New to Plumbing - Help Needed

[nickkohrn]

I am awaiting the delivery of my Waterbox 100.3, and it will be my first experience dealing with a sump. I have already purchased some equipment that I'd like to hard-plumb into a manifold, and I will be purchasing some in the future that I'd like to add on to the manifold.

Following is the list of equipment that I will be using, including measurements:

Return pump

• Neptune Systems COR-15
• 1,500 gallons per hour
• 0.75”, 1.0”, and 1.25” union adapters

UV Sterilizer

• Pentair Aquatics Smart UV 25w
• 79-788 gallons per hour
• 1.5” slip unions

Algae Reactor

• Pax Bellum ARID n18 Macroalgae Based Bio Filter
• 150-200 gallons per hour
• 1/2" FNPT hose

I would like to purchase flow sensors for my Apex so that I can monitor the flow rates and ensure that they are within the recommended ranges, and the available models come with the following connections:

Flow Sensors

• 1/4" slip unions
• 1/2" slip unions
• 1" slip unions
• 2" slip unions

Can anyone help me learn what I will need in order to connect these items to a manifold? Also, I'd love to learn what I will need in order to create the manifold and whether it should be a standalone manifold or plumbed from the return.

I greatly appreciate your time and help!

 

[JumboShrimp]

This is just to give you one rough idea, but I have a variable speed pump sitting in the sump, and as the pipe heads up and hits one main horizontal (on to its way back to the tank), I have several ‘Ts’ dropping back down. They can be used to power (i.e., provide water too) a variety of things, especially when used with fairly precise gate (not ball) valves.

 

[nickkohrn]

This is just to give you one rough idea, but I have a variable speed pump sitting in the sump, and as the pipe heads up and hits one main horizontal (on to its way back to the tank), I have several ‘Ts’ dropping back down. They can be used to power (i.e., provide water too) a variety of things, especially when used with fairly precise gate (not ball) valves.

Do you use anything to keep your manifold suspended?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Yes, you definitely want to screw strapping into the underside of your stand to keep the weight off the pipe (to keep it level, i.e, to prevent bowing and stress points at your connections, such as union connections). Available at Lowe’s / Home Depot, dirt cheap. There are even pre-fab individual hangers, for a few bucks a piece. Hope this helps

 

[nickkohrn]

Yes, you definitely want to screw strapping into the underside of your stand to keep the weight off the pipe (to keep it level, i.e, to prevent bowing and stress points at your connections, such as union connections). Available at Lowe’s / Home Depot, dirt cheap. There are even pre-fab individual hangers, for a few bucks a piece. Hope this helps

That does help! Thank you!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Just for kicks, here’s my DIY algae scrubber— running off an ever-useful manifold— all from the one main sump pump. (I really need to replace the clear hose with black hose, to keep algae from forming in it.)

 

[Cruz Mc5]

Depending on your space available, it would probably be a good idea to put unions on both sides of the manifold, so it can be removed if needed. That would allow you to take it out and make any changes without having to cut out the pipe.

 

[nickkohrn]

Depending on your space available, it would probably be a good idea to put unions on both sides of the manifold, so it can be removed if needed. That would allow you to take it out and make any changes without having to cut out the pipe.

That’s something that I was able to learn fairly quickly. I’ve read a lot about using many unions to make maintenance, and the ability to replace equipment, easier.

Would you recommend purchasing a PVC cutter or just using a hacksaw?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Cutter! Cutter! Cutter! Cutter! It saved my sanity (Lol)

 

[nickkohrn]

Cutter! Cutter! Cutter! Cutter! It saved my sanity (Lol)

I’ll stop at Lowe’s a little later and grab one then. Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[Cruz Mc5]

I definitely agree with the cutter.

 

[nickkohrn]

Is there a standard size that I should be using for my plumbing?

Since reactors, pumps, and other equipment may have different size inlets and outlets, as seen in my initial post, should all of the equipment plumbed into the manifold have tubing of the same size?