Stacked Shell Dwellers

[BizTodd]

A local fish store has some used 30 Gallon Low Boys (34x21x11) for sale and I was thinking they would make great Shell Dweller Tanks. The idea being 3 slightly offset tanks with the over flow of one feeding the tank below and the last tank will feed a sump, which in turn pumps the water to the top. I am sure this has been done before, so I thought I would run it past this group.

Would a 30 gallon sump be enough for all three tanks?
Assume species specific tanks and they will be stocked on the light side.

Would 300 - 500 GPH be good?
It is 10X each tank, just not all 3 tanks.

Any suggestions are always appreciated. I haven't started my research yet, but need to decide if I buy the tanks now anyways.

Todd

 

[BIG-G]

What’s the plan for the overflow? Can you drill and bulkhead or are you going to use hang on overflow’s.

This could be a very cool display.

Recently another member made a stream type setup similar to what you are describing.
I can’t seem to find it now.

I think 30 gallon sump will work you would just need to place the overflows in such a way that the sump can hold the excess water during a power outage/ pump stop.

 

[BizTodd]

So the tanks are already drilled on both short sides, so getting them plumbed together shouldn't be difficult.

 

[BIG-G]

So the tanks are already drilled on both short sides, so getting them plumbed together shouldn't be difficult.

That’s good. Will definitely make things easier.
You should do a build thread.
I’m interested.
I’ve got two thirty longs I’ve been thinking of doing something similar.

 

[AdrianV205]

low boys are nice and hard to come by you should get it right away