Plumbing 180 and stock tub together

[Drizzt]

I have a 180g acrylic tank with a center overflow and a 350g stock tub next to it. I would like to plumb both of them together to run off of one sump and one pump. Scenario #1: Should I pump the water from the stock tub up to the sump above the 180g and have that drain back into the 180g and the 180g drain back into the stock tub? Scenario #2: Should I put the sump on the ground and have both the 180g and the stock tub drain into the sump and pump the water back into both from the sump?

 

[Gervahlt]

I personally would go with option #2 because that's closer to what I'm familiar with.

 

[Drizzt]

Yeah, now I'm thinking of option 2 as well because it will make maintenance easier. Has anybody drilled a stock tub to make an overflow? BTW it is a round tub.

 

[jrpsaros]

I haven't Drilled one, but I just sold a stock tub that came with my new 75 gallon. The tub was a 100 gallon circular poly tank. The previous owner had it drilled with a 3" bulkhead in it. He had a 90 degree elbow, then 3 inch pipe with a bunch of holes in it on the inside, and then a 90 degree elbow, and 3 inch pipe on the outside that went to his external pump. (he had the tank in his garage, and the tank in his house, so he had a HUGE pump). Hopefully that helps somehow.

 

[Drizzt]

jrpsaros thanks. That is kind of what I have in mind for the stock tub. I just hope I can drill it and plumb it without it leaking.

 

[RODinCALIFORNIA]

look into uni seal bulkheads they are great for installing bulkheads on a rounded surface.