Can You Connect Two Aquariums with a Tube Without Causing Overflow?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of connecting two aquariums with a tube while preventing overflow, particularly focusing on the implications of water levels, siphoning effects, and potential solutions for maintaining water balance. The scope includes practical considerations for aquarium setup and the behavior of aquatic life within the system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that water levels will equalize in both tanks, recommending that the upper sides of the tanks be level to avoid overflow.
  • Another participant mentions the potential use of a pump to control water levels but warns that pump failure could lead to overflow issues.
  • A participant references Torricelli's law to calculate the flow rate required for a pump, indicating that a very high flow rate would be necessary if the tanks are not level.
  • Some participants propose that raising the shorter tank could prevent overflow, while others discuss the importance of ensuring the siphon tube does not exceed the head space of the tanks.
  • There are suggestions that the eel's movement through the tube may not significantly affect water levels, as the system would automatically equalize if the tube remains full of water.
  • A participant raises the idea of sealing the lower tank to allow for different height configurations, although this is met with concerns about maintenance accessibility.
  • One participant expresses excitement about the setup and the potential for unique aquarium designs, while another suggests practical modifications like drilling a hole in the pipe for air removal if needed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that raising the shorter tank could help prevent overflow, but there are multiple competing views regarding the best methods to achieve a stable water level and the implications of the eel's movement. The discussion remains unresolved on the optimal approach to connecting the tanks without causing overflow.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding assumptions about water behavior in the tube, the effects of the eel's movement, and the practicalities of maintaining the tanks without drilling. The discussion also reflects varying levels of confidence in proposed solutions.

Who May Find This Useful

Aquarium enthusiasts, hobbyists interested in unique tank setups, and individuals exploring the dynamics of water levels in connected systems may find this discussion relevant.

mtsafer
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Hello, I have two fish tanks next to each other. One is big (36 gallons, about 2 feet tall), one is smaller (10 gallons, about a foot tall). I want to make a connective tube so that my eel can swim between the two tanks but I don't want either tank to overflow. I am not adverse to raising the shorter tank on wooden planks. Is there a way to make this work or am I doomed to failure? Also if my eel swims through it will it make a siphon and flood a tank?

EDIT: The tube goes over the tops of the fish tanks, not through the walls.
 
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The water will want to be at the same absolute level in both tanks. Your best bet is to position them so that their upper sides are level. If not, you might be able to control the situation with a pump - but if it fails, things can get nasty.
 
If not, you might be able to control the situation with a pump - but if it fails, things can get nasty.

Well, forget about this. If the water levels are a foot apart, and the diameter of the tube is just 3 cm, the application of Torricelli's law yields 1.7 l of water per second, so you would need a pump with the flow rate of 6 cubic meters, or 1600 gallons, per hour. That is significantly in excess of the recommended flow rate 230 gallons per hour for your tanks combined.
 
mtsafer said:
I am not adverse to raising the shorter tank on wooden planks. Is there a way to make this work or am I doomed to failure?

Also if my eel swims through it will it make a siphon and flood a tank?

EDIT: The tube goes over the tops of the fish tanks, not through the walls.
With the glass wall top edges at equal height you will not overflow. Make sure that the siphon tube contains less water than the head space available in the tanks. The head space is height above the water but below the tank top edge.

You can ignore the effect of the eel.

You will have to fill the siphon and make sure that its lower edges are never above the the water surface.

You are not using the siphon to transfer liquid but you may find this interesting
 
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Thank you everyone! I am going to raise the smaller fish tank and I have confidence now that nothing will overflow. This is going to be a very cool setup that I have never seen before!
 
You could always have the lower tank sealed, in which case you could have it at any height. It could be an interesting situation if it were actually a level below the bottom of the upper tank. If the joining tube went from the top of the lower tank to low down in the top tank, you could aerate into the bottom tank and the bubbles would flow up through the tube. You could use standard plumbing fittings, once you have the holes made in the glass.
The eels might enjoy that and it would certainly be a conversation piece.

Failing that, just keep the surfaces of the two tanks the same, using blocks. The eel won't make it all overflow or syphon.
 
Thanks, I don't want to drill the tanks, that's why the tube is going over the tops. Plus I don't think it's practical to seal the lower tank since then I wouldn't be able to do maintenance on it. That is an interesting idea and if I ever make a fish tank, maybe I'll make a weird shape like that.
 
I get the picture now. If the pipe is full of water then the two water levels will always be the same (equalise, automatically) and the eel may just cause a small flow in the pipe, whilst swimming through, but the water will re-balance when he's through.
The connecting pipe will need to be kept full of water in some way or bubbles will find their way in it and form an air barrier for the eel - although, if you give him some felt to squirm on, he can probably get over a small air filled hump at the top of the inverted U. They do go over land at times, I believe.
How exciting. Keeping eels! Much more interesting than Koi.
 
  • #10
:D Thanks! If worse comes to worse I could drill a small hole in the pipe and install a pump to suck air out to it will fill back up with water
 

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