Return on 240 gal aquarium- 2 pumps or one

[TAHK]

Dear all,
I have had aquarium for over a year now. Recently I had an accident where the connector of the return pump to th plumbing blew
Out. I am in the process of rethinking the whole return pumP thing. The diameter of the pump tubing is 1in the overflow is 1.5 in and has emergency overflow. I have in my possession 1 Fluval sp6 and one Vectra L2. What would be the pros of putting two vectra L2 and “y” ing it into the 1 in tubing? Obviously
Is redundancy.yet even that is a question because if one quits the other one would pump the water through the one that stopped if there is no check valve on the tubing. The other advantage I guess if that you’ve an run two Vectra at 60% output…
Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[blaxsun]

I think two pumps on a single line could be problematic - for many of the reasons you outlined. I'm not sure how you have your pump connected to the return line, but I've got like 6 large zip ties tightly securing it place, and the majority of it is hard PVC tubing with maybe only 8" braided hoses.

 

[C_AWOL]

I'm a fan of using 2 returns but not plumbed into the same piping. You'll require check valves to prevent flowing towards the opposite pump if one dies.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

You are running a Fluval SP 6 on your on a 240 gallon tank, most people that I have heard have sold that pump due to the fact it is a monster and for a 240 gallon tank, crazy! I purchased a Fluval SP 4 for my 220 gallon tank, still not installed.

 

[TAHK]

You are running a Fluval SP 6 on your on a 240 gallon tank, most people that I have heard have sold that pump due to the fact it is a monster and for a 240 gallon tank, crazy! I purchased a Fluval SP 4 for my 220 gallon tank, still not installed.

Actually, I modeled my tank after another very similar in size which had 2 SP6. Mine was working great, everything is growing. So I don’t think that it is a problem.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Wow somebody is using two SP6 I have a friend that has over a 300 gallon SPS tank and he sold the SP 6 because it had too much flow.

 

[rtparty]

I've got 2 Sicce 7.0s going on my new 250g. I have two returns though.

Can you plumb a new return line over the back of the tank so you have 2?

 

[TAHK]

Yes, I plant to split returns now. One is goi NGT I be fluval sp6 (for now ) and one is going to be Vectra L2. I have no experience with Vecta so want to see how it is going to perform…

 

[Rmckoy]

I have a jeabo 15000 with 1” on my 230
Goes to a y in the hose half way up to the display .

I have it set to 80% and works great

 

[ca1ore]

Two return pumps just seems like unnecessary added complexity to me. Just buy a pump with a history of long life and reliability. If you must, keep a backup on hand.