System sizing

[rayn]

I know there are nano tanks, medium tanks, large tank, and everything in between. Is there such a thing as a system that is to large? A combination of tanks that makes a system to demanding? Or would the extra amount of water make it more stable?

Here's what I'm dreaming in my head. Currently have a 120 and 240 just sitting. Possibly have another 150~ on the way. If they were all tied together, could the system be made stable?

 

[SalinFL]

Love your idea, that would be epic!

 

[Sm51498]

The economic impact is proportional to the tank size but maintenance is only as hard as you design it to be. Obviously water changes get bigger, that can be harder to deal with but that's it really.

 

[rayn]

The economic impact is proportional to the tank size but maintenance is only as hard as you design it to be. Obviously water changes get bigger, that can be harder to deal with but that's it really.

If I can set it correctly water changes will be as easy as a couple valves.

Economic impact, are you talking the equipment running? Or are there other issues?

 

[Sm51498]

More water generally means bigger pumps, more light, more heaters and more more salt. This leads to a higher running cost and a higher initial cost.

So pretty much just the equipment running, yeah.

 

[rayn]

Got it. Though if I had all the tanks running separately, wouldn't the cost factor be the same?

Not trying to argue this point, just trying to figure out if I really want to do this in one large system or individual.

 

[Cleverbs]

Got it. Though if I had all the tanks running separately, wouldn't the cost factor be the same?

Not trying to argue this point, just trying to figure out if I really want to do this in one large system or individual.

If you had them all running anyways it would cost similar. at least you wouldnt have three sumps.

I had a 30g frag tank tied into my 220g and it was nice because I could just do water changes on the larger tank and the frag tank would benefit. Also it kept my 30g MUCH more stable having the water volume from the 220 and the sump.

are you trying to do like two display tanks and a sump? or whats the plan. I would say to focus on a single tank. I tried to do the multi tank thing and I had two OK looking tanks when I could have had 1 great tank. Maybe something that would be cool and really benefit your tank is have a display (what ever tank you like best) then have the 2nd biggest tank be a fuge and the third tank a sump. A small fuge is rarely even worth it however if you could dedicate a 120 or a 150 to be a fuge you would have amazing results in the display tank.

Do factor in the cost of salt however. It doesnt seem like a lot but its a ton of $$$ worth of salt every month.

 

[Breadman03]

Here is the real question: are the tank types compatible. You could probably do like a 30 gallon predator tank with a 240 reef with little issue, but a 240 predator tank with a 30 gallon reef would make it very difficult to control nutrients for the reef tank. Seahorses require cooler water than our reefs need.

There is also something to be said for having separate systems. Should something happen to one tank, you could move it to another system that isn't connected.

What are you looking to do?

 

[rayn]

I've done the multiple tank thing before, had way to many at one point.

I'm looking for stability mainly. I would like one to be a reef or more a coral tank and the other to be a fowlr. I've looked to making the larger a ray tank if possible. Then all tied into one sump if I can.

120 reef 240 fowlr other tank a larger sump or fuge. I hope the rock in the reef and fuge area are enough to offset the lack of rock, or needed openness, for the ray/s.

While room is a small concern, I have basically unlimited access in my basement to make it what I want.

Lights on the reef are expected costs, either requiring new or using what I have. In the fowlr there wouldn't be the need for fancy lights. Heaters would be needed of coarse, but they could be spread through the system rather then trying to bunch them all together in a single sump. I have reactors. I would probably try to figure out a way to run multiple skimmers, rather then one giant skimmer. All would be hooked through a apex for monitoring.

 

[Cleverbs]

I would be VERY concerned about running any FOWLR tank especially rays in a system tied to a reef tank. The amount of nutrients will never be able to be controlled.

I would not put a FOWLR tank and a reef tank on the same loop ever. The tanks are much to different in needs. Rays are messy...really messy.

 

[Rick.45cal]

Take the two largest tanks and make them two Reef tanks, run them on opposite photo periods, tie them both together using the third tank as a massive sump/refugium/frag tank. But I'm an artist/mad scientist type :eek:

 

[rayn]

@Cleverbs that is my worry. I wasn't sure if the size would help out.

@Rick.45cal I hadn't thought about reverse photo period. That might be cool.