Connecting Two Sumps for One Aquarium

[ReeferDave01]

Im a new member and currently have 60 gallon tank. Im now moving up to 320 tank (72") over next few months and Im in planning stages. Because of the stand, I can either put one 30x24 (50 gallon sump) or 2 such sumps. I am toying with idea of putting 2 sumps next to each other, each having own overflow and return pump. One would be sump, skmmer, reactor, etc while second would be for refugium. My dilemma is how to connect the two sumps or how to make them interchangeable. My concern is if there is a power outtage/pump failure. If I have one pump fail in one sump, the other will still keep filling tank up. Any ideas or experiences would be helpful. My tank stand will be constructed with steel frame and custom cabinet job wrapping it. Main concerns (a) how to connect them (b) making it least prone to failure. Thanks !

 

[JPSika08]

The less equipment you have to deal with, the more peace you'll have on the long run.

I would suggest going with one instead of two.

 

[traumajeff]

Don't mind the mess. I still have to tighten up my wiring.

I've run dual sumps on my last 2 setups because I couldn't fit a larger one without ripping my stands apart. I've just straight plumbed them both. I've haven't had any trouble yet. As far as 2 of everything equaling double trouble... I only have 2 return pumps. I feel that it actually benefits me. If one dies, the other can manage until I can replace the broken one.

As far as the sumps go... I run one as a fuge, and the other as mechanical like you describe.

 

[JPSika08]

If one will serve as a fuge, I think that will work great.

Congrats on the new tank and build, you're planning doing a thread of it?

 

[fishfinn]

Im about to do this same thing connecting 2 sumps on my 300 gallon. I bought the tank with only one and its not big enough to accommodate all my needs and in the case of a power outage, the sump over flows. Tomorrow (i think) i will be plumbing the 2 sumps together with just a pipe from one to the other, but heres the dilemma. Should i pipe them together and then use the one pump I'm using now just act like i bought 1 big sump, or should i get 2 return pumps? The pump i have now is plenty force to move the water throughout the tank nicely so i was thinking id just do the 1 return pump. One sump tank would have the skimmer and all the equipment like reactors and such, and the other would be a refugium.

 

[traumajeff]

Im about to do this same thing connecting 2 sumps on my 300 gallon. I bought the tank with only one and its not big enough to accommodate all my needs and in the case of a power outage, the sump over flows. Tomorrow (i think) i will be plumbing the 2 sumps together with just a pipe from one to the other, but heres the dilemma. Should i pipe them together and then use the one pump I'm using now just act like i bought 1 big sump, or should i get 2 return pumps? The pump i have now is plenty force to move the water throughout the tank nicely so i was thinking id just do the 1 return pump. One sump tank would have the skimmer and all the equipment like reactors and such, and the other would be a refugium.

I ran my old setup with one return and it was fine. The only thing I would recommend, is to have 2 points of connection between them. I've always feared overflow if a single one were to clog.

 

[fishfinn]

I ran my old setup with one return and it was fine. The only thing I would recommend, is to have 2 points of connection between them. I've always feared overflow if one were to clog.

ok thats actually really smart, I'm definitely gonna think about doing that. Thanks for the tip