Manifold redo looking for most efficiency

gus6464 · Jul 8, 2017

So I am redoing the manifold in my sump and looking for the best way to handle the return of each item hooked up to it. This is the equipment that will be connected to manifold.

UV
Chiller
Chaeto reactor

Flow control for each will be handled with gate valves on each item and 3/4" plumbing.

How should I do the returns for each piece of gear? Do I just have 3 different returns going into the sump again or do I tie them all together so that they go to display?

Flippers4pups · Jul 8, 2017

You can make them elaborate as you want. Waste back into the sump, ball valve at the end to control pressure to the manifold valves. This depends on how much head pressure you have from the return pump. I suggest using union ball valves so that you can remove them for servicing as needed or replacement if they go bad.

dbl · Jul 8, 2017

In my opinion, just have the returns go back to the sump. It will help keep the display looking less cluttered. I prefer gate valves on the manifold outlets so you can fine tune the flow for the various items. I did put a true union ball valve at the start of my manifold though so I can shut the entire manifold down and remove it if I ever need to. Not necessary, but convenient.

gus6464 · Jul 8, 2017

dbl said:
In my opinion, just have the returns go back to the sump. It will help keep the display looking less cluttered. I prefer gate valves on the manifold outlets so you can fine tune the flow for the various items. I did put a true union ball valve at the start of my manifold though so I can shut the entire manifold down and remove it if I ever need to. Not necessary, but convenient.

The returns wouldn't go on the display directly but just plumbed into the return line.

I'm just afraid of pump lock when doing it that way although not sure if that's something I would have to worry about.

I'm also gonna add some flow sensors which Joey has on his new 2000g galley tank.