The Best Drip Irrigation System: What To Consider Before You Buy
Apr 7th 2026
The Orbit 8-Way Adjustable 1/4" Outlet Manifold (SKU: RMAN8 / Orbit Part #67000) is the simplest, most affordable way to convert an existing sprinkler riser into a full drip irrigation distribution point. Instead of tearing out your old in-ground system, this compact manifold threads directly onto any 1/2" Male Pipe Thread (MPT) riser and instantly gives you eight independent 1/4" barbed outlets — each with its own individual flow control adjustment — so you can water up to eight separate plants, containers, or landscape beds from a single zone.
Each outlet swivels a full 360 degrees, making it easy to point lines in any direction without fighting with rigid connections. Individual flow control on each port lets you fine-tune water delivery to match each plant's needs — ideal when mixing plants with different water requirements on the same zone. Simply thread the manifold onto your riser, attach your 1/4" soaker dripline or standard 1/4" micro tubing to each barbed outlet, run a line to each plant, and cap any unused outlets with the included threaded caps. It's one of the fastest ways to put drip irrigation to work without any trenching, new pipe, or specialized tools.
This manifold is ideal for homeowners and gardeners who already have an in-ground sprinkler system and want to convert spray zones to efficient drip irrigation for beds, borders, containers, raised planters, or remote landscape plantings. For optimum performance, Orbit recommends pairing this manifold with a 120-mesh or finer inline filter and a pressure regulator to protect the small barbed outlets and emitters from debris and over-pressure. Compatible with 1/4" drip tubing from most major brands.
Need a smaller version? DripWorks also carries other Sprinkler-to-Drip Conversion products for a variety of riser sizes and outlet configurations.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| SKU (DripWorks) | RMAN8 |
| Manufacturer Part # | 67000 (Orbit Irrigation) |
| UPC | 046878670006 |
| Inlet Connection | 1/2" Female Pipe Thread (FPT) — connects to 1/2" MPT riser |
| Number of Outlets | 8 |
| Outlet Size | 1/4" barbed (fits standard 1/4" drip tubing) |
| Outlet Rotation | 360° swivel on each outlet |
| Flow Control | Individual adjustable flow control per outlet |
| Unused Outlet Caps | Threaded caps included for unused ports |
| Compatible Tubing | 1/4" drip tubing (Orbit, DripWorks, and other major brands) |
| Recommended Use | Containers, landscape beds, remote plantings; sprinkler-to-drip conversion |
| Water Type | Cold water outdoor irrigation only |
| Filter Recommendation | 120-mesh minimum filter recommended |
| Brand | Orbit Irrigation |
What size riser does this manifold attach to?
The 8-Way Manifold has a 1/2" Female Pipe Thread (FPT) inlet, so it connects directly to any standard 1/2" Male Pipe Thread (MPT) riser. If your existing riser is 3/4" MPT, you will need a threaded reducing coupler to step it down to 1/2" before attaching the manifold.
What size tubing do the outlets accept?
Each of the eight outlets accepts standard 1/4" drip tubing via a barbed connection. DripWorks carries 1/4" Soaker Dripline and standard 1/4" micro fittings that are fully compatible with this manifold.
Can I control how much water goes to each plant individually?
Yes. The 8-way flow-control version (this product) includes an individual flow adjustment on each outlet, so you can dial in more or less water for each plant independently. This is especially useful when you have plants with varying water requirements — for example, mixing a thirsty container plant with drought-tolerant ground cover on the same zone.
What if I don't need all 8 outlets?
No problem. The manifold includes threaded caps for any outlets you don't use. Simply cap off unused ports to prevent leaking while still leaving them available for future expansion.
Do I need a pressure regulator with this manifold?
Yes — this is strongly recommended. Standard in-ground sprinkler systems typically operate at 40–60 PSI, which is too high for most drip emitters and 1/4" micro tubing. Running high pressure through the manifold can cause fittings to blow off and emitters to spray instead of drip. Install a pressure regulator rated for 20–30 PSI in-line before or at the manifold to ensure proper drip operation.
Do I need a filter?
Yes. Orbit recommends installing a minimum 120-mesh filter upstream of the manifold on all non-culinary or secondary water supplies. Even with municipal water, a filter is good practice to prevent debris from clogging the small barbed outlets or downstream emitters. DripWorks carries a full selection of drip irrigation filters in a range of mesh ratings.
Is this manifold compatible with drip tubing from other brands?
Yes. The 1/4" barbed outlets are compatible with standard 1/4" drip tubing from DripWorks, Orbit, and most other major drip irrigation brands.
Can I use this manifold with pressure-compensating emitters?
The flow-control version (this product) is well suited for use with non-pressure-compensating emitters and micro-sprinklers, where the per-outlet flow control helps balance output. If you are running pressure-compensating emitters, you can still use this manifold — the PC emitters themselves will regulate flow at the plant level. Either way, a pressure regulator upstream is still recommended to keep system pressure within the drip range.
What is the sprinkler-to-drip conversion process?
The basic steps are: (1) turn off your irrigation system, (2) remove the existing sprinkler head from its riser, (3) install a pressure regulator and filter if not already present, (4) thread the manifold onto the 1/2" MPT riser, (5) attach 1/4" tubing to each outlet and route lines to your plants, and (6) cap unused outlets. DripWorks has a full guide on the process — see the blog links below. You can also browse our complete Sprinkler-to-Drip Conversion category for kits and additional components.
Before you install, verify the following:
Pair this manifold with these essential components for a fully functional drip system:
Apr 7th 2026
Apr 2nd 2026
Apr 1st 2026
Mar 31st 2026