220 build equip q’s

[ShepherdTech]

I am technically not “new” to the hobby, but it has been long enough since I’ve owned a tank that it is probably necessary to post here. I am going with a Marineland 220 with dual overflows. The pump quoted to me is a Magnus VSB-1200 and wondering if I should go with two return pumps for redundancy. Powerheads will be two of the new series Maxspect Gyres (350), eshopps R300 sumo/Refugium, Apex controller, wireless expansion module and Apex auto top off. Is twin return pumps the best way to go? If so, what are the recommendations for two pumps? I looked at the Neptune return pumps, but they seem to be targeted at smaller tanks, although two of them I imagine would be sufficient. Me being an IT guy, the thought of maximum controllability and monitoring is appealing.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I don't know how long it's been since you've been "in" the hobby. But you still seem to know your stuff. Especially the tech stuff.

Do you mean to have 2 return pumps but run them one at a time? So one just sits until it's needed? If that's not your idea, maybe you can try making it more clear to me? I have 2 return pumps as well. But one sits on a shelf waiting for it's chance to go to work when the one working now fails. Your way may be faster to switch over, but you'll still end up pulling the defective pump at some point. But it could be at a much more convenient time than at 3 am when mine will fail! LOL!

 

[sbash]

I have a 220, and also an IT guy, I prefer redundancy in my pumps. Noise is not a concern for me, so I just went with the classic Mag12 pumps. However, DC pumps are the way to go if noise is an issue. Based on the post above, both of my pumps run at the same time, always.

A couple Neptune COS-15s plugged into your Apex would be a good way to go if you want that level of controllability and monitoring. If you need the extra power or head room, there is a model higher than the 15 as well. But yeah, two at once, definitely a good way to go.

I would also hope you could program the pumps to run harder if the other is offline. For example, they both run at 1/2 speed most of the time, but if you shut one down for maintenance or whatever, then the other ramps up to full speed. Very cool...

 

[ShepherdTech]

I don't know how long it's been since you've been "in" the hobby. But you still seem to know your stuff. Especially the tech stuff.

Do you mean to have 2 return pumps but run them one at a time? So one just sits until it's needed? If that's not your idea, maybe you can try making it more clear to me? I have 2 return pumps as well. But one sits on a shelf waiting for it's chance to go to work when the one working now fails. Your way may be faster to switch over, but you'll still end up pulling the defective pump at some point. But it could be at a much more convenient time than at 3 am when mine will fail! LOL!

Maybe I shouldn’t have posted in here, but it’s been over 10 - 15 years since I had my 75 gallon. I was referring total pumps running, so if one fails and I’m not at home, I’d have another pump to carry on. I thought about remotely controllable pumps like the Neptune COR, since it could adjust pump speed if the other failed. Not sure if you could do that with other pumps or not.