150 gallon build thread...avoid my mistakes

[Galantra]

Just posting a couple of pics of the setup as it currently sits. I'm waiting on my new overflow from Exotic Marines and my light rack from 80/20. I decided to replace the synergy overflow that came with the tank. It was quite loud with the amount of water I'm moving through the system. The noise is coming from the skimmer box inside the tank. I messed around with it when I was water testing the system. Installing a strip of enkamat behind the weir helped with the noise but that's another thing to maintain I don't want to deal with. The other option was to drastically reduce the flow rate of my return pump...not happening. Maybe it's operator error IDK. I have some opinions on the issue...PM me if you want more info. Hopefully I can get this thing fully operational in the next 2-3 weeks.

I still have to paint the panels...just waiting for warmer weather.

80/20 light rack design

Unsure why images are not showing


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[DivingTheWorld]

I was told by Taylor of Exotic Marines that the bulk head placement/position matches the Synergy unit. The only difference is the thickness of the external box. With that said, it will not be a direct plug and play replacement. He told me that a small modification to adjust for the thickness of the box will be required. I'm hoping I can just loosen up the unions going into my sump and adjust for the difference...keeping my fingers crossed. I ordered my overflow 2 weeks ago. I'm hoping I'll get it within the next couple of weeks. I'll PM you more info when I get it installed. Give the enkamat a try in the meantime. It really does help with softening up the water falling sound into the external box. Let me know if you need a piece...I got you.

There are lots of threads on leaking, loud or even cracked Synergy overflows. I think you made a good decision swapping it out before you got too far into your build.

 

[nanoguy]

Plumbing looks done very well with a lot of thought in mind.

Will return pump be enough?


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I'm running an eFlux 6011 rated at 3170 gph. I'm not getting anything close to that with all the elbows but it's still moving a lot of water through the system.

 

[nanoguy]

Are all the images not showing up or just the most recent pic posts?

 

[nanoguy]

I can see all of them on my end.

 

[nanoguy]

There are lots of threads on leaking, loud or even cracked Synergy overflows. I think you made a good decision swapping it out before you got too far into your build.

I think you're right. I didn't know about the complaints people had with it. I don't want to bash the product as I'm sure some of the issues may be attributed to user error...very possibly with me too haha. I tried my best to resolve the issue over 4 days and just gave up. It just doesn't like me...lol.

 

[africangrey]

all the images on the 2nd page are not available, the 1st page is ok.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

The good news is there are companies who'll make much better overflows that are designed to fit the Synergy drill pattern (sounds like you found one). I think they got a lot of business due to Synergy failures, lol. The even better news is that your tank was drilled for an external overflow. That is the only way to go nowadays and I sure wish my LeeMar was drilled for one!

Build is looking great by the way.


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[nanoguy]

oh ok...let me try to post the pics again. By the way, if anyone is interested in the program I used for the 80/20 design here's the link https://www.framexpert.com/
Pretty nifty program. It will give you a build list with final break down of parts and pricing. Let me know if the pics are still not showing up.

Still have to paint the panels...waiting for warmer weather

80/20 Light Rack Design

 

[nanoguy]

The good news is there are companies who'll make much better overflows that are designed to fit the Synergy drill pattern (sounds like you found one). I think they got a lot of business due to Synergy failures, lol. The even better news is that your tank was drilled for an external overflow. That is the only way to go nowadays and I sure wish my LeeMar was drilled for one!

Build is looking great by the way.


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Thanks DTW. Maybe someone will find these wire clips useful. I picked them up on amazon to get the Vortech cable off the viewing portion of the glass. It's rated to fit wires up to 7.5mm...the Vortech cable is a little over that...7.7mm is what I measured. It's low profile and sleek. I like them a lot better then those square ones with the zip ties. Just be careful when stuffing the cable in clip...the tab can break. It came with some adhesive tape that is complete garbage...doubt it's a real 3m product. I used "real" 3m automotive double sided tape I had laying around...good stuff. Just clean the clip and surface with some rubbing alcohol before applying. These mold injected products tend to have a mold release film on it...you want to get it off before applying the tape.

 

[nanoguy]

 

[juano908]

Very nice, I got the same, I don't like the square ones.

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[dochou]

any updates?

 

[nanoguy]

Nothing too exciting Doc. I just got my overflow replacement this last week from exotic marines and mounted it over the weekend. It's a pretty nice unit and it installed with relative ease thanks to the unions I had in place. I just purchased 3 new unions, used the half I couldn't remove from my old overflow, and added a short pvc to connect it. Currently, I'm working on my controller cabinet. I was looking into one of those pre-made controller boards...too pricey for what it is IMO. I also considered an Ikea cabinet "hack" but decide to go an entire different route. I picked up a computer server cabinet and installed it on the garage side directly behind the tank. It's a very functional unit for it's intended use. I really dig the side access the cabinet offers. I'm trying to figure out how to install the mounting board for all the electronics right now. I can technically start filling up my tank and start the cycling process, but I'm going to wait until my 80/20 light mount comes in...been over a month since I placed my order. It will be much easier to mount onto my ceiling without the tank in the way.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Looks great!

 

[africangrey]

Looks like the spacing for the 3 down pipes lineup perfectly to the one from Shadow Overflow. Can you take a picture of the inner box, the ones I saw has slot large enough so the fish can easily skim through.

 

[africangrey]

Take a look the custom control board this guy made before his CDA split wide open at the seam that flooded the electronics and the whole house.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM2LBe3l9RA&t=573s

 

[nanoguy]

Thanks DTW! Africangrey, yes the pipes coming out of the external box lines up perfectly. I tried taking a pic of the skimmer box but the lighting in the room along with my black background makes the openings difficult to see. I took a measurement of the openings for you. They measure 5.5"x1/2" tall x 3. It's definitely tall enough for a small fish to get sucked in there. I'm going to take a guess that once the water is flowing the bottom of the openings might be a 1/4" below the water line. I have a DD jumpguard coming in this week. I'm considering maybe supergluing some of the netting inside of the skimmer box. I saw that youtube. His control board is insanely nice. I've been following his build...sucks his tank gave out on him...waiting to see his next update.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Nice thread. Looking to get back into the mix with a 150 and a Synergy. Only reason I haven't pulled the trigger yet is the Synergy.

Do you like the new overflow?

 

[NanoReefer53]

I use a perforated panel on my server rack to mount controllers. Some of the holes need to be adjusted/widened to line up with the controller but overall it does the job and blends in seamlessly with the rack.

https://www.amazon.com/NavePoint-Ve...rds=perforated+8u+panel&qid=1616606172&sr=8-3

And don't forget a power switch strip. Really handy and easily mountable inside the rack.
https://www.amazon.com/ADJ-Products...=1616606334&sprefix=DJ+switch+,aps,229&sr=8-4