Possible solution to plumbing two tanks together. Different rooms, through the attic

[platax88]

The masterflex pumps are awesome at maintaining identical flow rates because it's two identical pump heads on identical tubing with identical wear... all on the same shaft turned at the same speed.

Ive been using the system for years on a semi-continuous water change system and both channels are still identical in flow. As a matter of fact I use a smaller system with three heads to supplement alk, cal and mg at the same rate. Works like a charm.

These are lab-grade pumps so very strong and durable.

 

[platax88]

Just picked up another MasterFlex pump with variable control and forward/reverse capabilities. At full speed this pump will flow 50 gpd with my current heads, MUCH more if I get upgrade the heads ... lol so more then plenty! Now i dont have to use it very long at all. Maybe I'll do 100% water changes to the pico a day!

If, i add a couple of solenoids and timer I can also divert flow to do water changes on my main tank for an interval of the day and then switch back to recirculating with the pico.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Some of my craziest reefkeeping ideas come to me in the middle of the night. Last night I imagined the ultimate solution to your problem.

Make the nano a sealed box.

Put a flange on the top with a gasket and a lid secured by nylon screws. Leave the wet side of a magnet cleaner inside so you can wipe the glass. Place a few choice coral specimens, seal it up, and use a single pump to push water into it, with a second line to return water to the larger system.

I realize this idea is largely impractical, but it struck me as interesting enough to share anyways.

 

[Screener]

Just picked up another MasterFlex pump with variable control and forward/reverse capabilities. At full speed this pump will flow 50 gpd with my current heads, MUCH more if I get upgrade the heads ... lol so more then plenty! Now i dont have to use it very long at all. Maybe I'll do 100% water changes to the pico a day!

If, i add a couple of solenoids and timer I can also divert flow to do water changes on my main tank for an interval of the day and then switch back to recirculating with the pico.

Masterflex easy load heads while expensive can be ganged so you only need one pump. But you can also put two tubes of smaller diameter in the one head. This allows one tube to pump "in" and one to pump "out" at the same time with one pump. Using the same head and same diam tubes will keep the volumes moved pretty close.

 

[platax88]

Some of my craziest reefkeeping ideas come to me in the middle of the night. Last night I imagined the ultimate solution to your problem.

Make the nano a sealed box.

Put a flange on the top with a gasket and a lid secured by nylon screws. Leave the wet side of a magnet cleaner inside so you can wipe the glass. Place a few choice coral specimens, seal it up, and use a single pump to push water into it, with a second line to return water to the larger system.

I realize this idea is largely impractical, but it struck me as interesting enough to share anyways.

That's tooo funny! I think I'll pass on this one lol.

I hear that u are a bit of an LED expert .. now that youve helped me with plumbing, i need to pic your brain on LEDs for this. I'm sending you a PM, I'd really appreciate your help!

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I'll keep an eye out for the PM. LEDs scale down to really tiny tanks so much better than other typical forms of lighting, it's a clear choice on something this size IMHO.

 

[platax88]

Awesome! Thanks detailed PM sent!