Rimless expansion

HugoPerez · Feb 18, 2015

as a few of you know I downgraded to a 50 long shallow rimless last month. I came across another rimless 40 cube I couldn't let go so I bought it I want to join the two together so looking for ideas to join the two together. My vision is water streaming down from the 40 cube to the 50 long. The setup would be similar to this image

NeveSSL · Feb 18, 2015

I was going to say, I think people have done waterfall tanks before, where one spills into the other. Evap is going to be high doing it that way, but could be fun to do!

Brandon

HugoPerez · Feb 18, 2015

That's my idea and a friend suggested the waterfall theme only problem is what you mentioned evaporation and splashing.

NeveSSL · Feb 18, 2015

You could design around the splashing.

Brandon

thejoshdavis · Feb 18, 2015

I would really go with plumbing the two together just for the evaporation alone. It won't be as cool, but not having to worry about potential issues will make you much happier in the long run.

ajones2n · Feb 19, 2015

Sounds like a pretty sweet set up. Take lots of pictures and keep us updated.

schooleyosis · Feb 19, 2015

Following. Sounds like a few good ideas floating around here.

pickupman66 · Feb 19, 2015

If it were me, I would do two tanks with one sump. This they basically run independent but share the sump. a waterfall will be difficult as you would have to notch out the wall on the top tank. if the 40 has an overflow, you could have it plumb directly into the lower tank.

.AcroKiller. · Feb 19, 2015

Also the problem with water falls is that you will have to clean the algae on the rocks around the water fall from time to time is almost like a algae scrubber

cee · Feb 19, 2015

I would build a stand that has 2 different levels so the waterline is at the same height on both tanks and connect them together via bulkheads. Then put the overflow on one and the return on the other. It would be quite unusual but perfectly functional.

HugoPerez · Feb 19, 2015

The problem with that is the 50 rimless is only 12 inches high the cube is 24 that wouldn't look right. I'm liking the waterfall idea

cee · Feb 19, 2015

HugoPerez said:
The problem with that is the 50 rimless is only 12 inches high the cube is 24 that wouldn't look right. I'm liking the waterfall idea

Got that but it's like an upside version of what you're proposing without the plumbing water level issues.

pickupman66 · Feb 19, 2015

Dave. It makes it a drop off tank. Cool

bknapp · Feb 19, 2015

I think the best way to accomplish this would be to make the shallow tank drain into a common sump and run the return into the taller tank and connect the two tanks with a bulkhead.

HugoPerez · Feb 19, 2015

That's what I really want Brandon. I'm gonna try to find a glass shop to make me a triangle shape sort of drain/lip for the cube

cee · Feb 20, 2015

bknapp said:
I think the best way to accomplish this would be to make the shallow tank drain into a common sump and run the return into the taller tank and connect the two tanks with a bulkhead.

If you connect with a bulkhead wouldn't all the water in the deeper tank run into the shallow tank and attempt to equalize the water levels? Wouldn't that flood the shallow tank? Maybe I'm not seeing it in my head.

bknapp · Feb 20, 2015

cee said:
If you connect with a bulkhead wouldn't all the water in the deeper tank run into the shallow tank and attempt to equalize the water levels? Wouldn't that flood the shallow tank? Maybe I'm not seeing it in my head.

That's possible, but there's only so much water in the system with the sump. I don't know. It would definitely take some tinkering before I would trust it enough to leave the house.

Nice to see you poking around Dave, how are ya?

cee · Feb 20, 2015

bknapp said:
That's possible, but there's only so much water in the system with the sump. I don't know. It would definitely take some tinkering before I would trust it enough to leave the house.

Nice to see you poking around Dave, how are ya?

Wife's health has stabilized a bit so I'm setting up a tank! You'll probably see me at your swap in April.