Running 2 return pumps, question

[lejeune981]

I cant seem to find the info I'm looking for, so I apologize if this has been asked before..

I'm setting up a dual tank, single sump set up, gonna be a 75 display reef, and a 40b display refugium...

I wanna run 2 returns for redundancy, my question, would it be a good idea to run both, into a manifold, then split from the manifold into both tanks, i case one fails, both tanks still get circulation? Or would i be better off to just have one pump for each tank?

My thinking, if i have both running into a manifold, if one dies, neither tank would be affected.. or, would the manifold just create a feedback loop into the sump?

Or would I be better off just running one pump, but keeping a new pump, on hand for when it eventually fails?

 

[jsmkmavity]

I would do 1 pump and if concerned about it failing that much have a spare on hand. Others may have better ideas?

 

[TX_REEF]

I cant seem to find the info I'm looking for, so I apologize if this has been asked before..

I'm setting up a dual tank, single sump set up, gonna be a 75 display reef, and a 40b display refugium...

I wanna run 2 returns for redundancy, my question, would it be a good idea to run both, into a manifold, then split from the manifold into both tanks, i case one fails, both tanks still get circulation? Or would i be better off to just have one pump for each tank?

My thinking, if i have both running into a manifold, if one dies, neither tank would be affected.. or, would the manifold just create a feedback loop into the sump?

Or would I be better off just running one pump, but keeping a new pump, on hand for when it eventually fails?

No need for 2 returns really. Just buy one quality unit. I am an advocate of Reefbreeders Nautilus pumps, they are affordable, easy to control, and run silent: https://reefbreeders.com/products/nautilus

If you feel you absolutely must run 2 pumps, I’d personally run one return line from each, and have each return on opposite sides of your display. If you’re gonna do it, you might as well take full advantage of the additional flow.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Just off the top of my head, you are not talking about a power outage, but a return pump actually failing-- which should be a rare event. Unless you are away from home a lot, likely you'd catch that within a reasonable number of hours. So if you had a wavemaker (perhaps a gyre) at the top of the tank, pointed upward to break the surface of the water, that should buy you the extra time to just replace the pump. It sounds simpler than the manifold idea-- which I would frankly have to think through, and probably see a drawing on paper. ;)

 

[UncommonSense]

I cant seem to find the info I'm looking for, so I apologize if this has been asked before..

I'm setting up a dual tank, single sump set up, gonna be a 75 display reef, and a 40b display refugium...

I wanna run 2 returns for redundancy, my question, would it be a good idea to run both, into a manifold, then split from the manifold into both tanks, i case one fails, both tanks still get circulation? Or would i be better off to just have one pump for each tank?

My thinking, if i have both running into a manifold, if one dies, neither tank would be affected.. or, would the manifold just create a feedback loop into the sump?

Or would I be better off just running one pump, but keeping a new pump, on hand for when it eventually fails?

Two return pumps to a single manifold for both tanks.

Here’s why:

— first off; each pump has a check valve on the outlet in this configuration. If one pump dies, the other can’t just pump water back out the dead pump.

— if one pump dies, both tanks still get filtration; albeit less.

— equipment such as UV sterilizer(s) or chiller(s) won’t continue to run with no water supply in the event of a pump failure; preventing equipment failure.

— you can run larger equipment off this dual pump manifold that would typically require a dedicated pump

— run both pumps off different GFCI protected circuits, so one circuit tripping a breaker or popping a GFCI doesn’t shut down your life support.

Just my $.02!