3 tanks, 1 sump?

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K

kallmond

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 21, 2009
790
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Hanover, PA
Right now I have 3 tanks, a 29 long, a 55 long and a 120. At the moment I am doing triple work changing the water in all 3. I'm thinking I should set up 1 sump for all 3 tanks, and just do 1 big water change per week.

Does anyone have any experience with a setup like this? It seems like when I need to add more/bigger tanks having 1 common water supply (and an isolated hospital/quarantine tank) would make that easier.

Thanks!
 
you just have to weigh the ease of WC against the downsides of running a single sump (spread of disease, etc) but its definitely possible.

you would need an overflow from each tank to the sump, and either a large pump with 3 returns (w/ ball valves on each for adjustment) or individual pumps for each tank.
you may also want to look into a large air pump with airstones in each tank to keep water moving in your tanks during sump maintenance .

also, unless youre running BB tanks, you will still need to vacuum the substrate. so youre not really cutting down on maintenance that much.
 
On the plus side you get a larger water column and easier water changes. The downside is if something gets sick it will be in all three tanks by the time you notice it. It's a perfectly reasonable thing to do depending on your take of the disease/parasite/bacterial issue. Microbes are wily.
 
Ullopincrate;3599686; said:
On the plus side you get a larger water column and easier water changes.
Click to expand...

The larger water column is the main reason I was thinking of this setup. Having 1 250 gallon 'pool' of water seems more stable than my 30g (29L) can provide, giving my fish better water quality and cutting down on my labor at the same time.

Seems full of win :)
 
I want to do the same thing with three new tanks I bought. If you come up with some ideas I'd love to see them. Money is tight right now, so I'm not looking to rush it.
 
if you're using the same tap water to fill all the tanks, and your tanks are properly filtered and cycled, you shouldn't run into any stability problems. if you are, it it a problem with the filter or maintenance on your part.
granted, a larger amount of water will ultimately provide a larger margin of error. but with proper maintenance, that shouldn't be an issue.
 
bitteraspects;3599783; said:
it it a problem with the filter or maintenance on your part.
Click to expand...

Def. Maintenance on my part. I occasionally, randomly and without warning get called for 2 - 3 week out of town travel. My wife is more than happy to feed the fish, but *hates* doing water changes. Increasing my overall water to fish ratio should give me more time between water changes and make it easier on her if I plumb the sump with a drain and fill.

I'm thinking a 110 gallon stock tank
39391.jpg
as my sump would give me plenty of growing room, it will fit under my current (way over sized) stand, and its only $59 from the local Tractor Supply. A couple of 1/4 plexi as dividers and I should be well on my way to a big sump for not a ton of cash.

Plans plans plans!

Now for the eternal MFK question. How to convince the wife.
 
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