Need help with plumbing!

Simon Reefing · Oct 6, 2020

Hello everyone! I just bought the WB marine X 110.4 and I am planning to upgrade the return pump plumbing to a manifold. I I have never plumbed anything before and am really struggling to understand what I need. I basically just want to go from my variouS-4 pump straight up hit a 90 or if you think something else is better than run a pipe straight with 3 ball valves then up to the bulk head to the tank what all would I need? Also, should I run soft tubing from pump and the to piping so its less noisy?

Thank you everyone!!!

virtual reality · Oct 6, 2020

Check out some of these for ideas.

Show me your Manifolds?

I need to build a small Manifold for my tank, and would be grateful if you could share pictures It will share pump from my main return. Abyzz 200 is the pump. 3 BRS reactors 1 Aqua UltraViolet 57 Watt UV. Thanks

www.reef2reef.com

Sebastiancrab · Oct 6, 2020

Marcelo Simon said:
Hello everyone! I just bought the WB marine X 110.4 and I am planning to upgrade the return pump plumbing to a manifold. I I have never plumbed anything before and am really struggling to understand what I need. I basically just want to go from my variouS-4 pump straight up hit a 90 or if you think something else is better than run a pipe straight with 3 ball valves then up to the bulk head to the tank what all would I need? Also, should I run soft tubing from pump and the to piping so its less noisy?

Thank you everyone!!!

On your pipe from the return pump, BRS suggests you use silicone piping. I found this video very helpful:

If you don't fix these plumbing issues now, you'll hate yourself later! - Top 29 Plumbing Mistakes

Ryan and Randy are back and this week we share our worst aquarium plumbing memories of all time so you don't have to repeat the same mistakes we did. Our hosts cover everything from flood prevention to overflow boxes, PVC fittings and so much more! If you like to keep water inside

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Simon Reefing · Oct 6, 2020

Thank you guys so much!

mfinn · Oct 7, 2020

The idea of using soft tubing right out of the pump I believe came mostly from using ac pumps in the past. They had a tendency to vibrate a little so a short section of soft tubing stopped the vibration at the pump.
Also it was easier to use a hose barb, soft tubing and clamps, then to match pump output to pvc piping.
With the newer dc pumps the need to use soft tubing has IMO been unnecessary, atleast for me.
I've used the VarioS-4 pump on 2 separate tanks with pvc pipe and it was very quiet.

Simon Reefing · Oct 7, 2020

mfinn said:
The idea of using soft tubing right out of the pump I believe came mostly from using ac pumps in the past. They had a tendency to vibrate a little so a short section of soft tubing stopped the vibration at the pump.
Also it was easier to use a hose barb, soft tubing and clamps, then to match pump output to pvc piping.
With the newer dc pumps the need to use soft tubing has IMO been unnecessary, atleast for me.
I've used the VarioS-4 pump on 2 separate tanks with pvc pipe and it was very quiet.

Okay awesome thats what I was wondering! Also can I have everything be 1 in? I was looking at have the gate valves and all the piping and fittings to be 1 inch since the VarioS-4 uses a 1in would that be smart or is there something else that should be done?

mfinn · Oct 7, 2020

I would do 1" all the way.

Simon Reefing · Oct 7, 2020

mfinn said:
I would do 1" all the way.

Awesome thank you so much you are a life saver! I was pulling my hair trying to figure this out lol. Do you think the various 4 is enough to run manifold and push water to my tank its the water box marine x 110.4 I just wanna run a uv and maybe a refugium reactor one day

mfinn · Oct 7, 2020

The VarioS-4 might be a little lacking trying to do 3 functions.
I would want 4x to 5x the tank volume just for return purposes.
I'm just guessing but after head loss you might be running the pump in excess of 75%-80%.
Not much left for other functions, unless you find a uv that is flow rated for the same amount you want for return flow and plumb it into the return line. Which will probably add more head loss.