350GAL - Multi Aquarium Living room project

Vitank · Jan 10, 2017

So, I got a project (tasked by the power my god, err wife) I'm working on for our living room. It's not that hard of a project I think, if you break em up in small chuck...

Overview::

Orange is the Overflow
Purple is the Return flow
Yellow is the Emergency Overflow pipe
Red is the pump
Green is the SUMP
Black is wood cabinetries

Actual "look" without the pluming:

An other view with details:

Water flow:

Editable 3D diagram: LINK

Purpose:

Fresh Water
Aquascape
Fish that live well in aquascape tanks

Aquariums lists

60g - Rounded Corner (purchased)
75g - Rectangle (18"W x 48"L x 21"H)(purchased)
56g - Rectangle (18"W x 18"L x 40"H)(will custom build)
- Taller then normal, I know this will need to be accounted for, separate topic
75g - Rectangle (18"W x 48"L x 21"H) (will purchase)
75g - Rectangle (18"W x 48"L x 21"H)(will purchase)
- Depending on price, might get it pre-drilled or drill it myself, separate topic

Filtration: SUMP

Rectangle (14"W x 70"L x 14"H)
Below tank #4/5
4 compartments:
- Inflow/Mechanical Filter
- Largest/BIO Balls
- Small/Heating section
- Outflow/water reserve

Overflow type: Bean Overflow

Tank #5
3x 2" holes

Water Bridge:

There will be 2x type of bridge:

Direct bridge
- Holes will be 6"W x 6"L x 8"H
- With a 6"W x 16"L x 8"H viewable
- Diagram: Link
Downward bridge "V" shape
- Holes will be 6"W x 6"L x 8"H
- With a 6"W x 16"L x 8"H viewable
- Diagram: Link (working on it, an other topic)

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Questions
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To maintain 6x turn over (about 2k Gal / hrs) which pump do you suggest?
Can this SUMP size maintain this aquarium?
Can the tank #5 with a 2" Bean overflow handle the flow?
- Bottom Pre-drilled, direct drop to SUMP; VS
- side drilled with 45 elbo from outside tank stand (I'd extend and build around side to support / hide all plumming)
I've added a 2" Overflow Emergency pipe in tank #1, is it enough? (non suction pipe)
Do you think the "current" created by the water bridge be enough for each tank or should I add some power heads to make water move?
I do intend to setup electronic sensor on tank #1 to stop the pump at first sign of trouble, so emergency might not be needed.
And lastly.... Am I out to lunch dreaming pink flying monkeys or this can work?

Vitank · Jan 10, 2017

This is the plan, any help / concerns / comments / tips / OMG STOP don't / WOW good idea / xxxx ... are welcome.

Cheers

Stylo328 · Jan 10, 2017

Interesting project. Looking forward to watching it unfold.

revhtree · Jan 10, 2017

Oh very cool! Following!

AlexG · Jan 10, 2017

This is an interesting build. I am not sold on the water bridge idea have you used it before on a tank? I have no experience with a water bridge but I would think it would suffer the same issues as a HOB overflow. Have you tested the water bridge idea out in buckets or with tanks yet? I can see these water bridges being the cause of a major flood if they are responsible for the flow of water between tanks. If you were going to have a sensor to shut off the pump I think you would need a sensor in tanks 1-4 because a failure down the line could overflow tanks 2-4. Since tank 5 has its own overflow it should be safe. Before deciding on a main pump the distance of the return run will need to be known.

sneub · Jan 10, 2017

I agree on the water bridge, you should plumb the tanks together, that would be ideal. Other then that, I am excited to see how this turns out.

Daniel@R2R · Jan 11, 2017

Super cool idea! I also agree with the above posts about the water bridge. I would think you would do better to plumb them each to the sump or at least together. Water bridge seems like it's likely to lead to overflows at times when the siphon may break (and that's a lot of siphons to try and keep coordinated).