Which overflow box

[pluikens]

I'm not familiar with those terms or styles as this will be my first custom build. So essentially the third drain is an emergency backup drain?

If you're learning about overflow styles, check out http://gmacreef.com/aquarium-overflows-durso-herbie-and-bean-setups/

I referenced this site a lot when I was building my first tank and custom sump.

 

[Water Dog]

Patiently waiting :)

I just got my Kreg K4 jig and stainless steel 1-1/4” pocket screws this week! :D This will be my first cabinet build using 3/4” ply and no 2x4s!

I’m helping @ca1ore move his new 400 gallon tank this weekend and will be picking his brain as that dude has some serious carpentry skills!

 

[Radman73]

FWIW, I'm happy with my MM overflow as well.

 

[ca1ore]

They certainly make bigger units for bigger tanks. The reef synergy one is

I just got my Kreg K4 jig and stainless steel 1-1/4” pocket screws this week! :D This will be my first cabinet build using 3/4” ply and no 2x4s!

I’m helping @ca1ore move his new 400 gallon tank this weekend and will be picking his brain as that dude has some serious carpentry skills!

I thought Water Dog was probably u! I've stuck with ca1ore in all places so I remember who I am.

 

[Ben Henwood]

I love my Synergy Reef Shadow overflow. It’s worked flawless since installed back in February.

 

[Water Dog]

What’s nice about the Synergy Reef Shadow overflow is that it comes standard with the u-tubes for the exterior box.

 

[samnaz]

What’s nice about the Synergy Reef Shadow overflow is that it comes standard with the u-tubes for the exterior box.

Good point. The u-tubes take some of the guess work out of plumbing which is nice.

My overflow box had to be less than 14" long to allow space for the light fixture goose mounts. If I had enough space, I probably would have gone with the Synergy Shadow. Their detailed instructions and videos are reason enough to get one of their overflows (for me anyway, I'm an overflow newb). That said, the Modular Marine overflow seems to be of equally high quality or higher and I am very very pleased with mine.

 

[GQuinn]

Modular Marine. It feels sturdy and is well made. Mine was a custom from them and they were great to deal with.

 

[Volcmreefer]

Synergy overflow. You can't go wrong!!

 

[Travis Stewart]

Modular Marine. It feels sturdy and is well made. Mine was a custom from them and they were great to deal with.

I read that it came with a drill tool?

 

[Water Dog]

Yup, Modular Marine includes a drill template and glass drill bit.

 

[Travis Stewart]

Yup, Modular Marine includes a drill template and glass drill bit.

Well the bulkheads that connect the interior and exterior boxes are one inch and it said t included a 1.75" glass drill bit?

 

[Water Dog]

Yes... a 1-3/4” hole is the appropriate size for 1” bulkheads.

 

[Mortie31]

Do you guys, think it's better to go with a drilled overflow system like the MM one or have one built in glass onto the back of the aquarium by the tank manufacturer?

 

[mixer911]

Do you guys, think it's better to go with a drilled overflow system like the MM one or have one built in glass onto the back of the aquarium by the tank manufacturer?

Depends on how you plan on running your tank. Drilled external overflows like the Shadow are designed to be invisible inside the tank and quiet. Internal overflows take up real-estate and can be notoriously noisy.

 

[Travis Stewart]

Yes... a 1-3/4” hole is the appropriate size for 1” bulkheads.

Why wouldn't you drill 1" holes?

 

[Water Dog]

One inch denotes the standard size of 1” pvc pipe that fits into the 1” bulkhead fitting. Thus, you need to account for the outside diameter size of the 1” bulkhead fitting, which is 1-3/4”.

 

[Mortie31]

Depends on how you plan on running your tank. Drilled external overflows like the Shadow are designed to be invisible inside the tank and quiet. Internal overflows take up real-estate and can be notoriously noisy.

Thanks, I wasn't meaning an internal overflow, but an external one built by the tank manufacturer.

 

[mixer911]

Thanks, I wasn't meaning an internal overflow, but an external one built by the tank manufacturer.

Gotcha. If you have a tank builder that will build your tank with an external overflow and water jet the back wall teeth, that's the best route to go. Cost can be more for that option in most cases though. So it really depends on what fits your needs better.

 

[Greybeard]

In the interest of being low profile, easily cleanable, need to run through a wall, and dead silent, I built a hybrid overflow.

2x CustomAquarium H2Overflow units, through the glass, to a bit of 1.5" pipe, into another bulkhead, and into a custom built acrylic box drilled BeAnAnimal style. It's a bit odd, I suppose, but fulfilled my requirements perfectly :)

A local fish store guy that does acrylic work built the box for me out of black acrylic. Worked out very well, and the price was right. The H2Overflows were not cheap, but they too worked out real well.

And the back of this, in a closet behind the tank...