2 tanks instead of 1 large one

homebrewdude · 11/30/2008, 08:11 AM

I have a 96" opening in my wall I am going to be putting a tank in.

I was thinking of 2 48" tanks instead for a few reasons.

Able to maintain 2 separate type of systems. Without unwanted interaction.
The cost to build will be cheaper
2 different lighting systems, flow systems

I was planning on drywall around the tanks, and framing them in with trim. Our house currently has wide decorative trim, which I would copy on the tank.

Anyone think 2 lighting systems would look funny, even though there will be 4 inches of trim between the tanks?
I was thinking MH in one and T5's or VHO's in the other.

What is the biggest standard 48" that I can buy?
I have no restrictions on height.

homebrewdude · 11/30/2008, 08:19 AM

I was on marinelands site and they show a 120gal and 150gal that are 48"

I am not sure how common those are.

david pinder · 11/30/2008, 10:01 AM

first off the larger the water volume the easier to maintain your balance. I love my large tanks but remember the deeper they are the harder to clean the glass at the bottom. you could plumb two tanks together and run off one pump one refugium, one set of lights i do and it works well.

iamwrasseman · 11/30/2008, 10:11 AM

i have 17 tanks and would love to have larger and less tanks . more tanks ,more maint . i will some day have a HUGE tank but till then i will stick with what i have . what you are doing is not getting out of hand but when you get to maybe 10 tanks pull the "needle" out of your arm and go to rehab , i didnt and truely went berzerk . now my 120 gal per day ro unit hardly turns off , who would of thought ?

homebrewdude · 11/30/2008, 10:53 AM

I was planning on the two tanks to use the same sump and equipment.
This will all be plumbed direct to the basement.
So if I have two 120 tanks, I will still have the volume of 240gal tank.

I am still wondering how the lighting will look.
I want one tank with high light critters.

11/30/2008, 08:11 AM	#1
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	2 tanks instead of 1 large one I have a 96" opening in my wall I am going to be putting a tank in. I was thinking of 2 48" tanks instead for a few reasons. Able to maintain 2 separate type of systems. Without unwanted interaction. The cost to build will be cheaper 2 different lighting systems, flow systems I was planning on drywall around the tanks, and framing them in with trim. Our house currently has wide decorative trim, which I would copy on the tank. Anyone think 2 lighting systems would look funny, even though there will be 4 inches of trim between the tanks? I was thinking MH in one and T5's or VHO's in the other. What is the biggest standard 48" that I can buy? I have no restrictions on height.

11/30/2008, 10:11 AM	#4
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	i have 17 tanks and would love to have larger and less tanks . more tanks ,more maint . i will some day have a HUGE tank but till then i will stick with what i have . what you are doing is not getting out of hand but when you get to maybe 10 tanks pull the "needle" out of your arm and go to rehab , i didnt and truely went berzerk . now my 120 gal per day ro unit hardly turns off , who would of thought ? __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

11/30/2008, 08:19 AM	#2
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	I was on marinelands site and they show a 120gal and 150gal that are 48" I am not sure how common those are.

11/30/2008, 10:01 AM	#3
david pinder Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: houston tx 77316 Posts: 538	first off the larger the water volume the easier to maintain your balance. I love my large tanks but remember the deeper they are the harder to clean the glass at the bottom. you could plumb two tanks together and run off one pump one refugium, one set of lights i do and it works well.

11/30/2008, 10:53 AM	#5
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	I was planning on the two tanks to use the same sump and equipment. This will all be plumbed direct to the basement. So if I have two 120 tanks, I will still have the volume of 240gal tank. I am still wondering how the lighting will look. I want one tank with high light critters.