2 tanks one sump

FAHADREEF · Jan 1, 2022

hello reefers
i have this 4 ft tank around 50 gallons with a sump and its been running perfectly well, but i am planning on adding another tank to the same sump but like i know the pipes etc but i am confused do i need to have 2 return pumps in the last chamber becuase i honestly want to know how it works and i've seen it work with lfs but they will just say i didnt do it the plumper or idk did it, please guys if there is a video somwhere or a person whos running 2 tanks one sump successfully can help me i would seriously appreciate it.

BroccoliFarmer · Jan 1, 2022

FAHADREEF said:
hello reefers
i have this 4 ft tank around 50 gallons with a sump and its been running perfectly well, but i am planning on adding another tank to the same sump but like i know the pipes etc but i am confused do i need to have 2 return pumps in the last chamber becuase i honestly want to know how it works and i've seen it work with lfs but they will just say i didnt do it the plumper or idk did it, please guys if there is a video somwhere or a person whos running 2 tanks one sump successfully can help me i would seriously appreciate it.

In theory it would work. Water will tend to flow in the path of least resistance which means you will most likely get more flow in one tank and less than in the other with a small possibility that all of the flow goes into one tank if you have an under powered return pump.

My bigger concern with this approach is that you are putting all of your eggs in one basket. If something goes wrong in one tank, your other will inherit it. Now if you know what you are doing..probably a low risk..but given the question you just posed I would probably assume that you dont.

Totlxtc · Jan 1, 2022

I have two 40g tanks running off one sump. Plumb both tanks as you normally would with drains running to the sump. You can use two return pumps or just one. I used one pump and tee'd it off with a valve on each line going to the tank. That way i can control the flow to either tank. Not sure the picture will help being i have a lot of plumbing with 3 drain lines from one overflow box and two from the other.