Trying to assemble 3 aquariums together

[Aqua Splendor]

I'm concerned about the Input flow to the display tank, (Purple circle part) I'm not sure what would happen, is it going to make a sound? Can air circulate if the opposite is fully submerged in water??


Could the alternative work correctly if the pipe goes far beyond the bottom of the display tank and comes back in a U shape to the output?

Do you see any risks that I should be concerned about, clog, atmosphere pressure, air stock, possible overflow, etc...
thank you

I'm trying to make my life easier by combining aquariums together and sharing the same water.

 

[blaxsun]

The easiest (and most reliable) would be to run overflows and pumps to each. That way if you have a failure on one tank it's not going to cascade into the other.

 

[Sean Clark]

The easiest (and most reliable) would be to run overflows and pumps to each. That way if you have a failure on one tank it's not going to cascade into the other.

This is what I was going to suggest. A pump for each tank with its own return to the sump. Should be very safe.

 

[blaxsun]

This is what I was going to suggest. A pump for each tank with its own return to the sump. Should be very safe.

Yes, and it will avoid the single point of failure being the connecting overflow pipe. If this gets blocked one tank will overflow and the other will stop circulating. In addition, two pumps will ensure good circulation in each tank. I'm not sure just having water drain from the frag tank into the display tank will be sufficient (it may work for the frag tank but I see nutrients potentially climbing in the display tank).

 

[Sean Clark]

Yes, and it will avoid the single point of failure being the connecting overflow pipe. If this gets blocked one tank will overflow and the other will stop circulating. In addition, two pumps will ensure good circulation in each tank. I'm not sure just having water drain from the frag tank into the display tank will be sufficient (it may work for the frag tank but I see nutrients potentially climbing in the display tank).

Yep. Plus being able to adjust flow on each tank will keep them quiet. All of the water mixing in the sump should keep the parameters nice and balanced. The floors should stay dry too.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I would just plumb an over flow from the frag tank to the display tank since you seem to have the frag tank at a higher elevation. Using the method described could lead to an airlock between the tanks causing a flood in the upper tank. You could accomplish the same thing with a spillway if the tanks are butted end to end.

 

[Aqua Splendor]

Forget to mention a couple of points, maybe important, maybe not:
- Trying to go low budget and go with what I have
- Trying to simplify as maximum possible

With the current setup shown upper, The worst-case scenario if something bloc is just a little bit of water will overflow in the sump (I need to be careful with this and the sump volume).

Both aquariums are currently running on their own, All in one. That means I have 2 return pumps already.

I'm not a fan of having 2 pumps, or more stuff, prefer to have an extra spare in case of something.
Does it make sense? Reducing to the minimum helped me so much in this hobby.

Adding a second overflow box instead of a bulkhead seems interesting, It's more backup, no electric plug, just more pipe and $$, but I assume it will probably help to cut the sound of the giggling bulkhead+pipe like in the picture between frag and display connection (still unsure about the sound that current design makes).

I was planning to go with vinyl tubing, I like the flexibility since I planned also to make some moves eventually (disconnecting, moving the aquariums). It's also much cheaper this way. However, I do not know what I would miss with the possibility of reducing the flow via a PVC gate valve. I'm unsure of the practicality of this setup. What I know is the return pump I use is used to its maximum and I'm fine with the strength. (eheim compact 2000+). The sicce I have reduce it in the frag tank. It's controlling that "silence" that intrigues me a lot.

A spillway is not an option I think, since I want to see the tank from all sides but an interesting suggestion!

Equipment I have:
- Return Eheim compact 2000+
- Sicce synchra 2.0
- Fiji cube overflow 400 gph

Was thinking to use the Eheim since it's more silent than the Sicce, The sicce I have to disconnect it sometime when i record videos since it makes a constant muted vibration which I think is accentuated by the stand.

The flow inside of those tanks is irrelevant, it's to understand if that kind of setup could work and if is silent. ('im using other pumps inside)