Air system help - pump to manifold connection

[PPulcher]

I'm running a smaller piston style pump (Won Bros EP 30 (http://www.wonbrothers.com/product/airpump/ep30.htm)). It has a small plastic manifold with four outlets that I run into ordinary gang valves. I recently purchased at a pre-made 18 valve (http://www.wonbrothers.com/product/airpump/airpump.htm#manifold) manifold unit that I would like to attach to the pump.

The problem is I have little experience with all the plumbing bits and fittings. The pump output barb is 5/16", and the manifold O.D. is 3/4". I'm not sure how to mate the two. I guess I can add a section of vinyl tubing over the manifold and attach a piece of rigid PVC and add a reducer and an appropriate hose barb. Is this the best way of going about it? I've looked through a number of online catalogues for bits & pieces, and I can't really find the right sized stuff. I guess I could try to bodge it, but I would like to make ONE trip to the hardware store if I could :laugh: Yeah, right.

[_BaDgUy_]

You could get 5/16" vinyl tubing and try to stretch it a bit to fit the 3/4" manifold. You should be able to stretch it a bit since it's only 1/16" larger!

Or, you could get 3/4" vinyl tubing. It will fit over the 5/6 barb of your pump a bit loosely, but I do recommend using stainless steel hose clamps in any case to keep them securely installed!!

[PPulcher]

I hate inches! I think 3/4 - 5/16 = 7/16" (or 1//2" if I round up :wink:) Visually, there is a big difference between the two sizes, so I don't think I can make it fit. Good call on the hose clamps though.

I'll check the actual dims with my caliper when I get a second.

[_BaDgUy_]

Oops!! Read the dimensions a bit too quickly I guess!

In that case, you could probably find some barb adapters with input/output sizes close to your needs.

[PPulcher]

Finding the barb adapters (at least with online sources for plumbing stuff) has been hard. I guess It doesn't have to be a 100% fit if I use the clamps.

This is the pump on the shelf I just built for it from some scrap.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/Ppulcher/pump/IMG_4873-s.jpg

Here is the manifold and the ouput tubing.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/Ppulcher/pump/IMG_4877-s.jpg

[_BaDgUy_]

The manifold has some threads at one or both ends?

[PPulcher]

It's closed on the end just outside of the frame of the picture. The other end is unthreaded. I guess I could always get someone to use a die and cut some threads though. That would make it easier I think.

[blainep]

If you can get to a Home Depot or similar store, in the plumbing dept you should be able to find adapters that would allow you to get from one size to the other.
Probably alot cheaper than an aquarium supply store.

[PPulcher]

Thanks Blaine. It looks like I'm off to the hardware store this weekend.

[_BaDgUy_]

Just thought of something...

Isn't the barb fitting on the air pump screwed in?

[PPulcher]

Just thought of something...

Isn't the barb fitting on the air pump screwed in?

Yes it is! If I can find an appropriate barb, I should just be able to attach it by replacing the existing outlet.

[_BaDgUy_]

Yes it is! If I can find an appropriate barb, I should just be able to attach it by replacing the existing outlet.

Exactly!

Hope you find the right one!

[PPulcher]

I had a look around my local Home Despot over the weekend and the sales drones were less than helpful. I was unable to find a proper threaded hose barb that I could just thread into the pump.

I was able to find a hose barb of the correct ID for the existing outlet on the pump. I wanted to attach this to a reducer bushing, but I could not find an appropriate one of those either! I ended up purchasing a CPVC end cap, and I drilled a hole slightly smaller in diameter than the hose barb fitting. I was able to carefully screw the fitting into the cap. I applied some teflon tape to the threads so I think it is reasonable air tight. The end cap was glued to a small piece of 3/4" ID CPVC pipe. The end cap/pipe were then connected to the manifold with a length of 3/4" ID vinyl tubing, and securely fastened with a couple of worm clamps. Whew, it was hard work to get the tubing over the CPVC. I probably didn't need to use a clamp there as it was a very tight fit.

This is the connection end of the manifold:

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/Ppulcher/manifold/IMG_4952-640x480.jpg

This is a close up of the reducer bushing that I made from the end cap (excuse the weirdness in the photo, something on my computer is acting up):

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/Ppulcher/manifold/IMG_4960-640x480.jpg

It's ugly, but I think it will work!

[Katalyst]

Jeeze I wish I would have seen this sooner, you saw the monstrosity that is my basement. I have tons of this stuff floating around everywhere! I'm looking into getting an airpump for the basement as well, having wires & air pumps everywhere is getting old. Can I ask how many tanks you are running with the piston? This of course may be an excuse for me to see your fish room! :twitcy:

[PPulcher]

Well, I wouldn't call it a fishroom! It's more of a fish corner in the basement. The pump was to help reduce the clutter, and so far it has done okay in that respect. I don't heat many of the tanks, so that helps a little with wires, but they still seem to be everywhere.

I'm running 12 tanks from 5.5 gallons to 15 with this pump right now, and two lines for hatching brine shrimp. Once I have an afternoon to reconfigure the pump and lines, I'll be adding another 5.5 and a 10. I have room to add an additonal 3x10 gallon tanks. John (sugarglider) tells me the pump should do 18 lines. I think I can squeeze another couple of lines out of it if I reduce the air in some of the smaller tanks. We'll see.

Before, I was running a Hagen Optima driving 5 tanks, and a Tetra DW 96-2 driving 8 and two lines for brine shrimp. I bought the Tetra second hand, and could never get one of the outlets to work properly even after rebuilding it. When the 'good' outlet crapped out, I decided to buy a new pump. Now I'm thinking I should have bought a slightly larger one...

Come on over when you get back from Thanksgiving!

[Katalyst]

Thanksgiving has been cancelled due to the deathly flu or whatever we both woke up with this morning. ::(: Too many new babies floating around the family right now that I'd rather not infect. Once I don't feel like a walking biohazard you are on though!

[PPulcher]

Oh dear! Get well soon.

[blainep]

Looks like that should work fine.

Might not be as pretty as hoped for, but as long as it works.

[PPulcher]

I put the manifold in action last weekend. So far it's working great! One of my goals was to reduce the clutter in the fish corner, but I don't think I've achieved that. There is quite a tangle of airline, but at least i can get get at the valves more easily to make adjustments. I have the manifold resting on a manky old AQ sponge. I'll be shortening the pump to manifold hose and making a small wooden cradle cushioned with some weather stripping to hold the manifold.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/Ppulcher/manifold/IMG_5152-640x480.jpg

Business end and spaghetti junction.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee104/Ppulcher/manifold/IMG_5153-640x480.jpg

I can now add a few more tanks! :Applaud:

[_BaDgUy_]

Looks like it's working good!

Wish I could finalise my central air pump system now (Jehmco air pump from ****!!)

[PPulcher]

I've never heard a bad thing about the pumps from Jehmco. If I ever need a larger pump, I'll probably get one of those.

[_BaDgUy_]

Never got the one here to run silently!

Actually, it was in storage for about 2 years, and the gaskets dried up and collapsed a bit, causing the pistons to hit against the piston housing, and being extremely loud and a PITA!

Actually spoke with John from Jehmco yesterday over the phone, and he "held my hand" in a step by step troubleshooting guide. Will probably get the thing working by next week, as I have to find new gaskets for the beast, or get about 10-15 mil shaved off the pistons to prevent hits with the old gaskets!

I'm actully very satisfied with the service I'm getting with a pump that is not mine!