Okay here is my crude layout for a stacked tank system using a single filter, Heater, and CO2 system. Feedback appericated.
New 2 Tank stacked setup
- Thread starter Sounguru
- Start date
Thinking about it you could have the output for the filter in the bottom tank and the return in the top tank with an overflow from the top tank to the one under it.
I would put check valves in place they are just not on the drawing. Plus quick disconnects and a few other items....
See that is my conudrum because in principle it should work and I have seen similar closed loop systems work before but I never dug into the plumbing to see how they were setup.
Interesting Idea with an electronic check valve that would stop the backflow problem the only hang up I have is that you would be sending all the waste from the top tank to the bottom and only removing it there.
I dont see why this wouldnt work..
BUT
I would put some sort of siphon break on both tanks, eliminating any danger of draining one tank into the other, and over flowing the second tank onto the floor.
Because with this set up, even under no power, the top tank will still siphon into the bottom one. A check valve might prevent the overflowing of the bottom tank, but wont stop the top tank from draining. so the siphon brak would be necessary. You could easily do this bu locating the intake on both tanks high up in the water column, within a few inches from the top. that way it would only siphon off that much water and then stop. (does that make sense?)
Also you could control flow with the ball valves as you have in your diagram. Idealy if both tanks were on the same level shelf i think it would be alot easier to manage and make work.
i think you could make this work, but there would be a delicate balance of mechanics to keep it working correctly.
BUT
I would put some sort of siphon break on both tanks, eliminating any danger of draining one tank into the other, and over flowing the second tank onto the floor.
Because with this set up, even under no power, the top tank will still siphon into the bottom one. A check valve might prevent the overflowing of the bottom tank, but wont stop the top tank from draining. so the siphon brak would be necessary. You could easily do this bu locating the intake on both tanks high up in the water column, within a few inches from the top. that way it would only siphon off that much water and then stop. (does that make sense?)
Also you could control flow with the ball valves as you have in your diagram. Idealy if both tanks were on the same level shelf i think it would be alot easier to manage and make work.
i think you could make this work, but there would be a delicate balance of mechanics to keep it working correctly.
I would put electronic check valves in line for all 4 locations intakes and outtakes So they would shut off when the power goes off and open back up when the power returns that would stop any chance of a back flow and standard checks may work but that will have to be tested.
The ball valves would be used to balance the flow between the 2 tanks to make sure that they do not over flow just from pressure differences.
Thinking about it I could probably get away with just 2 check valves.
CWO4GUNNER
USN/USCG 1974-2004 Weps
Actually belay that, I was thinking of air and water principals not water and water, I think it should work after all, but when dealing with pressures I would definitely do a mock up before drilling the bottom of my tanks..
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