2 CL pumps - Single or parallel?

ribs · 03/03/2006, 04:21 PM

Plumbing the closed loop on my 180g tank, and was just wondering about the layout:
There are 6 holes that came drilled in the used tank I have. 2 of them are 1.5", 4 of them are 1".
I have 2 Sequence Dart pumps available to use, and am planning on using each dart with their own 1.5" supply and 2 1" returns.
Is there any benefit to instead piping the 2 1.5" bulkheads together into a common manifold, then piping the Darts in parallel off this manifold, then rejoining the pump returns together into a common return manifold, then branching to the 4 1" bulkheads? Would this afford greater flow? TIA

Entropy · 03/03/2006, 04:41 PM

I don't see any advantage to combining them but I do see a drawback. By having them seperate, you can do maintenance on one loop while the other stays running. It gives you a bit of redundancy. On the other hand if you set it up right the other way (combined) you should be able to take one pump out while the other pump feeds the four returns at half strength. That might be even better so maybe there is an advantage. I don't think you will see increased flow with either method though.

ribs · 03/03/2006, 06:14 PM

Thanks Rich!
Agreed, the parallel pumps would be valved off for removal if required, while keeping the other one online.
I have heard that combining 2 pumps parallel increases the flow, just not sure if the end result would be more flow than piping the pumps separately.
It is true, will be nice to run all 4 returns from one pump if necessary.
The other option is running each 1.5" bulkhead separately (with identical plumbing) to each pump, then combining the output of the pumps into one return manifold to hit all four returns.
Just not sure what would get me the most flow.

03/03/2006, 04:21 PM	#1
ribs Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Marlton, NJ Posts: 1,599	2 CL pumps - Single or parallel? Plumbing the closed loop on my 180g tank, and was just wondering about the layout: There are 6 holes that came drilled in the used tank I have. 2 of them are 1.5", 4 of them are 1". I have 2 Sequence Dart pumps available to use, and am planning on using each dart with their own 1.5" supply and 2 1" returns. Is there any benefit to instead piping the 2 1.5" bulkheads together into a common manifold, then piping the Darts in parallel off this manifold, then rejoining the pump returns together into a common return manifold, then branching to the 4 1" bulkheads? Would this afford greater flow? TIA __________________ Delaware Valley Reef Club - PA NJ DE area.

03/03/2006, 04:41 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I don't see any advantage to combining them but I do see a drawback. By having them seperate, you can do maintenance on one loop while the other stays running. It gives you a bit of redundancy. On the other hand if you set it up right the other way (combined) you should be able to take one pump out while the other pump feeds the four returns at half strength. That might be even better so maybe there is an advantage. I don't think you will see increased flow with either method though. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/03/2006, 06:14 PM	#3
ribs Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Marlton, NJ Posts: 1,599	Thanks Rich! Agreed, the parallel pumps would be valved off for removal if required, while keeping the other one online. I have heard that combining 2 pumps parallel increases the flow, just not sure if the end result would be more flow than piping the pumps separately. It is true, will be nice to run all 4 returns from one pump if necessary. The other option is running each 1.5" bulkhead separately (with identical plumbing) to each pump, then combining the output of the pumps into one return manifold to hit all four returns. Just not sure what would get me the most flow. __________________ Delaware Valley Reef Club - PA NJ DE area.