3 drains or 2 returns?

[bamafanmdw]

Getting my tank this week and have to decide.... i have 4 holes drilled, do I go bean animal and one return or herbie and two returns?
Tank is 5x2x2 (150g). My plan was to run one return line straight to the tank and use a second return to go through a manifold and UV (also gives me redundancy in the pumps). I can tie the second line back into the main line after the UV but something I saw in the past was against two pumps feeding into the same return line. I could also just run the manifold and UV with the return on one pump but I can't run the flow slow enough for proper ICH management.
Which would you prioritize, 2 pumps/returns or 3 drains?

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

I’m a fan of bean animal for the redundancy in the drains.

I would probably prioritize the drain safety aspect over two return lines.

 

[UncommonSense]

Getting my tank this week and have to decide.... i have 4 holes drilled, do I go bean animal and one return or herbie and two returns?
Tank is 5x2x2 (150g). My plan was to run one return line straight to the tank and use a second return to go through a manifold and UV (also gives me redundancy in the pumps). I can tie the second line back into the main line after the UV but something I saw in the past was against two pumps feeding into the same return line. I could also just run the manifold and UV with the return on one pump but I can't run the flow slow enough for proper ICH management.
Which would you prioritize, 2 pumps/returns or 3 drains?

Always 3 drains over two return in my opinion…

You can always spec your single return drilled to a larger size so you can split it to two returns inside the overflow box or tank… you can even have multiple smaller lines feeding your single larger return bulkhead if desired!

Your return is such a small component of the total display tank mixing that it really doesn’t NEED to happen in multiple locations…

However, having redundant drains is always a good thing… malfunctions there can lead to a flooded house if you don’t have redundancy! — I just helped out with a clogged duroso standpipe that was 1.5” pipe; a turbo snail completely blocked the drain!!

 

[bamafanmdw]

Always 3 drains over two return in my opinion…

You can always spec your single return drilled to a larger size so you can split it to two returns inside the overflow box or tank… you can even have multiple smaller lines feeding your single larger return bulkhead if desired!

Your return is such a small component of the total display tank mixing that it really doesn’t NEED to happen in multiple locations…

However, having redundant drains is always a good thing… malfunctions there can lead to a flooded house if you don’t have redundancy! — I just helped out with a clogged duroso standpipe that was 1.5” pipe; a turbo snail completely blocked the drain!!

I'm not concerned about 2 returns for water movement. My reasoning was to run an independent pump for the manifold and UV for proper low flow through the UV for ICH management in addition to a back up pump in service. Would still have 2 drains with the Herbie. Would also be running a controller if water level got too low in the sump, pumps shut off. That seems to me to be my protection against BOTH 1.5" drains getting fully clogged. At least that's my thoughts right now, but I am looking for others opinions

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Yup, it’s really about how much risk you are willing to take. My old Red Sea tank was a herbie. All of my current tanks are bean animal.

I would take the cautious approach and go with three drains, but also understand the desire for the second pump for uv, etc.

I think it’s just a personal choice at this point.