adding a tank on the same sump???

[dunning3075]

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:37 pm
I have decided to add a 30 gallon frag tank that will sit beside my established 70 gallon mixed reef. I want to run it into the same sump and use my existing return pump to supply it. I already had to tee the return line back to the sump because the pump was too strong so I beleive it can keep up with both tanks.

I plan on running the tank barebottom with no rock other than some small peices for zoas to grow on. So to a point I will just be adding 30 more gallons of saltwater.

My current tank is running leds and the thirty will be running t5s. Does anyone have any experiance with doing something like this? Does anyone see any issues with what I am doing?

My main concerns are that My 70 is doing awesome. Will me adding the tank send it into some awefull cycle?
Will me using T5s on the frag tank make my ph go haywire or my temp go nuts?

[Supernova26]

There is no problems with adding a tank to your existing system but you have to take some precautions. If the power goes out make sure that your sump does not overflow. If you are going to add live rock added slowly as you are adding to your existing 70 and adjust your dosing to the new water volume.

[567234ta]

if anything it will help make the tank more stable once it's up and been running for a while.

[Reef Bass]

I run a 100g sps tank and a 60g lps tank on the same shared sump. The biggest advantage is only having to maintain one water system.

I did experience algae issues and some color loss on sps in the sps tank when I was overfeeding the lps in the lps tank, probably from elevated phosphates. Cutting back on excessive feeding and gfo helped with that.

[LOTUS50GOD]

Pro
- More water volume = more stability
Con
- Sump has to be large enough to catch water from both tanks if power fails
- pests from 1 tank will be transferred to the other

[saltysailor2329]

I read an article on this and can't seem to find it, but I do remember it stating the obvious pros and cons, but one of the things that really stuck out to me was an isolation valve on the new tank. That way you can separate the two tanks if need be. I like the idea and have been thinking about joining my 34 and 65 together, but think I might upgrade to a 125 - 180 instead.

[plasmacon]

Setup the second tank to circulate with a powerhead and a small piece of liverock for a week or so. You can use DT water and let a biofilm build up for a few days. You are not going to have a bunch of new surface area like dry rock to coat, so it's not really a big deal. The addition should go online quite well either way. I always get a biofilm going if possible. This would be a good time to add any rock you have ready, or some fresh aragonite if you need it, build a film up for 7 days, and then tie it in...