Like many others, I have backup pumps and only one running at a time on my systems. In general, I support the concept of redundancy.
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This is the only thing I regret with my current tank design. I only had one return hole drilled. If I had 2 holes drilled I would run two separate return pumps, each on separate GFCI's.
I do keep an identical pump as a spare that is always ready to go, but that doesn't help if it fails while I'm travelling.
This is essentially my thought as well. I've got a spare, and I keep close monitoring of my system via Apex and Mindstream. Also, most of my flow is handled by my in-tank circulation pumps. I think my system would last for a bit in its current state if the return happened to fail.I have two return pumps. One for the display tank and one for the grow system. There is a spare for each. Personally, I think that having dual return pumps in use is a waste of electricity and usable sump space. A quality pump should last many years and should be replaced before it reaches the end of its usable life time. Proper cleaning and maintenance allows for monitoring of when it’s a less than stellar piece of equipment anymore. Having said that, I have had Neptune monitoring for 13 years and keep a close eye on my system.
I run (2) Jebao DCP-20000 at 60%, each through 1" food grade silicone tubing. Should 1 fail I can turn the other up to 100% with minimal loss of flow. Should both fail, I have a backup water change pump that would provide circulation until I could replace the primary pumps. The pumps run off a UPS that provides power for the minute or 2 between a power outage and the whole home generator kicking in. System is a piano wave 295G in my livingroom. Filter system is directly below it in the basement.It's been said that your return pump is the heart of your system. I believe and agree with that statement! My reef tank can survive quite a while without lights, dosing, skimmers, reactors, etc. but it won't stay alive long without the return pump providing flow and circulation of the water.
So why do most of us only have one? Maybe you have a back up, maybe you don't but today let's talk about actually having TWO return pumps running at one time.
Do you think it's a good idea to have a dual return pump set up for your reef tank? Why or why not?
image via @Mark Gray
The risk you have if the sump is not circulated is that the biologic dies in the sump - then you have another problem (and you certainly wouldn't want to pump that water back into your aquarium!This is essentially my thought as well. I've got a spare, and I keep close monitoring of my system via Apex and Mindstream. Also, most of my flow is handled by my in-tank circulation pumps. I think my system would last for a bit in its current state if the return happened to fail.
I’m practical, and lazy... I think it depends, not a one answer fits all. For me, I have a spare sitting on the shelf. I only use 1 return pump. MP 40 (2) with BB provides circulation for my tank, more critical IMO than a return. My systems only 125 DT. IF I had 1500 gallons in a system, sure I’d run 2. In my silly little 125, I’d be fine a week no return. I use an Eheim 1260 and have run them 5+ years with not cleaning or shutting them off that whole time.
Yup, I keep telling myself I should but I'm hung up on the look. I know... no one but me will notice anyway.....You can always throw a small one in that will pump over the edge, better that then nothing if main fails while away.
There's still a working skimmer in my sump that will provide movement in that chamber, but honestly there really isn't much issue to worry about. The only thing living in my sump is bacteria, so even if there were no circulation, it would take a long time for an issue to set in. Besides, I'm not thinking of leaving the sump offline for long... that's why I have a spare return pump.The risk you have if the sump is not circulated is that the biologic dies in the sump - then you have another problem (and you certainly wouldn't want to pump that water back into your aquarium!
Isn't that the only thing living in your DT, too? ;TrollThere's still a working skimmer in my sump that will provide movement in that chamber, but honestly there really isn't much issue to worry about. The only thing living in my sump is bacteria, so even if there were no circulation, it would take a long time for an issue to set in. Besides, I'm not thinking of leaving the sump offline for long... that's why I have a spare return pump.
Yup, I keep telling myself I should but I'm hung up on the look. I know... no one but me will notice anyway.....