Dual Return Pumps - run times/schemes?

[LightingBug]

I have been reading so many posts about having dual returns for redundancy. There seems to be a lot of pros and a lot of cons.

Before I commit either way I have a question about how to run these or utilize these for maximum potential life.

How do y'all run the pumps?

Is it better to have one running @ 100% and the other at 0, and have a command in Apex to turn one on if the other dies (has no flow) until I can repair/replace the other?

Do you turn one on @ 100% for a time period, then the other on @ 100% for the other times?

Do I run each all the time at lower volumes?

If it matters, I am using a COR-15 and have *just* enough room in the return for one more.

 

[Singspot]

I have 2 running at 75% flow rate 9f each for 24×7 forever, for eedundancy reasons and to get flow.

would love to hear other's perspective.

 

[R-balljunkie]

i'd rather spend my $$ elsewhere for redundancies. Some people have Jebao's that have been running continuously for years with little or no maintenance. It takes minutes to hot swap a pump if you have unions. Bottom line, not a high failure product and your tank can go days without it running

 

[LightingBug]

i'd rather spend my $$ elsewhere for redundancies. Some people have Jebao's that have been running continuously for years with little or no maintenance. It takes minutes to hot swap a pump if you have unions. Bottom line, not a high failure product and your tank can go days without it running

Not disagreeing with you by any means. I am still contemplating either way. I just wanted to know what others experience is before I go out and buy my plumbing/etc.

At the very least I would have a spare COR-15 on hand.
Now that I have decided to have a spare on hand I thought - why not have both in the sump instead of having one in a box on a shelf.

I would think if I had one running all the time and another just sitting next to it all plumbed up and ready to go it is really the same as having one in a box except the extra few $$$ for the plumbing. I use Apex so I could have a flow alert on the one pump and have an alert if flow drops. I could then (remotely if needed) turn the other one on until I could get to the other one.

I am a worse-case planner and I am just going through scenarios (like on a vacation or whatever)

They would both be plumbed together with a Wye and check valves.

 

[R-balljunkie]

Not disagreeing with you by any means. I am still contemplating either way. I just wanted to know what others experience is before I go out and buy my plumbing/etc.

At the very least I would have a spare COR-15 on hand.
Now that I have decided to have a spare on hand I thought - why not have both in the sump instead of having one in a box on a shelf.

I would think if I had one running all the time and another just sitting next to it all plumbed up and ready to go it is really the same as having one in a box except the extra few $$$ for the plumbing. I use Apex so I could have a flow alert on the one pump and have an alert if flow drops. I could then (remotely if needed) turn the other one on until I could get to the other one.

I am a worse-case planner and I am just going through scenarios (like on a vacation or whatever)

They would both be plumbed together with a Wye and check valves.

im the king of redundancies. 2 temps, 3 independent leak sensors, 2 TDS monitors, 2 Ph probes, 2 ORP probes, 2 Solenoids on feedline....more im not listing......in all my years of running a tank (since 1992 with a 3 year break) I've never ever had a pump failure. Maybe just lucky. My tanks designed to run 3-4 weeks, hands free and unattended. my 2 cents.

 

[All_talk]

i'd rather spend my $$ elsewhere for redundancies. Some people have Jebao's that have been running continuously for years with little or no maintenance. It takes minutes to hot swap a pump if you have unions. Bottom line, not a high failure product and your tank can go days without it running

I agree a return pump is not a high failure item, but question the idea that a typical system could have it offline for days without repercussions. In my system heating, dosing and skimming are in the sump. I suspect more that about 2 hours and my temp would be off a few degrees, after about 10 to 12 I suspect my ALK would have dropped measurably. At the very least after 12+ hours stagnate I don't think you will want to just kick on the pump and mix the sump water back into your system. And if you are going to hot swap in minutes you will need a second pump anyway, for some people it might make since for it to already be in the system.


I like the idea of redundant return pumps, my current setup does not have them but my next one will. I think I would size them to run at about half flow, so you could get by on one without major disruption. I don't think you want one pump left sitting in the water turned off, any number of things could jam it up so it wouldn't start when you need it.

 

[LightingBug]

I like the idea of redundant return pumps, my current setup does not have them but my next one will. I think I would size them to run at about half flow, so you could get by on one without major disruption. I don't think you want one pump left sitting in the water turned off, any number of things could jam it up so it wouldn't start when you need it.

