Micro manifolds can be an important and useful aspect of a micro system. Learn about micro manifolds and the features and benefits they hold and why people choose to use them rather than punching into a half-inch line like traditional micro systems.
What are Micro Manifolds?
These palm-sized or smaller manifolds are an easy discreet way to convert from a half-inch thread to a barb for a quarter-inch line which is most commonly referred to as a micro line. Micro irrigation can be beneficial for getting water where it is needed without watering the ground around it. Micro manifolds supply water to an area where micro sprays or drip is needed without punching into your pipe. These manifolds come in two-port, four-port and eight-port. There are some manifolds where you can control how much water you are using depending on whether it has adjustment capabilities. On most micro manifolds each outlet has a maximum flow of 20-25 gallons per hour.
Things to Consider
When installing micro manifolds, you must know how much water your supply line can provide. For example, if you have a half-inch supply line, you can only get 240 gallons per hour through it. So, if you have one eight-port micro manifold on that line and each port is using 25 gallons per hour and you are using all the ports at maximum flow you can only have one manifold on your line. You cannot exceed the maximum flow for the size line you are using, as if you do you will not have enough flow at your next manifold to supply your sprays or drip. When placing your micro manifold place it in a lower traffic area to prevent it from getting damaged.
Different Kinds of Micro Manifolds
There are several different kinds of micro manifolds we carry at Wes-Tech. We will cover the different aspects of them here.
2-Port Micro Manifolds
We carry two-port micro manifolds that come in two options. They come in a male-threaded option (ST250M) and a female-threaded option (ST250F). Both consist of two swivel outlets to adapt to a quarter-inch line with a maximum flow of 25 gallons per hour per outlet and are made from high-strength, UV-resistant plastic.
4-Port Micro Manifolds
We carry four-port micro manifolds, in four different options. Three of them are supplied by Orbit, and one is supplied by NDS. Starting with the Orbit micro manifolds. All three Orbit manifolds consist of four swivel-outlets to adapt to a quarter-inch line with a maximum flow of 25 gallons per hour per outlet and are made from high-strength, UV-resistant plastic. However, one is adjustable (QUAD4-A) and the other two (QUAD4) are not, out of the two non-adjustable micro manifolds one has a half-inch male thread on top (QUAD4S) for a spray nozzle or spray body with ease. The NDS four port micro manifold (CFL20) is pressure compensating, has a flow rate of 20 gallons per hour per outlet, and the outlet elbows swivel.
8-Port Micro Manifolds
The eight-port micro manifolds we carry come in two different kinds. One is supplied by Orbit and the other is supplied by NDS. The Orbit micro manifold (APOLLO-8) consists of eight swivel outlets to adapt to a quarter-inch line with a maximum flow of 25 gallons per hour per outlet and is made from high-strength, UV-resistant plastic, with adjustability at each outlet. The NDS micro manifold (HPAM8) is similar to the Orbit manifold, but it has a maximum flow of 20 gallons per minute. Both of these eight port manifolds are very efficient methods of watering clusters of plants.
Features and Benefits
• Durability: Less prone to leaks and breaks compared to the traditional method of punching a connector in the pipe and coming off with a quarter-inch line.
• Easy Attachment: With a half-inch bottom inlet, it is easy to switch out a pop-up body or add it onto a tee with a riser.
• Versatility: two, four or eight barbed ports with threaded caps on the Orbit models to close ports when not in use. Elbows can rotate up to 270 degrees for easier line placement.
• Less Prone to Clogging: An additional filter screen in most micro manifolds adds an extra layer of protection against clogging due to debris getting stuck in your drip irrigation or sprays.
Next time you are doing a micro/drip irrigation system or want to revamp your existing system, consider adding micro manifolds! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form or come to see us in-store at one of our locations located in Victoria or Langford BC Canada.