50g Manifold - too much?

[chadm]

Hi, just wondering what you guys think, would this be too much for a SPS dominate 50gal tank?

CL Manifold

Tubing is 3/4" all around, will be using 3/4" loc-line with the fan spray noozle.

When I look at it inside the tank I just seem to think it looks like too much.. but I'm no expert

Comments appreciated!

Best Regards

Chad

 

[DrBDC]

I would downsize the outlets to 1/2" and complete the ring. I have 9 outlets on my 90 but two of them are plugged. My ring is 3/4 also although in reading some threads I should have kept it 1" and still downsized to 1/2 inch. I get good water flow from them but I think I'll increase my pump as I'm probably only pushing 100-150 gph from each. I believe it's better to be closer to 500 per outlet but I'm using mine as a return vs. a closed loop and I just can't push that much through the drains. I also found for visual that I didn't need any actual line on them other than the back ones. Just the threaded adapter and then the fan nozzel. I also used the smallest sized fan outlet to not interfere with viewing.

 

[catchup room]

i did the same thing . 1 inch pipe and 1inch outlets and it creates a softer flow.but you have to make it loop system or the flow will decrease more gradually to the last outlets

 

[chadm]

so, if I go to the smaller outlet it will just be a harder stream. Is this better for the SPS or would a softer stream?

I will have to see if I can find a "T" that goes from 3/4" slip and a 1/2" threaded.

The reason it is not a closed loop is because I have a corner overflow.. Perhaps I will just have to use flex pvc and complete the loop.

Thanks for the photo! Really makes it easy to see what to do

 

[SDguy]

Here's mine. I used 1.5" all around, with ten 3/4" outlets. It's on a hammerhead.

You don't mention what pump you are using. That's going to make a HUGE difference. That many outlets? And only 3/4" pipe all around? You're going to lose a lot of flow with this design.

As for the reducer T's, I bought mine at plumbingsupply.com

 

[chadm]

I have three pumps, I have not decided yet which to use.

1: Mag 12
2: Velocity T3
3: Little Giant 2mdq (non pressure rated)

I plan to drill the back of the tank about a 1/3 of the way down from the top.

No good?

 

[jh2pizza]

I am far from an expert, but before you start downsizing the outlets and making changes, try it with your pumps first. It really depends on the pump, head pressure and friction loss from the pipe and fittings. Also size your drain larger than your pump requires or go with two incase your strainer gets clogged.

Been there, done that.............

 

[chadm]

Yeah, I will give them a try in the next couple of days. I really do not want to buy another pump. Just want to get a good flow going.

 

[chadm]

Ok, so I completed the loop, (over my overflow) and put a few of the loc-line connectors in.. everything is still 3/4"

The top three have really good pressure, where as after that they start to tail out.

Using the Mag 12, no clue if the head pressure is going to be the same once it is in the tank, the bulkhead may be lower.

Should I get a bigger pump or just reduce to 1/2" outlets?

Thanks for the help everyone!!

Chad

 

[DrBDC]

You can do either but that is dependant on your drain sizes and whether they can take a higher flow that results from the larger pump.

 

[chadm]

Its not going to be pumped from the sump, so the drain should not matter. I will be plumbing whatever pump I end up using inline behind the tank, as close as possible to the top. I just quickly attached the Mag 12 on there to see how it goes.

If I get a bigger pump to be able to use the 3/4" lines properly is it going to be too much for a 50gal?

What size pump would be ideal for that?

If not, would the 1/2" and stay using either the Mag 12, little giant 3mdq or Velocity T3 be the better way to go with the 50gal?

Also, would a larger pump or smaller outlets give even pressure all around? Or is this a normal thing without valved outlets?

Thanks again!
Chad

 

[DrBDC]

If you put smaller outlets on the loop it will pressurize and even the flow out. To get exactly even flow you would need to put little valves on it though. But pressurized will get it pretty close.

 

[chadm]

I see...

Unfortunately those Loc-Line valves are huge! and very expensive. oh well... so any clue what size pump would be needed to pressurize a 3/4" line?

If I go to 1/2" output would my pumps be enough to pressurize it?

 

[DrBDC]

I think if you search for "Calfo manifold", or something similar he has some recommendations for gph per outlet. I'm grossly underpowering mine I know and should probably block some outlets.

 

[chem-e]

If you want to stay with the Mag12, you'll need to reduce the outlets to 0.5" to try and even out the pressure (drop) thru the outlets. The only thing is that a 0.5" outlet may not get you the wide flow you're looking for.

Also, if you have a good length of vertical piping, you're going to battle against a fair amount of head pressure. All the more reason to move to reducers on the outlets ot upgrade pumps.

 

[chadm]

Well I think the maxium head height will be less than a foot.

I bought the reduced T's I will try them out tonight. Hopefully that will do it.

I plan on keeping my Tunze and moded MJ1200 in the tank as well.. so I think I should get enough flow then. I hope! Though I'd like to do away with all the pumps.

 

[DrBDC]

Are your t's smooth? Lowes had some smooth 3/4 to 1/2 threaded that the locline threaded part screwed right into.

 

[chadm]

yeah those are the ones I bought, 2x slip 3/4" and 1x threaded 1/2" , I was thinking of getting a tappered drill bit and bore out the ends of the 3/4" piping so there is no edge to increase the friction. Has anyone done this before?

 

[Anthony Calfo]

FWIW Chad... I think its a decent attempt and can serve you well... my critique/two cents as follows:

1) a closed loop would serve you better to boost volume

2) the 9 effluents are very accomadating (plug 2-3 as needed to finesse volume around the manifold)

3) 60X turnover is a nice target for sps tanks... as such, if you give 7 outlets (plug 2) at least 400 gph each, you will need a 3000 pgh pump (approx) and that will meet your goals (tees and tank needs)

4) FWIW... see the archived threads (in the Advanced forum?) of CL manifold links... there is a page with them detailed (tank size/issue) and dated in sequence

kindly, Anth-

 

[chadm]

Thanks for the advice Anthony!

I did end up making it a closed loop. I also reduced the outlet to 1/2"

But now my problem is finding a pump that is 3000gph so far I have not found anything that is decent on the wattage.. Anyone have an idea?

What about a Mag 24?

I notice my Mag 12 is quiet noisy. How is a Mag 24 inline? Too loud? Unfortunately this tank is in the living room, so noise is an issue.