Open Bottom Aquarium

[subman]

You could run a sump and skimmer anything really. In all reality you could have a 24" depth normal tank with a 4ft tall tank coming out of the middle. Neat idea I remember looking at one a couple years ago and wanted to do it but forgot over time lol

[subman]

What's your plan? Size? Shape?

[don.ald]

I would like to see pics of what you have now!

[lockrookie]

Pros:
open swim area
Unique conversational piece

Cons:
cleaning
Water changes unless done in sump
Coral viewing unless fowler
Coral placement and feeding
Leaky seal and flood
Removing air bubbles that may form on the higher level
Water movement in higher area may be difficult to achieve

It's a neat idea one I have mulled over for awhile myself although I'd try to have the lower portion more visible if possible and hide the plumbing differently. One thing I have learned if you think it can malfunction it will and this is why I didn't try building one. If you can get the water params right with the low flow style setup it may potentially be a good seahorse setup but feeding them would be difficult as well

[burge1234]

water changes on this set up are easier than any other tank i have had. The water level is right at your hips in the lower tank. The air bubbles get sucked out by the lifter pump which also fills the tank. You can actually have an air stone running into the upper tank and the lifter pump taking it out. As for a leaky seal......... Isnt that a disaster in every application??????

[daniella3d]

ok, what if the lifter pump fails?

Originally Posted by burge1234

water changes on this set up are easier than any other tank i have had. The water level is right at your hips in the lower tank. The air bubbles get sucked out by the lifter pump which also fills the tank. You can actually have an air stone running into the upper tank and the lifter pump taking it out. As for a leaky seal......... Isnt that a disaster in every application??????

[lockrookie]

Don't get me wrong I think it's neat I just couldn't justify trying it for myself and will be following along. And yes a leaky tank in most tanks is a bad thing full on shatter is be worst. But for a normal tank point of view with a leaky tank you can slow the leak and deal with the issue. With minimal damage. In your setup if you have an air leak on the upper area unless you have a sump to handle the extra water I fear it would drain that column fairly quickly.

Again I will be following along as I like the idea and just glad someone is giving it a try

[don.ald]

Looks like a fun and interesting build.
I like it!

[mark]

think any air bubbles that might collect would annoy the crap out of me

[kien]

This sounds like a neat little project. Way to think outside of the box :-)