it can't Really be that simple can it?

Gilraen Took · 01-16-2007, 12:10 PM

Yesterday at the LRS I asked how hard it would be to plumb a 10 gallon tank to a 20 gallon tank as a fuge/sump type of set up(will be side by side) He said all I would really need is an overflow box and a return pump. I dunno. I assumed it would be some long drawn out difficult problem, not "just" a couple of pieces of equipment placed onto the tank. So I also figure I should ask what it would take. Is that the basic "needs" list, and if so, how hard is it to set up(considering that I'm usually pretty handy

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drdude05 · 01-16-2007, 12:20 PM

Plumbing the tanks could be that simple, however I'm not sure an overflow box would be the right way to go (especially if you are planning to have the tanks side by side) as they depend on a siphon and gravity to feed your sump.
I may be wrong in my thinking, and if I am someone will come along to straighten me out, but I tried what you are talking about and I never got much flow to the sump tank using an overflow box, when the tanks were side by side. I ended up needing two pumps (evenly matched in GPH ). One fed the sump the other returned water to the display. I just added SW to the sump to the level I wanted and the pumps did a good job maintaining the level.

I have also seen it done with a drain hole drilled in the top of the display tank which feeds the sump and a return pump from the sump.

HTH

Gilraen Took · 01-16-2007, 12:40 PM

No holes in the tanks though. I'd have to do without them, especially since the 20 is already filled. I don't want to have to drain it and refill it and stress out my livestock that badly. It was already a pain to try to fill it the first time.

frankandmaura · 01-16-2007, 12:42 PM

Can you put the fuge under the other tank (or below it at all)? Then what you suggested would work ok.

afbengochea · 01-16-2007, 01:01 PM

cant u just glue in some baffles in the tanks and put in a utube. kinda like one of those hangon overflow boxes

Gilraen Took · 01-16-2007, 02:10 PM

It's on a dresser, so I don't have room underneath or behind it. I don't know how to do the baffles, but am willing to learn if it would work

Casey · 01-16-2007, 02:17 PM

that wont work with your tank on the dresser.

frankandmaura · 01-16-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilraen Took

It's on a dresser, so I don't have room underneath or behind it. I don't know how to do the baffles, but am willing to learn if it would work

How about on the floor or on a small table to the side and down from the top of the dresser...it doesn't have to be directly under it, just below it.

Casey · 01-16-2007, 02:34 PM

As long as it is lower it will work,I just like drilled tanks ,the overflows are alot of trouble if the siphon breaks for some reason.

Gilraen Took · 01-16-2007, 02:36 PM

I don't know how we are going to set up after we move, but at the moment the tank is backed up to my desk essentially. I wouldn't have the room to leave or get to my computer without rearranging the entire thing. Also, does the entire tank need to be below it, or just the water level? The 10 is around 3-4 inches shorter than the 20 gal is if that would help.

frankandmaura · 01-16-2007, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey

As long as it is lower it will work,I just like drilled tanks ,the overflows are alot of trouble if the siphon breaks for some reason.

You got that right...but I have been using the CPR overflow with the aqua lifter pump and haven't had any issues with a siphon breaking (it probably will today...knowing my luck). But that aqua lifter pump is like $15 and it can be used with any overflow...I have mine on a timer and it sucks 2 times a day to remove any air in the siphon. I highly recommend this pump if you are going to use an overflow...

frankandmaura · 01-16-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilraen Took

I don't know how we are going to set up after we move, but at the moment the tank is backed up to my desk essentially. I wouldn't have the room to leave or get to my computer without rearranging the entire thing. Also, does the entire tank need to be below it, or just the water level? The 10 is around 3-4 inches shorter than the 20 gal is if that would help.

Well, with the overflow, you are going to be about 1' below the water surface in your current tank...then you need it to fall from there, so I say you need the whole tank to be about 2 feet below the other tank (or at least below the bottom of the overflow...

I am sure others with more knowledge will chime in...

mg · 01-16-2007, 03:09 PM

I would think that as long as the water surface is at the same height for both tanks reative to the floor and you connect the tanks by a hang on overflow or just a u tube then both tanks will always maintain an equal water level, unless the syphon breaks. So put a pump in one tank and pump into the other and as the water level drops in that tank, the difference in water pressure will force the water in the rising tank through the overflow to equalize. I thought this would work, no?

afbengochea · 01-16-2007, 03:16 PM

i would think it would work as long as there were baffles placed next to the utube in order to make sure the tube stays submerged

mg · 01-16-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afbengochea

i would think it would work as long as there were baffles placed next to the utube in order to make sure the tube stays submerged

You shouldn't even need baffles if the tube is several inches below the waters surface. There should only be minor water level changes if the U tube can keep up with the pump used. You can also use several U tubes and connect an aqualifter pump or some of the other mods to make sure you don't lose siphon.