What type of return pump?

[Ippyroy]

After reading that redundancy is so important, I learned that you should run two return pumps. I figure that I would use one to go to the main DT and a manifold, and one to a display fuge and 1/2 of DT. If I was to connect all of the pipes and put a ball valve in the middle so each return pump is only doing half of the work, but could be opened to do the full load when one breaks, or during prolonged maintenance, what type and size of pump would be needed? I want to do external pumps. Can the Reef Octopus DC pumps work, and can the larger ones be dialed down enough to not be an issue? Thanks

 

[ScottieB]

Redundancy is a good plan and you are certainly on the right track. I see a couple ways to accomplish the same thing.

Yes, you could run two pumps in a way you describe. But you could also plumb the whole thing with a large single return but just have a spare pump that you could switch out in the event of failure or maintenance.

The type of pump is tougher to answer but would depend on factors such as head pressure and flow. Basically is the sump across the house or under the tank. In general, an external AC pump would be a better choice (in my opinion) as a return pump. DC pumps are adjustable but apparently don’t do well against pressure. The AC pump can be dialed back by just adding a gate valve and increasing the outflow resistance. I like Reeflo pumps, they run like a champ have lots of sizes available and are relatively inexpensive enough to have a backup (or run both).

Hope some of that helps.

 

[Ippyroy]

Redundancy is a good plan and you are certainly on the right track. I see a couple ways to accomplish the same thing.

Yes, you could run two pumps in a way you describe. But you could also plumb the whole thing with a large single return but just have a spare pump that you could switch out in the event of failure or maintenance.

The type of pump is tougher to answer but would depend on factors such as head pressure and flow. Basically is the sump across the house or under the tank. In general, an external AC pump would be a better choice (in my opinion) as a return pump. DC pumps are adjustable but apparently don’t do well against pressure. The AC pump can be dialed back by just adding a gate valve and increasing the outflow resistance. I like Reeflo pumps, they run like a champ have lots of sizes available and are relatively inexpensive enough to have a backup (or run both).

Hope some of that helps.

What is the heat transfer?

 

[mfinn]

After reading that redundancy is so important, I learned that you should run two return pumps. I figure that I would use one to go to the main DT and a manifold, and one to a display fuge and 1/2 of DT. If I was to connect all of the pipes and put a ball valve in the middle so each return pump is only doing half of the work, but could be opened to do the full load when one breaks, or during prolonged maintenance, what type and size of pump would be needed? I want to do external pumps. Can the Reef Octopus DC pumps work, and can the larger ones be dialed down enough to not be an issue? Thanks

I see that it's a popular thing these days to talk about using a dual return pump setup, but if you ask me, it's more about using cheap return pumps. People used to say that it's cheaper in the long run to use cheaper pumps and just have a extra one on the shelf for backup.
Fast forward to the dual return pump setups. If one of the pumps fail, you already have one on the system up and running.

I only use a single return pump on both my tanks.
IMO use a good proven brand and it just maintain it, works without the extra cost of another pump.
In 30 years of using return pumps, I've never had one fail.
I've had to replace impellers because they wear out, but never had the pump body fail.
That's just my 2cents worth.

 

[phatduckk]

I have a cheap yet gph matched pump in a closet in case the main one breaks. It’s not a 1:1 drop in but it’ll buy me enough time to buy an exact replacement.

this only “works” because I have multiple LFS within a 30min drive which are open 7 days/week.

 

[BeMoto]

I'm debating if I want to have a second pump just for a manifold/fug. This way if I deside to turn the flow rate for feeding my manifold isn't affected by the display tank pump. If I ever add a calcium reactor or something like that it would prevent air from getting into the system.

what type and size of pump would be needed? I want to do external pumps. Can the Reef Octopus DC pumps work, and can the larger ones be dialed down enough to not be an issue? Thanks

Depends on what you want to do or follow and tank size. Also depends on the head pressure.

I would 1st deside what flow rate you want, 5x 10x for example.

Some people also say your skimmer should be able process whatever your DT return is doing.

Ac/dc is also something to think about. With Ac you might want a valve to control flow. With DC you can adjust on a control. That being said I went with a dc pump and got something bigger than my turn over flow of 5x. Got a pump rated for 15x but going to turn it down.

 

[marinelife]

I run an Abyzz A200 as my return pump, a very reliable pump and it has been worth the money spent. I have a second one on a closed-loop in case the return ever has an issue.

 

[Matt Carden]

After reading that redundancy is so important, I learned that you should run two return pumps. I figure that I would use one to go to the main DT and a manifold, and one to a display fuge and 1/2 of DT. If I was to connect all of the pipes and put a ball valve in the middle so each return pump is only doing half of the work, but could be opened to do the full load when one breaks, or during prolonged maintenance, what type and size of pump would be needed? I want to do external pumps. Can the Reef Octopus DC pumps work, and can the larger ones be dialed down enough to not be an issue? Thanks

I am reworking my entire system and one of the things I am changing is to have 2 return pumps running. You want to have each pump going to separate return nozzle in DT. If you have any kind of crossover between the 2 and one fails the other will pump back through the failed pump.
I have had good luck with Jaebo pumps and powerheads.

 

[W1ngz]

Redundancy is important, but I see the benefit almost completely outdone by the complexity in plumbing unless you have a long enough tank to make dual and isolated returns worthwhile. You run the risk of sneaky back flows, pipe noise and siphons where/when you don't want them if they are interconnected. A good reliable pump that is maintained will last.

In the small likelihood that it fails, to get you out of the pinch until a replacement arrives you can use a maxijet 1200 and a length of 1/2in tubing just to keep some small amount of turnover between sump and display. The rest of the time, that maxijet will serve you very well for water mixing and pumping water in or out of the sump for water changes.