2 Return Pumps Running at the same time

CJ Monty · Nov 16, 2019

I was watching a BRS Video and Ryan was talking about using 2 active return pumps in your sump. This way if one fails you still have one running as a crutch while you deal with the other. Also help with maintenance as you can have some flow going while you clean the other.

Any one do this? How would it be plumbed assuming you have 2 return nozzle. Plumb them together or one to each return nozzle. If together with a wye wouldnt water just shoot out the other return pump into the sump?

Reason I am asking is I am in the process of upgrading to a 150 and currently have a Varios4.

rc1626 · Nov 16, 2019

I just started running my new 180 and am doing exactly this. I'm using 2 sicce syncra silent 3 pumps. They are plumbed completely separate from each other with two returns into the tank. Currently they are on the same circuit but eventually I'm going to run a second dedicated circuit to the tank and run them separately. For exactly the reason you stated if one goes down the tank will still have flow until the issue is found and resolved. I lost a tank of sps when I was away once due to return pump failure. Hopefully this will reduce the chance of that happening again.

CJ Monty · Nov 17, 2019

rc1626 said:
I just started running my new 180 and am doing exactly this. I'm using 2 sicce syncra silent 3 pumps. They are plumbed completely separate from each other with two returns into the tank. Currently they are on the same circuit but eventually I'm going to run a second dedicated circuit to the tank and run them separately. For exactly the reason you stated if one goes down the tank will still have flow until the issue is found and resolved. I lost a tank of sps when I was away once due to return pump failure. Hopefully this will reduce the chance of that happening again.

Thanks for the photo. I think plumbing separate keeps in simple. How do you like those pumps? Was looking at the pros.

Syncra Pro (1900 GPH)

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rc1626 · Nov 17, 2019

This is my first time using as a return pump. I'm using a tunze modified sicce for my skimmer for a couple of years and have not had any problems at all. They get great reviews. Time will tell. Good luck with your project.

naterealbig · Nov 17, 2019

CJ Monty said:
If together with a wye wouldnt water just shoot out the other return pump into the sump?

You have to install a check valve at the outlet of each pump, if they are plumbed together. This way the water cannot flow from the outlet of the running pump into the outlet of the de-energized pump.

ca1ore · Nov 17, 2019

I have considered running dual pumps but the extra complexity (I run a basement sump) seems to more than offset the benefits of redundancy. I also think the ‘trend’ towards dual pumps is a much a reflection on the state of pump quality and reliability than anything else. Were I running any of the current crop of DC pumps (abyzz excepted) I imagine my calculation would be different; but I’m running external PanWorld AC pumps that typically last at least 15 years. I have a drop in replacement that’s been collecting dust on a shelf for a decade

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mfinn · Nov 17, 2019

ca1ore said:
I also think the ‘trend’ towards dual pumps is a much a reflection on the state of pump quality and reliability than anything else. Were I running any of the current crop of DC pumps (abyzz excepted) I imagine my calculation would be different; but I’m running external PanWorld AC pumps that typically last at least 15 years. I have a drop in replacement that’s been collecting dust on a shelf for a decade .

I guess when you depend on Jeabo pumps it is prudent to double up.

I have a couple Little Giant pumps that have been in a drawer for 15+ years

Billdogg · Nov 17, 2019

ca1ore said:
I have considered running dual pumps but the extra complexity (I run a basement sump) seems to more than offset the benefits of redundancy. I also think the ‘trend’ towards dual pumps is a much a reflection on the state of pump quality and reliability than anything else. Were I running any of the current crop of DC pumps (abyzz excepted) I imagine my calculation would be different; but I’m running external PanWorld AC pumps that typically last at least 15 years. I have a drop in replacement that’s been collecting dust on a shelf for a decade .

I'm using a more than 30 year old Eheim 1262 as the return on my DT. I clean it about once a year, and have replaced the impeller maybe twice in that time. If it was going to fail it already would have.

thewalkingdad · Nov 17, 2019

I'll be running dual Iwaki return pumps to my DT from my fish room in the basement below.

littlebigreef · Nov 17, 2019

I run dual Eheim 1262s on separate breakers, no complaints. They’re also separately plumbed.

