Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1?

reefer4200 · 03-11-2008, 12:42 PM

Hey everyone,
I currently have a 125g tank with 2 150w 10k and a 60g refug. and sump. i am looking to connect a 55g tank next to my 125g with 400w 20k for coral fragging, etc. I am stuck as to how i can connect these tanks together so that i am not in need of an entire set-up...? Any ideas on how this can be easily achieved? I am looking to get this done asap... If more details are needed i am ready to provide...

GRACIAS!

lcstorc · 03-11-2008, 12:56 PM

When I had mine connected I had a small pump that moved water from the smaller tank to the larger and a u-tube going from the larger to the smaller. You have to use a powerhead outlet to keep bubbles out of the u-tube and both tanks have to be at the same level. It worked pretty well but perhaps someone will have a better idea.

reefer4200 · 03-11-2008, 01:01 PM

Yeah your thought were what i had in mind, generally speaking. I was hoping to be able to possible have them at different heights but i can work with whatever is easiest. Im curious to know other ideas, thoughts. thank you again tho

Octoman · 03-11-2008, 01:03 PM

You could run the tanks seperately off the same sump. Separate pump and overflow for each tank going to the same sump. Then it wouldn't matter if they are at the same height, but they would share the same water.

Octoman · 03-11-2008, 01:05 PM

Or, if your return pump is large enough, tee it off and use it for both tanks.

reefer4200 · 03-11-2008, 01:30 PM

Awesome that was my other thought i figured that might be the easier route....looks like im going to need a larger pump or a second. If there are more ideas please chime in. I looking for the easiest and least expensive route. Thanks all

reefer4200 · 03-12-2008, 01:24 PM

is there anyway someone can provide a diagram for reference while i do this?

SJS · 03-12-2008, 01:36 PM

I'm not sure if this will help but here is how I have my tanks set up... I have a 300 display tank, 90 gallon fuge, 35 gallon fuge and 35 gallon sump. The display has 4 overflow/drain lines, 1 line feeds the 90 gallon fuge, 1 feeds the 35 fuge, the other two go directly to the sump. the 90 overflows directly to the sump, the 35 fuge does not have an overflow - I have 2 bulkheads on one end of it, the top of the 35 fuge is higher that the sump, I have 3/4" (or 1") hoses which direct the fuge water to the sump - via gravity. 2 return pumps on the sump directly back to the display.
I have it set up this way so there are minimal pumps, and for the fuges, medium to slow flow.

reefer4200 · 03-12-2008, 02:22 PM

yeah that makes sense....but what happens on a power outage? Wouldn't that cause and overflow and flood?

tbittner · 03-12-2008, 09:56 PM

Your sump needs to have enough capacity to handle the run off from both the tanks. When power goes out, all of the tanks will drain down to their low water mark and all of that water ends up in the sump.

You also want to configure it so both tanks use gravity to drain. You only want one pump going. Unless you have one pump for each tank. That would work too.

naperenterprise · 03-12-2008, 11:07 PM

Is it possible that you can get the 55 drilled on the side?

This way to can make it a little higher than the DT and use only one pump..

Other tham that I think Octoman has the best idea (solution) for you.

tbittner · 03-12-2008, 11:11 PM

Yeah, using one pump will save you a quite a bit in electric. Not to mention, you only have to buy one pump. It would be interesting in figuring out the size of pump you need though. I've never tried to calculate out the head pressure with two outlets before.

reefer4200 · 03-12-2008, 11:23 PM

yeah if i did a split the 55 would have to get less flow so i would need like a valve in there to allow less flow to the 55 and give the extra flow to the needed 125. I will keep all ideas open and talk to my lfs, see what they recommend. Im interested to see how this ends up. Very excited!!

naperenterprise · 03-12-2008, 11:25 PM

Just my 2 cents... I'm betting your LFS is interested in $$$
So be careful on the info they provide you.

RS folks are 100% more reliable, and more experienced in most cases.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefer4200

yeah if i did a split the 55 would have to get less flow so i would need like a valve in there to allow less flow to the 55 and give the extra flow to the needed 125. I will keep all ideas open and talk to my lfs, see what they recommend. Im interested to see how this ends up. Very excited!!

SJS · 03-12-2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefer4200

yeah that makes sense....but what happens on a power outage? Wouldn't that cause and overflow and flood?

