Running 2 sumps 1 tank

[mjohns]

Hi all i just finished making my 2nd wet/dry sump for my new tank (6x4x2.5) and i saw a post that somebody said one sump will eventually run dry..

Im using DIY PVC loop type overflows..

I hope this isnt the case as i really prefer 2 sumps over 1 larger sump.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[eskimo]

does it has 2 pumps ?

did you made it so that the water wil spread 50/50 (in the case that they arre the same size ? )

of so how did you do that ?

of not 1 is going to be not so ful and the other is going to be overflowing .(unles you have a sytem that stops the water when 1or2 if the 2 sumps is full .

 

[mjohns]

Yes 2 pumps 1 in each sump.

The sumps are in no way connected to each other..

Both same size pumps and both have will have the exact same pvc overflow.

 

[eskimo]

then it shoud work test it out . to be sure , pul the plug of bothe of the pumps and then watch hwo it goes . greetings

 

[Pharaoh]

Worst case scenario is that you might have to put a U-tube between the two sumps to manage water level.

 

[Toby_H]

If the pumps are connect at the intake... then you run the risk of one receiveing more water than the other and thus one running dry while the over overflows... in this case a U siphon between the sumps would be a solution...

But in your case, with the two sumps being 100% independant... there is zero risk of the intake/return coming out of balance and the two sumps should not be connected with a U siphon. Doing so would cause problems if one pump were to stop prior to the other...

Please be very cautious about taking advice from people who do not have a thorough understanding of aquarium plumbing or are not considering each detail of your personal set up. The above post is a good example of this.

 

[NOLAGT]

I have 2 sumps and 2 pumps one in each and 2 overflows one hooked to each sump. You will need to attach the 2 sumps together. As long as they are connected you wont have issues of a pump running dry or any problems if the power goes out. I just used 2 bulkheads and some flex pvc pipe. I think i have a pic in my 240 thread. If you do not have the sumps connected...and you have a pump in each...and you have a drain from the tank going to each sump...if the power goes out to one pump it will overflow that sump.

 

[swede]

if my thinking is correct, you will want each sump on its own overflow to prevent disaster in case a pump fails. i could be wrong, but thats what my quick thought is

 

[NOLAGT]

if my thinking is correct, you will want each sump on its own overflow to prevent disaster in case a pump fails. i could be wrong, but thats what my quick thought is

If they are connected it doesnt matter. If you have a single overflow that T's to 2 sumps...and they are connected...and one of the two pumps fail...it will be fine. Same if you have a overflow for each sump. If the sumps are connected you are ok. I ran my tank on one pump with 2 overflows and 2 sumps for months...because the sumps were connected.

 

[atxcichlid]

best bet... drill the sumps install 2 screw type bulkheads about 1" from the bottom of the sump put a piece of pvc in between them with two screw in fittings attached if one pump fails the other pump will compensate and run both sumps without a problem as your water will be draining at a slower rate, a "U" tube should not be considered it is just not a good idea