NanoDJS · Nov 17, 2019

I suspect they would want to run on the same supply , so if one dies your velocity drops , but all supply heads still run, if you do it separate your gonna loose flow in the portion that the pump fed causing uneven flow .

CJ Monty · Nov 17, 2019

ca1ore said:
I have considered running dual pumps but the extra complexity (I run a basement sump) seems to more than offset the benefits of redundancy. I also think the ‘trend’ towards dual pumps is a much a reflection on the state of pump quality and reliability than anything else. Were I running any of the current crop of DC pumps (abyzz excepted) I imagine my calculation would be different; but I’m running external PanWorld AC pumps that typically last at least 15 years. I have a drop in replacement that’s been collecting dust on a shelf for a decade .

Yeah the redundancy is more if you are away like rc1626 when he lost his sps tank. My varios has been rock solid and it is regarded as very very reliable. The nice thing about a second running pump is just that you know it is running.

I think I am going to do what rc1626 did and just plumb them separate. To your point plumbing together adds extra complexity.

Vinman · Nov 17, 2019

Billdogg said:
I'm using a more than 30 year old Eheim 1262 as the return on my DT. I clean it about once a year, and have replaced the impeller maybe twice in that time. If it was going to fail it already would have.

In theory that should be true

cFloor · Nov 17, 2019

I always run 2 return pumps on my main system. Peace of mind, and I have had a pump burn out while the other one keeps everything running.

dhof · Nov 17, 2019

I run a COR-15 as my main pump. It goes through a manifold that is used for chaeto flow and a carbon reactor, and after the manifold, I have a flow sensor measuring the flow. Like this:

COR-15 --> manifold to chaeto ---> manifold to Carbon Reactor --> Flow Sensor-100 ---> 1st Return to tank

Several months ago, I had my first COR-15 die in the middle of the night, after about 6 months of service. The 2nd COR-15 replacement they sent died within a month after that. This 3rd replacement has been working like a charm for several months ever since, but I learned my lesson on redundancy. Basically, we all have herbies or bean animal overflows setup with built-in redundancy, so it makes sense to have a redunant pump as well...

I bought a Innovative Marine Mighty-Jet and plumbed a 2nd return over the side of my tank lid. The pump is actually pretty nice, and I've been happy with it. I have a flow sensor on this plumbing as well, like this:

IM Mighty-Jet ---> Flow Sensor-50 ---> 2nd return to tank

I have a target flow for my overflow of about 200 gallons per hour. The IM pump has far less control, so I find a setting where it is pumping out something like 90 gph. I then set the COR to pump exactly 110 gph. The two pumps always equal 200 gph, and occasionally (like every month as things get a little more cruddy), I adjust the COR pump a little to equal 200 again. Also, If I fidget with the manifold flow or something like that, I can easily adjust the COR pump to equal 200 again.

I have alarms setup on both of the flow sensors so that they alert me when they deviate for more than 10% in either direction.

WVNed · Nov 17, 2019

I have 4 pumps that go to 3 tanks in my sump

Billdogg · Nov 17, 2019

Billdogg said:
I'm using a more than 30 year old Eheim 1262 as the return on my DT. I clean it about once a year, and have replaced the impeller maybe twice in that time. If it was going to fail it already would have.

Vinman said:
In theory that should be true

I have a spare I can swap out leftover from another system should the need arise

ca1ore · Nov 17, 2019

CJ Monty said:
Yeah the redundancy is more if you are away like rc1626 when he lost his sps tank.

I certainly understand why folks might want to do it. I’m away a lot for my job, but I just don’t worry about my panworld 250 failing; I didn’t worry about it the 20 years before that with an Iwaki. I worry much more about my apex going bonkers (which it occasionally does). Should my PW fail, I’m not at all sure I’d lose my tank in the day or so it’d take for somebody to swap in the spare.

krash7172 · Nov 17, 2019

2 pumps run separately to my 180 for redundancy. I thought this was normal.

TARHEEL78 · Nov 17, 2019

I have dual return pumps but only because 1 goes through a UV sterilizer before it goes to the tank. If the flow rate through the UV was enough turnover for the tank I would just use 1 but it's not.