running 2 wet drys with one pump

[dawnmarie]

Crickets ? I hear crickets.

BUMP is so passe.

 

[Egon]

Well let's dry run a scenario.
You have a 700 gallon tank. You don't state what turnover rate you are looking for but the majority on this forum tends to think life starts at 10X turnover so I'll use that as an example.

A single Reeflo 7400 from Aquarium Guys will get you around 10X turnover depending on Head. This will cost $378.99 and use 5.2 amps @240v

Two Reeflo 1/8hp's From Aquarium guys will give the same turnover and cost you $ 258.99 each or $ 517.98 for the pair. They will use 1.3 amps each or 2.6 amps for the pair @ 120v.

So let's review, If you spend an extra $ 138.99 up front you get a number of advantages.
First, you have the safety of redundant pumps.
Second, After a quick search no one seems to stock the larger pumps. The smaller look to be in stock in more locations. This is especially important if you use one pump, don't own a spare and need one in a hurry.
Last but not least it looks like two smaller pumps will be cheaper to operate, so I imagine you will get your $ 138.99 back fairly quickly.

There is a distinct possibility that someone has actual experience with this and can prove me wrong or at least offer a cheaper alternative.

I love this stuff

Okay, I didn't realize there's a aquarium pump out there that runs on 230/240V? Cool! That has advantages and disadvantages. First you have to pull the cables to this unit from your Circuit Breaker box because it uses the 230V and the cables aren't cheap. However the pump will run more efficiently (cheaper per gallon pumped vs. the equivalent 115V pump) and it will run longer and last longer. I always thought if I have a 1000+ tank I would do this to save on the electric bill. Hard to justify unless you have a really big tank.

Another tip: Multiple sumps need to be connected somehow or one will run dry and one will over flow. Even if you have two of the exact same pumps, one in each sump, the sumps still need to be plumbed together. So if your going to plumb both sumps to one pump, kinda T the sumps to the pump that will work as long as you also connect the sumps to each other. Each sump will need two holes one hole plumbed to the pump and one hole plumbed to the other sump.

I like the one massive pump idea though. I also like the "maximizing" the sump idea. You want as much water in your system as possible. Just multiple sumps are a hassle, let alone three sumps! Not even worth it lol. If possible try to get one massive sump and one massive pump, it's the simplest solution.

 

[dawnmarie]

I wondered how long it would take for someone to notice that. The Reeflo 7400 can be wired 120V at a whopping 10.4 amps vs. two 1/8 Hp 120v Reeflo's at a combined 2.6 amps. Either the Reeflo website is mistaken or I read it wrong or it is a no brainer.

BTW when I replaced my Little Giant MD-5 Sc 120v with the 240v equivalent on my 240 my power bill went down close to half. At some point the cost of operation will outweigh the cost of pulling wire in.
I kept the 120v pump as a backup.

Hey Egon, nice thread on that 450.

 

[Egon]

I wondered how long it would take for someone to notice that. The Reeflo 7400 can be wired 120V at a whopping 10.4 amps vs. two 1/8 Hp 120v Reeflo's at a combined 2.6 amps. Either the Reeflo website is mistaken or I read it wrong or it is a no brainer.

BTW when I replaced my Little Giant MD-5 Sc 120v with the 240v equivalent on my 240 my power bill went down close to half. At some point the cost of operation will outweigh the cost of pulling wire in.
I kept the 120v pump as a backup.

Hey Egon, nice thread on that 450.

Thanks for the props

Yeah, I never did the math on the higher voltage thing but I know the pumps run more efficiently at the higher voltage. It's difficult to find the smaller higher voltage pumps for a fish tank. Spa pumps wont work for continuos use. Pool pumps are way to big.
What pumps are you using?
To be fair I never looked into the higher voltage pumps to seriously but now I may be interested?

 

[kwantz]

Couldnt I control the rate of flow using control valves? I know they wont empty at the same time, but i know you can get very close using control vavles.

 

[kwantz]

i may have to go with the two smaller pumps anyhow. im not very good with wireing. UNless i can get my lazy friend over to help me out.

 

[Egon]

Couldnt I control the rate of flow using control valves? I know they wont empty at the same time, but i know you can get very close using control vavles.

It has to be prefect or one will run dry. Very close may last you a week or two, maybe even a month. Then what? Scoop water from one sump to the other? Also how is the drains from the tank going to each sump? How is that water divided up? Is it "very close" or exactly the same amount of water going to each sump. See what I mean? Too many variables running two separate sumps. It wont work with out constant tweaking, or they need to be connected. I connect my sumps with a 1" line. It keeps the level in my sumps exact, all the time. Only problem is if I lose one of my pumps. The 1" line wont compensate for that, not large enough. If one pump fails, I need to turn the other pump off. I keep a back up pump just incase this ever happens. If I could do it over I would of just went with one very large sump. Trust me one large sump is better than two.

 

[dawnmarie]

Thanks for the props

Yeah, I never did the math on the higher voltage thing but I know the pumps run more efficiently at the higher voltage. It's difficult to find the smaller higher voltage pumps for a fish tank. Spa pumps wont work for continuos use. Pool pumps are way to big.
What pumps are you using?
To be fair I never looked into the higher voltage pumps to seriously but now I may be interested?

Little giant (lgpc.com) has a fair selection although they are not overly quiet. I use an MD-5-SC

 

[Egon]

Little giant (lgpc.com) has a fair selection although they are not overly quiet. I use an MD-5-SC

Thanks for the info!