Feed pumps vs teeing off return line

[EricB]

I have a phosban 550 and Geo 618 calcium reactor. I was using 2 MJ 1200's but I'm thinking on my new build I might tee-off the return line twice and use two gate valves for flow control. Return pump will be an Eheim Compact+5000 and I'm aiming for 600gph through the sump. Good idea?

 

[dson78]

Following along, i am about to purchase a Geo 612 myself and was wondering if this is the best option.

 

[EricB]

I had to drill the output sleeve on my MJ 1200 to relieve some of the head pressure. It was rattling pretty good feeding the 618 before drilling it. I just want a cleaner looking cabinet with less cords, and easier adjusting/maintenance.

 

[richfavinger]

I didn't tap mine, and now I'm thinking maybe I should have...
Is there an easy way to tap off a return, with out hacking up existing plumbing?

 

[sawdonkey]

I recently replumbed my return and put a stub off for two reactors. I can add a third later if I wish. I don't even have to close the gate valve at all and the stub off gets plenty of flow. I just fine tune the flow through the reactors with a ball valve on each line. Works perfectly and there are two less powerheads.

 

[Eckolancer]

I hard line all my setups and put at least 2 Ts off the return. Here is a pic of the current tank. One for biopellets and second one I was going to use for carbon just never set it up.

 

[EricB]

I hard line all my setups and put at least 2 Ts off the return. Here is a pic of the current tank. One for biopellets and second one I was going to use for carbon just never set it up.

What do you do about getting air in the return line when you power down your return pump? After doing a little research on this, I'm thinking that it's best to have a manifold pump in addition to the return pump.

 

[Eckolancer]

I don't worry about air in the line. It pushed its self out once power comes back on. But my tank has a big backup battery. I can run my tank full power including heater pumps skimmer lights ect for over 2 hours. I have 2 Power supply's on my apex that turns things off if power is out. Only thing that stays on is one power head low power, return pump low power as its a DC12000 converted, heater only if temp drops below 74 (normally 77), skimmer will run on for 1 hour then off for 3, lights off, dosers off, second powerhead off. With this way I get about 12 hours time.