One giant filter for multiple tanks?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Q

Quo Vadis

Gambusia
MFK Member
Apr 12, 2014
912
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18
Wisconsin
Would one giant filter for multiple tanks be more energy efficient than running individual filters on the tank? It would be for 5-6 tanks in the 75-180g range. I am thinking of a DIY filter of some type utilizing something like a 55g barrel, as a trickle filter, huge canister, or liquid bed filter. I could also potentially connect my big plywood tank I will be building (300-400g) to the loop. If I went to the work of this I would probably add an aquaponics bed as well. Also how would this effect the energy efficiency of my heaters? Would there be any way to do a set up like this without drilling all the tanks?
Thanks! I am kind of thinking out loud here.
 
Do a google search, there are all kinds of plans using big barrels and PVC or tubing for intake and return. I've never tried but with careful planning is totally possible


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Yeah, I have seen those online, but most of them are either for a huge tank, like 1000g, or for racks of smaller breeding tanks. Mine would just be for my various display tanks, that are arranged along the walls of my basement lounge/fishroom. I guess the part I am mostly wondering about, besides the energy efficiency, is whether I would connect the tanks to each other, and have it flow through, or if I would plumb each tank directly to and from the filter? The ease of taking care of one big filter, as opposed to all my small ones, does appeal to me, and if it was cheaper to run those two together I think would make it worth the work... but my head hurts just trying to think about the logistics of doing this.
 
I use one giant sump system for multiple tanks. Over 1500 gallons of water.

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How did you plumb them all together? I am really interested in how your system works. Do you find it to be more efficient than running all tanks separately? How many tanks are on your system? If I include my plywood build on the system it would probably total close to 1000g total.
 
Replying to this old thread to bump it because I'm new to the forums and I like it.

Isn't one sump for multiple tanks what some small municipal and university aquariums do?

I've always assumed most public aquariums use one central filtration system for saltwater and one for freshwater with only a few exceptions for quarantine and a handful of exotic species, possibly rotating exhibits.

It's the logical way to go when you have a lot of tanks and containing illness isn't an issue. The ability to start an instantly cycled tank by drawing off the water already in circulation and adding fresh water back can be really helpful in all kinds of circumstances.
 
It is better. But if one tank gets sick they all do. In the end we ended up going with air driven filtration. Ordered a commercial hydroponics air pump a roll of air line and a box of sponge filters.

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I have 2 tanks (250g and 105g) using one sump. makes cleaning filters and changing water easy. There even a third "tank" on top of the 250g housing six 2 cm festae. 3rd tank is fruits and vegetables bin from my old ref.
 
I have 3 systems, each system has 5 tanks, plumbed to one sump (filter).
And the responder who said, if one tank gets sick, or a parasite is absolutely right.
If one tank gets infected, all 5 need to be treated.
That said, I base my systems on the temp requirements of fish.
1 for cool water fish, or temperate fish such as Uruguayan cichlids, or northern Mexican species, and natives, where warm to cold fluctuations are part of their normal life cycle.

Another system for normal tropical fish temps in the 70s.
And the 3rd for those that might need high temps such as Nandopsis haitiensu, or Alcolapia alcalicus that prefer high 80sF or above.


 
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