Best overflow/returns

[jjwillia]

I have searched but most posts include discontinued products.

Currently building a 75 gallon mixed reef. Current positions are Synergy Shadow 16" or glass holes. It would appear glass holes is noisy. I would like it as quiet as possible. Opinions and any other options out there other than custom?

As for returns, is 1/2 or 3/4 loc line better? I can only drill once.

Thanks.

 

[Lsufan]

I really like the modular marine overflows. Synergy makes a good one also, but i like the sizes of modular marines better. I would get as big of one that will fit on your tank. On a 4' tank the smallest one I would get is the 24" but would prefer the 36". I know the synergy is on sale at BRS so your budget may be a factor in choosing & if u need to go with the synergy it will work ok on your tank.

As far as the returns, I prefer 3/4"

 

[jjwillia]

I really like the modular marine overflows. Synergy makes a good one also, but i like the sizes of modular marines better. I would get as big of one that will fit on your tank. On a 4' tank the smallest one I would get is the 24" but would prefer the 36". I know the synergy is on sale at BRS so your budget may be a factor in choosing & if u need to go with the synergy it will work ok on your tank.

As far as the returns, I prefer 3/4"

Great, thanks. Budget is always a concern but I am taking my time so would like to get the best stuff within reason. I will check out modular marine.

 

[GQsmooth]

I really like the modular marine overflows. Synergy makes a good one also, but i like the sizes of modular marines better. I would get as big of one that will fit on your tank. On a 4' tank the smallest one I would get is the 24" but would prefer the 36". I know the synergy is on sale at BRS so your budget may be a factor in choosing & if u need to go with the synergy it will work ok on your tank.

As far as the returns, I prefer 3/4"

24" is definitely not needed, I run the 20" Synergy reef on my 180g with no issues. The 16" is plenty for what he needs.

 

[ca1ore]

For a 75, any of the off-the-shelf models will suffice. The bigger, or even custom, MM models are in service of much lager tanks.

 

[mcgyvr]

If "quiet" (and safety) is one of you major concerns I would always recommend a "bean animal" type overflow like the synergy or eshopps "L" overflow.. or building your own (see last link below for common construction)

http://synergyreef.com/product/16-shadow-overflow/
http://www.eshopps.com/products/overflowboxes/eclipse-l/

This is a good read if you haven't seen it already..
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx
^^This is a bean drain system with a coast-coast overflow for superior surface skimming..

They can be done internally like in the link above or external like the eshopps/synergy products..

Also.. locline is a restriction and you should go with the larger for sure.. Or don't do any..
FWIW.. I have 2 x 1" return lines (1" off pump then split to 2 lines with a tee) on my 80G tank.. 2 x 3/4 is sufficient though.. I go a bit overkill on that type of stuff..

 

[madweazl]

I have the 12" Modular Marine "stealth overflow" on my 75g and it has been fantastic but I haven't seen anything from them in a while now. Not sure what is going on with them.

 

[d0ughb0y]

with that much flow from the bulkhead, and not being completely submerged, doesn't that make some water splashing sound?

 

[mcgyvr]

with that much flow from the bulkhead, and not being completely submerged, doesn't that make some water splashing sound?

Thats why proper elbow height (to set external box water level) is very important/tricky in an external overflow box like that..

Internal overflows are better in that respect as they don't have that issue.. just the water cascading over the weir edge but that tends to be far quieter than water draining from a bulkhead out in the open like that....

 

[d0ughb0y]

perhaps the flow to the drain needs to be slowed down so the external box water level covers the bulkhead to really get an "end to end" siphon.

as it is shown in the picture, the full siphon is only from the external box to the sump.

 

[Lsufan]

I find as long as the bulkhead is about halfway submerged they are quiet. If the water level gets toward the bottom of the bulkhead it does get pretty loud. Like mcgyver mentioned, the elbow hieght is ultimately what determines the water level in the exterior box & ultimately the water level on the pass through bulkheads. The larger the box the easier it is if u have a good bit of flow.

As far as size, a 24" isn't needed but it would be better. The op didn't ask what would work, he asked what was best. Best would be a c2c but he doesn't want custom, so the next best thing is as big of one that would fit his tank. I always take surface skimming into consideration with my overflows & is the reason bean had a c2c in his original design.

I would prefer modular marines toothless design, but most of them have teeth. That dramatically cuts the surface skimming because of the size & thicker surface water entering the overflow. A little 16" box on long tank isn't any better then the outdated reef ready tanks in that regard.

 

[jjwillia]

Thank you for the feedback gents.

I do agree that bean animal is the best and missed that the glass holes overflow was not. I will be ordering the synergy or modular marine.

I am sure I will be back with plumbing questions.

 

[jjwillia]

Also.. locline is a restriction and you should go with the larger for sure.. Or don't do any..
FWIW.. I have 2 x 1" return lines (1" off pump then split to 2 lines with a tee) on my 80G tank.. 2 x 3/4 is sufficient though.. I go a bit overkill on that type of stuff..

As for the loc line I intend on running two smaller return pumps for redundancy. So I will most likely have 2 x 3/4 lines(one from each pump). My only concern is that the 3/4 won't provide as much pressure for water movement. Is this really something I should be concerned about ?

 

[EvenFurther]

Modular marine now has a webpage, plus ebay store. Sometimes they temporarily stop accepting new orders. Its well worth the wait though, they have excellent products. You might be able to contact via email too.

 

[Lsufan]

As for the loc line I intend on running two smaller return pumps for redundancy. So I will most likely have 2 x 3/4 lines(one from each pump). My only concern is that the 3/4 won't provide as much pressure for water movement. Is this really something I should be concerned about ?

It will somewhat depend on the output size of your return pump & how good the pump is with head loss, but I like to upsize the plumbing 1 size of the output of the return pump. So if the output of the pump is 3/4" I would use 1" plumbing & just reduce down at the bulkhead with a 1" by 3/4" 90 entering the bulkhead. U will probably get different opinions but that is what I always do. The larger pipe helps with head loss. Depending on your pumps output size & head loss, u may be ok using 3/4" for the whole thing. But it can only help by upsizing, It definitely won't hurt anything

Btw, if u for sure want to use locline I would get threaded bulkheads for the returns. That way u can screw the locline adapter straight into the bulkhead & u don't need to use a bunch of different adapters inside the tank to convert to the locline adapter.