Manifold DIY

[ReefZ1lla84]

hey so I was wanting to build a pvc manifold for my sump. Just wondering if anyone had some advice for me before I do this maybe some pics also. Thanks

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Hey Nick... it would be good if you could give some more specific info about how you want to employ the manifold. Also, here is a link to a site with a number of different manifold set ups.

https://flexpvc.com/Products/ManifoldsDistributors.shtml

 

[MikeyA]

hey so I was wanting to build a pvc manifold for my sump. Just wondering if anyone had some advice for me before I do this maybe some pics also. Thanks

Nic, what are you looking to operate off this manifold? Are you using your return pump or a second pump to power the manifold? Do you have the tools, ie Sawzall? How experienced are you at working with pvc? It's not difficult to solvent weld but there are tricks to the trade that will come in handy.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Not the best photos (sorry), but basically a PVC “T” pipe with a ball valve or gate valve (greater control over flow) coming down off your main return line can act as a manifold, and run things such as recirculating protein skimmers, carbon reactors, etc. Hope this gives you some ideas. :)

 

[garbled]

FlexPVC sells spigot Tee's. They are T's where one side of the top is the same outer diameter as PVC pipe, so you can run them straight into a coupler, or another T. This lets you densely pack the outputs and not need to deal with tiny little pieces of PVC pipe. I have a picture of a small manifold I built with some in my build thread.

 

[MikeyA]

FlexPVC sells spigot Tee's. They are T's where one side of the top is the same outer diameter as PVC pipe, so you can run them straight into a coupler, or another T. This lets you densely pack the outputs and not need to deal with tiny little pieces of PVC pipe. I have a picture of a small manifold I built with some in my build thread.

I know lowes sells spigot fittings as well I'm sure they sell spigot T's. But this is a great idea, spigot fittings save you room and also making modulation much simpler!

 

[NaH20nerd]

Here’s how I’m running mine. Set one up to turn the Cheato in the refugium and one each for independent control over carbon/gfo reactor. I’m not gonna lie. For a novice plumber it was a few hours work. But iI leak tested and zero leaks. Kinda surprised myself actually.

I’m running one return pump, 1” off the pump with a 1x1x1/2 T to the manifold and a 1x1/2x1/2 T to the two return lines going to the display tank. My flow to the DT is solid (better than expected) but I’d say (best guess) about a fourth of what the pump is rated for. Works for me tho cuz I am only shooting for about 3-5x’s tank turnover in the sump.

 

[ReefZ1lla84]

Nic, what are you looking to operate off this manifold? Are you using your return pump or a second pump to power the manifold? Do you have the tools, ie Sawzall? How experienced are you at working with pvc? It's not difficult to solvent weld but there are tricks to the trade that will come in handy.

Hey thanks for replying yea I’m pretty sure I could build it fine and I have a Carbon reactor and one return pump was thinking about having a back up return pump and maybe doing another reactor of some sort. Just wondering if I should use flex and pvc together.

 

[Be102]

This is my manifold. I currently only run my carbon reactor on it but would like to use it for more down the line 4 gate valves and 2 ball valves on each side. It’s all with Teflon tape as well so I could take the gate valves off it needed

 

[Popeye]

Hey Nick... it would be good if you could give some more specific info about how you want to employ the manifold. Also, here is a link to a site with a number of different manifold set ups.

https://flexpvc.com/Products/ManifoldsDistributors.shtml

Holy crap. I didn't even know pre made ones even exsisted. I made my own but these are pretty cool too.