? on pumping to 3 seperate tanks, 2 being higher up

[Tokay]

Just finished my stand for my triple stack 60, 180, and 80.
Now its time to see how im going to run the return lines.
Was planning to use one pump (rio 3100, or HF 24, or buy anohter one)
Was going to have the rio pump back into the
80 @ 3' 3"
180 @ 5' 8"
60 @ 7' 7"

I had my rio pumping to my 180 and 40 gallon a little over 6' tall so i know its capable of doing that.

Now im just debating wether to use one pump for all three. Or use two pump.

Either one for hte 180 and have hte 60 and 80 share one, or one med pump for the 60 that is over 7' high and have the 180 and 80 share a pump.

Anyone have an opionion or face this challenge before?
Id rather make a good choice before going thru trial and error.

 

[Ak-Kronic]

hmmmmmmmm if i was making a double or triple stacked stand i would have put the largest tank on bottom, i just would hate for the center of G to be off, and god forbit you have a minor earth quake/tremmor........are these tanks all on one central sump system? i would find out how much the pumps can lift w/ head pressure. this link may help you i still don't know what it is your trying to do. i would probly get a second pump. could you elaborate on how you plan on plumbing all this in.

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

 

[Tokay]

The largest tank couldn't be on the bottom because the permate bulkhead fittings hang about 6-8" below the tank and wouldn't be enough space to drain well.

I think the stand is sturdy enough to tank a small quake.

All the tanks will be on one sump, a large hex tank that i plan to fill with all types of media, submerged and above. If i dont like it i will add a second sump but i will prob stick with this one hex and also going to run an overflow to a smaller tank when power cuts off.

I know the heights of the pumps i just dont know how much it is affected when you split the lines into 2 tanks.

Maybe the rio 3100 can handle all three tanks.

OR maybe i should run one pump to the top and one pump for the bottom two tanks.

OR maybe one pump for the 60 and 80 gallon and one pump for the 180 in the middle.

 

[Tokay]

forgot pics