Is setting up a manifold worth it?

[ReefLab]

I'm currently cycling my Reefer 425 and I'm thinking of setting up a manifold. My thoughts are that ill use 4 valves: one for GFO, one for carbon, one to pump water out for water changes, and the last to potentially feed a refugium in the future.

Just not sure how much I'll gain from all these things as theres tons of conflicting information whether to run GFO/Carbon at all.

TLDR: Pros/Cons of running a manifold/reactors in my Reefer?

Thanks in advance!

 

[EW_Fish]

I don't think pumping water out will work if your return chamber is small. example on my 120g my return chamber is about 1.5-2g one the water stops coming down from the display it takes no time to run the return chamber dry

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Great question, I’ll follow. I never understood the manifold. It sounds like a great idea but never used on.

 

[EW_Fish]

Great question, I’ll follow. I never understood the manifold. It sounds like a great idea but never used on.

Its only great to limit the pumps in your sump. If you do not use multiple reactors then its pointless. IMO

 

[ReefLab]

I don't think pumping water out will work if your return chamber is small. example on my 120g my return chamber is about 1.5-2g one the water stops coming down from the display it takes no time to run the return chamber dry

That's a good point I didn't think about that. How about the other valves for gfo/carbon? I just want to make sure that I have all the tools to keep healthy, vibrant corals and to avoid algae especially.

 

[EW_Fish]

That's a good point I didn't think about that. How about the other valves for gfo/carbon? I just want to make sure that I have all the tools to keep healthy, vibrant corals and to avoid algae especially.

If you have plans on running carbon and gfo/bio pellets then it could be worth it. Every tank is different some of us run those and some of us don't. For me I prefer a large fuge and large skimmer for nutrient export. You could always run a T fitting and cap it off for if you do feel the need for these things then you could just take the cap off and add your manifold.

 

[Hemmdog]

That's a good point I didn't think about that. How about the other valves for gfo/carbon? I just want to make sure that I have all the tools to keep healthy, vibrant corals and to avoid algae especially.

If you want to add UV it’s much easier if you have a manifold. Also remember that all the Spears gate valves you will need for this manifold will add up quick cost wise.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Its only great to limit the pumps in your sump. If you do not use multiple reactors then its pointless. IMO

Ahh, I run 2 pumps on my 180. Main and a second for the reactors and UV.. guess kind same

 

[ReefLab]

If you want to add UV it’s much easier if you have a manifold. Also remember that all the Spears gate valves you will need for this manifold will add up quick cost wise.

Yeah i priced it out with two reactors and all the valves will be ~300. Just not sure if running the gfo/carbon will be worth that initial cost in the sense that it prevents algae and helps my corals flourish.
I dont think I'll run UV anytime soon but Id probably put another T with a cap to have the option in the future.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

I have a 3/4" manifold coming off my return pump's 1" return. It's feeding three connections with ball valves. It's been very convenient. I don't always run a GFO reactor, but when I do I hook it up to the manifold with a hose barb, taking it off when I don't use it. I use one with a john guest fitting to feed water to my calcium reactor. I have a UV unit, but I opted to control it with a separate submersible pump.

 

[ReefLab]

I have a 3/4" manifold coming off my return pump's 1" return. It's feeding three connections with ball valves. It's been very convenient. I don't always run a GFO reactor, but when I do I hook it up to the manifold with a hose barb, taking it off when I don't use it. I use one with a john guest fitting to feed water to my calcium reactor. I have a UV unit, but I opted to control it with a separate submersible pump.

Thanks for dropping by. So regarding GFO, what problems did you use it to solve and what would you have done if you didnt have the reactor?

 

[JP Reef]

When I built my manifold I used what I found on this webpage. Makes removal super simple. I just purchased what size I needed and I only have the shutoff half on the manifold side. Then you can use simple tubing and inexpensive valves for your reactors.

CPC™ Quick Disconnect Couplings & Inserts Category | CPC™ Quick Disconnect Fittings | DrumQuik® PRO, Medical & Non-Spill | U.S. Plastic Corp.

U.S. Plastic carries a large selections of CPC™ quick disconnect fittings, which are used in life sciences, industrial and chemical handling markets.

www.usplastic.com

 

[ReefLab]

When I built my manifold I used what I found on this webpage. Makes removal super simple. I just purchased what size I needed and I only have the shutoff half on the manifold side. Then you can use simple tubing and inexpensive valves for your reactors.

CPC™ Quick Disconnect Couplings & Inserts Category | CPC™ Quick Disconnect Fittings | DrumQuik® PRO, Medical & Non-Spill | U.S. Plastic Corp.

U.S. Plastic carries a large selections of CPC™ quick disconnect fittings, which are used in life sciences, industrial and chemical handling markets.

www.usplastic.com

Those are nice. Would make maintenance really easy. I guess I'm just trying to figure out how valuable it is to run carbon/gfo?

 

[CindyKz]

Since you're just doing your build now, my suggestion is to add the T fitting and cap now. If you never use it, no harm no foul. But if you decide you want it, you will be really glad its there. You may find that your needs/wants are hard to predict at this point and can change as your reef matures.

 

[motortrendz]

Absolutely if your running multiple reactors. I have my manifold I run 2 reactors (gfo and carbon) my calcium reactor off another, my chiller of another and then I have one I use for acclimation of fish (for the drip line)

In the process of building a new sump and a new manifold for the setup. Here's a dry fit of the new manifold, and I'll squeeze under my tank and take a pic of my current manifold.

 

[Hemmdog]

Those are nice. Would make maintenance really easy. I guess I'm just trying to figure out how valuable it is to run carbon/gfo?

Also remember you don’t have to run carbon and gfo in a reactor. I have nice reactors and don’t run them due to how aggressively they strip the water.
Bag of carbon, bag of gfo in my sump baffle is all I do on all my systems.

 

[ReefLab]

Absolutely if your running multiple reactors. I have my manifold I run 2 reactors (gfo and carbon) my calcium reactor off another, my chiller of another and then I have one I use for acclimation of fish (for the drip line)

In the process of building a new sump and a new manifold for the setup. Here's a dry fit of the new manifold, and I'll squeeze under my tank and take a pic of my current manifold.

Sweet. Looks like those ball valves are these right? Any use with them yet? they're 1/2 the price of gate valves. Anything to add on the value of being able to run GFO/carbon? Must have in your opinion?

 

[Hemmdog]

Sweet. Looks like those ball valves are these right? Any use with them yet? they're 1/2 the price of gate valves. Anything to add on the value of being able to run GFO/carbon? Must have in your opinion?

Ball valves are for on/off. They are not designed for restricting and adjusting flow. You absolutely want to use a gate valve on reactors. If you’re attaching things that only need to be turned on and off then ball valves are fine.

 

[ReefLab]

Ball valves are for on/off. They are not designed for restricting and adjusting flow. You absolutely want to use a gate valve on reactors. If you’re attaching things that only need to be turned on and off then ball valves are fine.

Gotcha. I wanted to pull the trigger on the reactors/valves today if im going to at all since the aquamaxx & gate valves are on sale at marine depot. Would you say reactors are (at some point) something everyone keeping corals is going to need to have?

 

[Hemmdog]

Gotcha. I wanted to pull the trigger on the reactors/valves today if im going to at all since the aquamaxx & gate valves are on sale at marine depot. Would you say reactors are (at some point) something everyone keeping corals is going to need to have?

I see. Idk, the aquamaxx are the reactors I was mentioning that I have and don’t use. In hindsight I would of saved some money but maybe one day I will have high enough nutrients that I will need to use them.