2 return pumps?

treetopflyn · 08/19/2012, 05:49 AM

Any advantages or disadvantages to running 2 return pumps from one sump? My new 110 has a 1400 gph center overflow with dual returns on each side of the pump. I already have a Mag 7 I was thinking of just adding another Mag 7 instead of up sizing to a larger pump. The obvious advantage would be cost and if one fails there other is still pumping.

rogermccray · 08/19/2012, 05:51 AM

Hmm, might use more electricity with two pumps

treetopflyn · 08/19/2012, 05:56 AM

True with my new SOL's I can spare a little extra electricity :-)

jim t · 08/19/2012, 05:58 AM

I use 2 mag 7 pumps on my 125g. Sometimes during power flickers in sw Florida during storms one of my pumps will stop pumping. Only advantage I can think of

downbeach · 08/19/2012, 06:18 AM

I have a 180 with two overflow chambers/returns, and use two Mag 9's. It does use a little more juice than say running a single Mag 18, but I would have to use more fittings to accommodate a single pump, and as mentioned there is a certain redundancy to having two pumps should one fail.

treetopflyn · 08/19/2012, 06:20 AM

hmmm looking more & more like I will be going with 2 pumps.

mfinn · 08/19/2012, 08:58 AM

I use 2 return pumps on my 240.
One is a main return and the other returns to the tank through my chiller.
And yeah, if there is a problem with one, the other is there to keep water flowing through the sump.

maroun.c · 08/19/2012, 01:00 PM

Got two running on my tank:
- if one fails the other continues to run True but then you struggle with water returning through the tubing of the dead pump. in my tank it won't cause an overflow as the sump can handle it but if you're skimmer is an in sump one then the rising water level will cause it to overflow. water will rise a bit when a pump is off even if the other one is lower. your best bet would be to run them in deries instead of in parallel to not have this but then you struggle with too muc linear flow from a single tube.

Palting · 08/19/2012, 02:39 PM

If you already have one good pump and just want to increase return flow, then yes, IMO the better idea would be to get a second equivalent pump if your drains can handle both. If starting from scratch, however, IMO it's better to start with one large pump. Saves on electricity, initial cost, maintenance chores, less tubing.......

treetopflyn · 08/19/2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

If you already have one good pump and just want to increase return flow, then yes, IMO the better idea would be to get a second equivalent pump if your drains can handle both.

That's what i was planning on doing. 2 Mag 7's

NanoReefWanabe · 08/19/2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maroun.c

Got two running on my tank:
- if one fails the other continues to run True but then you struggle with water returning through the tubing of the dead pump. in my tank it won't cause an overflow as the sump can handle it but if you're skimmer is an in sump one then the rising water level will cause it to overflow. water will rise a bit when a pump is off even if the other one is lower. your best bet would be to run them in deries instead of in parallel to not have this but then you struggle with too muc linear flow from a single tube.

the pumps should be run independent of one and other, out of the same return chamber...and have their own plumbing....there is no reason to share the plumbing between the pumps..i do believe back siphon from a pump dieing is a valid concern though and should be addressed with proper return plumbing, keep the outputs high in the tank and you should be fine...the one running pump will have a hard time keeping up with the siphon from the other pump dieing, and one the siphon breaks the other pump should refill the display and the tank should run as normal...

treetopflyn · 08/19/2012, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanoReefWanabe

the pumps should be run independent of one and other, out of the same return chamber...and have their own plumbing....there is no reason to share the plumbing between the pumps..

agree. Not sure why you would want to run them on the same lone.

SoLiD · 08/19/2012, 07:02 PM

How about running 1 of the more efficient and reliable pumps such as an ATB Flowstar, Tunze, Sicce, Eheim, or Reef Octo Water Blaster pump. Danner Mag pumps are pretty lousy and have known restart issues. Just a suggestion.

antjtc · 08/19/2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treetopflyn

Any advantages or disadvantages to running 2 return pumps from one sump? My new 110 has a 1400 gph center overflow with dual returns on each side of the pump. I already have a Mag 7 I was thinking of just adding another Mag 7 instead of up sizing to a larger pump. The obvious advantage would be cost and if one fails there other is still pumping.

I decided to run two eheim pumps from same chamber in sump in case one goes out. My heaters are in my sump so redundancy will help keep my fish alive in case one pump fails. I have em on sep lines

08/19/2012, 05:49 AM	#1
treetopflyn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1,580	2 return pumps? Any advantages or disadvantages to running 2 return pumps from one sump? My new 110 has a 1400 gph center overflow with dual returns on each side of the pump. I already have a Mag 7 I was thinking of just adding another Mag 7 instead of up sizing to a larger pump. The obvious advantage would be cost and if one fails there other is still pumping.

08/19/2012, 06:18 AM	#5
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	I have a 180 with two overflow chambers/returns, and use two Mag 9's. It does use a little more juice than say running a single Mag 18, but I would have to use more fittings to accommodate a single pump, and as mentioned there is a certain redundancy to having two pumps should one fail. Last edited by downbeach; 08/19/2012 at 06:38 AM. Reason: typo

08/19/2012, 08:58 AM	#7
mfinn Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Olympia. WA. Posts: 8,648	I use 2 return pumps on my 240. One is a main return and the other returns to the tank through my chiller. And yeah, if there is a problem with one, the other is there to keep water flowing through the sump. __________________ 240 gallon soft coral tank 50 gallon lps tank

08/19/2012, 01:00 PM	#8
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	Got two running on my tank: - if one fails the other continues to run True but then you struggle with water returning through the tubing of the dead pump. in my tank it won't cause an overflow as the sump can handle it but if you're skimmer is an in sump one then the rising water level will cause it to overflow. water will rise a bit when a pump is off even if the other one is lower. your best bet would be to run them in deries instead of in parallel to not have this but then you struggle with too muc linear flow from a single tube. __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

08/19/2012, 02:39 PM	#9
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	If you already have one good pump and just want to increase return flow, then yes, IMO the better idea would be to get a second equivalent pump if your drains can handle both. If starting from scratch, however, IMO it's better to start with one large pump. Saves on electricity, initial cost, maintenance chores, less tubing....... __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

08/19/2012, 05:51 AM	#2
rogermccray Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,050	Hmm, might use more electricity with two pumps

08/19/2012, 05:56 AM	#3
treetopflyn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1,580	True with my new SOL's I can spare a little extra electricity :-)

08/19/2012, 05:58 AM	#4
jim t Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 190	I use 2 mag 7 pumps on my 125g. Sometimes during power flickers in sw Florida during storms one of my pumps will stop pumping. Only advantage I can think of

08/19/2012, 06:20 AM	#6
treetopflyn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1,580	hmmm looking more & more like I will be going with 2 pumps.

08/19/2012, 07:02 PM	#13
SoLiD -=Snake=- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 999	How about running 1 of the more efficient and reliable pumps such as an ATB Flowstar, Tunze, Sicce, Eheim, or Reef Octo Water Blaster pump. Danner Mag pumps are pretty lousy and have known restart issues. Just a suggestion. __________________ -David 40 Gallon Breeder on Steroids!!! Current Tank Info: Where you'll find an Acan and Orange Ricordea Garden in Bloom...