CL Manifold question...

[unwired]

Hi,

I had recently visited a coral farmer in NJ who suggested I look into a calfo manifold while planning my 75G tank. I like the concept in theory but I wonder how many variations have been tried and what works best from a water flow perspective.

My first question is, the designs I've seen show the T inlets directly opposing each other - is this better than perhaps alternating them (so that no two T's are directly opposite each other) and if so, why?

My second question is more of an 'issue' of sorts. I have an older pump but may end up using a QuietOne 4000 in th sump. I believe that both have 3/4" fittings and I've planned on running 3/4" PVC lines (with 1" tubing in between). I know that many posts say to use larger PVC lines but at present I'd like to strap them in internally with zip ties and my setup won't really allow for large ugly external lines to be run.

Additionally, someone mentioned that I could help control too powerful a flow by simply T'ing off the main pump outlet and then redirecting one line back into the pump (which would effectly control/lower the overall back pressure.)

Lastly, I'd like to run two intake lines up placing one on each side of the overflow which would sit in the middle. Currently I've only been able to find PVC T's but I think I'd prefer some sort of 3/4" Y connector if that's even made. Any clues?

I'm open to thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks,
Ken

 

[plack]

Welcome Ken

As far as a manifold goes.The idea is to have allot of tee's so you can plug the ones you don't want and change them over time. I ziptied mine to the top braces and used both a sea swirl and locline.

You could point the returns to the opposite far corners thats done allot. The idea is not to have it directly pointed at corals yet move as much water as possableand hopefully changing directions !

As far as flow goes there are a few different thoughts.

Depending on the rock placement and bottom media if any.

Trying to get the entire tank to swirl in one direction then to alternate the opposite direction seems to work well when it is done right.


Unfortunately it usually involves either powerheads on timers or pumps inside the tank on timers and that can take up allot of realestate.

Others go for seaswirls/powerheads on timers/oceanmotions/ see this thread

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8922



Paul

 

[unwired]

I totally agree with the idea of trying to get as much flow thru the tank as possible without making my corals feel like a dog sitting in the front seat of a convertible.

The stock approach had me worried that if each T were to directly face one which it opposes that it would create a sort of downward swirl/under tow.

Thinking about the offset T scenario, I worried about creating some sort of cyclone/venturi with the flow.

I could invest in the lockline (or even just lockline flares) but I can't get them cheaply locally and the cost starts to add up when you start putting lockline everywhere. (also, my Ts are all slips w/o thread mounts).

Thanks.

 

[ronj]

i have built the calfo manifold twice now....the first one i made, i lined up all the tee's where they opposed each other exactly...the second one is close, but not exact...it doesn't matter at all if they are directly across from each other or not... if you use the locline, you can point the flow any direction that you want to... i have 7 outlets on my current one... i just started pointing them and adjusting them for a while... some of them are pointed at each other and it does create an downflow, but i just point another outlet towards it to keep it mixed up some.. i have a really big pump running mine, so the flow bounces off the walls of the tank and helps break up any laminar flow...
also, why do you want 2 intake lines in your tank???? it will just take up more room..just a thought........
about cutting back on flow.. some pumps will let you back them down some without harming the pump.. i have a Reeflo pump..i put a ball valve after the pump.. i can throttle it back as much as i want without hurting my pump...

 

[unwired]

As mentioned, I've got an old style hang on overflow unit and so I thought I'd come up from the pump with two lines and then create a big U around the tank.

I could use one line but then I'd need to run 90 deg bends underneath the overflow and back up, didn't seem like a good idea.

Anyone have a source for cheap lockline?

 

[ronj]

i don't understand why you would need a bunch of 90 degree bends?????? also, another suggestion is to use flex pvc... i have it on my intake and output