Divided tank question

Ahogue21 · Jun 8, 2017

Moving soon and planning on a new bigger tank but kicker is I'd actually like to have 2.....a bigger tank and something smaller for grow out and some smaller fish/ randomly grown corals ext

So the idea has been a 120x18hx24d tank but section it off so I'll have a 3ft and 7ft side with the 7ft being on a sump and the 3ft having an aio setup
(Wanting separate just in case I want to qt stuff ext)

So question being if I want to setup the 3ft side first the just take my time with the 7ft side is there any issues I may see with having 3ft of the tank full and the other side empty?

Also open to other ideas kinda like this as it 2 separate tanks but all in one area

sbash · Jun 8, 2017

Sounds like a cool idea!

There should not be an issue with the 3ft side. It is an independent system, if I am understanding correctly, so there should be zero bearing on the 7ft side. The 3ft side is essentially a 65 gallon system, which I have run AIO for almost two years. It was still going strong when I added the sump to sell it.

Ahogue21 · Jun 8, 2017

Yeah I was debating buying a Im sr 80 first then doing a tank layout like this later but realized id be wasting a lot of money....and a 10ft tank spilt is still wayyy cheaper than an Sr 80 and a 6-8ft tank

sbash · Jun 8, 2017

Oh for sure, those pre-built AIO systems are ridiculously pricey. Although the trade off is not having to deal with a 'build'; but it is not my cup of tea

I always wanted to connect multiple tanks throughout the house with a single sump terminating in the basement. Maybe have different livestock and themes in each (i.e. SPS reef, mixed, fowlr, seahorse, etc)...

Ahogue21 · Jun 8, 2017

I had even debated the sr120 I really like the aio style setup while I get more water is always better it just makes it easy you work on stuff right above the tank and no chance of water all over if something fails

Ahogue21 · Jun 8, 2017

I have debated basement sump too just depends on layout ext I've got a few ideas but liking this one at this point

alanbetiger · Jun 9, 2017

Are you planning to have the ends accessible/visible? Meaning would you be planning on looking down all 10 ft to see both tanks simultaneously? If so it'll be a PITA keeping the divider algae free on both sides. Not a big deal if you only want to see them from the "front".
Also do you mean empty of water on the 7ft side at the beginning? If so that divider will need to be more sturdy essentially like it's the end of an actual tank to hold back the water volume pressure from the 3ft tank.

Ahogue21 · Jun 9, 2017

End to end won't matter and figure if I'm having the tank built I would just have them divide it with glass and silicone in but yeah I can deff see pressure being questioned with nothing in the other side would be a good question

alanbetiger · Jun 9, 2017

Along the same lines, it'll need to be able to bear all the forces of 7ft section during a waterchange or drainage of the 3ft section. Depending on your plans on frequency and volume changed out.

Ahogue21 · Jun 9, 2017

I would guess if it's the same glass as the tank is made out of and siliconed on both sides should be fine I mean at that point really no different than a rimless tank

alanbetiger · Jun 9, 2017

Oh yeah not discouraging that it can't be done. Just making sure you inform the maker exactly what you would want to be doing, like having one section empty during some periods of time. If water was constant in both tanks and you just had a watertight barrier then it wouldn't need to be as robust. If there were going to be periods of time with different water levels then you would need the same thickness of glass in the barrier and siliconed just as you said "like a rimless tank". I'm not a expert or anything but I thought the 3ft section would probably be okay with 1/2" glass if it was just it's own tank, but the 10ft tank would need at least 3/4". Also depends on what type of bracing/eurobracing etc you were okay with. So the barrier might need to match the 3/4". Like I said I don't know those exact measurements for sure. So aesthetically might not look as good, which would be your own personal preference. Personally I'd want to actually see similar glass siliconed in to see what it would look like before paying for the whole tank.

Ahogue21 · Jun 9, 2017

Thinking of going with customaquariums.com and just getting a standard rimmed tank they use aluminum for the trim and bracing

sbash · Jun 9, 2017

Ahogue21 said:
Thinking of going with customaquariums.com and just getting a standard rimmed tank they use aluminum for the trim and bracing

For what it is worth, I would recommend 'eurobracing'. It eliminates the need for cross braces (which block light and get in the way of maintenance). I had it put on my custom 220gallon, and I will never go back...