Question:Pluming two tanks into one sump

[zemuss]

I currently am entertaining the idea of eliminating redundant equipment purchases for my current and new setup. What I am hoping to do is create one big sump in the closet behind the aquariums to hold the equipment for the tanks.

I will have two return pumps for this and will eliminate the need to have multiple heaters, skimmers, ato systems. This would save me in the short run about 500 in expenses right now.

Let me know who has done this and if you can link me to the design great.

I would like to make this as cheap as possible and want to use the sump i currently purchase in the loop. So what would you use as a sump? I currently have a 30 gallon sump under my 60 gallon cub stand and a 15 gallon glass tank under my 34 gallon stand. I am thinking that if I tank the 30 gallon sump and put it in the closet and both drain into this sump then into a Rubber main tote that might work?

I need some opinions because the sump would be behind the wall and the drains would require me to have two 90 degree bends. Whould the new plumbing slow the drains and possibly cause floods?

Thanks,
"Z"

 

[zebe00]

Make sure you have enough room in the sump if BOTH tanks lose power and drain down.

 

[zemuss]

Yes I will and good point. Do you see anything wrong with the plan?

The only issue I see is that the drain line might slow down if I tie it off with two 90 degree elbos?

Also to keep the price down would a rubber made tote be ok as a sump? I don't need special baffles for the sump as the main sump will just house a ATS, Heater and Two return Pumps.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

It can work easy. As Zebe said, its all about if the sump can hold the excess runoff in case you lose power. So you want your 60+34g tanks to have the same sump? If so, I would probably aim for a 40g breeder tank which would be perfect.

Just treat both tanks as if they are one. Have two inlets into the sump and two outlets to the tanks. You can use one good Sicce 2.0 or 3.0 for the return pump and have a "Y" splitter with soft tubing.

I would stay away from PCP piping for the return as you do not want to strain the return pump.

Buy a skimmer, I would suggest Reef Octopus NWB150 for this setup and you will be done.

 

[zemuss]

I have the Reef Octopus NWB150 already and this is why I want to consolidate equipment. Instead of having two sets of equipment I can reduce the costs by consolidating.

I already have a 30 gallon custom sump and a 15 gallon sump. I guess I should either sell the sump or incorporate it as a pre-sump?

"Z"

 

[zebe00]

I wouldn't trust the tote with two tanks, IMO it's just not strong enough.