Like To Fix My Diy Filter

[elassoma_sailor]

So I made myself a DIY filter with the help of my dad. I was so happy then because I didn't had to spend two expensive filter for my two aquarium.
I tested it out and boy, I was mad at myself! Firstly, we didn't want to test the whole system ( we didn't want to deal with bigger problems if system dose not go well). So instead we tested for aquarium number one and The filter began to overflow (thank god this is the garage!). I don't know what am I doing wrong? Since then I didnt use it and I didnt had enought time to fix or ask problems.
I thought of an idea that why not make your self one giant filter and use it to filter two aquarium fro my turtles.
Here the the diagram how it work and how it is layout:

key:
grey box-pumps ( both pumps have a magnetic drive pump has 350 GPH capacity )
black lines with a black square is the tube that supply water
and the black line with that has nothing in the end is the tube that supply water for the filter that will filter the "dirty water"
-----------
So the pump inside the aquarium one, on the bottom, the pump take out water and fills in the filter
and the pump inside the filter supply the filtered water into the aquarium 1 and 2

*note-we will be buying another pump for aquarium two to take out water that will also take out the "dirty water". So my dad temporary cut off the water supply to aquarium number two. We just have been testing it on aquarium one(bottom aquarium)
and other notes-
*the filter is a 5 gallon bucket and aquarium number one is 50 gallon and aquarium two is 55 gallon.9and yes these aquarium are stack on and show no stress the way they are layout.
* aquarium two does not house any fish or turtles.
*aquarium one house my reeves turtle temporary enclosure(he will be moved to aquarium two and aquarium one will house my spotted turtle)

...And now I want to know what am I doing wrong?

 

[CrazyAirborne]

i dont think the pump in the 5 gal bucket is going to pump water up to the top tank when its easier for the water to just flow into the bottom tank, and the pressure will be there because theres the return pump in the bottom tank as well.

it obviously wont work with only water pumping into the top tank, with no way for the water to come out, so you;ll have to get that pump in the top tank.

maybe you could have the top tank flow into the bottom tank, then pump from the bottom tank into the filter, then from the filter back into the top tank. idk. good luck.

you could also google using an external filter for two tanks, it might give you some better ideas.

 

[elassoma_sailor]

that why I said in Notes, I will be buying another pump for the top tank for outflow.
hmmm I might try that method if not I will be seeking help again
So is my pump 350 GPH capacity okay? Is it to much?

 

[Tolak]

You will never get both pumps to pump exactly 350 gpm. In a short amount of time you will either overflow the sump, or the tanks. Look into drilling the tanks with overflows, having one pump in the sump to feed both.

 

[pezmanw]

No the head pressure of the one in the bucket well never match the one in the tank… and as tolak said it well be way easier and faster if you just went with an overflow. Could you not get one to flow into the other and just pump back to one tank? IE; tank A to tank B and tank B to filter and filter up to tank A.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

maybe you could have the top tank flow into the bottom tank, then pump from the bottom tank into the filter, then from the filter back into the top tank. idk. good luck.

Could you not get one to flow into the other and just pump back to one tank? IE; tank A to tank B and tank B to filter and filter up to tank A.

+1

 

[elassoma_sailor]

Oh..okay...I have used a 5 gallon bucket as a filter can I use another one as an overflow?

 

[pezmanw]

Something like that, red is return to tank. (hope this worked)

 

[pezmanw]

it wont let me upload the pic I'll try re-sending it later.

 

[pezmanw]

You should make a hole in the top tank and have it drain into the bottom one, then from the bottom one into the filter. From the filter it well pump the water back up to the top tank and the flow well be controlled but what is getting pumped out of the filter. It’s not letting me load the paint drawing, and it’s ¼ the size of the one you have posted. Hope that helps.

 

[OldMan47]

As Tolak suggested, you can treat each tank separately as far as overflows and returns are concerned but do not try to balance pumps. Instead set up an overflow type drain on each tank that goes to the filter sump. If the level in the tank drops down a bit, the overflow stops flowing. Once you have that stable, you add enough water to the sump to begin pumping back to the tanks. It really does not matter if you get a good balance between the tanks because each one will only overflow as fast as you pump water into it. With the system running, the level in the tanks never changes but all water added or removed affects the sump level instead. You do not want a full sump because that means it will overflow if you lose power. You need to get the tanks full and start them overflowing with power off, then add some water to the sump before any power is applied. Once you have that all set up right, you can afford to start pumping from the sump back to the tanks and make sure the sump itself doesn't run out of water. If you pump too hard back into the tanks it will raise the tank water level enough to empty the sump.
The "standard" arrangement for a wet/dry sump is to place the filter media and the return pump all in one container with weirs to guide the flow inside the filter/sump.