Idea for a DIY tank

[edm3d]

Please anyone let me know if my idea is stupid or not feasible.

I want 3 different environments, one mixed reef tank, a nem only tank, and a seahorse tank, however, here's how I plan on accomplishing that if possible. I want to have one big tank, divided into 3 sections via a glass partition with silicone, and all running off of the same sump. I plan to have the nem portion right in between the mixed reef portion and the seahorse portion.

How would I, and would it be possible to run this? How would I keep the mixed/nem side at 78°F and the seahorse side at 72° if I want to use the same sump? Am I crazy in trying to do this?

 

[Fish Fan]

Maybe I'm not understanding, but with glass partition, how will water flow through the tank? Maybe a better idea would be to use tank dividers that allow water to flow freely through?

 

[jsmkmavity]

The different temps wil mix and equalize in the sump if you only use 1. If you divide the sump and use 3 pumps it could work but in the tank and the sump i would use 2 glass panels for each divider with a small air gap between so the temp from each doesnt transfer through the glass. You could make it even better with 1/2" foamboard between the glass dividers. Either way i think you need to seal the top gap.

 

[Mebbid]

I love the idea, honestly tho I would suggest getting 3 different cube tanks, building a single stand to accomodate all 3 and butt them up against each other.

You could run 2 tanks off of 1 sump then would have to run the seahorse tank separately. You could run all 3 of them together, but you'd have to have one hell of an inline heating and cooling system and it would use a TON of electricity

 

[edm3d]

Maybe I'm not understanding, but with glass partition, how will water flow through the tank? Maybe a better idea would be to use tank dividers that allow water to flow freely through?

So for that, I was planning on drilling separate holes for each environment that way each one gets their own flow

 

[edm3d]

I love the idea, honestly tho I would suggest getting 3 different cube tanks, building a single stand to accomodate all 3 and butt them up against each other.

You could run 2 tanks off of 1 sump then would have to run the seahorse tank separately. You could run all 3 of them together, but you'd have to have one hell of an inline heating and cooling system and it would use a TON of electricity

My reasoning for doing this instead of running 3 separate tanks are due to having limited space length wise and wanting a "seamless" look for each different environment. I did want to originally get 3 different tanks and set them side by side, but I am trying to see if doing this little project would be worthwile.

 

[Mebbid]

My reasoning for doing this instead of running 3 separate tanks are due to having limited space length wise and wanting a "seamless" look for each different environment. I did want to originally get 3 different tanks and set them side by side, but I am trying to see if doing this little project would be worthwile.

If you went with a different plan than a seahorse tank and were able to keep them all at the same or similar temperature, this would be a much more feasible plan.