Eshopps Eclipse Aquarium Overflow Boxes - Top FAQs

What is the point of an overflow box?

An overflow box is essentially the drain that allows water to pass through the aquarium walls and down into your sump and filtration. The specific design over an overflow box has some great benefits over just a hole in the tank.

Benefits of an overflow box:

• Quiet operation
• Prevents livestock from being sucked into the drain
• Helps to remove oils and debris that collects on the water's surface
• Provides an emergency or backup drain in case the primary drain clogs
• Slimmer profile and easier to disguise compared to traditional PVC pipe and bulkheads.

How big are the Eshopps Eclipse Overflow Boxes?

Eclipse S Overflow

• Maximum flow rate: 600 GPH
• 6" wide
• 6" height
• The internal surface skimmer extends only 1.25" into the aquarium
• The external box extends only 3" outside of the tank

Eclipse M Overflow:

• Maximum flow rate: 800 GPH
• 8" wide 
• 6" height
• The internal surface skimmer extends only 1.25" into the aquarium
• The external box extends only 3" outside of the tank

Eclipse L Overflow:

• Maximum flow rate: 1000 GPH
• 12" wide
• 6" height
• The internal surface skimmer extends only 1.25" into the aquarium
• The external box extends only 3" outside of the tank

How do you install an overflow box?

1. Decide where exactly you want to install the box on your tank. It can technically go on any wall of the tank but most folks install it on the back wall either to one side or in the dead center. The box will always be aligned with the surface of your water.
2. Eshopps includes both the diamond-coated hole-saw drill bit and template to make drilling your glass much easier. Proceed to align the template on your tank wall and trace the location of your hole in the glass using a marker.  Take note of the arrow, it should be pointing up towards the top of your tank. 
3. Using the included hole-saw bit, carefully drill your hole in the glass.  Using a hole-saw guide will help keep the drill bit perpendicular and be sure to keep it wet while drilling. 
4. Install the surface skimmer, bulkheads, and external overflow box. Be sure the gaskets are placed in the correct location. Tighten the bulkhead nut and verify everything is level.

How do you start the Eshopps Eclipse Overflow Boxes?

The Eshopps Eclipse overflow boxes do not need to be "started" manually. When the water reaches the top of the standpipes, it will automatically start draining down into your sump.  Essentially, just fill your tank and turn on your pumps. So long as your return pump is not moving more than the advertised maximum flow rate for the overflow box, your good to go. From that point, just tune the flow rate and overflow to achieve the quietest operation as described below. 

How do you silence the Eshopps Eclipse Overflow Boxes?

Bean Animal or Herbie Style Drain Using A Gate Valve

1. Verify the gate valve on your primary drain is wide open.
2. Turn on your pump, dial pump flow to the desired speed.*
3. slowly close the gate valve to the point at which the water level inside the external overflow box raises to be roughly 1/2" below the top of the emergency drain. A siphon will start in the primary drain and the noise from water flowing through your surface skimmer weir will be reduced.

*You can then fine-tune the drain rate by adjusting both the gate valve and return flow rate. Slowing down the return results in less splashing because the water is draining slower but will also require some minor adjustments to the gate valve to ensure that the water level is correct in the external overflow box. 

Standpipe Without A Gate Valve

1. Add a short standpipe to the primary drain inside the external overflow. The pipe should measure roughly 1" shorter than the emergency drain. This will automatically raise the water level inside that external overflow box and help reduce some splashing noise.
2. Tune your return flow until the drain runs quietly without any surging or gurgling down into your sump. Your return flow rate is your primary adjustment in this case. A filter sock in the sump helps to muffle the water noise down in your sump too!