2 tanks - 1 sump?

nikkipigtails · 02-13-2008, 10:46 AM

As some of you know, my hubby and I just bought a 180 gallon that we'll set up as a reef tank. I have a 47 gal in my daughter's nursery but the 180 set up we just got was custom built with a 41.5 gal next to it. Both tanks are in the same cabinetry so we are going to move the contents of my 47 into the 41.5. Right now neither the 180 nor the 41.5 are drilled (we'll get those back drilled). The 180 was being run on a sump (the pvc was run overhead) and the 41.5 was being run on a hob whisper filter (they were set up as fw). My question is this: Can we run both tanks on the same sump? If we can, how would be the best way to configure it? Any ideas would be appreciated.

lcstorc · 02-13-2008, 10:50 AM

Not sure mine is the best way but I had 2 tanks next to each other running on the same sump. Really I just had the larger tank connected to the sump and the smaller tank connected to the large tank. We did this with a small pump to move water from the small to the large tank and a u-tube to bring water from the large tank to the small tank. This does require that both tanks be at the same level for the u-tube to work.

Scouter Steve · 02-13-2008, 01:01 PM

I have two tanks on one sump. Mine is a basement sump but all the same principle. Both tanks have overflows draining to sump, one is drilled other is HOB. I use one large return pump tee'd to each tank. Both DT's have their own closed loops also for additional flow. Tanks are 120 and 125, different heights at opposite sides of the room.

nikkipigtails · 02-13-2008, 03:25 PM

Lynn: My tank set up is exactly like the one you have in your photo gallery. But I'm having a difficult time imagining what all the plumbing looks like...I'll have to get Tommy to read it...he's much more of an engineer than I am. Oh...and I just realized you're in Cocoa...my best friend lives there.

tbittner · 02-13-2008, 08:58 PM

I have two tanks connected to one sump. Works great, no problems. Sure makes water changes, testing, etc. much easier.

aquaticimports · 02-13-2008, 09:02 PM

Building system tanks is easy....Pleanty of pump to push the head preasure you will have and valves to help you tweek you flow.I'll be happy to help you with your scamatics.

02-13-2008, 10:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
nikkipigtails Golden Moray Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hillbilly Hell, AL Posts: 2,488 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	2 tanks - 1 sump? As some of you know, my hubby and I just bought a 180 gallon that we'll set up as a reef tank. I have a 47 gal in my daughter's nursery but the 180 set up we just got was custom built with a 41.5 gal next to it. Both tanks are in the same cabinetry so we are going to move the contents of my 47 into the 41.5. Right now neither the 180 nor the 41.5 are drilled (we'll get those back drilled). The 180 was being run on a sump (the pvc was run overhead) and the 41.5 was being run on a hob whisper filter (they were set up as fw). My question is this: Can we run both tanks on the same sump? If we can, how would be the best way to configure it? Any ideas would be appreciated.

02-13-2008, 10:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 19,905 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 2 tanks - 1 sump? Not sure mine is the best way but I had 2 tanks next to each other running on the same sump. Really I just had the larger tank connected to the sump and the smaller tank connected to the large tank. We did this with a small pump to move water from the small to the large tank and a u-tube to bring water from the large tank to the small tank. This does require that both tanks be at the same level for the u-tube to work. __________________ 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. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

02-13-2008, 01:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 683 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 2 tanks - 1 sump? I have two tanks on one sump. Mine is a basement sump but all the same principle. Both tanks have overflows draining to sump, one is drilled other is HOB. I use one large return pump tee'd to each tank. Both DT's have their own closed loops also for additional flow. Tanks are 120 and 125, different heights at opposite sides of the room.

02-13-2008, 03:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
nikkipigtails Golden Moray Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hillbilly Hell, AL Posts: 2,488 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 2 tanks - 1 sump? Lynn: My tank set up is exactly like the one you have in your photo gallery. But I'm having a difficult time imagining what all the plumbing looks like...I'll have to get Tommy to read it...he's much more of an engineer than I am. Oh...and I just realized you're in Cocoa...my best friend lives there.

02-13-2008, 08:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 2 tanks - 1 sump? I have two tanks connected to one sump. Works great, no problems. Sure makes water changes, testing, etc. much easier. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

02-13-2008, 09:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
aquaticimports Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 104 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 2 tanks - 1 sump? Building system tanks is easy....Pleanty of pump to push the head preasure you will have and valves to help you tweek you flow.I'll be happy to help you with your scamatics.

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