[aeneas]

I'm looking into options for a pre-constructed overflow box for my new 290g tank.... any thoughts / preferences among these vendors that I found?

- Exotic Marine Systems: has horizontal instead of vertical slots in the inner box: good or bad? Looks the only system that does horizontal...

- Fiji Cube 2400gph: also looks very sleek...

- Modular Marine 3000gph: seems interesting, but it looks like not available at the moment...?

- Eshopss Eclipse L: probably too small for 290gal tank?

- Synergy Reef Ghost 20": some review say poor / cheap quality?

Any thoughts on one vs the other?

 

[Auballagh]

Well, after looking at each of those overflow box systems.... I like them all! (With the exception of the Modular Marine model, that we can't look at).
But, I also know what you are in for if you get any of these overflow systems for sump filtration.
NOISE!
A part of the problem with sump type filtration systems, is the noise of gurgling, splashing water. Plus, air that is pulled down into the intake piping with the water can resonate with a low 'roar' as well. The intake piping in the overflow box is actually a key source of the noise problem. The water transiting down those intake pipes in the overflow box carries air and water down with it - which causes all of that splashing, gurgling and roaring noisiness that has so endeared the aquarium hobby to your wife. I mean seriously, if your current pair of Eheim canister filters are objectionable because of the excessive noise they make?
I can only imagine the reception you would receive to a full-on sump filtration system! :x
-
Before proceeding further into the design phase of this aquarium build... I recommend that you try and get a closer look at sump filtration systems that are actively running on aquariums. Salt or freshwater, the basic principles will be the same, and will give you some ideas of what you'll be dealing with by hearing the actual noise produced by those filtration systems. It is a well-known problem, and there may be some ideas or tricks you will discover to minimize (or maybe even eliminate) the noise of a sump filtration system in operation.

 

[Stu W2]

An internal drain (drilled) will always be better IMHO than an external version and while there is no such thing as a silent sump system the improvements from the days of the original Durso set up have been considerable. Check out Herbie and Bean Animal.

A good place to find out more about sumps is on a reef tank website. They are quite common with marine aquariums but seem to be feared or mistrusted in the freshwater side of the hobby. If you get a drilled tank just set up the water levels properly and you'll have no trouble. The old days of flooded aquariums or sumps is no more if you do your homework.

In short, have no more water available in your sump to be pumped to your display tank than the display tank can hold between the level of the display tank drain(s) and the rim should the drain(s) plug - AND - have enough capacity in your sump to hold as much water as will be drained off your display tank into the sump should your return pump suffer a mechanical failure or power outage.

Have a read here ...

https://gmacreef.com/

Regards,
Stu

 

[Stu W2]

Hi aeneas,

Here is another link. Included in the lower portion of the page are further links to lots of good information on sumps and their application differences. Hope it helps.

https://aquariumscience.org/index.php/8-6-sump-filters/

Regards,
Stu