That is what I was afraid of by having one just sitting until needed.

 

[LightingBug]

im the king of redundancies

Same here -
2 heaters, 2 wetsides, spare lights, etc.

Even in my home - we have street power, a generator on propane with enough propane for 5/6 weeks (IIRC) of full power to my home, and even a solar system with a battery bank and ATS switch.

That is exactly what made me post this thread.

 

[ShoreReefer]

I have a dual return and a pump for each running at about 35% and 45% (this one also feeds my ATS). I know if I’m not home for any period of time the chance both fail are minimal. They’re Jabo’s I bought used and have been running strong in my system for almost 3 years.

 

[LightingBug]

I have a dual return and a pump for each running at about 35% and 45% (this one also feeds my ATS). I know if I’m not home for any period of time the chance both fail are minimal. They’re Jabo’s I bought used and have been running strong in my system for almost 3 years.

It seems like in most of the posts I read this was the prevalent config.

 

[Bluedore]

I have two return pumps going into three return lines. Display have two return lines and one for Frag tank, L2 pump split into two going to the frag and one display, the M1 pump going to display’s other return. L2 running at around 35% and M1 around 20%, it’s been running for around two years with no issue. And only one possible issue is the L2 pump going down then the frag tank will have no return water.

 

[LightingBug]

I have two return pumps going into three return lines. Display have two return lines and one for Frag tank, L2 pump split into two going to the frag and one display, the M1 pump going to display’s other return. L2 running at around 35% and M1 around 20%, it’s been running for around two years with no issue. And only one possible issue is the L2 pump going down then the frag tank will have no return water.

This is similar to what I am doing -
DIsplay Fuge + Display tank
Tank has 2 returns, Fuge has one -
I was thinking (if I do this) I would have the Wye and check valves right off the pumps into a split or cross for the 3 lines.

 

[kados]

I run (2) Neptune COR20 full-time (roughly a 200g system).

One directly to a return, and the other through a 50W UV to the other return.

I had one pump fail once but had an extra used replacement on hand purchased on R2R in case I needed it.

Worked perfectly. One return pump kept the tank in business while I was at work. Came home and noticed the failure, quickly replaced the failed one.

 

[LightingBug]

I run (2) Neptune COR20 full-time (roughly a 200g system).

One directly to a return, and the other through a 50W UV to the other return.

I had one pump fail once but had an extra used replacement on hand purchased on R2R in case I needed it.

Worked perfectly. One return pump kept the tank in business while I was at work. Came home and noticed the failure, quickly replaced the failed one.

Great info, I will be running a UV but much smaller.

Based on you running a COR-20 in a 200g, I mave have overshot with my 2xCOR-15's in a 32 gallon + 11 gallon lol.

 

[kados]

Great info, I will be running a UV but much smaller.

Based on you running a COR-20 in a 200g, I mave have overshot with my 2xCOR-15's in a 32 gallon + 11 gallon lol.

Yeah that's a lot of pump for a 32g. Hey at least it's adjustable.

 

[Bluedore]

This is similar to what I am doing -
DIsplay Fuge + Display tank
Tank has 2 returns, Fuge has one -
I was thinking (if I do this) I would have the Wye and check valves right off the pumps into a split or cross for the 3 lines.

I think if you are teeing into 3 line with 2 pumps is going to be hard to control the overflow and too complicated. Also, with check value is good until it get dirty and clogged. But just my assumptions.

 

[LightingBug]

I think if you are teeing into 3 line with 2 pumps is going to be hard to control the overflow and too complicated. Also, with check value is good until it get dirty and clogged. But just my assumptions.

I learned that if you use 2 pumps together into 1 line, if you don't use check valves and one pump dies, the other pump would just flow through the dead pump unless a check valve is used.

 

[ThaBeast]

My new build has 2 return pumps on 2 lines on separate circuits. My last tank had 2 gen1 Vectras for returns and at the rate those burned up I was glad I had 2 returns

 

[LightingBug]

My new build has 2 return pumps on 2 lines on separate circuits. My last tank had 2 gen1 Vectras for returns and at the rate those burned up I was glad I had 2 returns

I am leaning towards having 2 TBH. It just makes sense IMO for the "just in case" argument.

It's the old "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it"

 

[All_talk]

I'm with Beast, two pumps, two separated returns.