I'm building a return manifold on my 4'x2' 150g. my return pump is a sequence barracuda with a 1"1/2 supply line. I was going to build the manifold out of 1"1/2 and reduce to 3/4 locline. theres not much room for this inside my hood so can I build the manifold out of 3/4 or will this be to restrictive? I already have 2 1" bulkheads in the back of the tank with double 3/4 locline returns.any thoughts would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Is this a closed loop or a true return?

You might want to run all the plumbing into this calculator and it will tell you the GPH per outlet

Reef Central Online Community (http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php)

Ive been hanging around cars to long i think. manifolds or plenum i think car components first.

Are you leaving the 2 main returns, but tapping of the return line & making this plenum run along the back as well?

this is a true return. the return line will come off the pump go up 14 feet then into a double y the two sides of the Y will go to the 3/4 bulkheads in the back of the tank. the center of the Y will go up on top to a manifold with 4 3/4" loclines. the plumbing calculator asks for pipe diameter which will be 1 1/5" going up, but reduce to the 3/4 loclines. if you put in 1 1/2 it comes out 1387 GPH with 3/4 it comes out 440 GPH. I'm a little confused to say the least. I'm trying to not use power heads or at least reduce the amount of them since my pump is so big.

How big is your sump? If its not a biggun' (sounds like a basement set up) trying to run 1300 gph though it will cause issues. Microbubbles, poor filtration and NOISEY overflows are only a few.

its a 100 gallon rubbermaid also I'll be feeding a 55g fuge with the return line.

i am using the same pump here http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/general-marine-discussions/5616-my-frag-room.html

i recomend you to use ball valves to control the flow that pump is really good

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x193/naykid27/IMG_0400.jpg
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this is what Ive done so far nothings glued yet. still have a few more parts to get, so that means my nine thousandth
trip to home depot this week.

nice work really clean

Yeah, that really looks great. I think that will work well. Are you going to install ball valves anywhere after the 3 way to fine tune it?

thanks the flex line will get ziptied to the stand so that will help straighten it out. and there will be locline where you see the black ends.

I was thinking of putting valves on each locline but those things are quite expensive

Talk to me about this please bud:up:

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From what i can see on this side your using this coast to coast for overflow duties?
I see what looks like a cut out section on the right side, is this your only overflow access point?


This we have to work out your rough through-put as you have two different spectrum vaules going there.
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14ft x 1 & 1/5th

2 x 2ft & 3/4 inch for your 2 primary returns on each side. Primary because of less headloss compared to your spray bar returns....(is the plumbing wider with a reducer at the bulkheads?)

another what...3ft for the modular tubing over the top at 3/4 inch.?

Im going to have to work it into metric at some stage cause i have know idea on your guppy measurements. If your top sections total pipe dimensions equates to the diameter before the reducers, then the only factor is straight headloss & you have a ball park vaule. If it doesn't we're going to have to venture further into the equations to negate your 2 values divided by the hight. Im sure we have wizz kids on the site, if not i'll calculated it for you tommorow.

I'm a little confused on what your asking. the plumbing off the pump is 1.5 inches then reduces to 1" then to 3/4 loclines. the overflow has 4 1" drains. I'm not sure what you mean by cutout.the pump will be 14 feet below the top of the tank (in the basement) its a 3600 GPH barracuda thats rated for 2200 GPH at 14".

yes the pipe reduces from 1" to 3/4 at the bulkhead.the modular tubing will be about 30" it will be 1.5" all the way up till the Y.

well i crunched the numbers in a calc for you based on what i can see & some info you provided - would like a comparison from someone in the trade though., maybe Ampage can assist here as well.

Ft/loss head pressure = 18.44
psi head pressure = 7.97
gph = 1032.06
ft /sec exit velocity per exit = 0.61

hope that helps.

Wow thanks V, that helps allot. that sounds like good flow to me, hopefully I can have no powerheads or at least just one.

no probs, still send a PM to ampage to double check my calc, im rusty, but he's rustier if you know what i mean..lol

Im worried theres not enough access points for your coast to coast. All ive seen of it is on the right hand side - you have enough weir space & compound that with your 4 over flow dump pipes so your good there. Post a pic of the entire thing please, front side.

It might be me, but currently 2 things are screaming at me, loud as %#$% as it belooows through those small side overflows, or pump starve in your sump.