Sump return help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Biteme

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 15, 2012
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Missouri
Is it better to have two return pumps or a "y" connection when a tank has dual corner overflows? (Wet/dry filter)
 
depends on your setup and your paranoia.
2 pumps - 1 pump = filter still working if one dies.
I'll have 2 other filters running besides my sump so I'm not too concerned.
for a single pump with a Y remember to run the hose the same length to keep the flow similar, unless of course, you want one side to be a slower flower. flow-er?
 
Just because you have 2 overflows, doesn't mean you need 2 pumps.
The flow of water out of your tank will reach equilibrium with the pump rate of flow, as long as the pumps isn't too powerful for overflow capacity.
It is always better to have more overflow capacity than the gph of your pump.
And I consider 2 overflows better than 1. If 1 gets plugged for any reason, the other can take up the slack. I've had overflows blocked by plants, missing fish, snails/stones and any combination of all 3.
I agree about having an extra pump if 1 dies, but I have one idle and at the ready sitting on the side, ready to go.
 
I would have to agree with Gill Blue, the tubing from a "Y" needs to be equal lengths avoid weird pump curves. I have always followed the "split the flow as close to the end of the run as possible" rule.
If you can afford the extra $ for the extra pump and the additional electrical it will consume, why not? Just dont feed the same return line with 2 pumps, that also creates weird flow issues.
 
Thank you for your help. How do you determine the overflow capacity?

Check the stickies out in this section. Your overflow opening on the bottom is usually the restrictor. It's a 1" hole or 1.5" maybe you have a couple holes.

I have 5 on the bottom of my sump. I bought the tank used :screwy: I needed the extra drain capacity do I used every hole in the overflow for a drain. I put a large 4" piece of pipe to catch all the water and direct it to a filter sock. I moved the return plumbing up the back of the tank to the top. I drilled a hole in the top and put in a 1" bulkhead that shoots the water straight down into the tank. Cool waterfall effect and it pushes the clean water to the bottom mixing it up. Another bonus, when the pump fails I don't get the backward flow/syphon from my return filling up my sump.
A few pics:

DSC_0147.JPG

DSC_0211.JPG
 
on my 210gal i put a T fitting from the pump to the returns and in between the T and the bulk heads i put a valve on each side so you can control the flow and it worked great for years with no problems also between the T and the pump I put a check valve just in case and it stops that extra water from returning to the sump if the power gos out (that little bit of water could be the little bit that makes it overflow)... never starve the pump but you can adjust the flow that comes out of it
 
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