Tank to Tank Water Bridge

M

MackBlanch

AC Members
Jun 20, 2009
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I've liked the idea since I first got an aquarium. I just finished assembling it on Thursday, and it was done drying today. Now that I have the order of assembly, and some experience sealing down I'm thinking I might make a cleaner one.

You'll notice the tube running from one tank to another. It's connected to the filter of one tank and draws water from the other tank. This creates a pressure differential on either side of the bridge that creates a current across it. The fish seem to make good use of it--every time I go to my tanks someone has switched sides. My snails, khuli loach, frogs all seem to use it as well, much to my surprise. I wasn't expecting the bottom dwellers to explore.

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Very interesting, whats the bridge constructed of?
 
Probably just used air tubing to suck out the air from the bridge. Cool that you tried it
 
It works on the same principle as holding lifting an upside down filled glass of water out of a filled sink does. Basically, the water doesn't fall because nothing besides water is available to replace it.

It's constructed of 3/32" glass panes and silicon sealant. I had to do the bottom in smaller panes because I was too eager to put any thought into order of assembly. If I build another it will be cleaner, and have less components. The top is 16" X 5 3/4". The end pieces extend down 8 inches total, about 5 into the water. The opening is a little under 5 3/4" by 2"

I used a tube to suck the air out. You'll notice a green valve in the second picture that i can open to slowly let air in if I want to empty it without flooding my tanks.
 
That is really cool. I'd probably always be uncomfortable with pumping water across tanks, seeing as a collapse or backup could mean a really big mess.
 
How long can one of these conceivably last without intervention?

Over time, surely pockets of gas will rise up into the bridge and slowly form at the top. Also, water changes I imagine would break the bridge... do you have to pump air out of the tunnel each week?


Very cool though.
 
I've only had it for several days now. No bubbles yet, though I was expecting the same thing. If it happens though, I'll just remove it when I make my water changes.
 
very cool! though would be pita to try to clean the inside of it when mulm or some type of derbis accumlate like filter tubes just simply stick a wire but this design looks like its not possible without hour of good cleaning


but neat DIY project I love the look of the black silcone
 
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