Maivortex
New member
I recently upgraded my tank from 70 gal to 210 gallons. Rather than buying a larger sump to accommodate the larger tank, I decide to increase the capacity of my current sump by connecting the old 70 gallon tank to it. I also did not want to have a 30 gallon brute container in my living room for days at a time any more to make up SW for water changes. With some easy valve placement and drilling I was able to have the 70 gallon serve a dual function for mixing salt
(when used as a mixing tank), a low flow settling zone for detritus, and increase the capacity of my sump.
Looking at the pics below, sump # 2 (on the right side) in the dual sump set up is currently being used for a mixing tank for water changes. This is accomplished by closing the black valve and blue valve in the vertical pipe. By doing this, the part of the dual sump is isolated and all water goes to the other sump #1. After isolating this part of the sump, sump #2 can be drained of all water and settled sediment, filled with RODI and then salt mixed in. After a day or so of mixing. The black and blue valve is opened and allow the new sw to mix with the Dt. This allows the tank to change from water change mixing mode to normal operating mode.
Each sump has a heater to heat the tank in either mode, water change mode or normal operation mode. Sump #2 also has holes drilled on the top end in case of an overfill sump# 2 can drain passively into sump #1. Of course sump 2 has submersible pumps for mixing when in water change mode. Otherwise , pumps are off to allow for settling of detritus. DT and sump #1 have high flow to encourage all settling to occur in Sump #2. The last pic shows dual sumps on the bottom. DT is still being stocked but I have been running with this set up for about 6 months and have done about 6-7 water changes using this set up. No issues yet. What do you guys think?
(when used as a mixing tank), a low flow settling zone for detritus, and increase the capacity of my sump.
Looking at the pics below, sump # 2 (on the right side) in the dual sump set up is currently being used for a mixing tank for water changes. This is accomplished by closing the black valve and blue valve in the vertical pipe. By doing this, the part of the dual sump is isolated and all water goes to the other sump #1. After isolating this part of the sump, sump #2 can be drained of all water and settled sediment, filled with RODI and then salt mixed in. After a day or so of mixing. The black and blue valve is opened and allow the new sw to mix with the Dt. This allows the tank to change from water change mixing mode to normal operating mode.
Each sump has a heater to heat the tank in either mode, water change mode or normal operation mode. Sump #2 also has holes drilled on the top end in case of an overfill sump# 2 can drain passively into sump #1. Of course sump 2 has submersible pumps for mixing when in water change mode. Otherwise , pumps are off to allow for settling of detritus. DT and sump #1 have high flow to encourage all settling to occur in Sump #2. The last pic shows dual sumps on the bottom. DT is still being stocked but I have been running with this set up for about 6 months and have done about 6-7 water changes using this set up. No issues yet. What do you guys think?
