Can I Run Two Return Pumps?

[lotsofgallons]

okay, hopefully someone with experience and some knoweledge can help me here..i want to find out if i can run two return pumps from my sump based on the dimensions and specs of my overflow box.

my internal overflow box measures 16" long, and 8" deep, therefore i have a total linear measurement of 32" over which the water can flow, the teeth are 1" high and spaced 1" apart. inside the overflow box i have two 1.5" durso drains drilled through the bottom glass, dumping right into the sump.

first question: based on that info, what is my overflow rated?

now instead of running a lot of visible powerheads in my 200g 4ftx 4ft tank, id rather use two return pumps in the sump, each one will have 3 pipe exits into the tank.

after plugging my quiet one 5000 pump into the head loss calc with 3 pipe exits and all of the twists and turns i will use to plumb them, i come up with a total of 725 gph @ 1" piping.

will i be able to run two pumps like the one above for a total of approx. 1500 gph return with my current overflow setup?

please help if you know! thanks

 

[A sea K]

I believe the 1-1/2 drains will handle 600gal each so your over the mark by 300gph if your head loss is correct. Anyway you would not want that much flow thru your sump, it will cause too many problems. you'll pretty much have to use some form of internal circulation to achieve the desired flow.

 

[Putawaywet]

Well... plugging 1500 gph into the RC drain calculator on the home page I come up with 23" of overflow and 1.6" of pipe diameter needed to handle the flow.

So, if you have 2 1.5" drains then you are well within the limits.

However, I think you'd be better served by running one pump for the sump, and the 2nd on a closed loop.

Brett

 

[t-bone2]

the dursos will handle more than the 600gal rating ive tryed running 900gph but it is very noisy you will need to modify them what about closed loop option

 

[lotsofgallons]

thanks guys..the closed loop will probably work fine.