2 pumps or 1?

[traumajeff]

i'm in the process of making a W/D out of an old 55 acrylic i had. it'll be for a 180 i'm setting up. i have 2 HOB overflows i plan on using(wish it was drilled).

my question... i have 2 pumps sitting around. both rated for 850 g/h. do i wanna use both, making 2 seperate returns, or get another pump with a higher g/h rating and go with 1 return?

i don't have much W/D experience

 

[dennisdeng2002]

I would go with 2 pumps, if one pump fails you will still have some filtration, versus if one pump fails you will be let filterless. But if the 2 pumps are a brand that is known to be unreliable, getting a single reliable pump would be wiser.

 

[audiko4]

I used a Mag 12 when I had my 180 saltwater aquarium for years without any problems what so ever

 

[aldiaz33]

I agree that you should go with two pumps. It's really unlikely that both would fail at the same time, so even if you have two cheaper quality pumps, go ahead and use those.

 

[Jgray152]

I always reccomend two pumps with a w/d. Like another poster said, one fails, you still have another pump running.

At 850 GPH for one pump, you will have no problem running one pump as a back up for sure. Make sure you have about 20-25 liters of media. Since you have a 55 Gallon, to give you an idea, 12"L x 13"W x 12"H = 30 liters. 24"L x 13"W x 16"H = 81 liters.