1 Chiller to cool 2 tanks

**soulfinder78** · 12th Jan 2010, 06:53

Anyone tried using 1 chiller to cool 2 tanks?

I intend to try using 1 chiller capable to cool a 3 footer to cool 2 x 1.5 feet tanks.

Equipment will be 1 chiller, 2 filters with same specification.

My connection will be :

Tank 1 - Filter 1 inlet - Filter 1 outlet - Tank 2 - filter 2 inlet - Filter 2 outlet - Chiller inlet - Chiller outlet - Tank 1

Will this works? Cause I know 2 similar filters might not have the same flowrate due to effiency. Main worry will be flowrate difference and cause 1 tank to overflow.

Please advise. Thank you very much.

**tawauboy** · 12th Jan 2010, 14:55

not likely unless you have some means to prevent overflow in both tanks.
one possible connection would be
a) individual filter inlets to individual tanks
b) combine filter outlets to chiller
c) chiller outlet to split to both tank and have individual overflow control

the overflow control will be some water-level based control valve.

**thanantosis** · 12th Jan 2010, 16:24

if i were you.

i will replace the current two 1.5ft tank with a 3ft tank

divide the 3ft into 2 section with a divider. thus they can share filter, light, chiller.

**BFG** · 12th Jan 2010, 20:01

Must have a sump for this to happen. The sump can be any container but must not be full of water so as to collect any overflow water if the canister is switch off due to disruption in power supply. Also, both 1.5ft tank must have an overflow compartment so that it will be simple to operate . The overflow compartment itself will control the amount of water in the tank even if 1 tank has more flow than the other.

2 x 1.5ft tank--sump--canister filter--chiller--2 x 1.5ft tank.

Hope this helps!

**cannon129** · 12th Jan 2010, 21:29

I am using one chiller (Resun CL450) to cool two (2 x 1 x 1) tanks.

Here sre two picture

This is how i have done it

Tank 1 - simple U overflow tube to - Tank 2 - Small internal filter from Tank 2 to Tank 1. Chiller is connected to Tank 1.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Vince

**bettarism** · 12th Jan 2010, 22:31

Originally Posted by cannon129

I am using one chiller (Resun CL450) to cool two (2 x 1 x 1) tanks.

Here sre two picture

This is how i have done it

Tank 1 - simple U overflow tube to - Tank 2 - Small internal filter from Tank 2 to Tank 1. Chiller is connected to Tank 1.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Vince

Never knew that you can have an overflow system for tanks place side by side. Can share some pictures of your overflow system?

**vernonlcm** · 12th Jan 2010, 23:13

Originally Posted by bettarism

Never knew that you can have an overflow system for tanks place side by side. Can share some pictures of your overflow system?

Yeah... i find that very interesting too. I only seen before tank above and below each other for overflow but not side by side. Care to share more about it?

**Fuzzy** · 12th Jan 2010, 23:32

Got some closeups of the overflow? Did you DIY it?

**tawauboy** · 13th Jan 2010, 07:52

a simple overflow tube can work but if the tube gets stuck, you'll have an overflow.

this is what i believe he has done;
a) tank 1 water is chilled by chiller
b) tank 2 water is pumped into tank 1
c) tank 1 water level increases and forces water to flow back into tank 2 via the overflow tube

the equilibrium water level in both tanks are maintained due to air pressure on the tank water surfaces.

**cannon129** · 13th Jan 2010, 10:15

Yes Thomas, you are spot on.

Its DIY using PVC pipes. Here are some pictures. The longer side goes in Tank 2. The air line tube with non return valve is to create vacuum inside the U tube.

Cheers

Vince

**BFG** · 13th Jan 2010, 19:28

I find the last picture somewhat odd. You insulate the pipes hoping that it will not loose the coldness yet the whole tank or 2 is the main culprit that let's the coldness dissipate.

**cannon129** · 13th Jan 2010, 20:02

Originally Posted by BFG

I find the last picture somewhat odd. You insulate the pipes hoping that it will not loose the coldness yet the whole tank or 2 is the main culprit that let's the coldness dissipate.

LOL, i know

**soulfinder78** · 13th Jan 2010, 21:24

Originally Posted by tawauboy

a simple overflow tube can work but if the tube gets stuck, you'll have an overflow.

this is what i believe he has done;
a) tank 1 water is chilled by chiller
b) tank 2 water is pumped into tank 1
c) tank 1 water level increases and forces water to flow back into tank 2 via the overflow tube

the equilibrium water level in both tanks are maintained due to air pressure on the tank water surfaces.

So does this mean that it will ensure both tanks with equal water level? Sorry if I asked a stupid question. Cause I don't really get it. Sorry

**cannon129** · 13th Jan 2010, 21:49

Originally Posted by soulfinder78

So does this mean that it will ensure both tanks with equal water level? Sorry if I asked a stupid question. Cause I don't really get it. Sorry

Yes it will. The overflow tube will keep the water level equal.

Cheers

Vince

**neon** · 13th Jan 2010, 21:51

You can easily setup like the LFS with 2 tier rack.

a) On the upper tank, drill a hole at the bottom and secure with proper fixture together with a PVC pipe. This pipe must be lower than the top of the tank , so water can overflow into this pipe . Seal with silicon . You can join this pipe with various elbow joint to the bottom tank . Canister return water pipe will go into this upper tank
b) put canister suction tube into the bottom tank
c) water should flow like this :
bottom tank --> canister --> chiller --> upper tank --> bottom tank