Linking Multiple Tanks to Single Filtration Unit

[PeacockBassMan]

Ive searched high and low on these forums and cannot find a thing on a good way to link tanks together to a single filtration unit. Are there any subject matter experts that could possibly point me in the right direction or draw a really awesome diagram so I can finish up my sketches of my big fishroom build?

The tanks are all going to be plywood and I want to link them all to a single wet/dry filter. I understand with the amount of tanks, and size that it is going to be enormous. I have dedicated an entire walk-in closet to the filtration.

Thanks in advance!

 

[hangner]

well basically each tank has to have its own overflow(s) (depending on the size of the tanks), one way or another these overflows go to big sump (either you route a big number of smaller pipes or link them all into a single bigger pipe, again the size of the pipes depends on the size of the tanks)

now in you can design the sump anyway you want, it just has to be big enough. An idea would be the pipes feeding into filter socks then flows to bioballs and gets pumped out
other ideas include running a bio-tower or even a fluidized bed filter

the more tricky part is the output
first you need one big powerful pump or a number of smaller pumps(recommended in case of failure)
you need to make a manifold at the output of the pump that splits the water in howerver many outputs you need
each one of these outputs needs a valve to control flow individually
maniflod are usually pvc tees that are stacked on top of each other with a valvle @ each t output.
then you basically run the ouputs back to the tanks

if you want a u.v. put it before the manifold

here is a basic idea of whata manifold would look like

 

[Pharaoh]

Take a look at the INDY DIY GUYS thread. Its a bit long, but you can check out my central setup that I plumbed. It should be right up your alley.

 

[Egon]

I agree with the above.

I'm moving soon and I'm planing the same thing, one filter for many tanks. I'm going to wrap a 3" drain line around the perimeter of the fish room except for the door way. I'm going to slope it towards the sump with a T fitting at the sump to run a line to the back yard for water changes. The 3" drain will have a T fitting behind every tank (with the opening up so the water doesn't drain to the ground). This will all be built up before I move any tanks in. Then I'll put the tanks in front of each T fitting and drop my tank overflow right into the T opening. I think I'll use 2" pipe for my overflows depending on the individual tank filtration needs. That will give me an inch gap well 1/2 inch gap between the over flow pipe from the tank to the 3" T opening on the main drain pipe. This "gap" will keep the gurgle down, increase the drain flow, and should be easy to set up. The sump has to be huge to compensate for power outages. I'm going to put an overflow in my sump to my back yard. If I lose power the extra water over flows from all the tanks to the sump then out to the back yard. I don't have the pump/supply side figured out yet, I like the manifold idea above! That way you could use one large pump, maybe a pool pump that runs off of 230V for efficiency? Hmmmmm? Now I'm getting excited!

 

[PeacockBassMan]

I just went 45 pages in on that Indy DIY thread...I must have ADD because I cant read anymore. Not that it wasnt interesting reading material, but because I wasnt getting instant gratification. I am interested in this fluidized bed filter deal...hope it isnt too complicated. Ill look it up.

Had I know you all were doing that sort of stuff down in INDY I would have contributed my DIY build pictures from years past.