Which overflow...?

[Deiblerj]

I’ve decided to make the decision to finally drill my tank. It’s going to be a long process since my tank is currently filled so for now I am stockpiling all the equipment and trying to get everything prepared so it’s a quick (and hopefully easy) process that should only take me a day or two.

I’ve been looking at different overflow boxes and have it down to two I am interested in and that seem to be popular amongst reefers

I want hoping to get some user feedback and suggestions from everyone.

Looking at...

Modular marine and the syngergy reef shadow overflow.

Anyone use either of these and have some feedback to share?

I will also be documenting my rebuild once I get started!

Thanks!!

 

[miPapareef]

I am using the 16” shadow for about 20 months and I like it. It was noisier than I liked at the recommended drain heights. This comes from the inside and outside boxes being at different heights which makes a low working level of the water in the overflow box which makes a 1.5 to 2 inch water fall across the weir. I had to increase the length of the secondary and emergency drain tubes to raise that working water level. I had to do some experiments to get high enough for low noise and low enough not to overflow.

 

[Deiblerj]

Thanks for your comments.

To add to my original post I have a 40 breeder and will be using a 20 long for my sump

 

[ca1ore]

I've not used synergy, but have been quite satisfied with my MM. I went with MM primarily because they make larger models and my tank is huge. I also prefer the ones that have the inside and outside boxes at the same level.

 

[Deiblerj]

I've not used synergy, but have been quite satisfied with my MM. I went with MM primarily because they make larger models and my tank is huge. I also prefer the ones that have the inside and outside boxes at the same level.

This might be my inexperience but what do you mean boxes at same level? I thought the inner part and outer part were connected through the drill hole. Some line up differently?

 

[ca1ore]

This might be my inexperience but what do you mean boxes at same level? I thought the inner part and outer part were connected through the drill hole. Some line up differently?

Some of these ghost-style overflow boxes have the top rim of the external box below the top rim of the internal skim box. I prefer those where the top rims are at the same level as I find them easier to quieten. Some will say that having the rear box dropped down a bit improves the draining capability; however, I have not found that to be the case (and find the logic questionable anyhow). Just my preference of course.

 

[Deiblerj]

Ah, got it. Thank you!

So now I have two reply’s, one for each haha!

 

[ca1ore]

I think THE answer is that they are both fine and work in almost the exact same way. As I always say to my kids, if you cannot decide between two options it doesn't matter which you pick.

 

[Deiblerj]

I think THE answer is that they are both fine and work in almost the exact same way. As I always say to my kids, if you cannot decide between two options it doesn't matter which you pick.

That’s a good point. I tend to research, research, research, and do more research until I almost drive myself crazy! Both are some of the best out there so you’re right, I don’t think I can go wrong.

 

[ReeferBean]

Does the modular marine use bulkheads to attach the internal and external boxes? The synergy shadow is molded and passes through the tank, there is no bulkhead. So one less place to have a leak. I have two plumbed together and they work great.

 

[ca1ore]

Does the modular marine use bulkheads to attach the internal and external boxes? The synergy shadow is molded and passes through the tank, there is no bulkhead. So one less place to have a leak. I have two plumbed together and they work great.

Does it, that's sort of cool; though I would argue that the only critical place on any of these is the bulkhead between the external box and the back of the tank. I do like the fact that it doesn't need bulkheads from the external box though. The MM uses standard bulkheads both through the tank wall and out the bottom of the external box for the drains. I probably would have gone with synergy if they had been willing to modify it for me.

 

[Deiblerj]

Does the modular marine use bulkheads to attach the internal and external boxes? The synergy shadow is molded and passes through the tank, there is no bulkhead. So one less place to have a leak. I have two plumbed together and they work great.

This is interesting to note...
Thank you for sharing!

 

[ReeferBean]

Does it, that's sort of cool; though I would argue that the only critical place on any of these is the bulkhead between the external box and the back of the tank. I do like the fact that it doesn't need bulkheads from the external box though. The MM uses standard bulkheads both through the tank wall and out the bottom of the external box for the drains. I probably would have gone with synergy if they had been willing to modify it for me.

The interior box is a single molded design (sorry had to look it up and not very good at explaining it) so it passes through the holes in your glass. All it has is a couple of rubber gaskets and a threaded ring that you screw on inside the external overflow box. The external box also has the drain connections molded into the box, so all you do is glue some 1.5 inch pipe and that's it.

I've never used one of these overflows before so can't really comment on comparing the two. Just my observations really on the Synergy. I've had the tank wet since February. So far so good.

 

[Deiblerj]

The interior box is a single molded design (sorry had to look it up and not very good at explaining it) so it passes through the holes in your glass. All it has is a couple of rubber gaskets and a threaded ring that you screw on inside the external overflow box. The external box also has the drain connections molded into the box, so all you do is glue some 1.5 inch pipe and that's it.

I've never used one of these overflows before so can't really comment on comparing the two. Just my observations really on the Synergy. I've had the tank wet since February. So far so good.

Thanks!

 

[Deiblerj]

Any other thoughts??