Jules

That makes sense to me. 1. put an overflow on both tanks draining to a sump 2. place a return pump in the sump that is able to handle pumping water to both tanks 3. split the return plumbing to go to each tank w/valves on each line Now that sounds easy

Okay so I think that will be what I am going to do then put an overflow on both. and place 2 pumps in the sump? One to each tank? I don't have enough room under the cabinet for a 10g I will have to get a somewhat smaller container. I will figure something out. If all else fails I can just switch everything from my 12 to the 10 and make the 12 into a freshwater like it was meant for! add a fuge to the 10 and call it good.

Thanks Rick, I have a couple questions. 1. The overflows you are talking about is that the boxes that can be place in the corner inside the tank? 2. What and how is a U-tube used on the tank, it seems to be really general and I have no idea exactly what it is in accordance to a tank and what it does. 3. Should the sump be big enough to hold the water of both tanks combined or am I missing something there 4. Do I really need a sump if I have 1 overflow in each tank and two pumps? Sorry for so many questions.

I had someone catch a big problem with the configuration I drew.....nothing moving water from the DT! Ughhh!

I like both your fish, they look good together, very beautiful!

I don't have an overflow on the DT just a small HOB filter that I will run carbon in. I may not of mentioned it was a filter and not an overflow. DOH! Do I need to keep that water in account as well? When i removed it in the past most of the water drained into the DT, there was plenty of room for it, (it is a very small HOB) Figuring out how to keep two different levels in the sump is something I have to figure out now as well. If that even needs to be an option....I'm thinking the baffles have something to do with that. (scratch) More reading. (whistle) I have been considering ATO as well, mainly because the intake on the overflow will be just below the water level and I wouldn't want it to start sucking air. (scary) I will be going to pick up everything I need for the pvc overflow tomorrow maybe to get that made and tested. I still have a long way to go yet. But am having fun figuring it out. I really appreciate the input from everyone too. Thank you.

LOL Did I finally figure it out? (clap)

Best I can do without a program to look pro (laugh)

The way I was seeing it is to use the pvc overflow coming out of the fuge to the sump then the return pump takes it from the sump to the DT. It is basically not fool proof I'm sure but if it is done right and the power goes out and comes back on it (the pvc overflow) should stop and start right back up. I would need to match the flow from the pvc overflow to the return pump of course. With that I was thinking putting a valve after the overflow and before the sump to adjust the flow if needed and to do maintenance. The sump will be the connection between the two tanks. As far as I know that is typical in most systems am I right? Does that make sense? Here is a pic of what the pvc overflow will look like. 2 sections in and 2 sections out of tank. The T goes to the sump.

Majano Anemone? Bad from what I read about them but someone else will know more than me.

Okay forget about that set-up I didn't realize the fuge was drilled. I am going to avoid having to do that especially with that tank, it is kinda of old I think and that could be a disaster. I have looked over a thread on 3reef about a pvc overflow that may work if I place a plastic bin under the fuge in the cabinet as a makeshift sump. http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/nice-cheap-diy-overflow-29396.html (I could make this no problem) I think I could put the overflow into the fuge and the pump in sump like it says and just hide the pvc behind some sort of DIY box for looks. Most everyone on there is doing it the opposite but already have sumps and skimmers etc. My 12g has a top on it so it seems to make more sense to put it in the 10g that does not have a top on it. Any thoughts?

How about this? Since the fuge will be higher how well do you think this would do? What about float switches? how do those work and could that be added to this setup?

I have done a little research on macro algae and what types of inhabitants are do well in a refugium, I still have a long way to go yet. I think this might be good news IDK. The 10g is going to sit a little higher than the 12g, so I may be able to do the gravity feed to the display now. The tank is in worse shape then I thought, I am going to have to test it to see if it will even hold water. (scary) There are some strands where the epoxy has worn off, I don't think it has been used in a very long time. If I can get away from having to drill that would be way easier, I hate the thought of having to take everything out of the DT. Besides they both are very small to be drilling holes IMO. (nutty) Nothing good came with it just a box of junk used for a feshwater tank. (sad) I don't know the terms to use when it comes to this stuff. So, bear with me it is all foreign to me. (scratch) The pump I was thinking of just has a in and an out. Return pump? If I have a overflow built into the 10g in the corner I could place it in there? right? Or should I use an external pump? I can always put my Koralia nano in there and use a powerhead?? hooked to the return pump inside the DT for circulation in the DT? I have been searching all over for an example but everyone drills holes or has biocubes. I really want to do this myself too even if I drive myself and everyone else crazy in the process. (laugh)

I want it to be a fully functional macro algae display tank where eventually when I get a little experience under my belt I could put a seahorse or something in there. A peppermint shrimp maybe, but atm I think I want a sand bed for macros to grow in there. I thought about a deep sand bed but that just doesn't seem like a big enough tank to be doing that. Maybe 1 1/2 to 2 inches at the most. I was researching all the different ways others have been plumbing fuges, and with all the help I have gotten on here, it does seem really simple. When I use the powerhead in the fuge could I put on the tubes just before going into the DT tank, some sort of valve to stop the water flow to check the tubing and cleaning them out? Must make sure I shut the pump off first I know, but is that plausible? I would put bulkheads in (2) on the display and attach a valve then the hoses to the pump....I can detach the hoses and the pump and clean them now and then.

Sounds simple enough.....we will see when I attempt it. I didn't get the tank today going to try for tomorrow, typical when getting something from Craigslist. Now, how do I go about starting it up. Should I put rubble and LS before they are connected together from my existing tank? Or get new and let it cycle? Or half of the water from my existing tank to that one and add new SW? I am sure most have a fuge from the very beginning so I haven't run across the topic. I don't really think there is enough sand in my DT to put in the fuge so more than likely I will have to get some more for it.

Is there an example of this set-up somewhere that I can look at the get an idea on how it is all hooked up? And, could I leave my hob on the DT with carbon running in it as well? Or would it be better on the fuge?

I was thinking that too beforehand, the two being side by side, if having the water levels the same will avoid any overflow problems. Again, I am really dumb when it comes to this kind of stuff for some reason. (maybe till I try it huh? lol)

I was thinking the same thing

That helps very much! Given to me in language I can understand. I am not sure how tall the other tank will sit, hopefully gravity to the DT for pods to get there unharmed. ?? I will have to google aqualifter. Thank you. I need to see some samples graphs and things to really get an idea of what I need to use if you know of any links or anyone who has them posted. I am good at reading blueprints/schematics too. If it is close to what I can do.

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I have stumbled across a 10g tank with a stand and would like to turn it into a display fuge. I am really bad at plumbing and need some advice on how to go about it without drilling any holes. From what I have read so far I was leaning towards the CLS but after thinking about it I will have to have that and my 12g in the loop I am all confused now....(scratch) I have found many threads that helped a little but most have sumps and I don't have a sump and really don't want one either. Overflow box? Maybe? How, what, do I need to make it all work? Help!!!! The only filtration I want is carbon and nature if that helps any. Anything more I can ad that will help let me know. Thanks in advance.

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Yeah I googled that and that is exactly what it looks like. Thnks!

Cool, they just started showing up a couple weeks ago all over the place, do they just start forming after a while or were they already there on the LR from the start? Just laying dormant or something?

Just wondering if I guessed right, are these bristle worms? They are showing up in my hob and on the rocks etc.