External overflow for custom tank

fishstix · Apr 25, 2020

I am having a custom tank built. The builder suggested synergy reef overflow. What everyone thoughts on them? I will be doing bean animal. I need it to be quite. Tank will be 72 x 24 x 30 or 84 x 24 x 30. Have not finalized that yet.

Thanks

dreamcatcherr9 · Apr 25, 2020

I went with EMS 32”.

Same boat, custom tank, 6ft, 240g.

Check out Exotic Marine Systems.

cmaxwell39 · Apr 25, 2020

I also went with an EMS. The smaller one. Tank is not set up yet (long story, waiting on the stand to be rebuilt) but it is a 60x30x22. I think my internal overflow box from EMS is 20".

The Exotic Marine Systems overflows have a slightly wider external box than the Synergy because they use standard bulk heads in the external box which means they can be replaced. Synergy is narrower, but the connections for the pipes are molded into the box which means if one goes bad or cracks you have to replace the overflow.

New tanks are exciting enjoy the process.

fishstix · Apr 25, 2020

Thanks for feedback. I think I want either ems or modular marine.

dreamcatcherr9 · Apr 25, 2020

I looked at Module Marine too because they had a 48” version. But I loved the look and style of EMS. The weir cut outs sold me. Looked easier to clean when needed. My tank is being built to. I’ve never plumbed a tank before. Very scary and exciting process!

ca1ore · Apr 25, 2020

Pass on the synergy. Poor design and way too small for a large tank. I have slight preference for MM, but EMS would be an excellent choice too.

tjstank · Apr 25, 2020

ca1ore said:
Pass on the synergy. Poor design and way too small for a large tank. I have slight preference for MM, but EMS would be an excellent choice too.

I have a 60 in EMS very well built

GoldeneyeRet · Apr 25, 2020

Stay away from synergy. Go with something else.

EMS built me a custom overflow to replace the synergy I tried to use on a similar sized tank. The EMS worked flawlessly from the start. Save yourself a massive headache and avoid synergy reef.

fishstix · Apr 26, 2020

I think I'm going to probably go with the EMS. Especially since MM. Not taking any orders at this point. For those that had custom tanks built how did you work with EMS and the tank builder did you have the overflow sent directly to the tank builder?

Thanks for all your help

fishstix · Apr 27, 2020

The only question I have is, does anyone have problems with smaller fish getting into the wier with the EMS overflow?

Thanks

Tuffyyyyy · Apr 27, 2020

I had a modular marine 1600 built for my SCA120 after everyone gave synergy such poor reviews. I think you’re going to be working as the intermediary between the builders. The MM guy was able to pull the measurements for my tank from the SCA website, but then I double checked with SCA that everything was correct.

fishstix · Apr 27, 2020

Thanks everyone still torn between MM and EMS, I have seen both overflows in person, but worried fish will get into the EMS. Friend of mine has it on a freshwater system and has problems with fish getting in.

fishstix · Apr 28, 2020

At this point, just trying to get one of the overflow builders to reply to me and sort out getting one ordered and then figure out how to get the holes drilled by the builder as the builder drills the holes before the tank is put together.