Manifold Worth the Cost?

PugsAndFish · Nov 14, 2018

Are manifolds worth the cost or are media bags sufficient? I'm planning on hard plumbing the return line on my tank with manifolds or just using a flexible tube to go straight from my pump to the return.

The manifolds just seem very pricey - pvc cutter + glue + primer + pipe + fittings + valves - add up quickly. Using prices on BRS, I think the plumbing will cost me abut $200 for 3 manifolds. Then I need to get reactors since I plan to do GFO and carbon at least.

With media bags, I probably will run through media more or at least get less out of them but it's not like I'll run them 24/7. Something to note is that I have the Red Sea tank and plan to use the ATO as a refugium. Without a manifold, I'd need a return pump to feed the ATO. Still a lot less pricey.

JumboShrimp · Nov 15, 2018

I love, love, love the versatility (and room for future expansion/options) that manifolds provide. I have a variable return pump from the sump, and the return water passes by five (5) manifolds before it hits the display tank. Four “Ts” coming off the main return pipe have a gate valve, for precise control; one has a more basic (cheaper) ball valve. Currently I ‘power’ a recirculating skimmer, a BRS dual reactor, an algae scrubber, and with the ball valve, one manifold to quickly draw off water-change water as needed. That leaves one manifold free to, add another reactor, etc. My pump is far from cranked-up— meaning I can jack up the return flow to ‘power’ almost anything I’d ever need to.

Super Fly · Nov 15, 2018

when I upgraded the sump, I installed manifolds and very happy I did. They are extremely versatile and I love them, definitely worth the cost. Gives you room/flexibility to add equipment down the road, I use one of them to do easier water changes. I just regret not adding more manifolds.

Reef-junky · Nov 15, 2018

Your first problem is trying to buy PVC from BRS and not the hardware store. You don’t need a PVC cutter any saw will do. In fact I don’t like the cutters at all. The most expensive part would be the values the rest is cheap. T’s are less then a dollar each and you can get 10ft of pipe for a few dollars.

JumboShrimp · Nov 15, 2018

I have to agree about using run-of-the-mill (cheap) PVC. But without a pipe cutter I would have just drowned myself in my own tank (lol!)

Reef-junky · Nov 15, 2018

1 inch PVC

Pipe 5’ $2.60
Union $4.69(3)=14.07
Tee $0.69(3)=$2.07
PVC primer $3.29
PVC cement $2.59
Gate valve 13.30(3)=$39.90

So $65 let’s say and that’s bigger pipe and fittings then what you need so it will cost a bit less. Throw in a cap, barb fitting, and coupler you should be looking at no more then $100 max.

Reef-junky · Nov 15, 2018

You can even get a saw with guilde for $8

PugsAndFish · Nov 15, 2018

I will go ahead with a manifold - 3 of them. I have a PVC cutter now which I got for $10 on Amazon.

Are these the PVC bonds I want?
1. Primer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L8DMKQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
2. Cemet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00113SKR0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

The reason I look at BRS PVC is that I didn't know if all PVC were the same and if they weren't I just wanted to be safe knowing BRS would sell marine grade ones. I also like the colors lol. If buying PVC from a place that is not an aquarium store, are there certain PVC materials I should avoid or go for? Or are they all of the same? Sorry for the dumb questions! I've never plumbed anything.

Reef-junky · Nov 15, 2018

Any big box hardware store will be fine. Just wash the pipe with water. Regular PVC is what you want. You don’t need CPVC that stuff is rated for hot water.

Reef-junky · Nov 15, 2018

PugsAndFish said:
I will go ahead with a manifold - 3 of them. I have a PVC cutter now which I got for $10 on Amazon.

Are these the PVC bonds I want?
1. Primer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L8DMKQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
2. Cemet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00113SKR0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

The reason I look at BRS PVC is that I didn't know if all PVC were the same and if they weren't I just wanted to be safe knowing BRS would sell marine grade ones. I also like the colors lol. If buying PVC from a place that is not an aquarium store, are there certain PVC materials I should avoid or go for? Or are they all of the same? Sorry for the dumb questions! I've never plumbed anything.

Yes that’s the right stuff