pvc plumbing

[nealio992000]

hi guys I posted a thread before and had no response, I'm planning on adapting my current pvc plumbing to make a manifold that's fed from the return , it's a red sea reefer 350. i believe the return pipe that goes to the bulkhead is 25mm so all fittings i have are 25mm, I basically planning on making cuts at 1 and 2 on the picture and adding a T piece, I have 25mm pipe and coupling as I know I will need extra pipe after making cuts. this looks simple enough to me but I've never done pvc before. does this look doable?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

#reefsquad, anyone plumbing savoy?

 

[Nick Steele]

Should work but you’ll lose a lot of return flow into the tank

 

[Billldg]

I looks doable, but I would get another union and just replace the side of the union where you plan on cutting on #1. When you make the cut on #1 you will loose some length on the pipe coming out of the union, so when you install the tee it will not run under the other union to the right of it. With a new union you can cut a piece of pvc and have the same pvc plumbing plan as before, just with the tee. I also agree you will loose some head pressure when you install the header, so I would make sure your return pump is capable, and if not upsize the pump.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Good advice above.. your more than likely going to need a stronger pump.

 

[nealio992000]

I looks doable, but I would get another union and just replace the side of the union where you plan on cutting on #1. When you make the cut on #1 you will loose some length on the pipe coming out of the union, so when you install the tee it will not run under the other union to the right of it. With a new union you can cut a piece of pvc and have the same pvc plumbing plan as before, just with the tee. I also agree you will loose some head pressure when you install the header, so I would make sure your return pump is capable, and if not upsize the pump.

yes sorry if it didnt make it clear, I was intending to use couplers where I make the cuts to add more pvc pipe length so it fits under current piping but over the ro tank, so basically it is going to be placed pretty much where current piping is now (that was the main reason for doing it where I intend to). I bought an oversized pump when I bought the tank as I always intended to run reactors etc.. and it can ramp up and down

 

[Billldg]

yes sorry if it didnt make it clear, I was intending to use couplers where I make the cuts to add more pvc pipe length so it fits under current piping but over the ro tank, so basically it is going to be placed pretty much where current piping is now (that was the main reason for doing it where I intend to). I bought an oversized pump when I bought the tank as I always intended to run reactors etc.. and it can ramp up and down

I see no reasons why it shouldn’t work.

 

[nealio992000]

I wanted to make a replica of the existing pipe and fittings but it looks alot more awkward for getting the parts right and I think some might be red sea specific so found this might be the easiest solution

 

[dbowman5]

here is my manifold-to-be. The suggestion i would make is to place a valve coming off of the t so you can force most of the water on up to the tank. I also dropped down from 1 1/4" to 1". the pump i have is running the return on the second of six power settings so i will have plenty of flow even after I add a few things.
with a union below the t and above it (out of picture-behind the display upstairs) i can swing the valve to the right if that works best for me.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[X-37B]

IMO, it depends. What you going to run in the reactors, i.e. carbon, gfo, carx?
A stand alone reactor with its own pump may be a better option.

 

[nealio992000]

if I knew what this black bit was called I wouldnt need to make cut 1

 

[Birddog61]

Ensure a coupling fits between the current union and 90 there is a good possibility a coupling may need to be trimed to align the horizontal pipe with current retaining clip

 

[nealio992000]

IMO, it depends. What you going to run in the reactors, i.e. carbon, gfo, carx?
A stand alone reactor with its own pump may be a better option.

I'm running a biopellet reactor but can run carbon etc.. also going to run through a UV and possibly diy an algae scrubber will prob only run two of the three things at a time though

 

[nealio992000]

Ensure a coupling fits between the current union and 90 there is a good possibility a coupling may need to be trimed to align the horizontal pipe with current retaining clip

I shall bear that in mind, I can remove the clip and relocate it or replace it and also I have a couple of inch to work with vertically and horizontally so I could make the pipe a bit longer from the tank to the T or the elbow to give abit of extra room if needed I think

 

[X-37B]

I'm running a biopellet reactor but can run carbon etc.. also going to run through a UV and possibly diy an algae scrubber will prob only run two of the three things at a time though

Cool! For me I would just run a seperate pump for those. Keep the return seperate. If your return pump stops so does all other connected equipment.
Also you wont have to worry about your tanks water levels fluctuating if a reactor flow slows down. And you will have better flow control through your reactors.

 

[nealio992000]

Cool! For me I would just run a seperate pump for those. Keep the return seperate. If your return pump stops so does all other connected equipment.
Also you wont have to worry about your tanks water levels fluctuating if a reactor flow slows down. And you will have better flow control through your reactors.

space is at a premium in my sump and I didn't want to run another pump in all honestly hence why I bought an over sized one to begin with, i do have an old spare pump in case of an emergency and can turn the manifold off with a valve if needed for emergency etc.

 

[Dom]

What is the problem and why does a manifold solve it? Maybe some other solution?

Red Sea tanks aren't cheap (as I am sure you know). I would avoid cutting into anything if I could.

 

[X-37B]

space is at a premium in my sump and I didn't want to run another pump in all honestly hence why I bought an over sized one to begin with, i do have an old spare pump in case of an emergency and can turn the manifold off with a valve if needed for emergency etc.

I get the space issue.
I almost went with that brand of tank as I really liked the looks of them.
Main reason I did not was the sumps space constraints and center overflow.
Your idea will work just not what I would do.
Let us know how it turns out.

 

[nealio992000]

What is the problem and why does a manifold solve it? Maybe some other solution?

Red Sea tanks aren't cheap (as I am sure you know). I would avoid cutting into anything if I could.

I want to make a manifold from my main return to run equipment, I was hoping to adapt the existing pvc piping. I want it above the ro tank so I can utilise the upper tank space

 

[Dom]

I want to make a manifold from my main return to run equipment, I was hoping to adapt the existing pvc piping. I want it above the ro tank so I can utilise the upper tank space

Okay... I get that...

But remember you will reduce flow by adding a manifold. So you will need a stronger pump to continue providing the flow rate you currently have to your return while having extra flow available for the additional equipment you wish to run.

Is a second pump dedicated to the additional equipment you wish to install possible?