Hey yall, I was wondering if you would recommend an internal overflow box or an external one? When I say about external I mean ones like modular marine, syngeryreef, and eshopps with the pvc plumbing in a box behind the tank. Let me know your thoughts!
Internal or external overflow box?
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ca1ore
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If you have, or can make, the space behind the tank the ghost-style overflows are vastly better. You get all that space back inside your tank, barely notice the internal skim box and can easily modify drain options without draining the tank. No brainer!
OceanBlue808
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Which overflows are considered ghost style?
JoshH
Tank Status: Wet...ish, growing things....
These are the external ones you mentioned in your original post. The "Ghost Overflow" term is often misused as Reef Savvys Ghost overflows were one of the original designs of this particular overflow. The actual Ghost overflow can only be purchased now if you are having a tank built by Reef Savvy or Miracles Aquariums. They do not sell them on there own anymore. Synergy Systems Shadow overflow, Exotic Marine Systems, Fiji Cube, Eshopps and Modular Marine are the more popular external overflows today.
ca1ore
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Correct. I use the term ghost-style to describe any overflow that uses an internal low profile skim box and a larger external scupper box. The reef savvy ghost was the first commercial aftermarket unit that I recall, though there are now many based on the same basic design. Coast to coast have been using a similar approach in their tanks for many years.
U
User1
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Much has already been said but the main take away is space. Inside and out. External means the box is outside the tank. Usually not a huge deal but it would depend on how close you need the back wall of the tank to the the wall of the location. Also depends on the style of the tank or overflow location.
If you have an internal then the space is lost or used inside the tank but you still need to have room for plumbing. There are a few tricks to not lose as much space inside the tank when building the overflow box but on my upgrade I went with external.
If you have an internal then the space is lost or used inside the tank but you still need to have room for plumbing. There are a few tricks to not lose as much space inside the tank when building the overflow box but on my upgrade I went with external.
mfinn
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I have a external overflow box with bean animal style plumbing on my 233.
I absolutely love it.
When I set up a 75 gallon tank for a coral holding tank, I bought the eshopps L overflow kit and it worked great.
Although the pattern the give you sets the inside box a little low.
I absolutely love it.
When I set up a 75 gallon tank for a coral holding tank, I bought the eshopps L overflow kit and it worked great.
Although the pattern the give you sets the inside box a little low.
stanleo
Valuable Member
This is what I have on my 120 gallon not drilled tank. Works really well.
www.saltwateraquarium.com
PF-1800 Dual Overflow Box - Eshopps
Free Shipping on Everything, Rewards, Free Swag, Price Matching & Free Returns.
www.saltwateraquarium.com
mfinn
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Looks to be very similar to the eshopps kit.
But one thing I noticed about it when I looked at it, in the description it mentions a single 1-1/2" bulkhead ( and three 1" bulkheads for the outside box). But the picture shows 2 holes in the box.
I would email or call them and ask about this.
Or maybe I'm missing something?
Whatever doesn’t make me risk my entire tank by drilling, so external for me with lifter is my only option. I do like the external to save interior space.
