Advise regarding multi tank > sump setup(s)

[dan8310x]

Hi, Im currently constructing 8 x 36"x15"x12" (LxHXD) tanks out of plywood. the plywood is 1" thick. The pieces of wood have already been cut to size, as they were given to be from a building site (would have been going in the skip).
All pieces are of good nic and off cuts from work on the site.

My question is, I have room for 4 rows of 2 tanks on one wall of my fishroom.
36" next two each other totalling 72" in length available space.
Should I setup the tanks;
a. 3 vertical with the bottom 1 as a sump? twice
Tank Tank
|............|
Tank Tank
|............|
Tank Tank
|............|
Sump Sump

Or
b 6 connected together, with the bottom 2 as sumps (also connected)?
Tank->Tank
..............|
Tank->Tank
|
Tank->Tank
..............|
Sump<-Sump


Ignore the ....'s they should be spaces

Hope the text diagrams explain?

Many thanks

Danny

 

[scrup]

I'd say it would depend on what you are stocking. With the first setup you would have two separate systems, capable of each having different water parameters (say if you wanted to breed corries and rift cichlids, that would make things easier). the second one would all be one system, requiring you to keep them all at the same temp, PH, hardness, etc. Also in the second one, you get an outbreak of something, you have to treat all of the tanks. The top one would cut down on meds required by 1/2.