My Multi-Tank Build Thread

T

Twinpanther

Just Livin' Life
Never being one to do things in a normal way but wanting more than my 30 Gal. cube I decided on something different. So, here is my build thread for a 40/30/40 display with a 40/10 Sump/Refugium.

My 30 gal. cube will be on the raised platform in the center and on each side will be a 40 gal. breeders. Under the stand will be another 40 breeder for the sump and a 10 gal. hex for the fuge. I wanted to go with a 75 gal for the sump/fuge but it was just too tall. A 40 gal. ATO will also be under the stand.

I’ve been working on the stand for a couple months now at a friends house. Everything is cut and dry assembled to see how things fit and look in the apartment. Here are a couple pics with the doors leaned in place so you can get an idea.
Stand4.jpg

Stand2.jpg

Stand3.jpg


The stand is 8’ long and 23” deep with the lower levels being 27” high and the center section being 47”. Once the lights are in place on the 40's they should be level with the bottom trim of the 30 cube.

Plumbing is still undecided but I have a Mag 18 for the return and a G3 (unmodded for now) for some uber skimming.

Anyway, just wanted to get this started as things are finally coming together and feedback is always a good thing so maybe I can avoid some dumb mistakes before I do them.

Thanks and hope you enjoy,
Paul
 
Internal or external overflows? That is going to be wild. Are you going to be feeding each of the tanks individually?
 
This is a really cool idea! Can't wait to see the finished product. So is each tank going to have it's own lighting setup? Any ideas on how you will stock it?
 
Internal overflows. They will be on the inside ends of the 40's going straight through the center stand into the sump. 30 will be straight down the back as it is already plumbed that way now. Lots of ideas running through my head for returns each fed separately.

As for stocking, every time I think I know what I want to do I change my mind, LOL. Everything from an Anemone forest to frag tank to SPS to FOWLR to, well... you get the idea. That's the best part of this idea for me is I can change one tank if I want something new. I'll definitely be looking for interesting ideas when I get closer to stocking.

Paul
 
I love the concept. It's going to be very interesting to watch. When you get it done have a mini-meet. I'd love to see it running.
 
UPDATE

UPDATE

Thought I'd share an update:

  • Refuguim is drilled.
    Stand is finished except for the doors.
    Bit arrived yesterday to drill the 40's.
    Glass arrived for the baffles.
    Glass will be here Tuesday for the overflows.
    Ordering the plumbing tonight or tomorrow.
    Will have some more updated pics when I finish the doors.

Here's something I could use some feedback on. I was considering using a LocLine spray bar in the 40's for the return. I really like the idea but what I'm reading is the possibility of micro bubbles. Has/does anyone use a spray bar in their tanks? any problems with micro bubbles due to using one?

In case you aren't sure what I mean by a spray bar it would run the length of the back/top of the 40 with 2-3 tees and a 90 at the end with nozzles off each tee and the 90. Is not a deep or large tank so I thought I could get away with it.

Now that the Holidays are over I'm pretty excited about getting back to work on this. The next couple of weeks I'm hoping to make some great progress. The hardest part is making sure I save some money for the garage/swap on the 27th, LOL.
 
back in the late 80's/ early 90's EVERYBODY running a reef aquarium used spray bars.
A correctly done spray bar should not create microbubbles.
 
Most divider units you see at fish stores use spray bars. The divider units I am referring to are the acrylic systems that typically hae three levels that drain into a common sump underneath, each level consisting of small cubicals for livestock. The right hand divider unit at A Reef Creation doesn't produce micro bubbles, the one on the left does. The difference is that the one on the right has flow that was adjusted so that the spray bars are submerged, the left hand one isn't.
 
Is this going to be a cascading overflow system, or are all 3 tanks going to have seperate drains/returns coming from the base sump?
 
40's drain into the sump, 30 has one drain to sump and other to refugium. One pump splits into the three tanks with a fourth outlet back to the sump in case of too much flow into the tanks. Gate/ball valves before each outlet to control amount of flow to each tank.

I liked the idea of a cascading overflow but there was no way the 30 could handle flow to both 40's. I even toyed with the idea of a second sump with the ability to separate any of the three tanks via valves to create it's own system in case of contamination, sickness or whatever. In the end it just seemed like more work than I would ever get use out of.
 
Updated Pics

Updated Pics

Thought I'd show some pics of my progress.

Sorry, no small children here so had to use Bella, my wifes Christmas present.
fullbella.jpg


Doors are removable for ease of access.
doorsoff.jpg


Sump baffles done.
baffles.jpg


Refugium is drilled and overflow is made but not attached until I get the bulkheads.
fuge.jpg


G3 Skimmer fits well and plenty of room to get at it.
skimmer.jpg


Overflows for the 40's are made and waiting for me to drill the 40's which I hope to get to this afternoon.
of.jpg


Plumbing should be here today. Everything but the bulkheads because FlexPVC doesn't carry black bulkheads in 1". It's all coming together so well and I really love the way the stand came out considering I only had a circular saw, router and a palm sander to build it.

I need to thank Jetsum and his wife for giving up their garage for a couple months while I got everything cut and dry fit as well as helping me move things when my MD wouldn't let me do it myself. My wife needs a special "How do you put up with him" award for letting it sit in the living room for another 6 weeks while enduring sanding, paint, stain and urethane smells with the windows open in <30 degree weather, LOL.

Next installment, Plumbing and Electrical. ACK!!!

Paul
 
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