Nope - Like Terry said, you have to allow for space in the sump. I shut my returns off every night when I feed, and (except when I forget to turn off the top off RO/DI unit) I dont have any problems.

03-11-2008, 12:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
reefer4200 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 267 View Gallery Karma Komment	Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? Hey everyone, I currently have a 125g tank with 2 150w 10k and a 60g refug. and sump. i am looking to connect a 55g tank next to my 125g with 400w 20k for coral fragging, etc. I am stuck as to how i can connect these tanks together so that i am not in need of an entire set-up...? Any ideas on how this can be easily achieved? I am looking to get this done asap... If more details are needed i am ready to provide... GRACIAS!

03-11-2008, 12:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,473 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? When I had mine connected I had a small pump that moved water from the smaller tank to the larger and a u-tube going from the larger to the smaller. You have to use a powerhead outlet to keep bubbles out of the u-tube and both tanks have to be at the same level. It worked pretty well but perhaps someone will have a better idea. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

03-11-2008, 01:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
reefer4200 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 267 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? Yeah your thought were what i had in mind, generally speaking. I was hoping to be able to possible have them at different heights but i can work with whatever is easiest. Im curious to know other ideas, thoughts. thank you again tho

03-11-2008, 01:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Octoman Majano Slayer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 1,362 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? You could run the tanks seperately off the same sump. Separate pump and overflow for each tank going to the same sump. Then it wouldn't matter if they are at the same height, but they would share the same water. __________________ Mark My tank thread... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-euphoria.html Tank build... http://55reef.blogspot.com/

03-11-2008, 01:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Octoman Majano Slayer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 1,362 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? Or, if your return pump is large enough, tee it off and use it for both tanks. __________________ Mark My tank thread... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-euphoria.html Tank build... http://55reef.blogspot.com/

03-11-2008, 01:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
reefer4200 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 267 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? Awesome that was my other thought i figured that might be the easier route....looks like im going to need a larger pump or a second. If there are more ideas please chime in. I looking for the easiest and least expensive route. Thanks all

03-12-2008, 01:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
reefer4200 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 267 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? is there anyway someone can provide a diagram for reference while i do this?

03-12-2008, 01:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
SJS Achilles Tang Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SO CAL - Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 823 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? I'm not sure if this will help but here is how I have my tanks set up... I have a 300 display tank, 90 gallon fuge, 35 gallon fuge and 35 gallon sump. The display has 4 overflow/drain lines, 1 line feeds the 90 gallon fuge, 1 feeds the 35 fuge, the other two go directly to the sump. the 90 overflows directly to the sump, the 35 fuge does not have an overflow - I have 2 bulkheads on one end of it, the top of the 35 fuge is higher that the sump, I have 3/4" (or 1") hoses which direct the fuge water to the sump - via gravity. 2 return pumps on the sump directly back to the display. I have it set up this way so there are minimal pumps, and for the fuges, medium to slow flow. __________________ Steph 300 gallon dt, 90 gallon fuge, 35 gallon fuge, 35 gallon sump, 4 Ecotech Vortechs, T-5 lights

03-12-2008, 02:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
reefer4200 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 267 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? yeah that makes sense....but what happens on a power outage? Wouldn't that cause and overflow and flood?

03-12-2008, 09:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? Your sump needs to have enough capacity to handle the run off from both the tanks. When power goes out, all of the tanks will drain down to their low water mark and all of that water ends up in the sump. You also want to configure it so both tanks use gravity to drain. You only want one pump going. Unless you have one pump for each tank. That would work too. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

03-12-2008, 11:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
naperenterprise Plate Coral Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Near Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 795 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? Is it possible that you can get the 55 drilled on the side? This way to can make it a little higher than the DT and use only one pump.. Other tham that I think Octoman has the best idea (solution) for you. __________________ ~~~Jason~~~ Go check out My Chronicle

03-12-2008, 11:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? Yeah, using one pump will save you a quite a bit in electric. Not to mention, you only have to buy one pump. It would be interesting in figuring out the size of pump you need though. I've never tried to calculate out the head pressure with two outlets before. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

03-12-2008, 11:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
reefer4200 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 267 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Connecting 125g to a 55g....? ANY1? yeah if i did a split the 55 would have to get less flow so i would need like a valve in there to allow less flow to the 55 and give the extra flow to the needed 125. I will keep all ideas open and talk to my lfs, see what they recommend. Im interested to see how this ends up. Very excited!!

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