220 Gallon tank return pumps & plumbing

[fishstix]

I have 220 gallon tank, with 1" bulkhead in the back of the tank on each side for the returns.

Coming out of my sump I have room for 2 pumps that can both go into 1" PVC and to each return, or I could just use one pump into 1.25 bulkhead and split that for the returns using the one pump.

The pumps are the COR-20's

Any suggestions?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I have 220 gallon tank, with 1" bulkhead in the back of the tank on each side for the returns.

Coming out of my sump I have room for 2 pumps that can both go into 1" PVC and to each return, or I could just use one pump into 1.25 bulkhead and split that for the returns using the one pump.

The pumps are the COR-20's

Any suggestions?

As you stated, ether or would work. The thing about two return pumps that I don't like is if one fails or it slows down, it will effect your sump level. Your ATO may be thrown off and SG may change if not caught.

 

[ReefHog]

?

 

[ReefHog]

As you stated, ether or would work. The thing about two return pumps that I don't like is if one fails or it slows down, it will effect your sump level. Your ATO may be thrown off and SG may change if not caught.

pretty sure that’s not the case

 

[fishstix]

Thanks, so are you guys saying best just to go with the one pump then? Already have both, but can use one as a spare. If I go with both was going to plumb each line at 1" and if I go with one then going to use 1.25

 

[fishstix]

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

[fishstix]

Anyone?

 

[Art2249]

I was originally going to use 2 pumps but decided on 1. Plus I got tired of doing plumbing and wanted to wrap it up'

 

[truetricia]

User both pumps as a redundancy. There's lots of videos from MACNA 2016 & 2017 regarding redundancy in systems including return pumps. BRS also talked about this in their ULM tank trials. If one fails, you still have water flow. And a COR 20 is going to give you options. You can set up one to kick on only of the other fails. Or run both at half power. Your sump level will be dictated by your overflow and return rate. More water pumping means faster turnover. But the levels should stay the same bc the water is just following through the system differently.

Again, watch BRS ULM tank trials plumbing segment to get the more detailed instructions

 

[rainmaker]

I use one pump on a 180 and have a spare in case of failure but never have had to use it so far. Use 1.25 then split to 1 inch

 

[ca1ore]

pretty sure that’s not the case

It is, actually. Now, whether it's material or not is a different question.

 

[User1]

I run one pump, Cor 15, and tee it off into two return lines that the tank is designed with. Works fine. I have a 2nd Cor 15 powering my skimmer. This way I have redundancy should the return pump go off line. Swapping them out only takes a minute and the skimmer can be off a couple days no harm no foul.

 

[Forsaken77]

I would use 2 pumps. The plumbing is easy, straight from the pump to the bulkhead. No splitting.

You can also stop one pump to maintenance it and keep the tank running.

 

[jkapit]

I run twin return pumps on my 180. Iwaki 55RLTs. Twin 1” drains with twin 3/4 inch returns. I did it this way because I moved my pump to a basement sump and the one pump was good but not enough flow and added a second. If one pump goes out, water will siphon through one of the inlets so in order to have some redundancy you need a valve/plug if one of the pumps fails.

If the return pump does fail, your powerheads should keep things going for quite a while. Also, I keep a heater in the display tank and another in the sump so just in case the return pumps turn off for an extended period of time. I have a low flow sensor in the sump and if away from the tank for any period of time I would just have the return pumps shut off and things should be ok.

IMO, I would go with a single pump with a backup. Simpler and uses one less outelt on the Apex.