Manifold Build Question.

[Gary Ellis]

This is my plan. I have a COR 20 return pump which is controllable. I will tee off the 1" return line to a 3/4" manifold pipe with 2 separate valves. One for a UV sterilizer and one for an Algae Scrubber. This is what I'm wondering, will the water just blow by the tee fitting and shoot right up and out the return nozzle or does it follow both paths at the tee. Up the return and to the manifold pipe?

 

[Arricefe]

The path of least resistance. It will most likely flow to all paths but not necessarily in the amount that you want or need. A big factor is going to be the head pressure of the path to the DT.

 

[Gary Ellis]

So should I install a valve on the return line after the tee?

 

[Arricefe]

Ideally each path should have a valve.

 

[AZMSGT]

Gotta be honest with you. I hate the manifold method of doing things. Your set up is identical to what mine is and I tried running 1 pump via a manifold, I couldn't get pressures right to save my life. Anytime I had to adjust one thing it screwed everything else up. So my solution was to run a separate pump for the UV and Algae Scrubber and a main pump for the return. Works like a charm. Mind you I found my Algae scrubber was striping to much out of the water so it's shut off the system for now.

 

[Feet4Fish]

If you want to do one pump got everything you will need a gate valve not the return line after the manifold. This will create the needed back pressure to pressurize you manifold. If you have the room I would recommend a separate manifold pump for the UV and scrubber. This way if you shut down your return like in a feed mode you algae doesn’t dry out at all and the UV doesn’t heat up the quartz sleeve.

 

[Gary Ellis]

What do you mean? "If you want to do one pump got everything you will need a gate valve not the return line after the manifold"

 

[Gary Ellis]

Gotta be honest with you. I hate the manifold method of doing things. Your set up is identical to what mine is and I tried running 1 pump via a manifold, I couldn't get pressures right to save my life. Anytime I had to adjust one thing it screwed everything else up. So my solution was to run a separate pump for the UV and Algae Scrubber and a main pump for the return. Works like a charm. Mind you I found my Algae scrubber was striping to much out of the water so it's shut off the system for now.

Do you have pictures of your setup?

 

[Feet4Fish]

"gate valve on the return line"

What do you mean? "If you want to do one pump got everything you will need a gate valve not the return line after the manifold"

 

[Gary Ellis]

"gate valve on the return line"

Before or after the tee to the manifold. I think with some patience I can adjust to make it all happy.

 

[Gary Ellis]

Gotta be honest with you. I hate the manifold method of doing things. Your set up is identical to what mine is and I tried running 1 pump via a manifold, I couldn't get pressures right to save my life. Anytime I had to adjust one thing it screwed everything else up. So my solution was to run a separate pump for the UV and Algae Scrubber and a main pump for the return. Works like a charm. Mind you I found my Algae scrubber was striping to much out of the water so it's shut off the system for now.

How did you run a separate pump for the UV and Algae Scrubber? You would still need a type of manifold...right.

 

[crusso1993]

I'm reasonably sure you know this but, since I do not like to make assumptions, I'll mention it anyway. Regardless of whatever design you choose, please make sure you are not exceeding the maximum flow rate on the UV. Otherwise, the UV will prove to be useless. I have attached a .pdf with flow rate charts as an example.

 

[Gary Ellis]

I'm reasonably sure you know this but, since I do not like to make assumptions, I'll mention it anyway. Regardless of whatever design you choose, please make sure you are not exceeding the maximum flow rate on the UV. Otherwise, the UV will prove to be useless. I have attached a .pdf with flow rate charts as an example.

Is it possible to have too have the rate to slow?

 

[crusso1993]

Is it possible to have too have the rate to slow?

In a nutshell, no.

BTW - since I hate making assumptions, as previously stated, do not use the flow rates from the attached file to my previous thread unless you are running one of the Pentair UVs. Not all UV systems are created equally.

 

[theMeat]

This is exactly the problem with manifolds. Best case scenario all branches should have a valve. The problem is when you turn one valve open or closed it effects all other branches. Add to that dif head heights and plumbing to any given branch and gph to any branch is a guess at best

 

[Gary Ellis]

This is exactly the problem with manifolds. Best case scenario all branches should have a valve. The problem is when you turn one valve open or closed it effects all other branches. Add to that dif head heights and plumbing to any given branch and gph to any branch is a guess at best

I get it, but once you get things set the way you want, it should stay that way. It just takes trial and error I would think. Even if I run another pump, it would have to branch off to the uv and scrubber. I'm only running my COR 20 at 44% now so I have plenty of power left to supply a low flow uv and scrubber. I'm hoping this works, because I really don't want to add another pump.

 

[theMeat]

I get it, but once you get things set the way you want, it should stay that way. It just takes trial and error I would think. Even if I run another pump, it would have to branch off to the uv and scrubber. I'm only running my COR 20 at 44% now so I have plenty of power left to supply a low flow uv and scrubber. I'm hoping this works, because I really don't want to add another pump.

Yup, get your point. Running gfo you’ll have to adjust if you want to keep gfo media tumbling. For my display and uv have them on separate individual pumps. Not because it matters that much, just like to know