Help me solve this plumbing problem... (pics)

[Seeko]

So I plumbed before I fitted everything in my sump and my manifold is in the way of my skimmer.



One solution that I see is cutting the pvc where I circled, placing a 90 elbow facing up, raising the manifold and adding another 90 degree to give it some height, but how would this affect my flow? I'm guessing not by much (using a Vectra M1 pump), but if there's a more elegant solution, I'm all for doing that.

Thanks again in advanced for all your valuable brain power!

 

[Siasl]

Might be a bit easier to go above your circle to the top left most red pipe. Do you have enough pipe to cut off right before the union, then buy an identical union (looks like BRS), and use the matching half and just left the whole "L" up a few inches for clearance?

 

[Siasl]

"left" should be "lift"

 

[Seeko]

I thought about that, but that would mean getting rid of my check valve and getting a new one.. That's probably the best way to do it.

 

[cracker]

@Siasl has a good idea ,depending on how much room You have. 1st idea I saw.
Also,the several outputs from the manifold are behind the skimmer cup? This might cause trouble.
Not sure if possible but You could cut off a few inches from the skimmer cup if desperate . It would be a shame to cut that brand new skimmer though & not elegant at all !

 

[cracker]

Keep in mind placing 2 90'2 where you have the circle will make the manifold a little longer . This might throw off the positions of the manifold outputs.

 

[dutch27]

I would try to avoid create two 90 degree bends to raise it. Best option here IMO to start above that union at the red pipe. Use two 45's on that pipe to make more of a sweeping 90 to run that manifold off of at a higher spot.

That looks to be a return line, correct? The drain is the far left? I'm trying to piece together what's happening there, and it looks like 1 drain into the filter sock, then a return line with three outlets off of it? What are those three lines going to be used for? May be helpful to know their function as well.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Why cut anything?
Just simply loosen the very first union on the L which is just before the 3 manifold outlets and simply twist the manifold outlets facing straight up 12 o'clock position. Once facing up tighten the union back. Then lossen each ball valve union and twist and turn the knob facing you.
When you twist the whole L facing up, ball valve knobs will face towards the wall and will need to be turned to face you.
Last will be to add another elbow and small PVC to correctly position the very last outlet with no valve.
Hope it helps

 

[Greybeard]

Simple

Loosen the two unions on the vertical rise, remove the pipe between them, housing the back flow valve, and screw the manifold back in place without that section.

Manifold now above skimmer. Back flow valves can't be trusted anyway.

 

[PaulPerger]

Assuming the Two unions are mounted the same way, you can remove the check valve, lift the manifold and join the unions there, then put the check valve between the return pump and the manifold. Not ideal, but it would work. If those unions are not plumbed so you can simply raise it up, I would go with your original plan to add a few 90s. Yes, that will cause some more head pressure, but I doubt it will affect it much with that pump.

 

[jonneyb]

Why cut anything?
Just simply loosen the very first union on the L which is just before the 3 manifold outlets and simply twist the manifold outlets facing straight up 12 o'clock position. Once facing up tighten the union back. Then lossen each ball valve union and twist and turn the knob facing you.
When you twist the whole L facing up, ball valve knobs will face towards the wall and will need to be turned to face you.
Last will be to add another elbow and small PVC to correctly position the very last outlet with no valve.
Hope it helps

Simple

Loosen the two unions on the vertical rise, remove the pipe between them, housing the back flow valve, and screw the manifold back in place without that section.

Manifold now above skimmer. Back flow valves can't be trusted anyway.

Either one of these would work all you'd have to do is decide if you want the check valve or not, I have never used one.

 

[Seeko]

I'm buying a new check valve now

Either one of these would work all you'd have to do is decide if you want the check valve or not, I have never used one.

These look like the best options.

Gotta love this place. You guys save me every time. Thank you so much!

 

[cracker]

@Greybeard Just nailed it . @Seeko Please let us know what you do.

 

[joec]

Simple

Loosen the two unions on the vertical rise, remove the pipe between them, housing the back flow valve, and screw the manifold back in place without that section.

Manifold now above skimmer. Back flow valves can't be trusted anyway.

Bingo! As long as your sump does not overflow when you turn off the return pump, you dont need a check valve

 

[Greybeard]

Bingo! As long as your sump does not overflow when you turn off the return pump, you dont need a check valve

And, if it does, you're GOING to overflow your sump, eventually.

Check valves fail. All of them... eventually... without exception.

Design your system with safety in mind, and you won't need one.

 

[lolgranny]

Do a “test” power outage and make sure your sump doesn’t overflow. No need for check valves in that case. I don’t use any on any of my systems as they are bound to fail.

 

[KrisReef]

Nice looking plumbing job! I'm sure how ever you fix this it's gonna be fine.

 

[kschweer]

Simple

Loosen the two unions on the vertical rise, remove the pipe between them, housing the back flow valve, and screw the manifold back in place without that section.

Manifold now above skimmer. Back flow valves can't be trusted anyway.

Agreed!

 

[Seeko]

Simple

Loosen the two unions on the vertical rise, remove the pipe between them, housing the back flow valve, and screw the manifold back in place without that section.

Manifold now above skimmer. Back flow valves can't be trusted anyway.

Fixed!

Thanks again!!

Sidenote:

Should I leave the other filter sock in that open space if I don't have an overflow going into it?