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Running Dual Return Pumps (1 Viewer)

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James
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I just wanted to post about a situation that happened yesterday. Recently I added a UV and in that process I added a second return pump with flapper check valves on each pump. Yesterday afternoon my primary return pump failed and all of my return water was going through the UV. I’m glad I had that second pump in the sump to keep my tank circulating, albeit at a slower rate, while I went to the LFS to get a new pump. Also shoutout to Oceanlife for having one in stock so I could get my tank up and fully operational again. This is when having a LFS really pays off.
 

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Everything will fail eventually and any redundancy you can add will payoff. Just add up the cost of your investment now….why wouldn’t anyone add some insurance on their system? Of course everyone measures risks differently.

I’m glad it worked out for you in the end.
 
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Everything will fail eventually and any redundancy you can add will payoff. Just add up the cost of your investment now….why wouldn’t anyone add some insurance on their system? Of course everyone measures risks differently.

I’m glad it worked out for you in the end.
Yes I’m convinced dual pumps is the way to go. I like the redundancy of having the two pumps.
 
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jrounding

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Fun update (sarcasm). The new Maxspect Jump 8K return pump had a mind of its own and would turn on and off as it pleased. If the power was turned off to the pump it was a toss up whether it would turn back on. It seemed when the volute was on the pump it would bind up. If you took the volute off the motor would spin no problem. So it seems the silicone shaft seal (why would you use those? Silicone is so sticky…) when compressed would bind the motor’s armature to where it wouldn’t start or would start occasionally. This is my theory anyways. Maybe I got a bad pump and these are really great. I submitted a ticket to Maxspect Thursday and they still have not responded. Not impressed with their service. If I was depending on this pump everything would be dead. Friday I went to FJW and picked up a new Vortech Vectra S2. I am glad I have two pumps and even more glad that one is a Sicce.
 

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Erin

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Yes I’m convinced dual pumps is the way to go. I like the redundancy of having the two pumps.
Are both pumps sitting in the same chamber? In my sump, the return pump chamber is really small... Could I set up a second return pump in the skimmer chamber?
 
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Are both pumps sitting in the same chamber? In my sump, the return pump chamber is really small... Could I set up a second return pump in the skimmer chamber?
Yes, both pumps are in the return chamber. The EcoTech is hard plumbed to a UV and the Sicce returns direct to the tank. You’d be surprised what will fit in there. My return pump chamber is 6.89” wide and 9.72” long and I fit an EcoTech Vectra S2 and a Sicce SDC3 in there. I could think of several reasons why you wouldn’t want it in the skimmer chamber.

1. The pump chamber is the chamber with the lowest water level in your sump. If you pull water from the skimmer chamber it will cause weird things to happen with water level and auto top off.
2. If the pump in the pump chamber failed now your skimmer chamber level will vary which will mess with your skimmer. Either it won’t work or it will overflow.
3. Between the skimmer and return pump chamber is a bubble wall which dissipates bubbles before the pump returns to the display tank. If you put a pump in the skimmer area you will get micro bubbles in your display.

If you don’t have room to fit one you could keep another pump of the same type on hand and switch them out every time you need to clean them. This would allow you to have one on hand if it failed. Plus you wouldn’t need the additional plumbing and check valves.
 

Erin

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Yes, both pumps are in the return chamber. The EcoTech is hard plumbed to a UV and the Sicce returns direct to the tank. You’d be surprised what will fit in there. My return pump chamber is 6.89” wide and 9.72” long and I fit an EcoTech Vectra S2 and a Sicce SDC3 in there. I could think of several reasons why you wouldn’t want it in the skimmer chamber.

1. The pump chamber is the chamber with the lowest water level in your sump. If you pull water from the skimmer chamber it will cause weird things to happen with water level and auto top off.
2. If the pump in the pump chamber failed now your skimmer chamber level will vary which will mess with your skimmer. Either it won’t work or it will overflow.
3. Between the skimmer and return pump chamber is a bubble wall which dissipates bubbles before the pump returns to the display tank. If you put a pump in the skimmer area you will get micro bubbles in your display.

If you don’t have room to fit one you could keep another pump of the same type on hand and switch them out every time you need to clean them. This would allow you to have one on hand if it failed. Plus you wouldn’t need the additional plumbing and check valves.
Thanks! I have an "extra" tank that I have not set up yet; it is drilled for 2 drains and 2 returns. I will likely just block one of the return bulkheads; or I might run a bean instead of a Herbie.

But since you were already discussing dual return pumps, I thought I'd ask :)
 
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