Open Bottom Aquarium

[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??????

[burge1234]

thanks ram 3500 yes i have looked into those but i need to get this finished first.

[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 :-)

[burge1234]

If there was ever a leak in the upper tank the water would drain into the lower tank and sump not my floor. And yes you are right about it taking on air which makes it really easy to patch. Use bubblegum if you want the vacuum created by the hole would make it stick. Plus the surface would be dry to silicone. Also. If it was a full break at least my live stock would be safe in my lower tank. And yes you are right about it leaking faster but I also have a window to work with before its on my floor. A leak is a leak. And a break is a break. Doesn't matter what you have and what shape upside down side ways.... It sucks period done so you can try and say your tank is better for a break or leaks if you like but its pointless to me. What's next? Earthquake? Cause I can sum that up to.... Probably sucks as well. If you can't think outside of the box then don't get out of it!!!

As fir the air bubbles in the top.... I have had some when I water change but I just use my lift pump and suck them out. Takes about 5 min. A person could plumb a line to the top to constantly pull the air out and even run an air stone but then you are running the risk of a loss in pressure of the upper tank. I've done it though. Looks really nice..... But risky. If the lift pump fails and the air stone continues to pump you are in for a world of hurt. You would have to have the air pump on a float for safety. Or you run tge lift pump on a loop. The air in sucks from the top it feeds to the air stone in a cycle. But not sure if that's good for the water. I'm still looking into it. If any one knows that I owe yoi beer

[burge1234]

Sorry lockrookie. I ment to mention that You are right about the column draining faster because the air isn't viscous like water. You just have to hope you are there when it happens. Would be easy to spot though

[Ram3500]

Hey have you thought how a loss of gravity or a polar shift would affect your open bottom tank ? You know I'am just saying you never know it could happen. You would be laughing at all of us sheep .

[burge1234]

Lol I'll sleep on that one. Better get the p.o. Physics book out things are getting interesting lol