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what i was thinking exactly was. having 2 return lines from the one pump. and then splitting those lines inside the tank. so basically having 4 returns on a 3000gph pump. which would be like 750gph in 4 directions. which would be like having 4 powerheads inside the tank.
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Yes, you could split the returns. In fact, it's a safer way to go, because if one of the pumps every goes out or if you need to service you, then you've still got the flow going. So, if you can afford to split up the return, then go for it.
BUT - you've still got ALL of your flow going through your
sump, which I would still consider turnover. Even if you split up your return and direct it into the tank via a manifold, you've still got 15-20X water flow going through your
sump. The biggest problem with such a high turnover is that your
skimmer has less of a chance of pulling out all the yuckies out of the water if it's just whizzing by. By having a slower flow through the
sump, you'll allow more of the water to come in contact with the
skimmer, thus removing more impurities and proteins. Does that make sense?
Check out my tank
thread. I've designed a manifold - not to say that it's necessarily the best design, but maybe it will help to see
how you can design it. Typically, people (if they've got acrylic tanks) drill two holes towards the top part of the back wall (as you can see in my diagram). These holes and then connected to tubing and pumps that bring the water back into the aquarium over the top of down the back. I've designed mine to take OUT of the aquarium in two spots and then to deliver the water back in via a manifold. And then I've got my return lines going down the back wall in order to get more flow towards the bottom half of the tank.
