Combing two tanks with one sump

[Dseg]

So right now I have a 180 gallon with a 40b sump. I just got a 140gal rimless starphire Reef Savvy tank now and I want to combine the tanks to have the same water volume. The problem is that they are 3 feet apart. So I have a 75 gallon sump with baffles laying around and a few other sumps/tanks.

What would be the best way to combine these tanks?

1. Drain both of them into one sump and try to return it back to each tank from one sump? That will be a lot of head pressure to get it back to the tank far away.. I actually have more room under the 140 gal tank so I would put the 75gal under that and maybe drain them into there?

2. Or have separate sumps and connect them with just a drain/return to each sump? So like have my 40 gallon fuge (under my 140g) a little higher than my 40b (under my 180gallon) and have my 40b pump into the 40fuge, then just have a drain at the top of the fuge to drain back into the 40b? Each tank has two returns and two drains...



Tanks
This is the equipment I have for each tank. I obviously have a lot of doubles for both tanks. If I combine them, I will be able to use only 2 dosing pumps, one skimmer, one ATO, one heater, one fuge, one WXM module, one apex, half the reactors, one calcium reactor, etc. Also, a bigger water volume is always better.

180 tank:I built the stand, 2 MP40s, Full Apex, AI SOL /w T5s, SeaSide2 Skimmer, WXN Apex, Ehium 1262, Vortech battery backup, 2 TwoLittleFishes reactors, 2 BRS dosers for Alk and Calc, breakout box, float switches, heaters, JBJ ato

Reef Savvy:Built stand, 2 MP40s, Full Apex, 3 250w Pheonix, WXM module, SKIMZ SK181 Skimmer, ecotech battery backup, LCR1 LifeReef reactor, water blaster HY5000, water blaster HY-300, 40gal fug, 30gal sump, two VHO super blues, DIY blue moonlights, DIY sump LEDs for macro, CO2 bottle for reactor, reef fanatic deluxe reagulator with solenoid valve, meda reactors, heaters, float switches, breakout box

[gbru316]

option 1

[rivvir]

Option #1

[Dseg]

I will have 4 pipes running between tanks though. I would also need a hell of a pump to get enough pressure to return to the 180 and the 140 tank.

[gbru316]

Originally Posted by Dseg

I will have 4 pipes running between tanks though. I would also need a hell of a pump to get enough pressure to return to the 180 and the 140 tank.

Why? You said they're only 3 feet apart.

You'll have a drain and return for each tank. You'd also have a drain and return for each tank with your other option, in addition to the plumbing between sumps and additional pump(s).

Option 1 is far more simple and easier to implement.

[ecam]

i just went throught same process. Use one sump and be done with it. You will save on testing, equipment etc.....

[ptreef]

option one, and yeah your really shouldn't need much extra of a pump. Plus you will probably be running to much flow thru the fudge that way

[Fizz71]

Option #1. My DT is 10 feet up and 8ft over from my sump...the pump doesn't have to be super fast as long as you supplement the in-tank water movement. Option #1 should have less water in suspension should a pump fail...less likely to flood.