Hi, I don't want to get rid of my spare 55g, and I don't have the room to keep 2 display tanks this size. Basically, I have this vision of one tank above the other as one system, the lower one in a stand, the upper one on top of the stand. I figure that the extra capacity will be beneficial for my fancy goldfish as they really are dirty, and my tap water is really soft, kH nil. Anything to help prevent a crash which I am always so near to even with other methods.
1: The Stand.
The stand will be made from steel angle by my dad at his work (he will weld it all). I just said I wanted it so the bottom tank can slide in and out (when empty), and the top tank sits about 6 inches above the rim of the lower one, in a lipped tray with no bottom. I've heard this is ok for glass tanks. Just the tank edges held in place with 1" angle. Then I would consider boxing the lower one in.
Anyway, we quickly realised if made like this, an identical bottom tank wouldn't be able to slide in and out because of the corner angles, so the frame would have to be finished with the tank in situ and the top tray welded on. (I was thinking about bottom tank maintenance or future removal, but damn it if the bottom tank is stuck there forever!)
Any ideas, or could this work?
Alternatively, he reckons he can make the upper tray separately and bolt it on after the lower tank is positioned. I'm worried about it.
2: The Overflow(s).
Anyway, another thing I'm prepared to do is drill this empty tank I've got and use it as the upper tank. I'd like to drill the back wall, fairly high. I'm not bothered about surface skimming if it causes complications, this is a goldfish tank. I simply require silent exit of water to the sump because it's in my bedroom, and I'm sick to death of the noise I currently have from a fluval 4+. I've been going around this site and google and can't get a grip on this overflow thing at all, it seems there are so many options. I can't see why just a couple of guarded bulkheads won't drain water effectively - will they? Or will it sound like a toilet? I don't mind the idea of fixing an internal weir/surface skimming box IF someone can advise if these don't make the thing more complicated or noisy. I somehow got the idea that these can create noise, either when the water falls, or do they cause air in the down-pipes? Thought it better to ask here. It's definitely internal boxes I am asking about, I don't want any HOB or side box.
I will leave the design of the sump to another thread entirely, as I think the answers here could get jumbled, but I realise I need a return pump and media. All in good time, I have a few weeks before the stand will be made anyway.
Thanks in advance.
1: The Stand.
The stand will be made from steel angle by my dad at his work (he will weld it all). I just said I wanted it so the bottom tank can slide in and out (when empty), and the top tank sits about 6 inches above the rim of the lower one, in a lipped tray with no bottom. I've heard this is ok for glass tanks. Just the tank edges held in place with 1" angle. Then I would consider boxing the lower one in.
Anyway, we quickly realised if made like this, an identical bottom tank wouldn't be able to slide in and out because of the corner angles, so the frame would have to be finished with the tank in situ and the top tray welded on. (I was thinking about bottom tank maintenance or future removal, but damn it if the bottom tank is stuck there forever!)
Any ideas, or could this work?
Alternatively, he reckons he can make the upper tray separately and bolt it on after the lower tank is positioned. I'm worried about it.
2: The Overflow(s).
Anyway, another thing I'm prepared to do is drill this empty tank I've got and use it as the upper tank. I'd like to drill the back wall, fairly high. I'm not bothered about surface skimming if it causes complications, this is a goldfish tank. I simply require silent exit of water to the sump because it's in my bedroom, and I'm sick to death of the noise I currently have from a fluval 4+. I've been going around this site and google and can't get a grip on this overflow thing at all, it seems there are so many options. I can't see why just a couple of guarded bulkheads won't drain water effectively - will they? Or will it sound like a toilet? I don't mind the idea of fixing an internal weir/surface skimming box IF someone can advise if these don't make the thing more complicated or noisy. I somehow got the idea that these can create noise, either when the water falls, or do they cause air in the down-pipes? Thought it better to ask here. It's definitely internal boxes I am asking about, I don't want any HOB or side box.
I will leave the design of the sump to another thread entirely, as I think the answers here could get jumbled, but I realise I need a return pump and media. All in good time, I have a few weeks before the stand will be made anyway.
Thanks in advance.
