New return pump suggestions

[AUSXMD]

Hello,
I have a 230 gallon FOWLR and am starting to look at new return pumps. Nothing is wrong with the one I have but I'd like to have a new one on hand when this one goes, because they are not cheap and this one is 2 years old, running 24/7 of course. Right now I have a SYNCHRA SDC 9.0 that I've been happy with but maybe there is something better? The one I have is between 4 and 5 hundred bucks depending in where you look. Just planning ahead. There are a few things I like to have readily available- heater, pumps, rodi water, etc.

Thanks for and suggestions!
Scott

 

[Uncle99]

Better, hard to say, everyone different.
I use 4 Jebaos, 5 years now on the oldest.

I run a DCP20000, 15000, 12000 and 10000 LPH.

Silent, love them and a a great price. Right off Amazon to my door.

I also use their wavemakers and gyres, these also are many years old.

I did replace one gyre after 6 years.

 

[AUSXMD]

6 years is a long time. I want a new wavemaker so I'll definitely check them out on Amazon. Appreciate the feedback!

 

[UncommonSense]

If you’re open to the idea of drilling and bulkheading your sump/have the space; external pumps are another world of options, with some pretty incredible performance numbers on the nicer ones!

 

[Ironfish]

I'm a big fan of not depending on 1 return pump.
Better to go with 2 slightly smaller pumps and not depend on one device

 

[exnisstech]

I love my jebao DCP pumps. No Wi-Fi but I don't need that on a return pump. I had a dcp 3500 running for over 6 years and was never cleaned. That tank is gone but I still have a 5000 and 15000 running. I can't hear the pumps over the flow in the sump. They're cheap enough I buy two so I have spares and if you like to clean them having two allows them to be swapped out for cleaning.

 

[AUSXMD]

I'm a big fan of not depending on 1 return pump.
Better to go with 2 slightly smaller pumps and not depend on one device

That's a good idea! Kind of why I just wanted to have one on hand. I have not heard of someone running two return pumps at the same time.

 

[UncommonSense]

I'm a big fan of not depending on 1 return pump.
Better to go with 2 slightly smaller pumps and not depend on one device

I design every commercial hydroponic system I’ve done this way; usually so one external pump can be serviced, or even removed and replaced with the system still up and running!

The last one was dual 220gpm monsters!

 

[AUSXMD]

If you’re open to the idea of drilling and bulkheading your sump/have the space; external pumps are another world of options, with some pretty incredible performance numbers on the nicer ones!

I wish I was that handy, but unfortunately I think I'd be getting in over my head.

 

[UncommonSense]

That's a good idea! Kind of why I just wanted to have one on hand. I have not heard of someone running two return pumps at the same time.

It works fantastic; just have a check valve on the outlet of each so water doesn’t just dump back out of one pump if it fails…

Edit: this assumes you manifold both pumps back to one return line!

 

[exnisstech]

I wish I was that handy, but unfortunately I think I'd be getting in over my head.

If you keep an identical as back up switching is easy peasy. I get what @UncommonSense is saying and agree in a commercial setting but in a reef tank I think having single pump with an identical backup up is sufficient and easiest. Many sumps don't even have room for two pumps.

 

[AUSXMD]

If you keep an identical as back up switching is easy peasy. I get what @UncommonSense is saying and agree in a commercial setting but in a reef tank I think having single pump with an identical backup up is sufficient and easiest. Many sumps don't even have room for two pumps.

Good point. I don't think the sump compartment would fit two pumps the size I need for a larger sized tank.

 

[UncommonSense]

Good point. I don't think the sump compartment would fit two pumps the size I need for a larger sized tank.

Easiest bet is just having a duplicate on hand then!

possibly consider a union fitting on the outlet of both the operating, and backup pump so you can talk a layman through the replacement process over the phone easier!

(Murphy’s law, and all that… in my experience; equipment likes to fail when I’m not even in the same state!)

 

[exnisstech]

Good point. I don't think the sump compartment would fit two pumps the size I need for a larger sized tank.

I suppose if you could plumb them both so if one failed the other would still run and keep things alive or if the second could be programmed to kick in when the other failed it would be great. If I have to manually switch over to the second I think switching out the pumps if one fails would be easiest JMO

 

[UncommonSense]

I suppose if you could plumb them both so if one failed the other would still run and keep things alive or if the second could be programmed to kick in when the other failed it would be great. If I have to manually switch over to the second I think switching out the pumps if one fails would be easiest JMO

This is where external pumps shine!

If you have a spot anywhere adjacent to the sump, even outside the stand; you can just plumb out of the sump, then manifold to one or multiple “remote” external pumps!

— we’ve already agreed that drilling the sump is out of the question in this specific case; but it’s worth keeping in mind for future revisions and/or upgrades!

 

[AUSXMD]

Easiest bet is just having a duplicate on hand then!

possibly consider a union fitting on the outlet of both the operating, and backup pump so you can talk a layman through the replacement process over the phone easier!

(Murphy’s law, and all that… in my experience; equipment likes to fail when I’m not even in the same state!)

Haha. I hear ya. I had a 60 gallon planted discus tank with about 5 very expensive discus. I went out of town and my heater died. I returned to a cold dead tank. An expensive mistake on my part.

 

[exnisstech]

This is where external pumps shine!

Agreed. I went from a basement sump with a 150g and 180g up stairs plumbed to an external pump to a single tank with in sump in the stand. I miss standing up working.

Haha. I hear ya. I had a 60 gallon planted discus tank with about 5 very expensive discus. I went out of town and my heater died. I returned to a cold dead tank. An expensive mistake on my part.

I don't know if it wasn't a thing or if I just didn't research enough but i didn't even know about Wi-Fi heat controllers like inkbirds until I switched to salt.

 

[Ironfish]

Haha. I hear ya. I had a 60 gallon planted discus tank with about 5 very expensive discus. I went out of town and my heater died. I returned to a cold dead tank. An expensive mistake on my part.

And this is why two is better than one.

For a very long time, instead of one heater capable of heating my tank, I will have 2 smaller ones doing the job. If one fails when you are away then the other one alone should keep the system ok.
I rather have 2x300w heaters than 1x600w.

 

[Ironfish]

That's a good idea! Kind of why I just wanted to have one on hand. I have not heard of someone running two return pumps at the same time.

The tank I have currently, most people run it with one Versa L.
Instead I run it with 2 Versa M.

And talking about this. This past weekend while I was away one of them failed. The other kept the system running OK. A little more noisy bc the overflow is calibrated for both running but besides the water noise everything else is OK.
It took me a couple days to get a replacement power supply but again... the system ran OK for 3 days on one pump alone.