Connecting two tanks to common sump help

MrClownReef · 06/09/2016, 11:39 AM

I have 3 aqua lifter pumps 2 connected to each other give enough push to get water from my sump to my secondary tank but the third pump is just fine pushing water down, but at a higher rate. Now I can't have that happening...

Would a 1/4" valve to adjust the flow work or would that be a bad idea?

Here are the two tanks that are trying to be connected.

twon8 · 06/09/2016, 11:57 AM

I don't really understand your question. A diagram might help explain what you are trying to do

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tom obrecht · 06/09/2016, 12:19 PM

Yes the picture doesn't show much. Are you trying to run 2 tanks off one sump?

twon8 · 06/09/2016, 12:48 PM

If you are trying to operate an aqualifter as a drain from tank to sump stop now before you flood your floor

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MrClownReef · 06/09/2016, 01:06 PM

Crude diagram

I have to use 1/4" because it goes under a door...

twon8 · 06/09/2016, 01:07 PM

Yeah stop that. You need a drain not a pump. You will ever mTch up the two flow rates and this will end up with a flood.

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MrClownReef · 06/09/2016, 01:10 PM

That's why i got this.

Would this work to match the flow? I haven't run the pumps on the tanks yet.

twon8 · 06/09/2016, 01:11 PM

I personally would not attempt it but you might be able to get it to work with two high precision peristaltic pumps but certainly not with aqualifters. Too big of a risk of flood IMO

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RWEngineer · 06/09/2016, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrClownReef

That's why i got this.

Would this work to match the flow? I haven't run the pumps on the tanks yet.

You could match flow at that instant but it would change later. It will flood at some point.

MrClownReef · 06/09/2016, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWEngineer

You could match flow at that instant but it would change later. It will flood at some point.

I appreciate the help, that's why I posted before I did something stupid.

But may I ask how it would change?

nuttyd · 06/09/2016, 01:43 PM

what happens if power surge and one of the pumps dies. What happens if one of the pumps impeller breaks. What happens if the inlet gets clogged a little bit. All lead to change of flow and eventual flooding.

jayball · 06/09/2016, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuttyd

what happens if power surge and one of the pumps dies. What happens if one of the pumps impeller breaks. What happens if the inlet gets clogged a little bit. All lead to change of flow and eventual flooding.

This, and it would only take a couple days of sponge growth or a single tube worm to throw off the ratio a little in a 1/4 inch line

C.Eymann · 06/09/2016, 02:36 PM

I echo everything said, first thing to get clogged would be that valve, also algea growth in tubes, biofilm etc etc you will be constantly adjusting and it will, flood, not a question of "if" its a question of when those are some nice wood floors you have there, do not do this.
Get an overflow or drill the tank.

jjvanb · 06/09/2016, 05:08 PM

Both tanks need to overflow and drain by gravity to the common sump. whether you use a drilled "reef ready" tank or a HOB overflow. Then each tank will need a water line from the pump for input. Which could be done with two smaller pumps or one larger one.

Ron Reefman · 06/10/2016, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjvanb

both tanks need to overflow and drain by gravity to the common sump. Whether you use a drilled "reef ready" tank or a hob overflow. Then each tank will need a water line from the pump for input. Which could be done with two smaller pumps or one larger one.

+1

I have 2 systems and each is made up of 2 DT and a single sump. 180g reef & 75g gorgonian tank & 180g (8'x2'x18") sump and the other is a 60g shallow reef & 25g frag tank & 120g sump. They both work just fine and I never have any issues with overflow. The DT are either drilled, have syphon overflows or both. And the syphon over flows have aqua lifter pumps to keep them running. But not JUST aqua lifters... that's asking for a flood!

C.Eymann · 06/10/2016, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjvanb

Both tanks need to overflow and drain by gravity to the common sump. whether you use a drilled "reef ready" tank or a HOB overflow. Then each tank will need a water line from the pump for input. Which could be done with two smaller pumps or one larger one.

+1 as well, probably better to go with one larger one rather than two smaller ones if heat is something you are concerned about when it comes to submersible pumps. Depending on wattage and type of pump A/C - D/C

06/09/2016, 11:39 AM	#1
MrClownReef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Florida Posts: 122	Connecting two tanks to common sump help I have 3 aqua lifter pumps 2 connected to each other give enough push to get water from my sump to my secondary tank but the third pump is just fine pushing water down, but at a higher rate. Now I can't have that happening... Would a 1/4" valve to adjust the flow work or would that be a bad idea? Here are the two tanks that are trying to be connected.

06/09/2016, 11:57 AM	#2
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	I don't really understand your question. A diagram might help explain what you are trying to do Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

06/09/2016, 12:19 PM	#3
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	Yes the picture doesn't show much. Are you trying to run 2 tanks off one sump? __________________ Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006

06/09/2016, 12:48 PM	#4
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	If you are trying to operate an aqualifter as a drain from tank to sump stop now before you flood your floor Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

06/09/2016, 01:07 PM	#6
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	Yeah stop that. You need a drain not a pump. You will ever mTch up the two flow rates and this will end up with a flood. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

06/09/2016, 01:06 PM	#5
MrClownReef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Florida Posts: 122	Crude diagram I have to use 1/4" because it goes under a door...

06/09/2016, 01:10 PM	#7
MrClownReef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Florida Posts: 122	That's why i got this. Would this work to match the flow? I haven't run the pumps on the tanks yet.

06/09/2016, 01:11 PM	#8
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	I personally would not attempt it but you might be able to get it to work with two high precision peristaltic pumps but certainly not with aqualifters. Too big of a risk of flood IMO Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

06/09/2016, 01:43 PM	#11
nuttyd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Coral Gables Posts: 520	what happens if power surge and one of the pumps dies. What happens if one of the pumps impeller breaks. What happens if the inlet gets clogged a little bit. All lead to change of flow and eventual flooding.

06/09/2016, 02:36 PM	#13
C.Eymann Cnidaria lover Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Winterpark FL Posts: 1,483	I echo everything said, first thing to get clogged would be that valve, also algea growth in tubes, biofilm etc etc you will be constantly adjusting and it will, flood, not a question of "if" its a question of when those are some nice wood floors you have there, do not do this. Get an overflow or drill the tank. __________________ "I glue animals to rocks" Current Tank Info: 80gal build in the works

06/09/2016, 05:08 PM	#14
jjvanb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 159	Both tanks need to overflow and drain by gravity to the common sump. whether you use a drilled "reef ready" tank or a HOB overflow. Then each tank will need a water line from the pump for input. Which could be done with two smaller pumps or one larger one.