Shout Out: Your return pump and should it auto shut off or not if it runs dry?

[revhtree]

It's time for another SHOUT OUT and poll!

The owner of Abyzz Pumps asked a question and I would like to help him out and get a consensus!

When it comes to your return pump would you rather the pump auto shut off with an audible alert if the pump runs dry for an amount of time or would you rather the pump keep trying to pump with an audible alert as well?

There are many different scenarios where you could lose equipment or your livestock either way you choose but what do you prefer and why?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I would rather it turn off. If it stays on and runs dry it risks burning up, and that could be worse for your tank. As long as the powerheads in the display are running things should be ok for a little while

 

[ca1ore]

I have many layers of redundancy to prevent the main pump from running dry, but if they were all to fail (really only in the event of a catastrophic tank failure) and the choice was to run dry or shut off - shut off!!!

 

[BeejReef]

Turn off if runs dry. Ideally, it would try every 30 min or so for 30 sec and default to off if still dry.

 

[jsker]

I have a level switch install that shuts the return pump off plus other equipment when the sump get to a certain level so that the pump does not burn up from being dry.

 

[madweazl]

I'd rather it shut off.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Both, one would be good if not home and the other would be good when one is at home.
But keep in mind, depending on sensor design, this may effect sensor, see picture.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

If sump has space, this type sensor, similar to sump pumps sensor. It floats when water present then shuts pump when no water.

 

[Brew12]

I'd rather it shut off, but I would want redundancy built into the sensor that determines if it is running dry, or a means of overriding it.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

If sump has space, this type sensor, similar to sump pumps sensor. It floats when water present then shuts pump when no water.

 

[siggy]

I just replaced my tunze topoff pump {8-mo}because of running dry...Im guessing I would not want my abyzz to run dry....IF I had one

 

[BeejReef]

So, do the "real" pros have their primary and backup heater in the sump... or does the true master of redundancy hide their backup heater in the DT, in case of disconnect with sump?

 

[Potatohead]

I've never really thought about it because if my return pump starts running dry, I have other much larger problems.

 

[Sailingeric]

One with an alarm would be nice, not sure if I want one with an alram.

 

[link81]

not sure why you would ever want a pump to run dry. that's a pretty good way to destroy most pumps.....
unless aquarium pumps are somehow different.... but i'm pretty sure that they're still water lubricated bearings and (if external) the seals are water cooled and lubricated.

 

[siggy]

I've never really thought about it because if my return pump starts running dry, I have other much larger problems.

but i'm pretty sure that they're still water lubricated bearings and (if external) the seals are water cooled and lubricated.

For awhile I manually topped off and if I let it go too long the return would cavitate, but like Link81 mentioned water would most likly still be present to cool. ..then agian most that can afford an Aybizz dont have dumb $#!+ problems, and have redundancy or back up top offs/pumps ect.

 

[ca1ore]

But keep in mind, depending on sensor design, this may effect sensor, see picture.

I have learned, through trial and much error, not to rely on a single sensor. Anything that apex controls is informed by at least two, sometimes three redundant sensors. Probably close to 90% of the alerts I get from my apex are a result of sensor problems - not actual problems.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Stay on.

If something is stopping return flow, and then clears itself, it’s worth the risk of burning out the pump

 

[Mortie31]

Alarm and turn off, and send an email or text to my mobile, which I have set up on my GHL P4

 

[saltyhog]

Alarm and turn off. If my pump was equipped with this I could write an alarm on Apex if amps dropped to zero on that switch. Then I would know even if I wasn't home.