Reef twins: Have you ever had matching aquariums?

[Peace River]

Reef twins: Have you ever had matching aquariums?

Two aquariums that share a theme or some similarity. They could be the equivalent “identical twins” or “fraternal twins”. Meaning they could be the same tank with similar setups or they could be a display tank and a frag tank with similar lighting and aesthetic. They could also be freshwater and saltwater tanks of the same size and shape. Whatever the variation, have you ever had matching aquariums? Have you thought about it? If so, tell us what you have done or what you have thought about doing. We would also encourage you to share pictures in the related discussion thread!

Photo by @thephotographydork


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tckcorals.com

 

[exnisstech]

Part of the fun of having different tanks is that they are all different. That's my take at least. I like to play around with different reefing methods just to keep things interesting. Example my last start up was dry rock using bottled bacteria, something I had never done before. New tank going up know is going to have a large cryptic zone, another first for me.

 

[Pntbll687]

My wife and I have two low boys plumbed in one system. She has one with lots of zoas and softy, I have sps in mine

 

[shakacuz]

same sized tanks? sure, but aside from that, no.

 

[Slocke]

My tanks are equally as shoddy

 

[gastone]

I'm looking at getting two of the Nuvo Concept 20 Pro Encores. For a total of 4 tanks. I wasn't looking to do it, but I came across a deal and have decided to move on it. Comes with 3 pairs of ocellaris clowns, Black Storms, Black and White, and Extreme Snowflakes. Again, wouldn't be my choice but it is a good deal on the setup (one half of one of the Concept 20's doesn't have fish in it currently). My two children, 11 and 9, are excited as they each get a pair of clowns. Not sure what I'll do with the "4th" tank. Currently plan is to have them bookmatch my WB 15 peninsula which is housing a (not yet) pair of GSMs.

 

[Dburr1014]

1 tank, 1 love.
I'm busy to be able to take care of 2 tanks.

 

[schgr.cube]

I did, but I ended up breaking the planted one down and then redid the macroalgae one to be a mixed reef.

Old matching setups:

The Macroalgae one redone as a reef:

 

[NotReefsafe]

What was your filtration for the macro algae tank?

 

[schgr.cube]

What was your filtration for the macro algae tank?

They had matching filtration (sort of). They each had an Oase Thermal canister filter for integrated heat (macro had a 350 and planted had a 100), with the plumbing hidden inside the rockwork/wood. The ATO sensors were also integrated into the hardscape, which is why they protruded from the water.

The current reef setup replaced the inflow tubing for the canister filter with a DIY PVC overflow into a small sump (will eventually plumb into a frag tank in my basement), but used the same outflow tubes hidden in the rockwork.

 

[Tom1975]

My 2 Frag/Rescue/Holding Tanks... Both have 150 Litres. They are integrated in my whole system which has 1200 Litres. They get fuller and fuller. Soon i get a new Frag tank with 500 litres...

 

[Joekovar]

Sometimes, I don't even have matching socks.

 

[vlangel]

These tanks are not a perfect match but we're set up to compliment each other.

 

[Lingwendil]

I did dual 2.5 gallon tanks a while back, still one of my favorite setups. I made my own LED fixture with freshwater on one side, reef on the other. Loved it.

 

[Lingwendil]

Also, i currently have a 40 breeder with a 5.5 frag tank under it- everyone jokes that its the "don't talk to me or my son ever again" meme.

 

[Dmax]

Triplets at one time. Didn't consider the amount of time required just to keep the glass clean. lol

 

[MT. Reefer]

This was some years back. Still use one now,

along with my 150.

 

[davidcalgary29]

I have two RSM 250s (and two Evos). Once you learn how to fix broken equipment, you can apply your knowledge to the other. You can also use one as a control when experimenting with new procedures.

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

My wife fell in love with my tank and I ended up buying her one too. So we have his and hers tanks on either side of the TV. Mine is a 34g red sea and hers is a 32 biocube. I also recently bought another 34g red sea but haven't had time to set it up.

 

[Timfish]

Back in the mid 90s I set up 6 identical frag tanks. After about half a year I had 6 different systems. It was one of the experiences that indicated to me there was a whole lot going on than what I had read about or had been told about by other experienced aquarists.