Overflow systems for planted tanks pros and cons

[StanChung]

hi esteemed aquarists,

would like your opinion on whether an overflow system is good for planted tank. i have seen this in lfs in kl and the plants did very well. they were very secretive but peeked into cabinet one day.

i would love to hear the pros and cons of this...
so feel free to copy paste and add your pro or cons

overflow system
pros
1. water level can be kept stable
2. filter dirtiness can be monitored [in cabinet below, usually an aq with partitions]
3. more water, more stabil the conditions.
4. can add a float thing to filter aq to keep water level auto
5. skims floating debris, oil etc.
6. can hide all the equipment in cabinet incl the co2 reactor in filter tank.

cons
1. more co2 dissipated this way
2. need cabinet to hide filter aq
3. more power needed to push water up unlike canister filters that use siphon method.
4. the mechanics of the overflow will take up either one or two corners of your aq. imo one side is enough even for a 5x2x2footer.

well guys, i guess i'm asking because a 5 footer is indeed a big investment and some pre planning advice needed...

[wong1979]

Hi there. I've not used an overflow system before but from what I know, they are mainly meant for marine setup which requires pristine water conditions.
IMO, it's almost the same as a normal external or internal filtration system. If you are to convert from a marine to freshwater, you may continue using the overflow system. But then again, as you mentioned, CO2 loss could be also a minor problem.

If budget is no problem to you, try it, no harm! Not enough CO2, add more

[benny]

Whilst the Dennerle system proposed otherwise, Dupla set up used locally are all based on an overflow system and with fairly good results too.

In my opinion, overflow systems are only good for very large tanks. Otherwise, the real estate for aquascape will be compromised.

In addition, the CO2 consumption for such a system is fairly high.

Lastly, smaller fishes, especially surface level dwellers, may end up being casualties of the system.

Care to share where this LFS in Kuala Lumpur is? Some of us might pop by to marvel at the tank set up if there is opportunity.

Cheers,

[StanChung]

the lfs in question is East Aqua studio in er opposite jaya jusco mall/police station in taman maluri. a five min walk from maluri LRT[light rail transit]

they have just moved there and the tank now looks messy but in their previous location it looked fab with bolbitis covering the corner overflow. they carpeted the gravel with moss right to the back of the black textured foam wall. rainbow lotus, madagascars, all seem to complement each other. even had an arowana innit. panoramic heaven! sigh you have to take my word for it now. i'll check on them to see whether got improve or not. shouldn't take long.

thanks guys for the comments and keep them coming.

will add large tanks only...4ft plus
and surface dwellers do get trapped![fine mesh is in order!]

[Goondoo]

the lfs in question is East Aqua studio in er opposite jaya jusco mall/police station in taman maluri. a five min walk from maluri LRT[light rail transit]

they have just moved there and the tank now looks messy but in their previous location it looked fab with bolbitis covering the corner overflow. they carpeted the gravel with moss right to the back of the black textured foam wall. rainbow lotus, madagascars, all seem to complement each other. even had an arowana innit. panoramic heaven! sigh you have to take my word for it now. i'll check on them to see whether got improve or not. shouldn't take long.

thanks guys for the comments and keep them coming.

will add large tanks only...4ft plus
and surface dwellers do get trapped![fine mesh is in order!]

Actually, if you go go Pasar Road, you will find many shops with planted using overflow system.

[tcampbell]

Has there been more discussion on this? I as well plan a larger tank 120X60(62)X55cm and want to use an over flow. StanChung, what did you end up using?

[Sword]

hi esteemed aquarists,

would like your opinion on whether an overflow system is good for planted tank. i have seen this in lfs in kl and the plants did very well. they were very secretive but peeked into cabinet one day.

i would love to hear the pros and cons of this...
so feel free to copy paste and add your pro or cons

overflow system
pros
1. water level can be kept stable
2. filter dirtiness can be monitored [in cabinet below, usually an aq with partitions]
3. more water, more stabil the conditions.
4. can add a float thing to filter aq to keep water level auto
5. skims floating debris, oil etc.
6. can hide all the equipment in cabinet incl the co2 reactor in filter tank.

cons
1. more co2 dissipated this way
2. need cabinet to hide filter aq
3. more power needed to push water up unlike canister filters that use siphon method.
4. the mechanics of the overflow will take up either one or two corners of your aq. imo one side is enough even for a 5x2x2footer.

well guys, i guess i'm asking because a 5 footer is indeed a big investment and some pre planning advice needed...

First of all, overflow filtration needs high water flow, which means high output pump is needed to do the job. This could in fact cause some disturbance on your planting setup.
I personally had tried to use "internal overflow". Filtration is good, plus skimmimg the oil film. But small fish, shrimp and floating plant tends to stuck at the cartridge. Overall the tank apperance is not nice looking too.
That is why Amano never implement it....

[GreenChapter]

More pictures here >>

I think Amano's largest set up in his home/hq is using an overflow system, those who been there might want to confirm this.

The tank we have above 7x2.5x2.5ft is using overflow system with some of these spec:
- 2 x 7000L/Hr Pump
- Output from 3 corners
- Return and overpipe in IOS is kept at around 1cm below water level to reduce noise

Very much improved water circulation and no dead spot. You can point the output anywhere that needs flow. Cryptocorynes, bolbitis and other current loving plants will benefit it with the extra push.

Yes co2 dissipated and we top it up nearly on a monthly basis, but cost is small. Filter media can be cleaned, changed anytime easily. However, if you are keeping very small shrimps, they tend to end up in the sump tank breeding.

[Fuzzy]

I reckon the only serious drawbacks to having an overflow tank built is that it will consume more power for the return pumps, and you will need to inject more CO2 to maintain 30ppm.

Aesthetically a well designed external overflow tank should be indistinguishable from a regular setup, and in fact usually looks even neater.

Another possible benefit is you can convert the tank to a marine tank at a later date if you go with slightly thicker glass

[tcampbell]

I reckon the only serious drawbacks to having an overflow tank built is that it will consume more power for the return pumps, and you will need to inject more CO2 to maintain 30ppm.

I think the wattage use depends a lot on the pumps used vs the cansiters that would have been used. In the case of Eheim and a 4 foot tank for example.
eheim 2217 uses 25watts for 264gph and you would need 2 for the tank
25wX2 = 50watts
for 264gph X2 = 528gph

Sump using Eheim 1260 pump use 65watts (or 50 watts depending upon the online reference site ) and gives 635gph (or 602gph @50watts it seems)

So actually you aren't using more electricity and you are getting more flow.

Based on eBay. Eheim 2217 is approx. $145 US X 2 = $290US
Based on eBay. Eheim 1260 is approx. $149 US

So you might pay for an extra 15watts of electricity, but you would get more flow, and save a lot on the price of the pump vs the canisters.

Also, if you use other brands of pumps, you might use the same or even less electricity.

Aesthetically a well designed external overflow tank should be indistinguishable from a regular setup, and in fact usually looks even neater.

Another possible benefit is you can convert the tank to a marine tank at a later date if you go with slightly thicker glass

That is the reason I chose an overflow in my custom made setup, the posibility of converting to marine, and the fact that cleaning a sump is much easier than a canister. CO2 usage might be highter but CO2 is cheap and if you are able to have a slower overflow with less drop, CO2 loss is not much as surface turbulance is limited.