Quick Poll: Two tanks into ONE sump??

jlnielsen13 · 01/02/2015, 07:36 PM

Hey guys,

I built a fish room in my basement, the build can be found here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2465101

Here's my new question- Should I plumb both my 140 current system and my new 300 gallon system into one sump?

What are the disadvantages and pros and is anyone doing that out there now??

Let me know your thoughts,

Thanks,

JIM

snorvich · 01/02/2015, 07:56 PM

If you do so, you better have a very robust quarantine protocol.

reepher315 · 01/02/2015, 08:02 PM

^ Yus. And one boss of a skimmer

jlnielsen13 · 01/02/2015, 08:13 PM

I own the Skimz Monzter 302,

I put the giraffe next to it for scale!
The thing is rated for 1,000+ gallons and is the biggest one they make.

I should be okay on the skimmer

jlnielsen13 · 01/02/2015, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

If you do so, you better have a very robust quarantine protocol.

One of the main reason I want to do this is so I can use the 75 gallon that I was going to use as a second sump and use that as a QT tank! I have never had one before.

Mallyn · 01/02/2015, 08:18 PM

I know a guy who has 320g tank and does it with a 50 gal frag tank.

Mallyn · 01/02/2015, 08:18 PM

That thing is a monster!

Stevenliu9 · 01/02/2015, 08:37 PM

I think you should go for it!

Azedenkae · 01/02/2015, 08:45 PM

Basically the advantages and disadvantages rely on one thing: when something happens to one tank, it happens to the other.

Pros:
-You can use the same equipments for both tanks (in the sump).
-There is only one maintenance schedule (i.e. not having to divide salt mixes, or mix two batches for different parameters, etc.).

Cons:
-If one thing happens to a tank (i.e. ich outbreak), it can be transferred to the other.
-If equipments fail for one tank, it can affect the other (i.e. heater in one tank stops working properly and boils one tank, can also boil the other).

Many LFS run multiple tanks on just a number of sumps. Or, their entire system is connected. So they only need to dose once. However, if something bad happens... yeah. For example, a LFS I know had someone poison one of his tanks, and his entire system was wiped out.

Crazy.

dfm34 · 01/02/2015, 09:49 PM

I would also be worried that the sump is large enough to handle the over flow of both tanks in the event of a power outage. Otherwise that's a lot of water on the floor.

kurfer · 01/02/2015, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlnielsen13

I own the Skimz Monzter 302,

I put the giraffe next to it for scale!
The thing is rated for 1,000+ gallons and is the biggest one they make.

I should be okay on the skimmer

Sorry, don't want to crap on your thread and derail it but did you get that giraffe at the animal kingdom in Disney?

jlnielsen13 · 01/03/2015, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurfer

Sorry, don't want to crap on your thread and derail it but did you get that giraffe at the animal kingdom in Disney?

Ha ha,

No, we sadly have never been to Disney- We have a 2 and 4 year old so SOON!

Do you think a 6 foot 135 gallon tank should suffice for the sump. I figure it will be half full maybe so in case of a power outage could handle at least an additional 60 gallons!

Thanks,

Jim

tapio · 01/03/2015, 02:56 AM

I have 130 gal and 75 gal sharing the same sump. Same equipment, of course it has to match the total water volume, will save costs in running skimmer, circulation etc. Advantage as said above, running costs and equipment sharing. Also able to keep one fish only and one reef if you wish. Ability to keep non compatible fish in the same system. Able to have different lights. Negatives, disease can transfer between tanks. Although I have found this to happen very rarely.

jlnielsen13 · 01/03/2015, 09:05 AM

Thanks everyone,

I may be leaning towards one sump.. Do you guys think a 130 gallon will be enough to sump a 300 and a 140?

maazreef · 01/03/2015, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

If you do so, you better have a very robust quarantine protocol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlnielsen13

I own the Skimz Monzter 302,

I put the giraffe next to it for scale!
The thing is rated for 1,000+ gallons and is the biggest one they make.

