Dual Return Pumps

[ca1ore]

Seems that running dual or redundant pumps is 'all the rage' these days, though the cynic in me wonders if it's just an accommodation to using pumps of dubious reliability ... . OK I get and am a proponent of redundancy, so is that the only reason? Curious to hear well reasoned arguments in favor? I've chosen to have a spare on hand.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Seems that running dual or redundant pumps is 'all the rage' these days, though the cynic in me wonders if it's just an accommodation to using pumps of dubious reliability ... OK I get and am a proponent of redundancy, so is that the only reason? Curious to hear well reasoned arguments in favor? I've chosen to have a spare on hand.

I agree. I have a spare if my main one fails. But I dont run two. However if you're a person who is away from the tank for long periods of time, even just a couple days, I could see how having a second one running could be beneficial.

 

[ispookie666]

I plumbed mine a week back, now 2x DCS 4000.
The 2nd feeds the chiller and goes into DT.

Initially, my only return was on setting 6 of the pump. But after adding the new return, both are at minimum with my 32mm Gate valve fully open.

At least I know there will be some circulation if one fails or gets blocked

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I have a rule with my tank. Every time something goes wrong, fix it so it can never happen again. Over 15 years I’ve ended up with a pretty bulletproof system.

A few years ago while I was out of town my return pump died. I’m only out of town for a few weeks a year but of course that’s when equipment will fail. A spare on the shelf doesn’t help when you are hundreds of miles away. And all equipment will eventually fail. I replaced the pump with something higher quality and added a redundant pump. I have moved since then an actually was able to increase the reliability of the system, I now have two return pumps each on a separate circuit.

 

[Fin]

I have a rule with my tank. Every time something goes wrong, fix it so it can never happen again. Over 15 years I’ve ended up with a pretty bulletproof system.

A few years ago while I was out of town my return pump died. I’m only out of town for a few weeks a year but of course that’s when equipment will fail. A spare on the shelf doesn’t help when you are hundreds of miles away. And all equipment will eventually fail. I replaced the pump with something higher quality and added a redundant pump. I have moved since then an actually was able to increase the reliability of the system, I now have two return pumps each on a separate circuit.

This is exactly why I am using two return pumps also. I had one crap out on me while I was out of town for a long weekend. Spares are no help when you are not home to swap them out.

 

[Dsnakes]

I’m in the ‘spare on the shelf’ crowd. I contemplated running them both, but decided not to. Hope I’m home if/when it fails ;Nailbiting

 

[mtraylor]

I think if you run dual return pumps on a aquarium in a way that you can change valves so that one can run the whole system is a very smart setup. In that type of setup, either pump is never running at full potential or anywhere near it unless the other fails and it makes it easy to replace the faulty one while the other is taking the load. Ill regards for the reasoning, I personally run one return pump which runs a manifold etc. I do have a spare in the closet should it fail. No matter the setup, you should always have an immediate backup ready to go to keep your inhabitants alive. They are relying on us to keep them alive.

 

[roberthu526]

I plan on running two return pumps on my 300G because the tank is 8 ft long and I want to have water circulating on both ends. Redundancy is a bonus for me.

 

[ispookie666]

Very true. Another issue or a nag is, the pumps are louder at lower or higher end, which makes me believe the sweet spot is in the middle. It might be just Jebaos, which do this.

 

[mfinn]

Seems that running dual or redundant pumps is 'all the rage' these days, .

I try to recognize fads and stay away from them.
I keep a spare piece of equipment on hand for critical parts of the system.

 

[mtraylor]

Each pump is different and makes different db under load. Allot of new setups are using dual DC pumps at 30% load approximately and they are saying there is no sound. I run a dart and its not quite like a DC pump.

 

[ca1ore]

I am curious how folks running dual pumps will handle the back siphon if one should fail? I suppose check valves (putuwee) or just living with it are options.

 

[ispookie666]

The only difference I have found is, my herbie breaks and become a start stop drain. My returns are higher than my drains.

 

[ca1ore]

A few years ago while I was out of town my return pump died. I’m only out of town for a few weeks a year but of course that’s when equipment will fail. A spare on the shelf doesn’t help when you are hundreds of miles away. And all equipment will eventually fail. I replaced the pump with something higher quality and added a redundant pump. I have moved since then an actually was able to increase the reliability of the system, I now have two return pumps each on a separate circuit.

In my case I have tended to view redundant return pumps as the proverbial 'solution in search of a problem'. I did this many years ago, but since my main return pumps never seem to actually fail, I decided it was unecessary. I certainly agree that any piece of equipment will eventually fail, the next time my main pump fails will be the first time my main pump fails ..... in 30 plus years. I suppose if I had latched on to the cheap DC pump craze I might make a different calaculation; but this pumps won't work for me for a variety of reasons.

Was really just curious to see if there was any rationale for doing it beyond the obvious redundancy that I was missing.

 

[ca1ore]

A few years ago while I was out of town my return pump died. I’m only out of town for a few weeks a year but of course that’s when equipment will fail. A spare on the shelf doesn’t help when you are hundreds of miles away. And all equipment will eventually fail. I replaced the pump with something higher quality and added a redundant pump. I have moved since then an actually was able to increase the reliability of the system, I now have two return pumps each on a separate circuit.

In my case I have tended to view redundant return pumps as the proverbial 'solution in search of a problem'. I did this many years ago, but since my main return pumps never seem to actually fail, I decided it was unecessary. I certainly agree that any piece of equipment will eventually fail, the next time my main pump fails will be the first time my main pump fails ..... in 30 plus years. I suppose if I had latched on to the cheap DC pump craze I might make a different calaculation; but this pumps won't work for me for a variety of reasons.

Was really just curious to see if there was any rationale for doing it beyond the obvious redundancy that I was missing.

 

[ca1ore]

Oh, redundant post ..... appropriate in this case

 

[Ubergroover]

Not a bad idea if your running two inexpensive pumps piped in parallel feeding two separate returns. As long as the feed pipe is large enough. I will try that on my next build....

 

[Forsaken77]

I have separate return pumps because I have a unique plumbing system planned for my 180 and needed the head pressure. It's hard to find a DC pump that has a high head pressure rating, aside of the Vectra L1 (which was being updated, and sold out, when I bought my pumps).

I also don't like to run the pumps at full speed because of wear 'n' tear and heat. Plus I love the controllability of DC.

So I went with two Varios-6's instead of one L1. I was considering two M1's instead, but the R.O. pumps were a better value to me with all of the extras included.

 

[Gungo]

I have another one in storage just in case. I believe you need to have a really bad luck for your pump to fail while you're out for few days.

 

[Dom274]

I am curious how folks running dual pumps will handle the back siphon if one should fail? I suppose check valves (putuwee) or just living with it are options.

You know, I agreed with you until I read this thread. I always thought about it the same way you are, with 2 pumps plumbed either in parallel or series into the same overall "system". In fact, the extra complications it adds makes me think "spare on the shelf" is better in the sense of extra points of failure added.

But after reading Ubergroover's post - I now realize I never considered adding a small, inexpensive pump (Like a cheap MJ 1200) with a quick and dirty spare 1/2 vinyl tubing & return (Grand total probably in the $50 range) that I then control with an Apex. If the apex sees my return flow sensor drop to 0 for more than 2 hours, turn on outlet 7 that powers the "spare maxi-jet emergency return". I really like this idea now and am running with it.