How to pick an overflow box

[FishyFish]

Hello, I'm trying to set up a 75g tank and one of the last things I need is an overflow box. I've tried researching them but I have zero plumbing experience so a lot of the information is going over my head and I could really use some advice!

I will be drilling the tank and setting up a 30g sump. I also know that one day I will want SPS in this tank so I need a lot of flow. I think that I want to go with a bean animal design because they're supposed to have more fail-safes in place than other designs. Safety is top priority over cost and noise.

Other than that, I'm kind of lost. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good overflow box?

 

[MaiReef]

https://www.marinedepot.com/Eshopps...MIrMfW25XV4QIVmI7ICh3E8AtbEAQYBSABEgIGafD_BwE

is nice and 1" already which is more than enough for a 75 gallon.

 

[reefwiser]

The ghost overflow design is perhaps one of the best and is a bean style.
https://aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com/reefing/Ghost-Overflow
The low profile and really quiet design. Makes it a popular choice.
Noise is a big issue especially if you are married. [emoji1787]

 

[JoshH]

Deleted

 

[Crabs McJones]

I agree with Eshopps, but quick question, what tank manufacturer is it?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Stay away from synergy reef.

I have an EMS box that I really like.

 

[cvrle1]

Check out Fiji Cube as well. Heard a lot of great things about their overflow boxes as well. Will be making this decision soon as well, and am in the same boat.
https://www.fijicube.com

 

[dugthefish]

+1 for EMS

 

[reefwiser]

Interesting I guess most don’t know the history of the ghost overflow.
It was developed by Reef savvy and reef Snergy. Several years ago now. They went their separate ways. An like most things in the hobby a lot of copycats started making knockoffs of the ghost overflow.
I have used about every overflow type out there since I first drilled a tank. 35 years ago from a 90 degree fitting to ghost overflows.

 

[JoshH]

Deleted

 

[dadnjesse]

Stay away from synergy reef.

I have an EMS box that I really like.

What is a EMS I'm looking into building a new tank

 

[JoshH]

Deleted

 

[Jimbo662]

+2 for Exotic Marine. Their design seems to be the best. The outer box sits a little higher thatn the other brands which helps with reducing the waterfall noise you can get. They also don't have weirs. It's several horizontal slots. With weirs they break up the water. With the open horizontal slots the water runs over it and hugs the inside wall of the box. I had a Tideline which I had to constantly mess with and had to have the water level in the outer box way too high.

 

[Even Further]

Step 1 is make 100% sure the tank you have is non tempered on the back panel. I would look at Modular Marine. They've been making the low profile overflow boxes for a long time, several years of refinement, really nice craftsmanship.

 

[dantimdad]

+1 for fijicube. Best overflow I have used and a great price as well.

 

[FishyFish]

Thanks SO MUCH everyone for your help and advice!

I'm torn between Fiji and EMS, but leaning towards EMS. I love that Fiji gives you the diamond bit to drill the holes and includes some of the PVC parts that you need for the setup. That's seriously awesome of them and overall it would end up being like $60 cheaper. EMS doesn't give you those extras, but there seems to be a lot more information available from them. They have installation videos and guides that I haven't been able to find for the Fiji box and since this is my first time setting up a sump, information is critical. The main design difference as far as I can tell is that EMS uses horizontal slots for the weir instead of the teeth that most overflows use. They have a really great video posted that explains why this is better and some of the other benefits of their system, I found it really interesting and informative. Another downside to Fiji is that they say the proper size for my tank is the 800 GPH but it's only got 2 holes so I couldn't do the bean animal setup. Again, if I were more knowledgeable I might just go with the extra size up and adjust elsewhere but for my first time I'm hoping to keep the setup as close to standard as possible.

Ghost and Modular Marine also looked like good options but aren't available right now as far as I could find. The ghost overflow is out of stock on ReefSavvy.com, the only place that I could find it, and Modular Marine isn't taking orders right now, so unfortunately that rules both of them out.

In case anyone is curious, here's a list of all the other parts that I picked out for my build. Now I just need to figure out how to make sure that my pump and overflow will have the correct flow rates and I think I'll be set.

 

[Water Dog]

Big fan of Modular Marine... quality robust acrylic construction. Whichever you choose, make sure both the internal and external boxes are at the same height. Many of the noise issues people are dealing with are a result if having the exterior box at a lower level then the internal box, resulting in the waterfall noise.

 

[reefwiser]

Does this actually stick out from the tank wall that much into the tank. The Synergy reef is flush to the tank wall and the weir is magnetic so you can remove it to clean it . The horizontal holes in The EMS will cause shrimps and small fish get into the overflow that is what the weir was developed to do. Buy what you want I just would know that their are issues with some overflow systems that you will not find out about until you install it and run it for a while.

 

[ca1ore]

Agree with Leon that perhaps the most important thing is to buy one where the internal skim and external scupper boxes are at the same level. Otherwise, should you push the boxes close to their maximum rated flow, they will be noisy. My personal preference is for the modular marine overflow. The build quality is just a tick better than the others. Skim box sits slightly more proud of the back wall because the entire thing is removable for cleaning or maintenance. EMS is good as well.

 

[dantimdad]

If you do get the fiji I can help if you have questions. Will is fantastic with customer service as well.

The inside is removeable for cleaning.