Recommended tank height and filteration flow system

**davidw** · 28th Apr 2014, 15:28

I am planning a new tank for my existing 5x2.5 cabinet. Its gonna be a low tech planted tank with small fishes and I am thinking 20" for tank height should be sufficient. Any advice on this?
I am also thinking of sump filteration but instead of the normal underflow and overflow box inside the tank for normal fish tank, is it advisable just to go for overflow at water level (I don't mind piping protruding from back of the tank cuz my is semi outdoor)?

**bryan** · 28th Apr 2014, 16:26

Do you have long arms?
2FT deep tank is just nice for me to reach without tongs before my armpits get wet.
You'll still need a short ladder to stand on though.

If its low maint. then stick to easy tough plants like Crypts, Echinodorus, Crinum and those tie down plants. You just have to snip off the dead leaves.

Most planted tanks with sump don't have the underflow so just make sure there is adequate water flow and as little dead spots as possible. Also the overflow comb or mesh has to be fine enough so the small fish don't go over.

**davidw** · 29th Apr 2014, 11:24

Originally Posted by bryan

Do you have long arms?
2FT deep tank is just nice for me to reach without tongs before my armpits get wet.
You'll still need a short ladder to stand on though.

If its low maint. then stick to easy tough plants like Crypts, Echinodorus, Crinum and those tie down plants. You just have to snip off the dead leaves.

Most planted tanks with sump don't have the underflow so just make sure there is adequate water flow and as little dead spots as possible. Also the overflow comb or mesh has to be fine enough so the small fish don't go over.

Thanks for the advice, I had a 2.5' tall tank before, really a hassle in maintenance hence going for 20" now. Will use wavemaker for internal water flow, thanks again.