Starting over

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I am in the planning stage of an entirely "new" system. It's been years since I've kept a marine tank. My last tank, a 65gal, was destroyed after a 30 day power outage following "Super-storm Sandy"; only being able to run generator power for a limited amount of hours daily only served to prolong the destruction process. It is past time to start again. It's been so long that I feel like a complete beginner. I am seeking input as I put my new plans together and start this "new" system, which will use as many "old" parts as I can.
As a result of a recent remodel, a fish room roughly 8.5' x 10' has been allocated my my sole occupation. It has been outfitted with a slop-sink and an RO/DI filtration unit as well as two dedicated circuits. My original concept was to construct a tank 4'x4'x2' tall; the idea of being able to look back deep into space was appealing. I was going to mount it into the wall. However, the custom tank and custom stand were far too expensive (especially for the wife). So plan "B" has been theorized.
Plan B is to use the available wall space to mount several display tanks giving both walls the appearance of having multiple works of living art. Tanks of different shapes, sizes and themes are being considered. The notion of being able to house different animals in tanks designed for their needs as opposed to doing my best to get a little something for everyone is appealing.
I am considering linking the tanks in series to minimize the amount of equipment required; I guess this would make it one large system as opposed to several smaller ones. So far I have my 65gal tank and a 10 gal "quarantine" tank. I have been gifted a 40 gal tank and one of those bio-ball filtration things (not planing on using this kind of filtration but want to try to salvage the unit and repurpose it, if possible). I'm still looking into additional display tanks and tanks for sump(s). I still have working heaters and hydor powerheads. Planning on upgrading to led lighting. Obviously, pumps, protein skimming as well as the other equipment will need augmentation for a much larger system.
Has anyone out there done a multiple display tank system? It feels very LFS to me, but I am not so sure I am going to seek advice from the LFS on setting one up.
Input (about anything, tank suggestions, controllers, wavemakers, powerheads, skimmers, etc.) would be appreciated.
Thanks.
 
Welcome to R2R! Glad to hear you didn't let that disaster keep you out of the hobby! Make sure to start a build thread once you get started!
 
Welcome to R2R and your movement back into the hobby! A multiple tank system would be really cool! But after 2 rounds of velvet I personally would be terrified to try it. I definitely would like to see pics as it comes together if you decide to do it! With velvet and ich running rampant out there, my only advice would be to really utilize that qt tank.
 
If I understand your plan, you intend to have several tanks in series working off of one filtration system (sump). Is this correct? If so, I like the idea.

Consider this:

Set up ONE tank with an oversized sump. Then you could add other tanks as you go along, connecting them into the oversized sump as needed.
 
Cant wait to see your build thread progress, sounds like it's gonna be EPIC!

welcome-back.gif
 
If I understand your plan, you intend to have several tanks in series working off of one filtration system (sump). Is this correct? If so, I like the idea.

Consider this:

Set up ONE tank with an oversized sump. Then you could add other tanks as you go along, connecting them into the oversized sump as needed.
Yes to the tanks. Not sure with the sumps. I was thinking about multiple sumps in series as well (and possibly even a mangrove too); was going to attempt to match tank volume, or come close, with sump volume. For the first time I've got a whole room to work with, not just a stand and tank. I'm dreaming big, perhaps too big.
 
Welcome to R2R and your movement back into the hobby! A multiple tank system would be really cool! But after 2 rounds of velvet I personally would be terrified to try it. I definitely would like to see pics as it comes together if you decide to do it! With velvet and ich running rampant out there, my only advice would be to really utilize that qt tank.
Thanks. That QT is going to be the heart of my system. Everything that enters will be incarcerated there first!
 
Yes to the tanks. Not sure with the sumps. I was thinking about multiple sumps in series as well (and possibly even a mangrove too); was going to attempt to match tank volume, or come close, with sump volume. For the first time I've got a whole room to work with, not just a stand and tank. I'm dreaming big, perhaps too big.

Dream big, but start small. And use a design that allows for expansion.
 

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