Best way to connect two sumps?

[reefsafe]

I just purchased a 90 gallon drilled tank with a 1" drain and 3/4" return. I have two acrylic wet/dry filters i was thinking of connecting to give me more water volume and more room for my skimmer and heater. My question is what is the best way to connect the two? If I use a pump to get water from sump one to sump two, what happens if that pump stops working? Do not want a flood.

Also, if a pump setup is recommended, what size pump? I have a Mag 12 for the return, is that overkill? Thanks for your help!

Mike

[30mini]

You could always get a bulkhead and connect the two like that. Have a gasket between the two tanks, and the bulkhead going through both of them.

[jstraka1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7863180#post7863180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 30mini
You could always get a bulkhead and connect the two like that. Have a gasket between the two tanks, and the bulkhead going through both of them.

If you do it this way make sure the holes line up perfectly, the pressure from the water will crack them if they arent lined up absolutely perfect. I would use some flexible pipe between the two sumps just for safe measure.

[Alarmguy66]

search "aqua bridge". Many different designs, same idea.

[Fiziksgeek]

I wouls raise one of the sumps up and have it gravity drain into the other. This is the safest way IMO.

[Racenrich]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7870889#post7870889 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fiziksgeek
I wouls raise one of the sumps up and have it gravity drain into the other. This is the safest way IMO.

Exactly what i did with my two tanks!! Works great!
Let gravity do the work for ya! :)

56g sump and 22g prop
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/xcmtbkr/ed83edcf.jpg


Rich K.

[reefsafe]

i m working under the stand so hopefully i can raise it up enough.

[Pbrown3701]

you definately don't want to use 2 pumps in a single loop. one will not keep up and overflow

[meco65]

I have heard of people useing U tubes. you just have to watch thr water level close.

[hooker18]

as Fiziksgeek said, gravity works great and is more dependable than pumps or siphons here is a pic of my setup when it was under construction.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/hooker18/tank%20pics/102_2767.jpg
thats 3 15g sumps plus a 10g in the main stand.

[Marshall]

If you do a simple gravity drain it is going to be hard for it to stay quiet. If you run it silently at full siphon it could overflow... if you run it with air going in the lines it can sound like a toilet. Good luck :)

[reefsafe]

What if i drilled two holes in each sump and attached them using flexible tubing? Your thoughts?
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/96979sump_design.JPG

[meco65]

Sounds good to me should work ok.

[compulou]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7873605#post7873605 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hooker18
as Fiziksgeek said, gravity works great and is more dependable than pumps or siphons here is a pic of my setup when it was under construction.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/hooker18/tank%20pics/102_2767.jpg
thats 3 15g sumps plus a 10g in the main stand.

Hey Hooker18, is it me or is that corner tank severely cracked?

[jstraka1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7877507#post7877507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mdrumm
What if i drilled two holes in each sump and attached them using flexible tubing? Your thoughts?
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/96979sump_design.JPG

I did it.......
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/82635sumo01_sumo02_refugium.jpg

You cant see it in the pic, but that is exactly what I did. I used 1" bulkheads, and it works great. Use flexible tubing and you will be fine.