Manifold Question for feeding carbon etc.

[coryjac0b]

My tank is not currently running, but my plumbing is about 98% complete. I would like to use my return to feed a carbon reactor and possibly other media reactors.

Instead of cutting a horizontal section and fitting it with tees, my idea was to use a 3/8" npt tap on the 1 1/4" pvc return and use a 3/8" X 3/8" npt fitting to feed the reactor(s) with a valve on there for flow regulation. Just wondering if anyone has a similar setup or any experience with tapping pvc to accept a fpt fitting.

Thanks

 

[Wazzel]

Not sure you are going to have enough treads to make a seal. The pipe wall is thin.

 

[coryjac0b]

Yeah, that's my biggest concern. I can test on a scrap piece I have and section it to see.

 

[Lsufan]

Why don't u want to just add a 1 1/4" by 1 1/4" by 1/2" tee. To me it would work way better then trying to tap pvc in a return line. I know u don't have as many options on 1 1/4" fittings but if it was me & I couldn't find it I would just use 1 1/2" & put a flush bushing on both ends for 1 1/4".

I'm talking about using something like this

 

[R_Andersen]

Using Tees is definitely the way to go. With the thin wall thickness and curve of the pipe, getting a direct threaded connection to seal is going to be difficult. I did something similar with 3/4" return piping and 3/4"x1/2" Tees.

 

[coryjac0b]

I don't have enough space to put more than one tee on horizontal run before it 90s up to the tank. Can I tee off and put a separate horizontal run with some valves and tees to feed other future equipment? See attached image for what I am thinking. I am at work, so the easiest thing to do is draw it up in cad, but it's sloppy I did it in about 3 minutes.

Thanks,

 

[PBAF]

I'm currently gathering ideas for plumbing my own tank.

I noticed you are using your return pump to feed the tank and reactors.
Recently I spoke to one of the tank builders, and they advised me against it. Told me to use one pump to feed the tank, and another to feed the reactors and chiller.
What do you think?

 

[coryjac0b]

The return pump I have is a little over sized for my tank so losing a little head to feed other items isn't that big a deal. I was going to dial back the pump electronically since it is a DC pump. I don't plan on feeding a chiller or other equipment that may require a good bit of flow. At most carbon and maybe gfo.

I am trying to keep number of plugs and equipment to a minimum so i over sized the return pump a little bit.

 

[Lsufan]

In my opinion something like your drawing is definitely the way to go. I would put a valve then a union right before your manifold to make it easy to take offline & not affect your returns.

View attachment 359952Here's a pic of mine to give u a idea.

 

[Esquare]

Glue a cut section of pipe to the existing pipe. this will double the thickness and give you more material to thread.

 

[FullBoreReefer]

I use a dedicated "accessory" pump that feeds all my "extras". Then if I close one off or change flow I don't mess with the actual flow to the display. Or if I'm doing maintenance and turn off the display tank, my fuge, ATS, etc. are still running and not drying out or no flow.

The only two tees I have off my return pump run to the display tank, a drain to empty the sump, and one line back to the inlet chamber of my sump, then I can solely clean and circulate/filter my sump before sending it to the display tank.