1 return pump or 2

[Joel_155]

So I've decided to buy a return pump for my aquarium i'm setting up and I'm not sure what to get. I've got a 100 gallon tank and my sump/refugium should hold about 30 gallons total.

Now here's where my questions start. I'd like my tank to turn over 10-15 times per hour. So that gives me a desired GPH of 1300-1950 per hour. So do I go for the larger 1400 GPH pump that my LFS has or get two smaller pumps at like 700GPH. The reason for getting two is that incase one pump fails there's a second one to pick up the slack.

At this point I'm just looking for some direction as to which route to go. Also...does anyone have any pump brands that they prefer? I'm looking to go with submersible pumps. Let me know what people think. Thanks!!

Joel

 

[mjhall85]

I have a 65gallon and I run a danner mag 7 and love it. If you were to run two return pumps that would help with flow in the tank which would be good . You could go with a single pump and be fine the more pipes and pumps the more things that can go wrong . I would say just go with a single. Just do lots of research and ultimately whatever you decide is the best route!

 

[daplatapus]

Take a look at running only 4-5 times the volume of your DT thru the sump and get the rest of your flow with power heads. This gives nice flow thru your refugium for pods and such to live and breed and you get the ability to control flow in your DT with the heads.

 

[whipsaw]

I run two pumps so if one fails I still have flow. Just stick a valve on each return line if you pass them through a union so you can lock out one line if you need to.

also keep in mind head height... the GPH rating of each pump is going to be reduced by how high the water has to go. Check manufacturer's specs, they have head charts.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I would run a smaller return pump, and use power heads to create more flow in your dt.I run a mag 12 on my 240,I figure I am only running around 900 to 1000 per hr.

 

[sucker_fish]

eheim 1262 is a popular pump for your tank size