External Overflow Options 2024

[Razorbacks]

I don't really have a question, just putting this out for other people's benefit. I've been doing my homework looking for an external ghost overflow for a new system. I can offer no opinion on quality as I have not owned any of them. This is just a reference guide if you're looking for something in the 800gph range. I found this to be a somewhat frustrating product to shop for because many of the options on the market are only sold through their own website or limited other outlets which makes them hard to find. This also means they don't have a ton of customer reviews.

I initially was leaning towards ESHOPPS largely due to it's broader availability and large amount of positive reviews. However, I'm now most likely going to go with Modular Marine. It seems to have better features at the same price point.

If you feel like I missed a major player let me know!

Brand	Price	Max Flow	Comment
Modular Marine	$150​	800​	Will also make custom boxes
Tideline 10" Overflow	$150​	800​	I was told Planet Aquarium uses them for external
Fiji Cube	$155​	800​	Second most widely available
ESHOPPS Eclipse M	$150​	800​	Seems to be the most widely carried/distributed, but not sure the internal weir is removable like many others
Synergy Shadow Overflow	$225​	2,500​	Only sells the one model. Hole saw and removable weir cost extra (others have standard).
Exotic Marine Systems	$200​	1,200 GPH	Cheapest model on site. Website has said "not taking any orders" for months. Nothing instock.

 

[Razorbacks]

Well shoot, now I learn that the smallest modular marine boxes only have 1/2 drains by default though he can custom make one with 3/4 inch. He can't do a full 1 inch drain unless you get the third largest size. Most of the competitors have 1 inch drains. On top of this MM shipping charge is $32 which changes the value equation.

Since I'm pretty set on only drilling one hole I'm probably gonna have to go with a different brand that offers 1 inch drains on a unit that only requires one hole.

Reading more I'm also starting to see removable weirs as more of a potential failure point (leak during power outage into sump and flood it) vs a convenience.

Back to the drawing board on picking one.

 

[~MD~Reefs~]

I love my Modular Marine Plus. Would highly recommend. Their customer service is also great. If you’re already drilling one hole, it’s not that much more work to do another. It was my first time drilling anything. I didn’t even own a drill I had to go buy one lol. Just go slow.

 

[nickng]

the eshopps eclipse M weir+ weir box is not removable. The top is open so is easy to use a brush to clean it.

 

[Martingale]

EMS still seems to not be taking orders. I have been wanting to do a custom one with them but I’ll stick with modular marine then.

I’ve had a eshopps, modular marine, and a Tideline overflow. I’ve tried each brand in that order, actually.

Eshopps worked fine but the acrylic outer box would bow outwards a lot from the water and you could tell it wasn’t the highest quality in terms of construction. I think the bulkhead were also a little weird, too. I generally think it was quiet enough and did seem to do its job. I wouldn’t really say go with this if you have options.

The modular marine was great. Very quiet, great quality, sturdy. They are basically what I expect in terms of quality with ordering an overflow.

The planet Tideline came pre drilled on a custom eurobrace planet aquarium tank. I cannot make this thing stop trickling. Adjusting the inner drain pipes, adjusting flow or water height, nothing. The boxes are different heights and I think this helps amplify the waterfall trickle that can occur. I’ve decided to remove this from my tank and just have a custom modular marine one made instead.

 

[Razorbacks]

I went with the Fiji Cube. I was blown away by the quality when it arrived. It also includes all the extras many others charged more for (drill bit, removable weir, bulkheads, etc.)

I bought the 800 which is "rated" for up to 80 gallons but I'm running it on my 120. 800gph would be 6.6x on a tank my size. I don't want anywhere near that much turnover so I'm running it well under that. I also didn't want to drill 2 holes or run 3 drain lines and it checked those boxes too.

 

[Martingale]

I went with the Fiji Cube. I was blown away by the quality when it arrived. It also includes all the extras many others charged more for (drill bit, removable weir, bulkheads, etc.)

I bought the 800 which is "rated" for up to 80 gallons but I'm running it on my 120. 800gph would be 6.6x on a tank my size. I don't want anywhere near that much turnover so I'm running it well under that. I also didn't want to drill 2 holes or run 3 drain lines and it checked those boxes too.

I think modular includes all of those extras too, except for maybe the drill bit itself.

Also, if the inside and outside boxes are the same height you shouldn’t have to ever worry about the removable weir (or inside bulkhead threads, if you only put the gasket on the outside and not the inside too) from slowly overflowing your tank when the power is out. I think if you put a gasket in between the inside box and the inside glass and then also between the outside glass and the outside box that should also keep the inside box from slowly “leaking” water to the rear box and overflowing it.

I think any design with a rim or crossbrace on the outer overflow box is better than those without it. The bowing is really unsettling and it becomes permanently bowed outwards over time, at least it did with my eshopps.

 

[fishyjoes]

I also didn't want to drill 2 holes or run 3 drain lines and it checked those boxes too.

I have the fiji cube too and this is one of the reasons why I chose it over others.
I have a 20 gallon tank and went with the 600 gph overflow so I have tons of extra capacity (which just means I don't worry about algae or snails clogging up the weir and causing an overflow)