Flow "architecture" : monster pump or smaller ones? (1 Viewer)

[ReefNoob]

Hi all,
been in the hobby for a while,but then moved abroad so took a 2 years break from my reef addiction.
And now,coming back to Houston in August! So am still a few months away to get the whole system up and running( just bought CoolName's 180gal ) but tring to answer the more "fundamental" ahead of time.

For instance,I've seen Below Radar's design where it looks like one large pump to run return,skimmer and Phosban,UV etc.
That's nice one,once you mange to balance your flows out (and have good PVC skills too to assemble a rather complex network ).

I find that most setups are more modular (i.e one pump for return,one for skimmer,phosban etc),which sounds a bit more resilient as you could probably loose one pump at any given time.

What do you think is better : single monster pump or several smaller ones (and why? )

Thanks!

 

[steveb]

I'm setting up two eheim 1262's for returns on my 400 and a 3rd pump (TBD) to drive any accessories, the skimmer is an internal model in sump and has its own pump. I realize it adds twice the heat, cost, replacement parts from a return pump standpoint but I like the resiliency of having two return pumps. We all know mechanical items fail at the worst time possible...

 

[ReefNoob]

Steve,my thoughts exactly and I think upfront cost wise it's pretty much the same anyway.
Been looking at your build as well,it's been a while and looks like a monster build.
Good luck!

 

[Ostentum]

I am using one reliable monster pump to run the whole system. Went with the reeflo barracuda. Have close to 600g when it's all said and done

 

[below radar]

A backup is always nice to have. The reason I chose to run as I did was because I felt that the external that I bought was going to be pretty reliable. There was no rhyme or reason but I just wanted to add zero heat, electricity, or clutter to my sump...it's all outside. If I ever have to replace my pump it should take all of 5 seconds. Plus, there's something about being as efficient as possible.
What would be

 

[ReefNoob]

What would be

I think you were onto something there

Good answers so far,so am still undecided.
I do like a single pump to run it all but i think it would a b**** to calibrate/ fine tune as you probably never reach a real steady state(you turn on/ off skimmers for instance,so that extra flow would go somewhere else and may be increase a level or speed through the sump etc...) ?

 

[below radar]

Lol, started to type something but my phone went crazy and moved the cursor so I just ended up hitting post.

 

[Mark L.]

I'm also using one reliable monster to run my whole system. Went with a Reeflo Barracuda as well. These large external pumps run and run and run. I personally didn't want to mess with multiple pumps. It seems like I'm always having to clean my internal pumps I have now. Less cords to deal with, less pumps to clean, less outlets used up, less heat in sump, etc.

 

[steveb]

Its gonna be one of those which marine salt mix do you use types of questions.... I happen to come from an IT (high availability) server & database infrastructure background so everything I look at, I look for single points of failure, and then how to either remove the single point of failure or how to mitigate it should it occur.... reeflo pumps are hands down IMO the best out there for external pumps.. by the same token I believe the Eheims are hands down the best internal pump there is in terms of service life and reliability. I have 3 reeflo DART's btw that I'm going to be using in my fish room if I ever get it finished...

 

[below radar]

Its gonna be one of those which marine salt mix do you use types of questions

Agreed...that being said Steve IS and aggie soooo...LOL. If my pump goes out, I'm dead in the water. Well, not me personally but my livestock. I've thought about buying an extra pump but I'll need y'alls unwaivering support on my build thread to show my wife that the $300 is a MUST and not a waste. I'll be like, "See honey, all of the smart fish guys say it's a must!"

 

[below radar]

BTW, I think this is gonna be a goooood thread. I haope we can get more input.

 

[steveb]

Agreed...that being said Steve IS and aggie soooo...LOL. If my pump goes out, I'm dead in the water. Well, not me personally but my livestock. I've thought about buying an extra pump but I'll need y'alls unwaivering support on my build thread to show my wife that the $300 is a MUST and not a waste. I'll be like, "See honey, all of the smart fish guys say it's a must!"

As long as you have in tank water movement from your vortech's you should be fine.. whatever is in you sump would be a different proposition.

 

[TiAg]

I'm doing two return pumps and a third is built into my skimmer. The reason for two is likewise, a single point of failure. Plus with two I can have one of them drive my GFO/Purigen reactors and the other push water through my chiller.

with the chiller I'm not worried about heat from the extra pumps, and if one pump goes out I still will have flow to the tank to keep the water circulating some.