I should be okay on the skimmer

I think we are done here lol

ca1ore · 01/03/2015, 09:15 AM

Sure hope you're not planning to put that giraffe in that tank! RC guidelines suggest at least a 10 foot tank for the African Pygmy Giraffe

tapio · 01/03/2015, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlnielsen13

Thanks everyone,

I may be leaning towards one sump.. Do you guys think a 130 gallon will be enough to sump a 300 and a 140?

It can be. Just do the math of how much will drain from each tank when power is off and it of course it depends on what water level you want to maintain in the sump. Allow at least an inch of water from top when power is out.

01/02/2015, 07:36 PM	#1
jlnielsen13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 599	Quick Poll: Two tanks into ONE sump?? Hey guys, I built a fish room in my basement, the build can be found here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2465101 Here's my new question- Should I plumb both my 140 current system and my new 300 gallon system into one sump? What are the disadvantages and pros and is anyone doing that out there now?? Let me know your thoughts, Thanks, JIM

01/02/2015, 07:56 PM	#2
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	If you do so, you better have a very robust quarantine protocol. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

01/02/2015, 08:02 PM	#3
reepher315 Humble Student Join Date: May 2014 Location: Geneva, NY Posts: 816	^ Yus. And one boss of a skimmer __________________ 90g mixed reef 55g sump/refugium

01/02/2015, 08:18 PM	#6
Mallyn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 13	It works I know a guy who has 320g tank and does it with a 50 gal frag tank.

01/02/2015, 08:18 PM	#7
Mallyn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 13	Boss skimmer That thing is a monster!

01/02/2015, 08:13 PM	#4
jlnielsen13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 599	I own the Skimz Monzter 302, I put the giraffe next to it for scale! The thing is rated for 1,000+ gallons and is the biggest one they make. I should be okay on the skimmer

01/02/2015, 08:37 PM	#8
Stevenliu9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Madison WI Posts: 795	I think you should go for it! __________________ Steven Liu See More at: bluemarineart.com Current Tank Info: 180 Mix Reef + 28G Seahorse Species Tank

01/02/2015, 08:45 PM	#9
Azedenkae Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,196	Basically the advantages and disadvantages rely on one thing: when something happens to one tank, it happens to the other. Pros: -You can use the same equipments for both tanks (in the sump). -There is only one maintenance schedule (i.e. not having to divide salt mixes, or mix two batches for different parameters, etc.). Cons: -If one thing happens to a tank (i.e. ich outbreak), it can be transferred to the other. -If equipments fail for one tank, it can affect the other (i.e. heater in one tank stops working properly and boils one tank, can also boil the other). Many LFS run multiple tanks on just a number of sumps. Or, their entire system is connected. So they only need to dose once. However, if something bad happens... yeah. For example, a LFS I know had someone poison one of his tanks, and his entire system was wiped out. Crazy.

01/02/2015, 09:49 PM	#10
dfm34 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spotswood, New Jersey Posts: 588	I would also be worried that the sump is large enough to handle the over flow of both tanks in the event of a power outage. Otherwise that's a lot of water on the floor. __________________ Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. 180 gal DT with 75 gal sump/fuge,10 gal cryptic zone, 3x400w MH with 4x80w T5. life reef vs3 30" skimmer

01/03/2015, 02:56 AM	#13
tapio Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 140	I have 130 gal and 75 gal sharing the same sump. Same equipment, of course it has to match the total water volume, will save costs in running skimmer, circulation etc. Advantage as said above, running costs and equipment sharing. Also able to keep one fish only and one reef if you wish. Ability to keep non compatible fish in the same system. Able to have different lights. Negatives, disease can transfer between tanks. Although I have found this to happen very rarely. __________________ 7 foot by 30" wide and 24" tall 265 gal SPS peninsula style reef. 3 x 250 W MH and 2 Reef Brite XHO strips.. Old 300 g reef: M. Paletta, Ultimate Marine Aquariums, p. 48.

01/03/2015, 09:05 AM	#14
jlnielsen13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 599	Thanks everyone, I may be leaning towards one sump.. Do you guys think a 130 gallon will be enough to sump a 300 and a 140?

01/03/2015, 09:15 AM	#16
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Sure hope you're not planning to put that giraffe in that tank! RC guidelines suggest at least a 10 foot tank for the African Pygmy Giraffe __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs