Planning a New Tank: To IOF or to canister?

[mUAr_cHEe]

I am in the midst of planning a new tank maybe a 3 feet or a 4 feet.

Coming from a Marine tank background, I have always preferred an overflow and sump tank set up. I think it gives me more room to play with equipment and at the same time, maintain a very clean look on the display tank.

I have browsed through a little on fellow member's tanks here and noticed that most are on a canister filter set up. Is there something that I am missing?

[mUAr_cHEe]

Oh yes. Its a simple set up at the end of the day.

Tetras and Shrimps. With a good part of Flora.

[adidasvintage]

If considering a tank with CO2, a sump filtration would cause higher lost in CO2, therefore as long u inject in more, there should not be an issue.

Btw, not sure if an overflow system will flow not only water but shrimp too.

[milk_vanilla]

If you already have sump from the existing tank, you could reuse them, it's give lot benefit to big planted tank 4ft above.

[mUAr_cHEe]

Its a completely new set up and I am just toying with some ideas now.

Even considering to do the waterfall sand thingy. (Backside itchy syndrome) :P

[limz_777]

not really clean look on the overflow compartment , usually covered up by black acrylic and take up tank space , scape wise have to consider that area to cover up , pros is the easy filtration to maintain