Ok I have 6 20 gallon tanks. These tanks will be going into a rack system of some sort. Maybe 2 wide and 3 high or 3 wide and 2 high. Not sure on rack configuration yet. Anyway all 6 tanks are drilled. No bulkheads though. I am assuming I will be needing to setup a sump correct? I understand how to get the tanks to flow into one central sump. But how do I have it flow back again to each individual tank? Maybe someone has a similar setup they could share photos of with me. I need input on where to go from here.
how to filter 6 tanks?
- Thread starter wckdkl0wn
- Start date
These tanks are drilled. Came from a petstore that was moving and getting rid of some of their tanks. Just measured the holes for bulkheads. 1-3/4". bigger then i thought. Going to make for a lot of flow I guess
yes sump with a wet dry or large canister would be simpliest to set up. although i assume you could plumb it directly to a canister tho.wckdkl0wn;3430045; said:
get a powerful pump, hard plumb with pvc back to the tanks. use T or 4 way connectors to split them to each tank. after each split of the T or 4 way put a valve so you can regulate the flow to each tank.
thats how i would do it
1 3/4" holes will fit 1" buklheads, and 1" can flow a maximum of 600 gph. Since they're already drilled a central sump is the best way to go, get a large puimp (probably 1500+ gph) and ball valves for each tank so that you can customize the amount flow you need.
should I run the top row of tanks and bottom row of tanks into the sump seperately? I was going to T all the tanks overflow together to run one pvc into the sump. but then I got to thinking. What would stop the top tanks from back flowing into the bottom tanks. I don't know if you understand this one or not. Maybe I am just overthinking the whole thing.
No not at all....wckdkl0wn;3430255; said:
if you use a ball valve to cut the flow to each individual tank, you can tune the flow as necessary...
it would be the same as pumping to one tank, that was at the top of the "Maximum Head Height".
Most all of the pumps used in the industry are of the "centrifugal pump" design...you can stop the flow of water and the impeller can still turn with in the housing...
this is opposed to a "positive displacment" pump, in which you have to have flow for the impeller to turn...
if its a decent pump it should be able to deal with sucking in less water. its not like the actually pump works harder, it still spins at the same rate. so the pump doesnt say man theres a lot of resistance "LETS KICK IT UP NOTCHwckdkl0wn;3430255; said:
." i would think, "stress" of cutting the flow rate down is similar to the head loss of the pump having to pump the water farther. as long as its not going so slow the pump overheats its fine. ive done this with a bunch of pumps.
Thanks everyone for the input. Going to setup the rack and put the tanks in place tonight. Tomorrow I will get the plumbing and go from there. I have a pretty good idea on how to lay this out now.