Building Manifold Plumbing

[FlyPenFly]

TLDR; Does anyone sell a package of pieces that makes it easy to put together a manifold system?
I don't want to go to Home Depot 5 times.

Hey guys, I'm getting an eShopps RS-200 for a steal and want to redo all the plumbing in my system.

System is 65 gallons + around 25 gallons in the sump with a head height around 4 feet. The overflow is drilled but unfortunately only has 2 bottom holes. I plan to use both for a Herbie style overflow and just use an over the tank return that I'll secure in place.

I'll be using a Jebao DC9000 which can run up to 2380GPH. I will probably be using it at half power or so and want to make it a manifold with 3 outlets (Bio Pellets, UV, and bonus third option for the future). I have blue PVC glue and pipe cutters ready to go.

 

[Adamc1303]

Gorgeous tank! There are parts that make it easier although I personally find that with plumbing it's easier to build it alone because of height, width and other restriction.

http://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=612175.7962&product=PVC-Manifolds

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Manifolds are actually really easy. I usually do the returns in the systems I've plumbed for people out of 1"(assuming the pump has a 1" outlet) and just tee it off with a 1"-3/4" tee. Then you just need some 3/4 pvc, 3/4 tees and 3/4 ball valves. Space them to where they're convenient and you're done. Cap the end and all it a day. If you want you can make it removable by putting a ball valve right after the 1"-3/4" tee and then a union. This way you can shut it off then undo the union to remove the manifold and still have the system running if ever making changes to it.

So a basic package for a 3 outlet manifold would be:

1 length of 3/4" PVC
1 1"-3/4" tee
3 3/4" tees
3 3/4" ball valves-I use threaded to use threaded hose barb fittings
3 3/4" slip to thread adapters.
3 3/4"-1/2" hose barb sprinkler fittings. You can leave it 3/4 for the barbs but most reactors use 1/2" line.

3/4" elbows if you wish to route the manifold other than straight across off the return.

If you want to do the removable manifold just also ad a 3/4" union and a 3/4" inch slip(socket) ball valve.

For the threaded ball valves to be used you can cut short pieces of 3/4" PVC, slip them into the tees and the thread to slip adaptor so to them and then screw the ball valves to them. It eats up room due to length added for adapters but I like to be able to unscrew the ball valves later on if need be for whatever reason. I just put the tee high enough but still under the return ball valve that the extra length doesn't bother me or make it hard to access anything.

If not making the manifold removable just remember to make sure you put the tee under the shutoff for the return so when adjusting the flow in the manifold outlets it won't effect the flow back to the tank and the manifold pressure will be ran off the extra pressure caused by gating back the pump for the desired flow in your system.


Also, you want the purple or clear primer and clear pvc cement. At least that's what I always use.

Here are pics of the last install I did last week. Hopefully it'll help you with an idea. I only did 1 valve on that one but left plenty of pipe to have enough space to easily expand it later on if the owner of the tank wants to:

 

[thirty6]

big kahuna was selling a manifold from his system break down. Sometimes the easy way out is ok....

 

[lnevo]

Theres a sprinkler company that i saw someone post on WAMAS that comes as one piece with valves and all. You just buy the nozzles you want. I'll try and find it...

 

[lnevo]

Check this thread and follow monkeyboy's post starting on post 13

http://wamas.org/forums/topic/54238-manifold-building-for-dummies-needed/#entry456774

 

[FlyPenFly]

Thanks guys!

That sprinkler system looks perfect! Where can I find one... checking ebay and amazon now.

 

[lnevo]

He had posted it..a site called sprinkler warehouse and do a search for an online coupons

 

[FlyPenFly]

It would be balls amazing if I could hook up my Apex to something like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-Valve-M...536?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf51e2f08

Use the VDM to set flow % to various gear.

 

[FlyPenFly]

I think I found it:

http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Dura-Valve-Manifold-Quad-Port-p/301-010-4.htm

I'm going to pick up a couple of these in case I need to adapt hoses:
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Dura-Sprinkler-Valve-Manifold-Parts-p/335-010.htm
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Dura-Sprinkler-Valve-Manifold-Parts-p/335-007.htm

And I think this is what I need to glue on a 1" PVC slip connection
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Dura-Sprinkler-Valve-Manifold-Parts-p/329-011.htm

I guess you have to provide your own valves?

http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Aqualine-Plastic-Ball-Valve-Slip-p/pbv-100s.htm

Maybe I'll go with gate valves.

 

[lnevo]

I was replying on my phone and really didn't get to see the picture... WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!! You're tank is gorgeous man! Nice work!

How about one where that manifold is going?

 

[duke62]

I might have a old manifold from my old system. Its yours if you want it. Check with me tomorrow to double check it if you want it

 

[Elflaco112]

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Kinex-4-Wa...ct-2-_-203136666-_-203808537-_-N#.UmaTIKMpDJu


Im planning on ordering this from HfOMEDEPOT.

Also HD by me have these in stock, and local hardware stores carry these very inexpensive.
http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Dura-Sprinkler-Valve-Manifold-Parts-p/335-010.htm

 

[Montaquelaveist]

here is a manifold i just built for my 220 set up it cost me about 80.00 they are not hard to build and actually fun lol

 

[dacaptain78]

Check out this link to a number of PVC manifolds. Specifically check out part no. 31-4449. That manifold should be perfect for your application. you can also buy all other parts necessary from this site as well.

http://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?product=PVC-Manifolds

 

[troywalkerphoto]

Great Info!

 

[FlyPenFly]

Thanks guys, debating right now if I want to go with the buttresses or just normal hard plumbing.

 

[FlyPenFly]

Hmmm are the buttress fittings the same as unions?
Trying to figure out what goes in between the manifold and the cepex valves.

 

[annanymous]

http://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=6187083.27114&product=Barb-Adapters-Threaded
This is what I was thinking of using

 

[lfsmarineguy]