Wanting to start another tank...

[Mike171]

I currently have a 70G (36x18Dx24T) that has been running for about 5 months. I've got a friend looking to downgrade his 120 (48x24x24) and is giving me a good deal on it. It's currently not drilled but if I get it, I will have it drilled. I've been thinking of plumbing the two together into a single sump to increase total volume. Good idea? bad idea? I'm new give me some pointers and tell me what I may be over looking.

Oh and I'm thinking of making one a reef tank and the other a FOWLR tank if that makes any difference. Thanks guys!

 

[mainereefer]

I wouldnt plumb the 2 together, to many "what ifs" unless you plan on having the same exact things in both tanks

 

[Mike171]

just for the benifit of learning, what type of "what ifs" are you thinking. one problem i was thinking is that is something went wrong with one it'd suddenly be in two, making it twice the problem.

 

[mainereefer]

best example I can think of is petco when they have a sick fish coral in one tank all there tanks are sick!

like you said double the problems that could happen to one tank thats allot of what ifs
pumps,heaters,plumbing

it can be done but like I said double the what if's and the size of the sump

 

[WesF]

it's definitely less maintenance when it's all one system. One waterchange vs 2, etc, etc.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

One of the pros to having them as separate systems is that you have an emergency tank if something goes wrong. I still would highly consider making them one system if it were me.

 

[Cooterbrown]

You would also save on filtration if it were on system. I so wish I could plumb mine together

 

[Troylee]

Down falls.... A fish only system is normally very high in nitrates... Not good for a reef... If your fish get ich you can't treat them with most meds or it wipe your corals out... 2 tanks means a huge sump that can hold the water of both tanks on the event of a power outage... Dosing a huge amount of chemicals in a large amount of water is a waiste if your corals are in a 70 gal tank now... fish only systems are almost maintence free by adding it to your reef it becomes a head ache and a chore IMHO... Think about water changes fish only once a month if you want but you don't really need to... Reefs need special care and more water changes... Combining the 2 means more salt, more water, more chemicals, more time, more head aches... I would keep them seperate that's just me...