Manifolds - Are you running one?

[Salty1962]

How many people are using manifolds in their sumps? Why did you run a manifold and what are you running from it? Are you using a standalone pump or plumbing into your return line?

Here is a pic from when I first setup my tank. I didn't want to have so many pumps in my sump taking up room I could use for my fuge. I used a standalone, DCT 4000, so I could have more flow. I'm running my ATS, media reactor and fuge re-circulation on it.

What's your story?

 

[Heliarc19]

I have a manifold on a varios 6, it runs the return, feeds a remote 30gal refugium, brs carbon/gfo rector, chiller, and a valve I use to do my water changes.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Just made this return in case I want to run a reactor later. Tank was set up today.

 

[lacrosseboss18]

Mine after I got finished glueing it.

 

[JoshH]

I have 3 outlets, two for media reactors an extra just incase, cause you know, I can totally fit something else in my cabinet. There is also a ball valve at the end for WCs, manifold will be run on its own mag 7 to keep the return separate and just in case the return pump dies, it matches my return so all I have to do is swap pumps and I'm good to go in minutes.

 

[AlexStinson]

I just run a small manifold off my rio 1700 return. Currently just splits to a reverse UGF for my refugium (which is a seperate tank) and the return for main tank. I want to try to plumb my media reactor into it as well.

 

[Anirban]

I have a manifold with 3 outlets but use only one to feed through my two reactors. I feed it through my return pump.

 

[Reef man 89]

I would love to see more pictures. I plan on buying a reefer 450xl and would love some more ideas on how you set up your manifold.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Mine, simple but effective. I would recommend using true union ball valves if you don’t use them all the time. That way you can take them out if needed, get jammed and replace without cutting the manifold to do so.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Mine, simple but effective. I would recommend using true union ball valves if you don’t use them all the time. That way you can take them out if needed, get jammed and replace without cutting the manifold to do so.

I would have used true union but I didn't have the space under the 35g cube.

 

[JoshH]

I wanted full control of the flow on each outlet and I couldn't find any true union gate valves that suited my particular needs. So just used a union at each T so I can remove each one for cleaning or replacement if needed. The gate valves are also threaded so I can remove only them without harming the rest of the plumbing.

 

[Salty1962]

I would love to see more pictures. I plan on buying a reefer 450xl and would love some more ideas on how you set up your manifold.

I'd ask here and I'm sure you'd find one you'd like.

 

[cracker]

I don't get how you get enough pressure for all the outlets & decent return to the tank. I'm missing something.

 

[JoshH]

Well I believe it comes down to just over sizing your return pump. Most reactors/media don't require a high rate of flow to be effective so the actual volume of flow needed is much lower. Just stepping up the return pump to the next size up than your ideal sump flow is enough to make up the difference the manifold creates. I made mine run off a separate pump because I'd rather flip a switch to kill all flow to my manifold than turn a valve and given the space I have as I said earlier, easier to quickly swap the return plumbing onto a pump next to it and deal with replacing it in a much more relaxed time frame. Also gives me the ability to take one off line for cleaning then swap the clean one for the other and do the same while having very little effect on the operation of my sump.

 

[lacrosseboss18]

I don't get how you get enough pressure for all the outlets & decent return to the tank. I'm missing something.

I personally run an oversized D.C. Pump and have it turned down and if needed I can turn it up to get more pressure to manifold output and to the tank

 

[ca1ore]

I need every gph I can squeeze out of my main return pump so all of my water-requiring accessories are run off a separate pump. RDSB, UV, GAC, GFO and BioReserve all off 5 way manifold. Second, dedicated pump for recirculating skimmer.

 

[chefjpaul]

Elos tank / stand.
I ran it on the "ceiling" of the stand.
I have unions / bulk heads in place on the back plumbed for a chiller or algae reactor or ATS that I can add in future.

Currently only using one for carbon reactor, but plumbed 3 for future use.

 

[chefjpaul]

I personally run an oversized D.C. Pump and have it turned down and if needed I can turn it up to get more pressure to manifold output and to the tank

I do as well, only running one reactor, and dont have my return even at 50%

 

[cracker]

II'm running a water Blaster 10000. 2600 gph. I did want to go to 1.25 pipe but thought it too bulky. I just use the 1 inch. Maybe I'm getting more flow than I think.
Thanks for letting me butt in !

 

[Flippers4pups]

I don't get how you get enough pressure for all the outlets & decent return to the tank. I'm missing something.

Over sized pressure rated return pumps. In other words having more gph than needed and using the excess pressure to run the reactors. When the reactors are not in use, you let the excess dump back into the sump.