Synergy Shadow Overflow Poll

[TARHEEL78]

Not to derail the thread, but since it does pertain to the OP's tank builder, I'll add one more thing. Regarding your comment, in this case Custom Aquarium had multiple issues with MM overflows not working correctly so they discontinued drilling for them. As I said, I could likely have just told Custom Aquarium to drill right where I needed the holes for MM, but when I provided the MM template they said what they did.

I don't see how that changes anything. If I want something built a certain way and the builder refuses to build it that way I'll find a builder that will.

 

[VSVP bet]

Never used a synergy, but my big tank uses a modular marine and I have been very happy with it.

+1 on modular marine, highly recommend.

 

[TaylorPilot]

I don't see how that changes anything. If I want something built a certain way and the builder refuses to build it that way I'll find a builder that will.

I have actually had issues with this. Getting custom builders who haven't used ours to drill holes for it. Eventually stopped fighting them and made the 20" and 32" with 1" drains are direct drop in replacements for the Synergy. The thru tank holes match up perfectly, and the very top of our internal boxes match up when put in the same holes. We have installed quiet a few of them on tanks that ran Synergy boxes. The external box sits higher, but that is one of the primary design functions that allow it to run quiet. It uses spacers so it sits a small distance away from the tank and clears the trim. I have heard good things about Modular Marine, but if they will only drill for a Synergy, we offer another solution.

I understand where the builders are coming from. You tell them you want to drill holes for a product they don't sell, then either the customer gave you the wrong dimensions or the other manufacturer changed their design so not it doesn't fit that tank they just built. Technically they didn't do anything wrong, but they still have an upset customer looking to them for a solution to a problem they didn't cause.

 

[ca1ore]

FWIW, when I was having my big tank made, the builder asked me to send them the internal skim box from my oveflow so that they go the through holes in exactly the right place.

 

[TaylorPilot]

FWIW, when I was having my big tank made, the builder asked me to send them the internal skim box from my oveflow so that they go the through holes in exactly the right place.

I have seen it both ways. I have actually mailed physical templates to the manufacturers before and they refused to use them because they wanted a CAD drawing. I imagine they are CNC cutting the panels and if they had to remeasure off the template, there would be room for error.

 

[ca1ore]

Ah, interesting. Makes sense though.

 

[Medic58]

I have the synergy overflow is a nice piece of equipment I like it because it’s one molded piece it’s a easy to set up and run. It comes with a drill template so you will know exactly where to drill. It’s super quiet and the price was right. I find that some people handle them too aggressive and crack it and in that case you think it’s not worth it or will have to replace it but once it’s in place it’s golden

 

[TARHEEL78]

I have seen it both ways. I have actually mailed physical templates to the manufacturers before and they refused to use them because they wanted a CAD drawing. I imagine they are CNC cutting the panels and if they had to remeasure off the template, there would be room for error.

If you need a cad drawing for something simple like that shoot me a PM. I get bored at work sometimes. ;)

 

[TaylorPilot]

If you need a cad drawing for something simple like that shoot me a PM. I get bored at work sometimes. ;)

I appreciate that, but that is kind of my day job. I have own half of a company that does 3D scanning, reverse engineering, 3D inspection, etc....I pretty much draw out all these kits in Solidworks. I plan on making injection molds for these overflows eventually. I have a guy who has his masters in plastics manufacturing that does work for me who is helping me model it all out right now. There is A LOT that goes into building good models for injection molding. All the draft angles, shrinkage, part thickness, etc.

I do a lot of custom orders for these overflows to fit existing holes already drilled. I usually have them measure out the holes, then I ship them a template to make sure it all lines up right, then I build the box using those measurements. I am crazy, because I typically only charge $20 over standard for the custom ones, and I ship them the template, so that chews up $11 of that $20. Just today I shipped one that offset the rear box 2 1/8" to the right but kept the interior box centered to clear a stud in his wall. Didn't charge him a penny more. My wife calls this my very expensive, very time consuming non-money making hobby....LOL

 

[User]

I appreciate that, but that is kind of my day job. I have own half of a company that does 3D scanning, reverse engineering, 3D inspection, etc....I pretty much draw out all these kits in Solidworks. I plan on making injection molds for these overflows eventually. I have a guy who has his masters in plastics manufacturing that does work for me who is helping me model it all out right now. There is A LOT that goes into building good models for injection molding. All the draft angles, shrinkage, part thickness, etc.

