Manifold help

[jer77]

I have decided to make a return manifold for my 55 gal, but I am unsure about the pump and pvc size and the number of outlets. I have a Mag12 to use as the manifold pump. I was going to put it inside a sump and have 2 overflows w/ a 1'' drain feeding the 1 pump. Can these overflows support this pump? The pump has to pump water 4 feet up into the manifold. How many outlets should I have and what diameter pvc should I use for the tubing and the outlets? Is a Mag12 strong enough at this head anyways for a 55?
Thanks,
Jon

[TippyToeX]

You do need to calculate head loss. That link should help. For a Mag12 that would be 1130gph at 4'.

Branching off below this closed loop for any other applications is not recommended; we need a dedicated supply of water here. Obey the manufacturers recommendations for line size. Home aquariums of a couple hundred gallons or less will likely use 1� or ¾� pipe. Larger pumps and systems will use accordingly larger plumbing for this purpose. Linky

Mag12's have 3/4" inlet and outlets. So more than likely use 3/4" for your manifold but reducing down to 1/2" for the outlets. You want 200-300gph out of each outlet. That will let you know how many you will need. I'd suggest you add more then you might think you need. That way you can cap some, and play around with placement.

This application is much better suited for a closed loop system!

Harnessing an external water pump, a manifold of PVC is to be plumbed with a single feed line. This feed pipe runs up to the manifold and taps in by a tee. Branching off below this closed loop for any other applications is not recommended; we need a dedicated supply of water here Linky