Return manifold question

[cweber]

I got my return manifold finished and installed. I have my pump rated at 380 gph for a ten gallon. My manifold is made out of 3/4 pvc and has 5 outlets. The turnover rate is there but the jets of water arent. It just doesnt seem to have enough turbulance in the tank. Im not happy with the finished manifold in general. My hardware store strongly suggested that i cement it together, so i cant take it apart. Should i make the outlets smaller, or build a new one with smaller pipe and fewer outlets? Thanks

Cory

P.S. I dont have a pic but for reference its very identical to iconz's.

[jojo22]

OK the cement is a good thing. If you want the flow to be a little more forceful heat the pipe and sqush the ends into a thin oval, the thinner they are the harder the water will come out. DO NOT cement the "jets" it will be nice for you to be able to turn them as you tank matures and you add things.

[cweber]

The jets arent cemented, i wanted to adjust them as you stated. I think im going to try and reduce the openings by adding a short piece of pvc and pinching the pvc instead of the T. So for softies and a few beginner lps, do i need strong current or just the turnover?

[cweber]

Also my wife appriciates your advice as i do not have to buy all new pvc stuff. lol

[cweber]

Its not as pretty as iconz

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0424.jpg

[jojo22]

What you could do to really trick it out is put a small peice of pipe and glue it in then add a 45 and then your flair. you would have greater contorl of exactly where the flow was directed.

Only make the peice between the manifold and 45 long enough to connect them, you don't even need to see it when the 45 is pushed on.

[cweber]

Im just afraid of how bulky it is maybe it will look better when its painted, but it just looks tacky to me right now.

So add a 45 to each outlet then pinch a piece of pipe at the end?

[jojo22]

I think that would give you greater control, when you paint be careful of the brand of paint, I have seen reviews about krylon fusion. But I have never painted anything inside my tank, so that is just what I have read.

[cweber]

Do you think it looks tacky the way it is?

[jojo22]

NAAHH! It only sticks out because there is nothing else in the tank. Once you get rock and fish and corals in there they will be the focal point and pull attention away from the manifold

[hummer]

looks good .... justdavid said too use the same paint that jojo talked about it worked for me :)

[cweber]

Cool, thanks guys. I guess its true that you are your toughest critic. I will get some more 45s and pipe tommorow.

[Iconz]

I don't know how I've missed this thread!... Sorry!

Chris... it looks good bud. It really does.

Here's a few options...

1. They make "reducing Tees" basically the side outlet is smaller than the 2 ends.... I'd recommend these as they will make achieving the pressure you are wanting easier. I realize this option would have you buying new T's... but itd be a good thing to use.

2. If you go the 45(degree) elbow route as well, keep in mind that you can trim the elbow on both ends with hand-held PVC pipe cutters. This would allow less pipe to show and reduce the distance your "jet outlet" is from the side of your tank. (I think they make reducing 45 degree elbows as well.)

3. The Krylon Fusion paint works good. I wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

[jojo22]

Iconz that is a good thought. The only problem I see is thatif the reduced size gies him too much presure he is tuck with it (if he uses t's insted of reduced 45's). If he goes wit what he has and crimps it just a little he can crimp it more if it is not strong enough or heat it and open it a litle more if it is to strong. I think the way I sugested would give him a litlemore flexibility in how much presure he has.

[cweber]

Thanks guys. Im going to get some things and try to improve the flow, but i have to wait till we fo to town again to lowes. Ive used most of the stuff my local store had for 3/4. I funally got my sump complete and tested it for leaks. None soo far, i ran it with the tank last night for a few hours tinkering with things. Like i said earlier, the turn over is there, but the flow is not. Once again thanks for the suggestions.


Cory

[iVgOnMaD]

well, you can also use the 45 elbows with slip reducer plug. I doubt it will be too much since you have 5 outlets and only 380gph going throw that line, thats ~76gph per outlet. I would reduce it from 3/4 to 1/2 and you should be quite happy with the results. Plus, it will be less intrusive than the extra piece of pipe that will probably look ugly.

[iVgOnMaD]

you know what, ditch the 45 elbow idea, just use the reducer plugs straight on the manifold outlets. the 45 is gonna take up too much space and it will look bad too.

[jojo22]

It will look fine and give you more flow direction options with the 45's IMO.

[cweber]

Thanks guys. Ive updated my project log. I pinched some pvc down to almost closed. It works great.

http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=4770&page=3

I havnt got the painted pics yet. Its been running for three days making sure of no problems. Salt and sand soon to come!

[hummer]

if you where closer i give you the salt you need ... :):)


fausters and smith has the salt for under 30.OO for a 5 gal bucket cheeper than any LFS

[jojo22]

What brand hummer??

[cweber]

I apprciate the offer bud! Iwas gonna order foster smith but im gonna check out my lfs first. Its been years since ive been in there for pricing. Plus i think another might be going out of business and i will check there to.

[jojo22]

Personally I like reef crystals. But that is a prefrence.

[cweber]

Instant ocean is what i used in the past so reef crystals is what i will use now. I was happy with that company.

[hummer]

instant ocean is the only way too go .. if it good enough for the shed aquarium its good for me.....lol

[jojo22]

Yes but are they useing it in their reefs or FOWLR displays, if their reefs I would investigate what they are supplementing their trace minerals with as IO does not have nearly as much in it. There is a lot more to picking a salt than what an aquarium uses, you have to think of the fact that when they have to buy that much they may be willing to short the quality a little to keep the massive operating costs down.

[spookey]

that is what i use is instant ocean to to bad

[jojo22]

No but I personally prefer reef crystals for my reefs and I use instant ocean for my FOWLR's, reef crystals just has more minerals and trace elements that help our reefs and requires less supliments IMO.

[cweber]

Reef crystals all the way!

[spookey]

i will hav to look in to that

[carpenterwrasse]

I think there was some sort of study about the different salt mfgrs....I'll have to see if i can dig it up

[jojo22]

I think Bornman did it but the final results arn't out.

[pass1over]

instead of painting it, can just wait for coralline growth to "hide" the pipes
it takes awhile, but once covered, the pvc blends right in

[cweber]

i might do that next time