just that... you need a wrench to tighten a bulkhead, but be gentle with it. Over tightening can easily crack the bulkhead. All surfaces CLEAN. I use a drop of either vegetable oil or vasoline on the gasket... and I do mean 'a drop'. Installed properly, I've _never_ had a bulkhead leak.

 

[MaddyP]

Most factory overflows use an internal box, and 2 holes in the bottom pane of glass. IMHO, the way to go is to cut the internal box out (see if anyone in your local club is looking for one!), and use a standard bulkhead with a glued in socket plug (standard PVC fitting, plug that fits in spigot) to fill the existing holes.

That way, you're not making a silicone mess... chances of a leak are very low, and if you should ever want to, it's a simple matter to restore the factory holes.

Buy decent quality bulkheads. All the noise you'll hear about 'hand tight' is just that... you need a wrench to tighten a bulkhead, but be gentle with it. Over tightening can easily crack the bulkhead. All surfaces CLEAN. I use a drop of either vegetable oil or vasoline on the gasket... and I do mean 'a drop'. Installed properly, I've _never_ had a bulkhead leak.

+1

I went ahead and siliconed glass over the holes. This was the cleanest solution in my mind.

 

[Fish Care Practitioner]

Most factory overflows use an internal box, and 2 holes in the bottom pane of glass. IMHO, the way to go is to cut the internal box out (see if anyone in your local club is looking for one!), and use a standard bulkhead with a glued in socket plug (standard PVC fitting, plug that fits in spigot) to fill the existing holes.

That way, you're not making a silicone mess... chances of a leak are very low, and if you should ever want to, it's a simple matter to restore the factory holes.

Buy decent quality bulkheads. All the noise you'll hear about 'hand tight' is just that... you need a wrench to tighten a bulkhead, but be gentle with it. Over tightening can easily crack the bulkhead. All surfaces CLEAN. I use a drop of either vegetable oil or vasoline on the gasket... and I do mean 'a drop'. Installed properly, I've _never_ had a bulkhead leak.

That is one great idea! Thank you.