Overflow towers

[cartery]

I just got a used tank with what I think is an old-school internal overflow tower. I'm relatively new to the hobby, so I'm not really sure what the advantages of this design. It seems like it takes up a lot of internal space and creates an extremely hard to reach area. I guess it means that you can put the tank against the wall?

One alternative design I came up with after very little thought is shown in the attached. Has anyone ever seen/done some like this? And internal overflow with exposed pipes? I suppose the reasons not to would be aesthetics and that maybe the pipes could get knocked around.

Mostly just curious to hear what people think. Thanks!

 

[JTP424]

I can not say I've seen anything like what is on the right, You're still creating a small space that's "difficult to get to" although you really won't have much reason to mess with it, while also creating more areas for algae/detritus/other things to get stuck behind (the pipes, overhang etc)

 

[cartery]

I can not say I've seen anything like what is on the right, You're still creating a small space that's "difficult to get to" although you really won't have much reason to mess with it, while also creating more areas for algae/detritus/other things to get stuck behind (the pipes, overhang etc)

Yeah, I suppose that's true. It would certainly be hard to clean! Thanks!