Eshopps Eclipse M or the new Prodigy M or L for my new 75g ?

[Ruben's Reef]

Ok, I talk about this on the Morning lounge but would like to get your opinion. I's getting a new 75g tank this weekend and I will use a Eshopps overflow box ( Been using one for two years). I know the Prodigy is new on the market now but the price is kind of high for the small difference with the Eclipse. I have the S model on my 40g that is rated up to 75g (600gph) but my idea was to get the Eclipse M rated for up to 100g. Now the Prodigy came out and looks nice and a little more slim but the price difference is pretty big, $109 for the Eclipse M versus $160 for the Prodigy M or the L for $180. I'm open for opinion or suggestions...

 

[tsouth]

Ask yourself "Is the value of a more quiet overflow that includes a lid, a redesigned rear chamber, as well as a pop of color that is rarely going to be seen worth the extra costs?" I personally would. The front fascia grill is removable, there is a lid for the inside box, the rear box is newly designed and probably does a better job at reducing salt creep around the lids. I currently have an eclipse and would've gone with the prodigy if it was released sooner. The costs of laboring these items yourself or trying to get them custom made is worth the extra 50ish.

 

[Peace River]

I encourage you to pay more attention to the flow rate (e.g., 800, 1200, etc.) rating for the overflow box instead of the aquarium size rating. I installed a Eshopps Eclipse L on my 75g and I’m glad I did because of the flexibility with turn over. The L does have two holes through the glass whereas the M has one.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I encourage you to pay more attention to the flow rate (e.g., 800, 1200, etc.) rating for the overflow box instead of the aquarium size rating. I installed a Eshopps Eclipse L on my 75g and I’m glad I did because of the flexibility with turn over. The L does have two holes through the glass whereas the M has one.

Good point on the flow rate. I scare a little about drilling the two holes. I drilled the 40g but was only one hole.

 

[Peace River]

Good point on the flow rate. I scare a little about drilling the two holes. I drilled the 40g but was only one hole.

I have found that for many people the choice between the M and L is often based more on the number of holes to drill than any of the specification of the overflow box. Because I learned how to drill glass on 10g tanks, drilling the 75g was comparatively easy because of the thicker glass. Being a little scared is a good thing because it keeps you focused and not overconfident!

 

[WVNed]

Size the overflow to how much you want to put through it. My eclipse M handles my Sicce 3.0 fine. I had a 5.0 on it briefly but it was too big for the 1 inch drains.

 

[Peace River]

Size the overflow to how much you want to put through it. My eclipse M handles my Sicce 3.0 fine. I had a 5.0 on it briefly but it was too big for the 1 inch drains.

+1.

The return pump that I am using on the 75g is rated slightly larger than a Sicce 5.0 and the Eclipse L has volume to spare with the return pump wide open. I’m not suggesting that you need to go that large - just trying to give a sense of the volume that the L can handle.

 

[Reefer40b]

Also with the 3 pipes version you can do the bean animal style overflow.

 

[ca1ore]

Amazing to me that overflow manufacturers haven’t yet worked out that a dropped down external box is NOT a good design. Comical.

 

[WVNed]

I just see a piece of Nori plastered over the tiny holes in the Prodigy.

 

[Water Dog]

As @ca1ore alluded to above, I find that ghost style overflow boxes, where the external box is lower than the internal weir box, to be unnecessarily noisey due to the extra distance the water has to drop from the weir teeth. I prefer the design of the Modular Marine overflow boxes where the weir box and external box are even, thus giving you more adjustability with your standpipes allowing you more flexibility to make it quiet based on a broader range of flow options. I run their 1200 gph box on my 57 gallon. For your 75 gallon, I’d go with their 1600 gph box.

1600 gph LOW PROFILE Overflow Box with REMOVABLE WEIR

BRAND NEW SUPERIOR DESIGN! MODULAR MARINE'S 1600 gph LOW PROFILE OVERFLOW BOX Features:- 1600+ GPH capability - Entire skimmer box pulls off for easy cleaning! - Slimmest and shortest skimmer box on the market! - This design keeps water line hidden behind trim - Works with rimless, eurobrace...

modularmarine.com

 

[W1ngz]

I wonder if the hole template on the Prodigy is the same as the Eclipse.

Either way, I would avoid the eshopps overflows. They work, but my eclipse has been wet for 8 months and started bowing in the back after about 4. Even the top is starting to curl. 1/4in acrylic shouldn't do that, and it's been a common complaint I've seen from people who have them.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

As @ca1ore alluded to above, I find that ghost style overflow boxes, where the external box is lower than the internal weir box, to be unnecessarily noisey due to the extra distance the water has to drop from the weir teeth. I prefer the design of the Modular Marine overflow boxes where the weir box and external box are even, thus giving you more adjustability with your standpipes allowing you more flexibility to make it quiet based on a broader range of flow options. I run their 1200 gph box on my 57 gallon. For your 75 gallon, I’d go with their 1600 gph box.

1600 gph LOW PROFILE Overflow Box with REMOVABLE WEIR

BRAND NEW SUPERIOR DESIGN! MODULAR MARINE'S 1600 gph LOW PROFILE OVERFLOW BOX Features:- 1600+ GPH capability - Entire skimmer box pulls off for easy cleaning! - Slimmest and shortest skimmer box on the market! - This design keeps water line hidden behind trim - Works with rimless, eurobrace...

modularmarine.com

Interesting option. Thanks

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I wonder if the hole template on the Prodigy is the same as the Eclipse.

Either way, I would avoid the eshopps overflows. They work, but my eclipse has been wet for 8 months and started bowing in the back after about 4. Even the top is starting to curl. 1/4in acrylic shouldn't do that, and it's been a common complaint I've seen from people who have them.

I have mine running over two years and no problem at all.

 

[Water Dog]

I have mine running over two years and no problem at all.

I think that because you’ve been running the S (small) model. The bowing issue seems to be more common with the L (large) model.

 

[W1ngz]

I have mine running over two years and no problem at all.

They must have changed acrylic supplier in the mean time or changed the manufacturing process.
edit: I hadn't noticed you have the S. Less potential for bowing.

 

[Water Dog]

If you look at the more reputable overflow box builders like Modular Marine, Exotic Marine Systems or Reef Savvy, their larger acrylic overflow boxes are either eurobraced or have cross supports to prevent their external boxes from bowing.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

If you look at the more reputable overflow box builders like Modular Marine, Exotic Marine Systems or Reef Savvy, their larger acrylic overflow boxes are either eurobraced or have cross supports to prevent their external boxes from bowing.

I saw that. I just did a search on MM overflow box and I really like it but with shipping $32 pass the $200. Still debating...

 

[W1ngz]

If you look at the more reputable overflow box builders like Modular Marine, Exotic Marine Systems or Reef Savvy, their larger acrylic overflow boxes are either eurobraced or have cross supports to prevent their external boxes from bowing.

Digging into it it looks like the prodigy has something of a eurobrace frame to support the lid.

 

[WvAquatics]

I'm happy to see this debate on here. I am looking for an overflow box. I was set on eclipse L for my 120g. Then seen prodigy and like it alot. But I'm honestly much closer to buying the 1800gph modular marine. Just hate that the shipping is 32$. Amazon has the modular marine for 199$ free shipping. I mean the 48" modular marine woul be nice but not 400$ nice.