multi tank filtration options

[BTK]

Ok so I have a 80g and two 55g tanks...what is the best setup I could use for extra filtration.....I have dual hobs on each tank but would like to add some kind of central filtration system...i was researching and a lot of the stuff is confusing?
I really don't want to get three canister filters so any ideas...the tanks are stacked vertically...I use the 55 for breeding and growing fry.....may b a sump but that was also very confusing...I do have a extra 30g laying around but according to what I read I would need 20% of overall system volume...isn't that Wat the 30g or close to it?

 

[aclockworkorange]

For a sump, you need a size that will handle all the water that goes through your overflows when the power is turned off... Depends on your overflows really. Honestly if you're new to sumps I wouldn't have my first project be plumbing three vertically stacked tanks together.
What exactly are you looking for with additional filtration? Are you having water quality issues?

 

[BTK]

Yea it seams a bit confusing....what do u think I should go with...yes water quality..I lost a batch of fry...I keep FH I would like my turnover to be near 10x...with my hobs I'm only around 8 times an hour....can u run multitanks with a canister

 

[lipadj46]

the easiest would be to buy a small alita or jehmco air pump and a gang valve and use sponge filters. i personally don't like the idea of sharing water between tanks.

 

[Zari]

the easiest would be to buy a small alita or jehmco air pump and a gang valve and use sponge filters. i personally don't like the idea of sharing water between tanks.

X1

If the water is shared then when one tank gets ick/whatever they all get ick and then you gotta treat them all and not just one tank.

For two tanks its much easier to just filter them alone with extra HOB filters or Canister filters

For a hell of alot of tanks its easier to filter them all with sponge filters running off one central pvc air manifold and pump or start thinking about a central sump. I'd much rather go the route of sponge filters in that situation tho just because sharing water = alot more to treat if something goes wrong.

 

[BTK]

Central sump that's Wat I was looking to do...I already use hob filters actually 2...and a powerhead with a sponge filter & bubbler hooked up to it

 

[wheatgerm]

This is a little off topic but if your turning your water over 8xI then you should be pretty good, how often are you doing water changes? When I was breeding fish I never had that much filtration on my fry tanks. I just had a sponge filter in the corner and did small water changes every other day and never had a problem with it.

HOB filters aren't too great for bio filtration. You could consider an in tank fluidized sand bead filter, youtube diy fluidized filter they aren't the best looking but you can make them for next to nothing and your bio filtration will be greatly increased... just thinking of other options you could try

 

[BTK]

ok so what I do is put my pair in the 55g the lay eggs and hatch and then put the parents in the 80g...and what seem to happen was my water I guess had a alge bloom while they were caring for the eggs the got fungus and a batch of eggs lost...i turn off the hob's and powerhead off as soon as the eggs hatch I leave my sponge on for about a week then turn back on my powerhead/sponge combo illl leave the hob's off for a while till I feel they can handle the extra currents...

right now im shooting for 20-30% w/c but sometimes have to do 50% weekly and sometime twice a week...but even at that it seems like I should do more w/c but do not want to stress my pair or fry to much with excessive w/c's...which is y i would like to get some sort of central system...there are a few types i kno of Canister wet/dry well I guess thats all i kno what else are my options...
running the plumbing will not be that hard because i have been working with my hands (custom fab stuff)

Really I would like to kno what works the best for my application and what is the easiest to mantiain...thanks for the input guys

 

[hoodtatz]

hello