Which External overflow box to use?

[Staghorn]

Thinking about drilling my tank to add an external overflow box. I’ve seen allot of bad reviews online. Which product have you had success with? Or failure. Please let me know so I can figure out how to move forward.

 

[KStatefan]

Modular Marine seems to be very popular and I do not remember a negative review about the product.

 

[Staghorn]

I will check it out. I really like the custom aquariums stealth box. Any feedback on this one?

 

[piranhaman00]

I will check it out. I really like the custom aquariums stealth box. Any feedback on this one?

I have one. I do not like the screen they use, it clogs easily and thus raises the tank water level. I removed it so Its just a pipe sticking into tank. Doesnt look too bad.

I will be getting another custom aquariums tank in the future because they are awesome tanks, but I will not be using their overflows anymore.

 

[Staghorn]

I have one. I do not like the screen they use, it clogs easily and thus raises the tank water level. I removed it so Its just a pipe sticking into tank. Doesnt look too bad.

I will be getting another custom aquariums tank in the future because they are awesome tanks, but I will not be using their overflows anymore.

Good to know.

 

[Staghorn]

Is anyone using the modular marine overflow box?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

For what size tank/flow?

 

[ca1ore]

Is anyone using the modular marine overflow box?

I have the 36" MM on my big tank ..... works really well. Only issue is availability. Using the eschops (sp?) M on my QT tank. Would not recommend it on a display. Although I have not personally used one, the fiji cube lopro overflows look good.

 

[Staghorn]

120gallon 48x24

 

[piranhaman00]

The eclispse overflows are awesome.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

The eclispse overflows are awesome.

Agreed. I run these on every tank.

 

[lpsouth1978]

I have used the Eclipse, Fiji Cube, and EMS overflows. Of the 3, I highly recommend the EMS (Exotic Marine Systems) overflow. It is the easiest to tune, quietest, and best made, IMO. Only issue, is having to wait a bit, since they are built on a much smaller scale.

I would NOT recommend the Eclipse. They work, but are by far the loudest of them. The external box is too low, making it nearly impossible to get it silent unless using EXTREMELY low flow. The Fiji Cube does not have this problem as the external box sits much higher.

 

[piranhaman00]

I have used the Eclipse, Fiji Cube, and EMS overflows. Of the 3, I highly recommend the EMS (Exotic Marine Systems) overflow. It is the easiest to tune, quietest, and best made, IMO. Only issue, is having to wait a bit, since they are built on a much smaller scale.

I would NOT recommend the Eclipse. They work, but are by far the loudest of them. The external box is too low, making it nearly impossible to get it silent unless using EXTREMELY low flow. The Fiji Cube does not have this problem as the external box sits much higher.

Nearly is the key word. Takes some work but mine is dead silent.

 

[Smarkow]

I’ve used the synergy reef ghost and shadow overflows. Love then

Overflow – Synergy Reef Systems

synergyreef.com

 

[reeferKen]

reefsavvy sure has a great reputation

 

[lpsouth1978]

Nearly is the key word. Takes some work but mine is dead silent.

But, if there are other options that are easier to tune, silent (without difficulty), and roughly the same cost, why get one that is "nearly" impossible to get quiet? IMO, I would save myself the trouble and get one that just works!

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Nearly is the key word. Takes some work but mine is dead silent.

Same.

 

[KStatefan]

reefsavvy sure has a great reputation

Only available with a tank now

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I built my own glass overflow on my 220G. It's been working flawless for 3 years. I would do it again, with a slightly smaller box on the outside.

 

[Water Dog]

Something to consider is that as external overflow set ups have evolved over the last few years... some designs are undoubtedly better than others.

Something to look for is a setup where the external box is not set lower than the internal weir box. This gives you more flexibility on the higher end of flow rates while running silently. With the lower external box, you will get a loud waterfall noise because of the lower external box height and be forced to reduce your flow rate to quiet the splashing waterfall noise.

Modular Marine and Exotic Marine Systems have their external and internal boxes set at the same height. Of the mass produced models, Fiji Cube‘s external box is slightly lower, but not drastically lower like the Eshopps and Synergy designs.

Exotic Marine Systems has a horizontal slit running the length of their skim box whigh provides for superior surface skimming. Though with this design feature, I have read reports where small fish and inverts have been sucked through the weir.

If you’re running a rimmed tank, just know that the Eshopps Eclipse set ups have very deep cut weir teeth. Because of this, the waterline will not be hidden beneath the trim of the tank.

I‘m a Modular Marine guy and run the 12” 1200gph box in my 57 gallon rimless tank. Notice the external box height is even with the internal skim box. Another nice touch that MM offers is the fully detachable internal weir box for ease of cleaning.