How Can I Plumb Multiple Tanks Together

[Noah's Shark]

Good evening,
I hope everyone is doing well is this time of disarray. I am thinking of beginning a rather daring project of setting up a breeding system in my basement and would like to link all of the tanks together on one sump. I'm not afraid of drilling aquariums, and I have bought nothing yet so I am open to all suggestions. The one catch is that this breeding system will be for freshwater fish rather than my beloved saltwater simply because I don't have the ability to operate more than my current saltwater setups (yet). This being said, I have some ideas about the size and number of aquariums I will be needing.
(2) 70+ gallon tanks
(2) 29-40 gallon tanks
(2) 20 gallon tanks
(1) 60 gallon tank
I am also wondering if one sump will be enough or even advisable. Perhaps two sumps? Will even that be enough to do simple tasks such as heating such a large amount of water? Again, it's freshwater so I don't really need a skimmer or algae reactor so it's a bit easier. I could possible add more 10-20 gallon tanks to act as heating stages/biological filtration along the way. Please let me know what you think.
Thank you and have a wonderful day.

 

[nereefpat]

Sure, you can plumb multiple tanks into one sump. Fish stores usually do this.

I can really only come up with two concerns. Any disease will spread to all tanks. And the sump needs to be set up properly and be big enough to hold all water from the drain lines in case of, say, power outage.

 

[WVNed]

Why would you plumb the tanks together? Baby fish need little flow and a sponge filter usually.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

look up Aquarium Co-Op on youtube... Corey has some really nice videos of setting up fish rooms. Might get some some good ideas. It's all freshwater too.

 

[count krunk]

what fish are you going to breed? have you thought about clown breeding?

 

[Noah's Shark]

what fish are you going to breed? have you thought about clown breeding?

I have not. I was going to breed discus, but clowns might make more sense.

 

[Jordan Prather]

I have a 220 gallon a 120 gallon and a 90 gallon all plumbed into one sump. I use a 150 gallon rubbermaid as it is the most economical way to get maximum water volume. Also plumbing in a frag tank and a clown breeder tank. Not sure if I will breed clowns but I got it with my 220 gallon so figured I might as well hook it up. I run them all off a single reeflo hammerhead pump. While there are some cons like disease, equipment failure, spikes in levels ect. Which instead of hurting one tank will effect them all. The benefits for me out weighed these. Only have to do one water change only need to clean one skimmer more water volume is more consistent and plenty more. As for the above mentioned flow just because there is let's say 1000gph going to one tank doesnt mean there is 1000gph going to a different tank that's what valves are for you can tune it down as much as you need to. As for your equipment and bio filter depending on bio load if you have any substrate in the tanks it all adds up for the whole system you can add more to the sump if needed such as bioballs for heaters I run a single finnex titanium 600 watt and it keeps all my tanks between 77.5 and 78 degrees but that will depend on ambient temp of your house. I think that covers most of it but if you have any more questions and I would be happy to help.

 

[Noah's Shark]

I have a 220 gallon a 120 gallon and a 90 gallon all plumbed into one sump. I use a 150 gallon rubbermaid as it is the most economical way to get maximum water volume. Also plumbing in a frag tank and a clown breeder tank. Not sure if I will breed clowns but I got it with my 220 gallon so figured I might as well hook it up. I run them all off a single reeflo hammerhead pump. While there are some cons like disease, equipment failure, spikes in levels ect. Which instead of hurting one tank will effect them all. The benefits for me out weighed these. Only have to do one water change only need to clean one skimmer more water volume is more consistent and plenty more. As for the above mentioned flow just because there is let's say 1000gph going to one tank doesnt mean there is 1000gph going to a different tank that's what valves are for you can tune it down as much as you need to. As for your equipment and bio filter depending on bio load if you have any substrate in the tanks it all adds up for the whole system you can add more to the sump if needed such as bioballs for heaters I run a single finnex titanium 600 watt and it keeps all my tanks between 77.5 and 78 degrees but that will depend on ambient temp of your house. I think that covers most of it but if you have any more questions and I would be happy to help.

This is amazingly helpful, thank you. I will most definitely shoot you a message when I get around to this build.