16” Shadow Overflow - Noise when pushing Flow

[behold81]

I cut a second drain pipe about an inch more than the recommended and it helped a lot its very quite now and I also have the same salt creep issue what did you make your gasket out of do you have any pictures of it. it is known these are not dead silent at higher flow rates but once set up right its pretty close. in the other forums that people were complaining it was said that the holes going threw the tank need to be completely covered with water and the valve adjusted so that the water barely flows threw the second drain, the noise is air chugging threw the second drain

Certainly not the second drain that is the noise. A defo the overflow. If I remove the comb and let it catch up it’s almost fully quiet bar siphon noise as it’s not balanced.

Only way to raise the secondary will be open it as the u would sit higher than the box.

 

[dugthefish]

BTW, this is an excellent perspective (and of course blatantly commercial LOL) ….


Although I ended up with a Modular Marine unit (they were more willing to accommodate by customizations), I strongly considered EMS.

This whole thread makes me glad I went with EMS, as the Shadow was my next choice down the list.

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

my u pipe almost touches the lid then I fiddled with the valve on the primary until it was almost silent all I hear now is a slight water over the front weir before it was like a raging river at full flow it was horrible

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

I didn't even review it I just thought it looked great and new I had to have it if I was to do it over again I would of read reviews because this is a known issue but im glad I got mine running the way I want it to it is not a setup and go overflow it requires fine tuning

 

[Dubs83]

Go with EMS and call it a day. I used the shadow overflow on my previous tank and was told it was user error that created the noise. I tried everything I could and nothing worked. I’ll never buy anything from those guys again.

 

[behold81]

my u pipe almost touches the lid then I fiddled with the valve on the primary until it was almost silent all I hear now is a slight water over the front weir before it was like a raging river at full flow it was horrible

I would be happy with a low trickle sound.

 

[ca1ore]

never could figure why they are necessary

You're right, the U tube is not necessary; though they can be useful in muffling trickle sounds from the secondary. More a hold over from the durso days I think. I use a straight strainer on my primary, but a U on my secondary.

 

[cracker]

Thanks I talked to a synergy guy a while ago & he told be they help with noise & turbulence when pushing a lot of flow thru the overflow. I'm no way close to that . Sorry the OP is having issues but mine run creepy quiet .

 

[ca1ore]

As to the baffle do you have a pic of what you have done?

This is a diagram I did a few years ago for a scupper box I built for a friend of mine (out of 1/4" acrylic). I have always preferred to do these things myself, except where skills or patience are lacking (like the internal skim box). Worked like a charm. Adjust gate valve on the primary so secondary has just a trickle. If you want to raise the water level, raise the secondary don't close down the gate valve.

 

[Dubs83]

Thanks I talked to a synergy guy a while ago & he told be they help with noise & turbulence when pushing a lot of flow thru the overflow. I'm no way close to that . Sorry the OP is having issues but mine run creepy quiet .

How much are you flowing through the over flow? I had 860gph, something I was told this overflow can easily handle, and it was never quiet. The final answer, per the manufacturer, was to stuff enkemat down the internal box to quiet it down... that to me is completely unacceptable and, quite frankly, irresponsible. What’s even worse is the general blame that was being put on me as to why it made noise. I went a long with it because I truly wanted this thing to work but it never did. Considering that, I will never buy from them again.

 

[rushbattle]

Go with EMS and call it a day. I used the shadow overflow on my previous tank and was told it was user error that created the noise. I tried everything I could and nothing worked. I’ll never buy anything from those guys again.

This is becoming a common theme. Sorry you got caught too.

 

[rushbattle]

How much are you flowing through the over flow? I had 860gph, something I was told this overflow can easily handle, and it was never quiet. The final answer, per the manufacturer, was to stuff enkemat down the internal box to quiet it down... that to me is completely unacceptable and, quite frankly, irresponsible. What’s even worse is the general blame that was being put on me as to why it made noise. I went a long with it because I truly wanted this thing to work but it never did. Considering that, I will never buy from them again.

Right? What about just stuffing fine felt in the overflow. Would be very quiet until you hear the sound of water rushing down the outside of your tank onto the floor after a day or so.

 

[427HISS]

I thought from what I read, that the Synergy 16" Shadow overflow was great. I got mine a few days ago, so am I in for a loud issue ?

 

[rushbattle]

I thought from what I read, that the Synergy 16" Shadow overflow was great. I got mine a few days ago, so am I in for a loud issue ?

Is it installed? If not, my personal opinion (not bashing) is that you should return it if you can. There are other options that allow for nearly complete silence.

 

[Smprc]

I've already posted, but I agree with Rush...my ghost overflow is now dead silent, I am actually surprised, but I too struggled with it for months, I finally gave up. To be honest, I run the water level high in the external box and I believe that my flow has dropped considerably which is why it has quieted down (haven't cleaned the return pump and its been running for 10 months), however, with that said, the turbulence in front of the internal box has changed because I run a fx280 gyre underneath it and that definitely changes how the water flows. In the end, I am still stuck with lots and lots of salt creep and that really sucks too! Good luck. Had to post again, because I really wouldn't do it again and would go with something else.

 

[Dubs83]

I've already posted, but I agree with Rush...my ghost overflow is now dead silent, I am actually surprised, but I too struggled with it for months, I finally gave up. To be honest, I run the water level high in the external box and I believe that my flow has dropped considerably which is why it has quieted down (haven't cleaned the return pump and its been running for 10 months), however, with that said, the turbulence in front of the internal box has changed because I run a fx280 gyre underneath it and that definitely changes how the water flows. In the end, I am still stuck with lots and lots of salt creep and that really sucks too! Good luck. Had to post again, because I really wouldn't do it again and would go with something else.

Honestly, contact Exotic Marine Systems... he can help you out with a custom rear box that will quiet the thing up!

 

[rushbattle]

Honestly, contact Exotic Marine Systems... he can help you out with a custom rear box that will quiet the thing up!

Worth it, IMO.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

dang guys. i too, was looking at this overflow for my next next. guess i’ll be doing all the acrylic work myself now and doing something like what @ca1ore postes.

just a reminder.......

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/vendor-feedback.18/

 

[rushbattle]

dang guys. i too, was looking at this overflow for my next next. guess i’ll be doing all the acrylic work myself now and doing something like what @ca1ore postes.

just a reminder.......

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/vendor-feedback.18/

Good idea, your work is much better quality and fit/finish than the Shadow.

Just to address your vendor feedback concern, we aren’t giving the vendor feedback, just discussing design and engineering of a specific product and that style overflow in general.

 

[427HISS]

Be it noisy, how well does it work vs others ?
What other types/brands work better ?

My aquarium will be in the wall and all equipment will be in the reef room, so noise is not such a big deal, but.....?