Picked Up 2 60 Gallon Clear For Life Tanks

[PeacockKeeper]

I purchased these two tanks as "used" from a LFS closing down. They are drilled (1-inch??) for use with wet/dry filters and I'm wondering what are some ideas that I can use to get these tanks going. If I set the tanks side by side, then the two bigger drilled holes would be next to each other. Would it be a good idea to by slips, elbows, and tees and hook both tank up to drain down into a 125 Del Rey Wet/Dry? Then have two pumps to pump water back into each tank by the smaller drilled holes?
Instead of using pvc....can I use tubes instead for the drainage? Thanks in advance...let me know what you think.

(By the way, I haven't decided what the tanks will be stocked with...just want to get it cycling)

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

Thats what i would do add a sump for them to share. Unless you allready have that sump you could build one for next to nothing. I would also add a power head in the tanks for some additional movement. If later on down the road you decide you need more filtration then put a HOB filter on them as well.

 

[azntank]

im in the same situation but with 1 60gal. ive been looking around for cheap diy sumps and im starting to get ideas. i just dont know if the powerhead i have now can pump enough water back into the tank and i dont have the money to buy a new one. im also still figuring out how to prevent flooding during a power outage

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

A power head is not meant to pump water up a incline from a sump. They have what is called a ultra low head height. Now if your sump is level with your tank like on a stand behind it then that will be fine. But it will not last very long trying to pump water up a tube from the floor. And a good way to keep the sump from over flowing during power outages is to drill a vent hole a inch or 2 below the water line on the out from the tank. that way when the power goes out the tank will continue continue to drain into the sump unitl it has dropped a couple of inches to the vent hole and then suction will be lost and the syphon will stop. It is a good idea to have this happen just as the bio media in the sump is covered. Or else if the syphon is lost to early and the bio media is left to dry out then the bio-bacteria will die off.

 

[chesterthehero]

preventing flooding is easy.. just dont fill the sump all the way so theres room for a few gallons to drain from each tank when the the power goes out (since you said the tanks were drilled)

your powerhead can not pump water from the sump back up to the tank.. if it can.. it does not fit in your sump.. power heads are for "blowing" water around and doing a lil extra filtering in the tank.. you need a water pump to "pump" the water back into the tank/s.. depending on what you stock your tank/s with you are going to want anywhere from 3-8 turnovers per hour (2 60 gallon tanks - 120gph = 1 turnover.. so you want a pump that can do something like 400-1000gph)

connecting 2 tanks to 1 sump is easy enough.. and yes you can use hose for drainage... they sell it at pool supply places.. it looks prettymuch like shop vac hose (i forget what its called).. however pvc is like $2 for a 10" stick at homedepot and is solid (i dont like hoses.. personal choice)

only issue with connecting 2 tanks to 1 sump is that you have to keep fish that like the same water (temp, hardness, ect) in both tanks and can all tolerate the same meds..

 

[Pharaoh]

People use a central filtration method all the time. I am currently working on building my setup in between finishing the basement. Multiple tanks on one system allows you to have stable water conditions for both tanks.

Great idea! Keep it going. You could alway get 1 bigger pump and put a Y on it. Just a thought.

 

[PeacockKeeper]

Thanks for the replies fellow MFKers...I pretty much see where you guys are coming from and I sort of could picture what I'm planning to do. Chesterthehero, I know its a preference thing about on the draining pipes but I dislike the fact that when pvc pipes are used, its more of a permanent thing and I'm not planning to stay at this house for long. I want to be able to just disconnect the hose clamp, unplug and move although the pvc would look better. Pharoah, I like the idea of getting a bigger pump and put a "y" on it. It would make it easier. Again guys, thanks.