Return line manifold help

[Twitterbait]

I am planning the return line for my CLS on the 300gal and i need some help. here is the breakdown. the main 2 goals are making sure i don't lose flow and also making the setup easy to take apart and reassemble.

here is what i have.

RETURNS
5 x 3/4" bulkheads across the top on the back wall of the tank.
2 x 1.5" bulkheads in the middle of the back wall.

1 x 1.5" drain line to the pump (is this enough drain to a barracuda?)

i plan on the return line coming up from the pump to the back of my hood. there i will attach it to a manifold which will be a 1.5" PVC pipe running along the back of the hood with T's attached along its length that drop return lines down the back of the tank to the bulkheads. i figure having the main line split above the bulkhead line will help maintain a higher amount of pressure.

I need to know how i should connect the line to the manifold. should i just run a T junction up and connect it in the middle or should i split it lower and connect the supply to the ends of the manifold. I was also thinking of doing a 4 way split and connecting the supply in the middle and both ends.

thoughts?

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by Twitterbait

I am planning the return line for my CLS on the 300gal and i need some help. here is the breakdown. the main 2 goals are making sure i don't lose flow and also making the setup easy to take apart and reassemble.

here is what i have.

RETURNS
5 x 3/4" bulkheads across the top on the back wall of the tank.
2 x 1.5" bulkheads in the middle of the back wall.

1 x 1.5" drain line to the pump (is this enough drain to a barracuda?)

i plan on the return line coming up from the pump to the back of my hood. there i will attach it to a manifold which will be a 1.5" PVC pipe running along the back of the hood with T's attached along its length that drop return lines down the back of the tank to the bulkheads. i figure having the main line split above the bulkhead line will help maintain a higher amount of pressure.

I need to know how i should connect the line to the manifold. should i just run a T junction up and connect it in the middle or should i split it lower and connect the supply to the ends of the manifold. I was also thinking of doing a 4 way split and connecting the supply in the middle and both ends.

thoughts?

You should drill another hole and feed that barracuda with TWO 1.5" bulkheads. One will suffice, but it will create more suction than necessary on any critters walking across the cover, and in the event that your red shorts tear, it could cover it up and create problems. Redundancy is GOOD.


the main line splitting above or below wont matter enough to notice IMO. do whatever fits better.

Throw unions wherever makes sense for removal, i dont see why you would need any more than the one by the pump and valve and then one off each fork of the manifold. That should make it easy enough to get it apart and out of there if need be.

[Twitterbait]

what about flow reduction while pumping the water back to the tank?

[Fly Guy]

Use flex pipe to eliminate as many fittings as you can and use sweep 90's when you need a 90 and that is the best you can do as far as reducing friction. Many times a 90 is necessary fairly close to the pumps outlet, try to give yourself as much distance of straight pipe as possible before putting in the 90, that can help too

[Twitterbait]

ok, thanks fly... seems like nobody else around here cares to help

[SPC]

Originally Posted by Twitterbait

5 x 3/4" bulkheads across the top on the back wall of the tank.

I would put a couple of ball valves on the first couple of outlets. I used a this same size manifold with only (3) 3/4" outlets and the last one got very little water. Of course it depends on the pump, which was not the problem with mine as I have had several big pumps hooked up to it. Mine was limited by the return.

BTW, how is the seal in your Barracuda doing?

2 x 1.5" bulkheads in the middle of the back wall.

You lost me here, what are these for?

1 x 1.5" drain line to the pump (is this enough drain to a barracuda?)

I used 1.5 to feed mine and it was fine.

i plan on the return line coming up from the pump to the back of my hood. there i will attach it to a manifold which will be a 1.5" PVC pipe running along the back of the hood with T's attached along its length that drop return lines down the back of the tank to the bulkheads. i figure having the main line split above the bulkhead line will help maintain a higher amount of pressure.

You are correct.

I need to know how i should connect the line to the manifold. should i just run a T junction up and connect it in the middle or should i split it lower and connect the supply to the ends of the manifold. I was also thinking of doing a 4 way split and connecting the supply in the middle and both ends.

I have tried both and don't see where it matters much as long as you have a valve to regulate the 3/4" outlets. You probably realize this, but the two end pieces of the manifold can be 90's with a 3/4" reducer placed in them.
Steve