Design a Multi Tank System!

[Ron Popeil]

Hello everyone! There is a chance I will be moving within the next 6 to 12 months and will want to upgrade/modify my current systems to a concise, clean and functional single set up. Think of this like a dream system you get to plan!

Any help with this project will be greatly appreciated.

45 gallon aquariums - there are three options for these: rimless, predrilled or drilled myself. Can the marineland rimless tanks be drilled? If I drill myself, should I go with overflow holes in the upper corners of the back pane? or should I stick with predrilled bottom pane corner overflows?
I will most likely have 8 of these.

I was thinking a two tier set up of four tanks on each tier.

Some of the questions I have:

- What plumbing set up will distribute flow adequately to each tank using one main system pump? any new pumps on the market that have high flow capacity, but low noise? Reeflo Darts are about the best I know of, but is there better? Any good submersibles?

- What plumbing for each tanks overflow will reduce the noise to near silence? The overflow noise is a slight concern of mine. This new setup might be in a place where noise will be an issue. My current set up is in my garage where noise isnt a problem and uses durso standpipes right now with success, but is there a better way?

- What materials as a stand would be cost effective and attractive?

Any other thoughts on system requirements? Ideas? Concerns?

 

[BonsaiNut]

Hey Ron - can you be a little more concise about the end result you are looking for? What are you going to do with this system and what do you plan to keep in it?

Do you want one big display tank - with a couple of frag tanks / refugiums?

Or are you looking for a large "breeder" setup with a number of tanks in series - like in a rack?

Why the 45 gallon size? Do you currently have some hanging around that you want to use, or is there another reason?

 

[Winwood]

Will be paying attention.

 

[Ron Popeil]

bonsai, thanks for your input, much appreciated.

the end result for this system is to display the species i have collected, in a way thats easy to clean, manage and operate but also with the potential for spawning and ultimately rearing somewhere down the line. i would like this to be like a breeder set up, racked like my current system, but cleaner and quieter if possible.

i plan on keeping the following clowns and their anemones:

akindynos - purple long tentacle
WT chrysopterus - mertens carpet
YT chrysopterus - purple crispa
chrysogaster - magnifica
nigripes - magnifica
tricinctus - mertens
latezonatus - bubble tip

i chose the 45 gallon cube because i like the 24 x 24 x 18 foot print. i have had both chrysopterus and tricinctus spawn in this size aquarium and feel it is adequate for a species only set up.

 

[OrionN]

Several thoughts:
That size tank (24X24X18) is ideal to display anemones and clowns. I am (will be) very envious of you for being able to display so many clowns and anemones.

I assume you will be using LED so heat would not be an issue. I find the noisiest part of my system is to try to keep the system cool.

If you can, try for external overflows. This leave the aquariums cleaner and nicer without distracting overflow boxes, especially with non clear back. IMO, where the overflow is is of minimal important in the tank that size, but it is great not to have one in there.

Regarding circulation, you don't really need a lot of flow thought the sump for each tank. Instead of one pump, I use two smaller pumps with a spare 3rd pump (same pump so that they can be interchange) so that you won't be caught in an emergency that can wipe your system out.

Suspend the pumps on wire will keep them very quite. The only way I can tell that my Panworld pump is on is by seen the overflow return flow and by touching it. There is no noise from my pump.

Low flow will result in much lower noise. For more circulation use PH inside the tank. I think propeller type PH is god send for us reefkeepers that keep high flow requiring animals. I am sure you aware of trade off between looks and noise of Vortech Vs. other submersible PH. I do not find the minor noise from my Vortech bothersome, but other people climb walls because of them.

Another way to reduce noise is to slant cut the teeth of the overflow box where the water flow over from DT to the box. If the bottom of the cuts are slanted, water will flow down the side of the box and greatly cut down the noise (you can also put a panel of acrylic in the overflow to guide the water as it flow down. this greatly reduce splashing and noise). If I am unclear here, let me know and I try to explain it better.

Last of all the compatible of the animals. I was never too concern with chemical warfare between anemones. I never did think that throwing a bomb into your house is a good way of getting rid of your next door neighbor, but at least consider it.

 

[OrionN]

Using two pumps is easier to adjust flow to your two tiers. One pump will naturally direct more flow to the bottom tier vs the top. I am sure you will put valves so you can control flow to each tank. Make sure you put valves before and after pumps so you can easy change the return pumps.
Will the sump be remote from the system? I don't think you need to keep it remote but it always nice to have more room for the sump, skimmer, heater, Calcium reactor, top-off system and .....
You got to post a thread on building this system. Good luck, I am sure you will not need any.

 

[Ron Popeil]

excellent information minh, exactly the sort of input i was looking for. currently in my garage system, the main pump is the loudest part of the setup. what type of panworld pump do you run? the sound wont carry up the wire/string that suspend the pump and vibrate through the stand?

i dont suppose you have a picture of what you mean by the overflow teeth?

ideally i would like the main pump to power enough flow to each system, this will cut down on electrical costs which is important. however, i know that some anemones will require a greater amount of water movement so vortechs will help in those tanks.

the sump will ideally sit under the tiers. if this is not possible, then off to the side. the sump will contain a biopellet reactor, protein skimmer, UV sterilizer and heaters.

the only chemical warfare i am concerned about is the introduction of the magnifica. currently the magnifica and crispa are in a tied system and are doing fine. the rest of the anemones are also connected in a separate system and also do not seem to be interacting. but i fear once the magnificas get thrown in the mix, the mertens or gigantae may not fare well...

 

[Ron Popeil]

i am not entirely sure what i will use for lighting over each system yet. i do not mind LEDs but am not particularly thrilled with them or their costs just yet. i would like to keep them all uniform for aesthetic appearance, but price will always be a factor.

of the lighting i currently have available for use:

3 AI Sols
dual 175w halide
dual 250-400w halide
8 x 54w T5 retro
8 x 95w VHO T5 retro

 

[OrionN]

I suspend the pumps with good hardy rope. You don't want it to break on you. The noise transmision is none, at least a whole lot less than sitting on your stand even with rubber or carpet pads. I use a flexible PVC segment to completly isolate the vibration from the sump. I will tank a picture of mine this evening to show you.

Regarding the slanted over flow, I hope the picture attached will help. I used a panel of acrylic in the overflow to guide the water as it flow down when I have a dump bucket system. The deep, large overflow acts as a buffer that absorb the water dump down and not overflow my DT (cannot use the Durso Standpipe). However the large amout of flow when the dump bucket fire really cause nose which was much, much decrease by the panel.
Here is the picture I am sorry that I just do a quick sketch

 

[OrionN]

I forgot the models of my Panword pumps. It is the smaller ones. I got three, two running and one spare so if one fail, I can just change it then order another one.

 

[BayouCorals]

I have similar system. Mine is 4ft x 8ft overall but divided into 8 individual 2ft x 2ft sections. I use a Reeflo Hammerhead pump. Each chamber has one 1/2in output for flow. The drains are louder than the pump. I have not tried to make it quiet because it is in a separate building from the house. I can not imagine using a smaller pump to drive all 8 sections.

 

[Ron Popeil]

bayou, would you mind posting a few pictures of your set up?

im currently using a dart knock off pump for my rack system and find it has all the flow i need, and some systems have it throttled down. a hammerhead would probably be too loud and use far more electricity than i would want.

 

[Ron Popeil]

as for lighting, does anyone have any suggestions on what possible types i should go with?

beyond the AI Sol, what are some other small LEDs that would work well above a 2 x 2 aquarium?