Fish 'Shed' Is under construction!!

[CFC]

There is one serious flaw in that system, and that is if the power goes out then tanks one and two will syphon all their contents down to where the syphon breaks into the third tank which will over fill and then spill onto the floor, which is the precise reason why standpipe over flow systems are preffered over syphon systems for tanks with sumps and multiple tank systems. The only safe way to use a syphon system is to fit an overflow box to each tank http/www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/overflow.html but to be honest it would be far simpler to drill the tanks and plumb them all in together.

 

[BWBettas]

The whole project was going well, everyone was enjoying reading it, everyone enjoying seeing how it was coming along and.. CFC came along nah but CFC good point there SmithRC we are waiting for your comeback

(P.S great fish house btw, id love to make one. But im 13 )

 

[andyj]

CFC,

Because the 3 tanks are all on the same level, if the power went on the filter, wouldn't the level of water in the 3 tanks automatically just level out ?!? i.e. I don't beleive that tanks 1 & 2 would empty into tank 3....

Just my thoughts

I think Russ is also using a sealed Canister filter, so tank 3 wouldn't syphon itself into the filter either

Andy

 

[smithrc]

CFC,

Because the 3 tanks are all on the same level, if the power went on the filter, wouldn't the level of water in the 3 tanks automatically just level out ?!? i.e. I don't beleive that tanks 1 & 2 would empty into tank 3....

Just my thoughts

I think Russ is also using a sealed Canister filter, so tank 3 wouldn't syphon itself into the filter either

Andy

Hey - that was my comeback

As the water level in the 3 tanks will be the same they wont syphon out into one or other.

If they were on different levels then I would have a problem.

I've actually got some 6mm perspex that is earmarked for overflow boxs if i decided to co centerlised (if i do i would probubly just drill them anyway )

 

[ncjharris]

You could add a simple non return valve to the pipes too.

 

[CFC]

Well im no plumbing expert but i still think its risky using syphons to link tanks rather than drilling and using durso standpipes.

 

[daddyfish]

Well im no plumbing expert but i still think its risky using syphons to link tanks rather than drilling and using durso standpipes.

After following this thread for a couple of days.

And doing some figuring on my own, and checking with a fellow hobbyist, While it is most "LIKELY" that the tanks won't siphon as CFC says.

We both agree that it is a chance that if both of us were doing this Ourselves, It's one that we Wouldn't "RISK"... )

We much rather Ourselves Drill each tank Separate, It may cost a little more, and be a little more Work, but at least too us it would be Worth It...

But then again i always Love doing things the Hardway....

 

[andyj]

I think Russ mentioned to me during the week, that he's going to set the tanks up on his work bench, and simulate the power going, to see what actually happens with the syphon etc

 

[smithrc]

I think Russ mentioned to me during the week, that he's going to set the tanks up on his work bench, and simulate the power going, to see what actually happens with the syphon etc

Hello folks...

Just bought stock for the shed

See here

I have thought about the syphon solution...

It'll work fine unless...

1. the tube / filter gets blocked
But the same could happen to the drilled solution. If it blocks up it'll overflow.

2. the tube air locks
the syphon will stop and there will be a big mess...

I cant see either of these happening with the setup i've got but i am considering drilling the tanks as suggested anyway

 

[clunkster]

looking good

 

[smithrc]

Right folks...

They syphon plan hit a bit of a problem tonight...
The 19mm overflow dosnt equal the tanks out as quick as the filter moves the water...
so as the pump takes the water from the 800 and puts it in the 1200, the water level rises in the 1200.
The flow got better as the water level differences got larger but i didnt leave it on long enough to see if it would break even at a certain level.

looks like bigger pipe is needed.

 

[fishman 1]

I think that it is too risky to use the tank to tank syphoning. If the pipes between the tanks just have a restriction variation it could result in either of the first 2 overflowing and the 3rd emptied.

For 2ft tanks I would personally have internal box filters run by an air resovour from a Hi Blow air pump positioned near the ceiling. In fact if you set up the resovour correctly you would be able to run all your tank filters on air and add a small internal in the tanks you have high wase output in.

If your wondering why i said put the pump high up near the ceiling- it is not for stopping the syphoning action but for the fact that heat rises so the warmest air is drawn in by the pump and goes into the tanks.

 

[onemisterchristian]

I say save yourself the headache (or possibly create a new one. )And just drill the tanks. Oh and we need pics pretty soon, i'm salivating

 

[fishman 1]

Thought i had better just add that i currently run 23 tanks this way (with a high blow) My new fish house will be run almost the same way.

 

[fishman 1]

It is a shame that you didnt make the shelf 600mm in width.
If you had you could of had 7 2ftx1ft tanks end on, on the top shelf alone.
Then say 5 2ftx1ft on each of the lower shelves.
Or you could of had a larger tank in the set up 2ft in width.e.g 4ftx2ft
You could of easily run them all off the one pump.

Alternatively if the wall area was longer along the house side of the shed you would of been better racking along that wall instead. That way you had a better oppertunity to expand better. Tee Hee