Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im still in the design phase, but I figured Id share with the group. I have a 55 gallon, a 20L gallon, and a 10 gallon. I was contemplating buying a larger tank, but since my turtles are still babies, I came up with another idea. If youve seen my filter, then you know ive discovered siphoning between 2 level tanks. Im going to build a new stand, actually 3, and have all 3 tanks level at top. The 55 will siphon into the 20L, and the 20L into the 10. The 10 will be half plants and the other half filter. Then there will be a pump inside the filter that will pump back into the 55. The hood for this setup will connect all 3 and support the plumbing. The turtles will be able to climb from the 55 to the 20L via some type of bridge/basking area. I suppose if a fish gets curious, he may travel through the siphon to the 20L. The siphon from the 20L to the 10 will be screened. Ive figured I'll spend about $120 in wood for this setup. Below is my Adobe Photoshop rendering of what it may look like. Ill be sure to post photos when its completed.

setting up a multiple resevoir system is complex and there is something you need to be very careful of. If any of your siphons stops, you could end up with flooding, and you will have to use at least one two pumps in this system to keep it running.

What I would suggest is that you create a system where your 55 has corner sumps (like saltwater tanks use) that pump out to either of the side tanks, and then you have a single corner sump in each of those to return the flow. You could have the sump pump from any of these run through a trickle filter or other similar item if you wish.

This way your corner guards with the slits at the top don't allow the entire tank to siphon out if the return from one of the small tanks stops.

Say you have four pumps:

A) (in corner of 55, behind slitted guard, pumps to 20L)
B) (in other corner of 55, behind slitted guard, pumps to 10)
C) (in 20L, behind slitted guard, pumps to 55)
D) (in 10, behind slitted guard, pumps to 55).

Using high efficiency low power sump pumps (which you could actually install into the cabinets and put a drain hole at the bottom of each slotted guarded corner), this system allows for any or all of the pumps to fail without a disaster. If they all fail, the water just sits still and waits until power is restored. If one of the pumps in the smaller tanks fails, you might have a problem if you don't have your slots in the guards arranged so that the tanks can handle the overflow.

A gravity drain (connecting a tube that will allow downhill flow at the maximum "flood" level) in the smaller tanks pointing back to the big one and the big one should solve this.

It's a complex problem. In a perfect world you can set up a main body, make sure it can handle ALL the water from any attached bodies, and put pumps ONLY in the main body, sending water UP to the smaller ones, and allowing overflow and gravity to return it to the main body.

I suppose that is possible. I will think of a way to avoid that without a complete redesign. The siphon tubes I use will be much larger than the pump tube diameter. Im thinking maybe 4 inch tube just in case. I cant imagine anything stopping that up, unless a 4" turtle got sucked into the end. But then, I drill holes in the sides of the tubes too, so it would take quite a freak disaster for that to happen. But thanks for pointing that out. I really appreciate it. Maybe I will screen off all the siphons, so nothing too large makes it thru. Or have a pump siphon, and a "play" siphon for anything that feels like swimming up or downstream.
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I had a similar setup that consisted of 3 20 gallon tanks. Although I didnt use the filtration the way u have planned I loved it! I used seperate filters in each tank, for the reason that it might overflow like nathana had mentioned.

with the 3 20 gallon tanks setup like you have u'r tanks I placed two rubbermaid containers wedged in between them with milk crates for support. The containers measured: 1ft 10.9 inches x 1ft 5 inches x 7.3 inches. They where filled with sand so that the turtles could comute (sp?) back and fourth to each tank. the sand was filtered and white. Then I used clear plexiglass to make a wall so the turtles would not fall out if they tried to get to another tank during the night. Heat lamps and UVA lights where placed here and the turtles used these places as sunning spots and to lay eggs.

I might still have a pic or two of my setup but Im not sure, I will post one if I have one, (due to the fact that computers are still a long way from stable even with XP, crashes do happen.)

But Hey, thats a great Idea and the turtles love it. Maitinence might seem like a problem but it isnt at all.

Take care and good luck,

Lu

I just want to give you a heads up on your system. Baby turtles get drowned every year due to getting their small heads stuck in the various tubes and siphons that people use in their tanks. Be sure to place a screen or netting of some kind over the opening to avoid this tragedy.

Best wishes with your babies.

thanks for the concern, but these arent my first turtles. currently my siphon is closed off. There has been a change of plans tho. The 3 tank idea is off for now, cuz I found a 120 gall high tank for $200. Perhaps I will in the future setup a a 3 tank with the 20, 55, and 120- who knows.
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