DIY - Whole system sump !

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM0LXcsN6bA&list=TLL1uTmzacvlQ

I found this video while surfing the net, thought it would a good reference in the MCA...

Question:  what are the disadvantages of doing a system like this,  as opposed to running a couple (costly) hob filters on each aquarium ?

[four_by_ken]

Biggest thing for me would be if you had to treat anything.  It would take a lot of medication!

Also, couldn't set up any tanks different than others... ph, hardness, temp, etc.

For me personally, my tanks are all over the house.  So, I couldn't use something like this.


But, I have always liked the idea of a large central system.

[lilscoots]

For sure the biggest disadvantage would be potential for disease outbreak and difficulty/cost to treat it.  I run sponge filters, a large air pump and am setting up a drip system for my tanks.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Yeah I thought about treating the tanks...that would be expensive...

[danielratti]

Put a shutoff valve on every return line and run sponges in the tank as well. That way you can shut the flow off you need to treat.

[four_by_ken]

By the time you find out you need to treat,  it's already throughout the system....  more than likely.

[LoveTheFishies]

I think that's why when you go to some lfs or petsmart, you can see ich in multiple tanks.

[danielratti]

I guess I always catch mine in time. Lucky me