What to do, what to do...

[Hogie]

Besides a QT tank, I have 2x 29gallon tanks available for use. I dont want a Reef type system (already have one starting up), but I was thinking of a FOWLR. Could/should I somehow plumb them together? I dont plan on having a sump (the stand I am going to use for them is 6x drawers on the bottom). This stand is 65" wide, so it holds both aquariums nicely, with a little room to spare between them (say, for 2x 1" or 2" bulkheads + joiners).

Any suggestions?

 

[ccCapt]

I guess you can drill 2 holes in each and connect them with bulkheads. You would need a powerhead or something pointing into the bulkheads, 1 in each direction, so the water from the 2 tanks would mix. I don't think they would circulate without something pushing the water from 1 into the other and back.

 

[Hogie]

I have some powerheads I can use for this, I just dont know if that's something that I want to do or not... What would you guys suggest? I'd rather take care of 1 "larger" water system than 2 smaller ones for this.

Good idea/bad idea?

 

[Hogie]

Also, would I be able to use Texas Holey Rock as a base rock for a FOWLR aquarium? It is a limestone rock, which dissolves very slowly. I want to try to setup something that doesn't look like every other SW aquarium out there.

 

[Innovator]

I assume you are connecting for filtration purposes so yes it can be done as long as you have equal returns/tank and you keep both intakes clean along with proper installation of bulkheads and union-valves. You would have to be careful so not to jar the connecting lines between both tanks, which could be a huge mess if cracked. I literally hate Texas Holey Rock. It is not porous like liverock so filtration would either be within a sandbed or mechanical filter and THR is very dense/heavy in comparison nor does it look natural. What about creating a display from Marshall islands branch and flat rock, which wouldn't be the "norm" and at least beneficial liverock?

 

[Hogie]

Isn't Marshall Islands really hard to get now? Tonga is hitting $10/lb at the LFS's that have it here (2 that I have seen in the last 45 days).

Ive already cherry picked the tonga from them for my bigger tank. Maybe I should just go and get some cheapo live rock and smash it with a hammer then epoxy it back together in weird shapes.. nobody would notice!

As for the 2 tanks plumbed together, I was thinking about that issue too. I'd rather have as much biological filtration as possible, but I can run 2 individual tanks if needed.

 

[Hogie]

I am not going to plumb them together. I am just going to have one tank + QT there. I just got a deal on some LR and LS from a tank that crashed during Hurricane Ike. 60# of LR and 60# of LS will be here on Monday (I pick it up). Going to start cycling the FOWLR tank with that.

 

[Hogie]

Just got home and got the new live rock curing in the tank.

It was more rock than I expected.







We re-wet it before I left the place I was getting it from, but by the time I got home from an hour drive, it wasn't really wet anymore. Still, I think it will be good once it cures.

 

[melosu58]

Once it cures and your tank cycles it should be fine. Cant wait to see the progress.