I do a lot of custom orders for these overflows to fit existing holes already drilled. I usually have them measure out the holes, then I ship them a template to make sure it all lines up right, then I build the box using those measurements. I am crazy, because I typically only charge $20 over standard for the custom ones, and I ship them the template, so that chews up $11 of that $20. Just today I shipped one that offset the rear box 2 1/8" to the right but kept the interior box centered to clear a stud in his wall. Didn't charge him a penny more. My wife calls this my very expensive, very time consuming non-money making hobby....LOL

That overflow offset sounds stupid. Why on earth did he do that?

 

[TARHEEL78]

That overflow offset sounds stupid. Why on earth did he do that?

I'm going to go with "to clear a stud in his wall". :D

 

[TaylorPilot]

I was typing out this long message until I figured out it was you....long story short, it is usually about a woman....

 

[TaylorPilot]

I'm going to go with "to clear a stud in his wall". :D

It was for him! LOL

 

[User]

I was typing out this long message until I figured out it was you....long story short, it is usually about a woman....

HA!! Ain’t that the truth, lol!!

 

[User]

I'm going to go with "to clear a stud in his wall". :D

Lol, it’s to clear a stud in MY wall.

 

[TARHEEL78]

Lol, it’s to clear a stud in MY wall.

Yup, I saw that. You are a sneaky one. lol

 

[Tuffloud1]

My tank is currently being built by Custom Aquariums and they told me they wouldn't drill for the MM overflow. I originally requested that one. I defaulted to the Synergy so hopefully that all works out. I'll be running dual 16" units.

I suppose technically I could have just told Custom Aquarium where to drill the holes and went ahead and gone with Modular Marine, but I decided against doing that. Besides, my LFS is getting me the Synergy overflows on the cheap.

What size tank did you go with?

My tank will be 72x28x30.

I told Custom Aquariums that I absolutely don’t want a Synergy overflow because of all the negative reviews.

Did you forward Custom Aquarium’s aluminum frame specs to Modular Marine? Were they working on modifying their overflow to work with CA’s tanks?

This is what I did and MA has no issue at all making it work with CA’s tanks.

CA pushed back a little when I mentioned MA, but after explaining all the negative feedback on the Synergy, they had no problem drilling for the MA.

Not sure where the dilemma is coming from.

 

[Higher Thinking]

I told Custom Aquariums that I absolutely don’t want a Synergy overflow because of all the negative reviews.

Did you forward Custom Aquarium’s aluminum frame specs to Modular Marine? Were they working on modifying their overflow to work with their tanks?

This is what I did and MA has no issue at all making it work with CA’s tanks.

CA pushed back a little when I mentioned MA, but after explaining all the negative feedback on the Synergy, they had no problem drilling for the MA.

Not sure where the dilemma is coming from.

Yeah, CA was arguing that the rim doesn't exactly work for the MM overflow. Even though MM told me it would. I think I just didn't fight hard enough. Nothing to do now. Tank is on the 8 week mark so should be done any day now.

 

[IvanW]

I have the Synergy on my tank for the past 3 years (pre molded version) it is very quiet and have no issues that were related to the product. I had found that it was dripping at times, took me a while to figure it out, I sometimes use filter socks and if you forget to change them out or get lazy it was causing back pressure which caused the dripping.

 

[GlassMunky]

I appreciate that, but that is kind of my day job. I have own half of a company that does 3D scanning, reverse engineering, 3D inspection, etc....I pretty much draw out all these kits in Solidworks. I plan on making injection molds for these overflows eventually. I have a guy who has his masters in plastics manufacturing that does work for me who is helping me model it all out right now. There is A LOT that goes into building good models for injection molding. All the draft angles, shrinkage, part thickness, etc.

I do a lot of custom orders for these overflows to fit existing holes already drilled. I usually have them measure out the holes, then I ship them a template to make sure it all lines up right, then I build the box using those measurements. I am crazy, because I typically only charge $20 over standard for the custom ones, and I ship them the template, so that chews up $11 of that $20. Just today I shipped one that offset the rear box 2 1/8" to the right but kept the interior box centered to clear a stud in his wall. Didn't charge him a penny more. My wife calls this my very expensive, very time consuming non-money making hobby....LOL

thats called EXCELLENT customer service.....