Custom (sorta) tank

[LadyHatred]

I really -really- want another aquarium!

A huge 200+ gallon is out of the question for now. *sob*

Howerver! I've come up with yet another idea! So far, the one's I've come up with have proven to be "no go".

So now *ultra dramatic drum-roll* how about this:

Two 15 gallon tanks, identical in every aspect, hooked together via a clear pipe. A tunnel, if you will.

I'd use acrilic (spelling?) so that when I cut the sides, I wouldn't loose too much strength.

Now for the questions.

To hook the two tanks together, I'd want to use something like my AC filters have. You know how the motor sort of twists in and is water-tight? Ya, that.

Where would I get one? Or, do any of you have a better idea on how to attach the pipe?

I do not want to make this a permanent attachment. I am prone to deciding one day that I've had enough of my current location and pack up and leave. So I want to be able to pack this tank with me.

What tool would I use for the actual cutting of holes in the side of my nice brand new tanks? lol

As for heating the tube, I wasn't going to worry about it. It is going to be about 22 inches long and aprox' 2.5" in diametre. Should I be worried about providing a heat source onto this stretch of water?

The last, and I think, most important question, would my fish even use this to go from tank to tank? Being small tanks, I'd have only small fish but, are they smart enough to relize their "house" is twice as big?

Some days I think it would be easier to blow five or six hundred bucks on a "ready to go" kit but then it would be...yawn....you know?

Help me out, please! *puppy eyes*

[bushwhacker]

there are a few post here on the forums using a long clear tube with 90 degree elbows on each end no drilling needed

[LadyHatred]

Yes, I've seen it. I am thinking more along the lines of this one. But having the tanks a foot apart instead of a couple inches.

The only problem Im having with this is finding something to attach with.

[Corndawg]

how bout...
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[LadyHatred]

LOL! Can you imagine cleaning something like that? No thanks!

[invadertoast]

how bout...
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Wow, looks like alot of big fish in two small tanks... it is pretty cool though! Maybe it would work better for rodents, lol

To the OP - there was an LFS here that had a connected tank, it was large, short tubes and the fish did use them (angelfish and tetras) but I have no idea how you'd make this a reversible modification. As far as cutting the glass, I'd ask a local glass shop. I've had shelves made and they're cheap, I dunno what they'd charge for drilling holes though. I know I've seen threads on AC about this same subject too... good luck!

EDIT* The one my LFS had looks just like the one you posted already

[Wild Turkey]

Lol even in the title it says the fish dont even use it. Thats way too big and elaborate for a fish to give a crap about. LOL

However, i could see connecting two big tanks with these as a huge advantage, so you can keep smaller fish with bigger fish and aggressive fish because they would be able to escape through the small tubes and the big fish could not pursue them. Plant the main tank heavily and the other tank lightly. Just a quick thought

[LadyHatred]

Hmm...so I've been emailing back and forth with a few companies who specialize in custom acrylic aquariums and and thus far there seems to be an issue with pressure.

They all state that there is a lot of pressure and that if the tube was to be detachable, it more than likely will leak.

Yet no one can come up with some proof. I wonder if they are talking about the downforce of the tube when filled with water?

Two of the three who replied have offered me the stock tank *pictured in my above post*. It is an ok tank but, I really need that 1 foot space.

Does anyone here have any experience with water pressure and its affects on aquariums when applied in this manner?

I wonder if I should get two desk-top tanks and set them up with a tube to see what happens.

[Mvjnz]

There are photos where the fish are using it:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Might be photoshopped tho.

[Northernguy]

This idea has come up a lot over the years and nobody has produced one yet!
There must be a way to do it but making it removable will not be easy.
Once that tube is in place between the two tanks any movement will cause it to leak.
Good luck and I hope you figure it out.
If you want a different tank get one of these![Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[94 sentra_xe]

This idea has come up a lot over the years and nobody has produced one yet!
There must be a way to do it but making it removable will not be easy.
Once that tube is in place between the two tanks any movement will cause it to leak.
Good luck and I hope you figure it out.
If you want a different tank get one of these![Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


thats pretty sweet lol, i want one

[Lady Hobbs]

Seen them before and they are even sold as such but can't say as I like them much. Before going thru all that, I'd get a 30 gallon long and you know fish are not getting trapped in some tube.

[bushwhacker]

laday hatred the one i'm talking about is about 3-4 foot apart with a 4" clear tube with 90 degree elbos on it the tubes rest on the top of the tanks so no drilling to move it you just lift the tube out of the water

[betta9309]

What about cutting the wholes and than placing some kind of a rubber ring around the wholes. Than with some force push the tube in there and see if it leaks. If it does you could get some of the stuff to fix broken aquariums and spread it all around the tube than chip it off when it needs moved.

[AABatteries]

Get aquarium silicone and put it around the tubes where they go in/connect to the tanks inside and out.

[tanks4thememories]

For all of the skills, money and effort it would take to make 2 15 gallon tanks connected by tubes work, I would just buy my own glass and make my own 30 gallon or larger. Seems like a nice idea but very strong chance of leaking if held together by pressure alone. Water weighs @ 9 pounds per gallon!!! If you notice one of the tricks they use in the pressure fit connectors with HOB filters is that they do not hold a lot of water.

[AnthonyTCaps]

you would need a whole saw its a drill bit that cuts big holes and acrylic should not be to hard to drill threw if you go nice and slow. I would use silicone you can peel it off if you need to move it you will have to re apply it but its an option i guess?

[AnthonyTCaps]

you would need a whole saw its a drill bit that cuts big holes and acrylic should not be to hard to drill threw if you go nice and slow. I would use silicone you can peel it off if you need to move it you will have to re apply it but its an option i guess?


wow im stupid spelt it wrong its hole saw sorry haha

[Davered00ss]

I know you can order tanks drilled for different filter set up's, like a combined system in a pet store. As for how to connect the tubes, I know they make smaller fittings out of PVC for the central filter systems.