2 Tanks , 1 Fx5 !

[djarmstrong]

Would it be possable to filter 2 100Gal tanks off 1 Fluval Fx5 , if i was to split the inlet and outlet pipes ?

The tanks are both on the floor , so i was thinking on puttin the Fx5 in the middle of them both and splitting the inlet pipes and outlet pipes so i have 1 inlet on 1 tank another on the other tank using T/ Y connects and them both to go in to the Fx5 and then split the outlet with another T/ Y connecter so it goes into 2 so water evenly goes back into both tank .

Sorry if that dont make sense , i understand what i mean i just cannt always write it out and make it so others understand .

 

[BarroomHero]

I would say no. The manual for an fx5 states "The filter lid must be at least 7.8 in. (20cm) below your aquarium’s water level..." That also would not be nearly enough filtration IMO.

 

[Toby_H]

Getting both inlets/outlets to remove/replace the EXACT same amount of water will be nearly impossible... keeping them balanced will be literally impossible... An exceptionally minute difference will add up quickly allowing one tank to overflow...

The solution to this is to create a constant siphon between the two aquariums. Precaution must be taken to not allow the siphon to become plugged or to allow air bubbles to enter the siphon tube...

The siphon will ensure both tanks are at the same level and will account for any minor differences in the filters balance...

Since both tanks will be (essentially) filled up to the top of the rim, there will be little room for error. Now considering that a siphon is very weak (read as slow) when water levels are very close to the same elevation... so you will still want to take every step possible to create a balance with the filter. This would include making the distance from the inlet/outlet to the T/Y the same distance, the same diameter hoses, have the same bends, etc, etc from one tank to the other...

But even with all that in place... the inlets will get clogged at different rates causing an imbalance in flow via the filter... forcing the siphon to keep the tanks in balance... and since the siphon will be so weak/slow I would only trust this balance unless the water level in the tanks were kept a couple inches below the rim. There is no way to predict clogging/restriction/imbalance therefore you will want to keep a very close eye on this system...

Note: The larger the diameter of the siphon the better it will work to keep things in balance... using multiple siphon tubes is also a wise option...

 

[arkmann]

Unless one tank trickles water to the other, then NO

 

[CichlidFiend]

I had a setup where 2 tanks were being filtered by one FX5:

The Fx5 would be pulling water from both tanks, a 125g and a 90g, the Fx5 then returned water to a 125g rubbermaid tub which by application of a ball pump in each of the tanks kept the water levels in the tanks where they needed to be.

It lasted about a week then I got fed up and invested in separate filtration for each of the tanks.

I wouldn't recommend this setup to anyone, you'd be better off with separate filtration.

 

[Iffrat]

dont do it .. not worth the problems .. Fx5's are $200 on ebay brand new .. $70 for media and you are good to go!!

 

[BTB0923]

....The solution to this is to create a constant siphon between the two aquariums. Precaution must be taken to not allow the siphon to become plugged or to allow air bubbles to enter the siphon tube...

If you do decide to do this I would recommend running an aqua lifter to suck any air out that gets in your siphon tube. If the siphon ever gets broken the aqua lifter sucks the air out of the tube and restarts it.

 

[chefjamesscott]

personally not worth the hassle and possible disaster in the waiting

just get 2 filters and good to go

 

[DISCIPLE]

If you do decide to do this I would recommend running an aqua lifter to suck any air out that gets in your siphon tube. If the siphon ever gets broken the aqua lifter sucks the air out of the tube and restarts it.

best 15.00 i spent for my wd. look at it as cheap but well worth insurance.

 

[djarmstrong]

So its a Big NO then .

Just tryng to save a bit of money on getting another filter + i am limited on space to put another filter next to the tanks . So i was thinking on one Filter for both tanks and as the tanks are on the floor i am not sure if i could make a Sump for them both .

Apart form buying another filter for the other tank what else could i do to filter both tanks .

1 tanks got a Youngish Oscar , Jag , Black Belt and 2 Large Common Pleco's .
The other tank has a JD' , Port Acara , Firemouth , 4 Lines Pim's Catfish and acouple of young Bichir in it .