linking 2 pumps to a return line

JJPicardo

New member
has anyone ever linked two pumps into a return? here is a diagram of my idea...

Ideas, and suggestions

plumbed.jpg
 
I am not a hydrolics engineer, but it seems to me that the mag12 would impede the performance of the mag9, presssure wise.

Why not just plumb them individually? Better yet, why not have 2 mag12, plumbed individually? You would get a better flow. You could always use your mag9 on a DIY beckett skimmer. ;)

HTH

Edit: Even better yet! Why not get a single mag24 or mag36? ;)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9012856#post9012856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Siberia
I am not a hydrolics engineer, but it seems to me that the mag12 would impede the performance of the mag9, presssure wise.

Why not just plumb them individually? Better yet, why not have 2 mag12, plumbed individually? You would get a better flow. You could always use your mag9 on a DIY beckett skimmer. ;)

HTH

Edit: Even better yet! Why not get a single mag24 or mag36? ;)

1. I really don't want to buy a new pump. I'm trying to make the best of the equipment that I currently have.

2. I am currently running a ASM G4 Skimmer, so I really don't need another skimmer.

I'm surprised that nobody's ever tried this before. Any additional input?
 
I've tried it with an Eheim 1250 and a Rena XP3 filter. It cuts the flow down some but not to the point of being better off without one or the other. I had to do it because at the time, I only had 1 hole through the wall for return water.

I would bet that with the 2 tees, you're going to lose A LOT of flow to all the internal turbulance. You'll get the most flow by plumbing them independently.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9013507#post9013507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MayoBoy
I've tried it with an Eheim 1250 and a Rena XP3 filter. It cuts the flow down some but not to the point of being better off without one or the other. I had to do it because at the time, I only had 1 hole through the wall for return water.

I would bet that with the 2 tees, you're going to lose A LOT of flow to all the internal turbulance. You'll get the most flow by plumbing them independently.

That was exactly my thoughts. I think I may plumb things again using a mag 9 in one of the returns, and the mag 12 on the other return.
 
Worked at a store where we did that with 3 mag 36's. It worked GREAT until one mag went down. As per your drawing, it won't work well. Water would rather go straight than turn, so the water from the mag 12 will want to go into the mag 9 pipes rather than up. It might be better if you had the mag 12 running straight up and the mag 9 running into that pipe.

Something that may help is have the piping for the mag 12 and 9 small and when they join, have it be much larger, so its much easier for them to go into the one pipe.

Best option would be have them individually.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9013543#post9013543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Racso
Worked at a store where we did that with 3 mag 36's. It worked GREAT until one mag went down. As per your drawing, it won't work well. Water would rather go straight than turn, so the water from the mag 12 will want to go into the mag 9 pipes rather than up. It might be better if you had the mag 12 running straight up and the mag 9 running into that pipe.

Something that may help is have the piping for the mag 12 and 9 small and when they join, have it be much larger, so its much easier for them to go into the one pipe.

Best option would be have them individually.

Is it bad to have more flow on one "side" of the tank then the other "side" of the tank???
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9013650#post9013650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JJPicardo
Is it bad to have more flow on one "side" of the tank then the other "side" of the tank???

Not at all. You can aim one high and the other low, use the lower flow side for more fragile corals, (bubbles, etc.), or just aim them right at each other to create chaotic flow.
 
no need for that much flow going through your sump. use the mag9 for your return and use the 12 for a closed loop.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9013919#post9013919 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manderx
no need for that much flow going through your sump. use the mag9 for your return and use the 12 for a closed loop.

I currently don't have the tank drilled... other then the 4 pre-drilled holes that came on the tank via the overflows. How would I setup a closed loop with the mag 12 then???
 
You don't have the big ol' MaxiJets hanging in your tank. Other than that, put them on a wavemaker and you pretty much have the same thing. Of course you could use an Oceans Motion and divide it up even more (without losing flow like you do with a SCWD) which would put you ahead of the MaxiJets.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9015406#post9015406 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MayoBoy
You don't have the big ol' MaxiJets hanging in your tank. Other than that, put them on a wavemaker and you pretty much have the same thing. Of course you could use an Oceans Motion and divide it up even more (without losing flow like you do with a SCWD) which would put you ahead of the MaxiJets.

While I greatly respect the work that Melev has put into his tank, I have to say that the "look" of all the PVC pipes in his "non-drilled" closed loop system is far worst then having 2 maxijets in the display. I still really see no benefit to creating a closed loop system with the Mag 12 over the two maxijet 1200's
 
the mag 12 will be more flow, plus you can put a penductor on it for a whole lot more flow. if you don't want pipes in the tank, just hide it behind a rock in the tank.
 
If you want to do that, use a wye fitting and upsize the common pipe after the pumps. You'd need check valves to prevent reverse flow through a pump should it go down. The check valves won't provide your anti-siphon protection--still drill the holes.
 
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