side by side tank heating

[iron maiden fan]

I was think to save money on buying heaters would it be possible to put two tanks next to each other (so their sides are touching) then just get a heater (that would have an out put that is higher than the requirement of one tank) and put it in one tank probably on the side that is touching the other tank.

 

[The-Wolf]

your idea won't work due to the reflective proerties of glass.

however you could use two cannisters and have them link the tanks
then you would only need the one heater.

Tank A cannister 1
input in tank A output to tank B
Tank B cannister 2
input in tank B output in tank A

 

[yvez9]

your idea won't work due to the reflective proerties of glass.

however you could use two cannisters and have them link the tanks
then you would only need the one heater.

Tank A cannister 1
input in tank A output to tank B
Tank B cannister 2
input in tank B output in tank A

[snapback]917828[/snapback]​

I wouldn't recommend that!
What if canister 1 clogs and the output is reduced
canister 2 will have a higher flow rate then 1, and tank 1 will oveflow!

You can just use 1 canister if the canister can support the water volume of both tank, the input in one, the output in the other.

Then just use some pvc piping to link both tanks. The hard part would be to remove the air in the piping that links both tanks

This way, you get to level out both tanks as the piping will make sure any overflow from one tank is sent to the other.

It will also allow your fish to travel, if you don't want the fish to travel, put a plastic mesh over both ends so only the water can flow, and not your fish!

there's a thread from last year in this forum about someone who did that. It's kinda cool

Here's a link to a guy who designed this kind of bridge.

 

[SRC]

Be very hard to get 2 tanks that th esides would touch anyways. As most smaller tanks have tapered sides, and the flat sided 10 gallons have a base around the bottom that won't allow the tank walls to touch.

The only viable option I see is to put the tanks in a more shallow container, fill it with water, and put the heater in the shallow container. That would heat the water in the shallow container, which in turn would heat the tanks.

That will look horrible though, and you will have to make sure the water doesn't evaporate and ruin the heater. It will also make a mess during water changes.

Just buy 2 heaters..they aren't "that' expensive. You can get small tank heaters for like 6 bucks.

Check this site..they have good deals
www.thatpetplace.com

 

[BigC]

The only other way I've seen this done, is with a type of weir system, whereas the first tank is slightly higher or slightly deeper than the second and the end pane has had a 25cm notch cut along its length. The two tanks have to have a silicone seam along the top to join them together. The idea is that one overflows into the next and is pumped back up to the top tank by means of a power filter and spraybar. ( you can have any number of tanks linked in this fashion. It's better if you start out building one of these systems from scratch as trying to doctor an exisisting tank could prove disasterous.
I myself have built a similar overflow system. If you picture a 6'x2'x2' tank stood upright on its end pane, into this I have incorporated 4 tanks each overflowing at the rear and into the next. when it reaches the bottom tank/sump it is pumped back up to the top tank via a large Eheim canister filter. I have a 3 of these systems in place and I only need one heater in each.
Regards
BigC

 

[jfrancho]

Any solution that effectively uses one heater for two tanks will invariably be more expensive than just buying a second heater. The previous statement becomes less true as the number of tanks is increased. But then we're talking about a fishroom.

 

[BigC]

Any solution that effectively uses one heater for two tanks will invariably be more expensive than just buying a second heater.

Good answer jfrancho.

 

[corydorasj]

I Love this site.

I had a thought about linking tanks for greater water volume stability and here is my answer.

The link to the "waterbridge" site is fantastic. I'll settle for upside-down u-bend filter piping, mesh "fish-guards" ( or even sponge filter sponges ?!!) and sucker clips, this'll do just the job.

I find the biggest advantage not just to be heating etc, but to be able to generate a large volume of water, spread across a number of tanks. My water parameters can stay stable. I can use bigger filters and heaters, and I can keep all my fish separate, as needs be. I can keep one tank empty of fish and plants to act as a sump/maintenance tank. I can have plant-only tanks that will act as a supplementary "vegetable filter" to eat up the nitrates. the list can go on. I'll also have a use for my spare eheim filter. Again. bigger filters often are more efficient than the smaller ones.

This will be ideal for my killie tanks in my soon-to-be fishhouse. I currently have the problem that with small tanks, even with regular water changes, the parameters still vary somewhat. (A problem I don't have with my 4ft community tank.)

Nice one all of you.

 

[yvez9]

keep in mind though, linking tanks does not only have advantages

imagine a bacterial infection in one tank, all your tank will be affected

if linking many thanks together, i would setup a UV sterilizer to prevent any infection spreading to many tanks

 

[Lateral Line]

I had a 36x15x12 divided for Killies and with a single heater in a full length narrow division at the back. Not exactly the same as 2 tanks of course. That worked well enough.

 

[SRC]

I had a 36x15x12 divided for Killies and with a single heater in a full length narrow division at the back. Not exactly the same as 2 tanks of course. That worked well enough.

That's how my divided tank is. I have a long 3" section in the back where the filters dump and the heater is, then 8 divided section across the front. It works great.