Running Two Tanks on One Sump

[lhoy]

Hey All,

Looking for experience or thoughts on running two tanks (in this case a 75 Gallon and a 55 Gallon) on one sump. In trying to think about how to best do this and minimize cost.

I saw Aquadoc's setup is like this and was wondering if anyone else has done this.

What are some major problems I might not be thinking of?

Thanks,

Lee

[::pete::]

I dont know the plans, but if one overflowed into the other then it would be one system.

[mathias]

I would keep it seprate because if one thing happens in a tank it will affect both tanks.. and also additives....

[lhoy]

Basically, I was wondering if I put a large sump under the 75 gallon tank (since it has the largest stand and a very large opening on the front as in the picture below, could I also plumb the 55 gallon tank into the same sump. I expect I would need a large pump than normal for the 55 gallon since it would have to carry further than if the sump were located under the 55 gallon tank.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/lhoy/ReefAquariums055r.jpg

By doing this, I could run two tanks off of 1 skimmer, only need to by 1 ph monitor instead of 2, etc.

But I thought I should ask some other folks with more experience if there is a big problem I was missing. Seems to me only benefits (other than needing a bigger return pump for the 55 gallon.

I plan on the Caflo overlow for the 75 gallon (which I want you to build) and I will take some photos of the 55 to see if you think a Caflo will work for it (I'm not sure and need your input). I will drill the back of both for a closed loop (thinking of a Tunze Wavebox for the 75 gallon as a possibility instead of the closed loop on it).

Is there anything I am not thinking of that could blow it all up?

Lee

[::pete::]

It would in a way still be one system as both would be getting mixed in the sump and returned.

[Crab Rangoon]

I would keep it seprate because if one thing happens in a tank it will affect both tanks.. and also additives....

I too was going to make that point. Thats the biggest downside to running that way I've encountered, or heard about from customers.

[aquadoc]

I have my 125, 75, and my 25 running all on my sump. Works great! I like this better, cause you only need one top off, one calcium reactor, one kalk reactor, one sump pump, etc. Yall get the drift.

[don-n-sa]

I think that it would work great...IMO the larger the water volume the better. In my system I have tied to fuges and a sump together and sometime in the near future I will plumb a clam/SPS tank into the system.

[NaCl_H2O]

I have a 215g, 140g, 60g, sump, fuge, two frag tanks, etc. ... 700g total capacity (probably 500g operational) all tied together into one "System". This has GREATLY reduced maintenance and increased total water volume. Works great until you get Red Bugs and have to do 50% water changes :o

Go for it!

[aquadoc]

I agree with NH. Maintenance is cut in half, for sure. Not nearly as many things to clean, or replace.

[Polkster13]

Tim Marvin also did this with a 80 gallon tank and a 70 gallon breeder tank feeding one 55 gallon sump. Worked very well until he sold all of his stuff to me. Now I am trying to figure out what to do with all of these extra tanks!

[lhoy]

I have a 215g, 140g, 60g, sump, fuge, two frag tanks, etc. ... 700g total capacity (probably 500g operational) all tied together into one "System". This has GREATLY reduced maintenance and increased total water volume. Works great until you get Red Bugs and have to do 50% water changes :o

I was reading that post of yours and that frankly scared me to death at the thought of just the cost of SALT!!!! I have always thought a big tank would be nice until I read that post. I was wondering if I could fool my wife into building a swimming pool in the back (heated of course) and gradually convert to a giant in ground reef tank. I digress.

I got a lot of good feedback and I am leaning toward the one large system tied together. I do recognize the potential for one problem to become a system wide problem, but if I had the money to upgrade to a 200 gallon tank, that would still be the case.

Have you ever read so much material (I have perused here, RC, and Nano-reef) that you actually begin to LOSE what you have learned? Pathetic really.

Thanks for the input and I sure hope I can make the October meeting. Look forward to putting faces to avatars.

Lee

[mathias]

total water volume is the nice part of it.... and reading to much info isn't that bad whats bad is getting so many different opinions when they have to facts to back them up... Which you see on RC all the time....

not at this lovely place :)

[aquadoc]

Can't beat water volume!