Running 2 Return Pumps, Help in Design.

[3dogsandreefing]

Want to run 2 return pumps what are the advantages\opinions of these 2 options?

Run one pump to one manifold to one return and another pump to another manifold to the second return?

Or would you run one pump to a single manifold to both returns. Backup pump would only run on failure?

Or other option?

Main concern would be if there was a failure I could make changes via controller and not need to be physically at the tank.

Let‘s assume cost is not a issue and you want the redundancy and efficiency.

Thoughts?

 

[Potatohead]

Completely separate plumbing back to the tank. You can run manifolds if you want but they have to be separate unless you want to start using check valves and what not (you don't).

 

[LDog74]

I have a dual set up. I ran one return Neptune COR20 straight return & the other COR20 to a 3 port manifold through UV & then other return. (You can see on my build thread) It is working perfect. I am running both pumps at about 50% and based on the flow monitors. 600GPH on the straight return & 500GPH on the manifold /UV then 2nd return.
I set it up this way because should I have a failure with one of the return pumps on the tank, it will still run until I can replace the pump. I can also adjust/ increase the flow of the existing pump via Apex if I am away from home.

 

[Victor_C3]

I have dual return pumps running on my system. I plum them as completely separate lines, with their own return lines feeding into the display. I also run them concurrently.

 

[Pntbll687]

Want to run 2 return pumps what are the advantages\opinions of these 2 options?

Run one pump to one manifold to one return and another pump to another manifold to the second return?

Or would you run one pump to a single manifold to both returns. Backup pump would only run on failure?

Or other option?

Main concern would be if there was a failure I could make changes via controller and not need to be physically at the tank.

Let‘s assume cost is not a issue and you want the redundancy and efficiency.

Thoughts?

I think you might be over complicating things.

How many return nozzles on the tank? If two then run one pump to each return. If more than two, separate them evenly on the return pumps. Do not connect the return plumbing from both pumps together, this creates un-needed complexity, and can result in a single pump failing to provide flow to the tank if the other fails.

Manifolds are best run off of their own pump. If it is something simple like a carbon or gfo reactor you can run them off a $15 maxijet pump. I advise to keep the manifold separate, this allows you to work on the manifold components without disturbing flow to the tank.

 

[3dogsandreefing]

I think you might be over complicating things.

How many return nozzles on the tank? If two then run one pump to each return. If more than two, separate them evenly on the return pumps. Do not connect the return plumbing from both pumps together, this creates un-needed complexity, and can result in a single pump failing to provide flow to the tank if the other fails.

Manifolds are best run off of their own pump. If it is something simple like a carbon or gfo reactor you can run them off a $15 maxijet pump. I advise to keep the manifold separate, this allows you to work on the manifold components without disturbing flow to the tank.

Thank you sounds good.

I have 2 returns and I will run 2 pumps with 2 separate returns. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[3dogsandreefing]

I have a dual set up. I ran one return Neptune COR20 straight return & the other COR20 to a 3 port manifold through UV & then other return. (You can see on my build thread) It is working perfect. I am running both pumps at about 50% and based on the flow monitors. 600GPH on the straight return & 500GPH on the manifold /UV then 2nd return.
I set it up this way because should I have a failure with one of the return pumps on the tank, it will still run until I can replace the pump. I can also adjust/ increase the flow of the existing pump via Apex if I am away from home.

I like your plumbing architecture I will be doing something similar to this. I like the UV on a separate return. This is something I have been considering.

Definitely going with 2 separate returns for each pump and run at 50%.

 

[piranhaman00]

I run 3 return pumps, all separate plumbing and return lines.

 

[3dogsandreefing]

I run 3 return pumps, all separate plumbing and return lines.

What do you run on all your pumps? Can you take a photo of your plumbing?

 

[piranhaman00]

What do you run on all your pumps? Can you take a photo of your plumbing?

I tried! Two run to UV sterilizes and one is straight return.

Pics are bad, you can see three separate return lines leaving sump

 

[3dogsandreefing]

Cool, thanks for posting the photos and plumbing.

 

[skipol5665]

I think you might be over complicating things.

How many return nozzles on the tank? If two then run one pump to each return. If more than two, separate them evenly on the return pumps. Do not connect the return plumbing from both pumps together, this creates un-needed complexity, and can result in a single pump failing to provide flow to the tank if the other fails.

Manifolds are best run off of their own pump. If it is something simple like a carbon or gfo reactor you can run them off a $15 maxijet pump. I advise to keep the manifold separate, this allows you to work on the manifold components without disturbing flow to the tank.

I bought a tank that had 2 return pumps combining then had a manifold running off the return line. It was a mess when 1 pump failed the working pump back fed into the sump causing me to lose pressure at my return nozzle.