Hard Plumbing or Soft Plumbing???

[BlueNWhite]

I am about to replace my Gen-X PCX-40 return pump with the Poseiden PS-4 pump. The Gen-X pump has 3/4" in/output while the Poseiden has 1" in/output.

Therfore, I will need to redo some of my current plumbing. So if this was your decision to make, would you choose Hard or Soft Plumbing?

I am leaning towards using as much Soft Plumbing as possible because it has more give. I just find that I worry more with the unforgivingness of Hard Plumbing and greater chances of tiny leaks and salt-creeping.

Here is a picture of my current set up:


Thank you.

[gixxer600]

I am using spa flex pvc to connect my sump to my return pump. But eveything else is regular pvc.

[BlueNWhite]

Can people please post comments about their experiences/tips with Hard or Soft Plumbing?

[CookieJar]

I had soft plumbing but when I had to redo I'm going all rigid PVC and crossing my fingers for no leaks.

[BlueNWhite]

For those of you that plumb Hard, could you please comment on whether you have encountered any leaks or salt-creeping?

Same question for those of you that plumb Soft, have you ever had any leaks or salt-creeping?

Any tips to doing either Hard or Soft effectively?

Thanks.

[BlueNWhite]

Double post.

[scuba4ever]

I have a combination of hard and soft plumb, I am thinking about changing over the soft (vinyl tubing) to pvc....I'm having salt creep problems around the connections for the tubing now especially where they connect to the bulkhead for the drain... I had heard that if you hard plumb your return line, you get some of the pump vibration, thats why I have it plumbed with pvc up until the last foot, which is tubing

[USC-fan]

i use soft on everything besides my spray bar.

[Lake75]

I used only hard PVC. Had only one small leak right after I glued the entire thing together. Used silicone to seal it. Been a year now and haven't seen any other leaks.

Salt creeps? I don't see how you could possibly avoid that in places where water splash occurs... Are you talking about salt coming out of the joints? No, I've never seen those things around the "dry" joints.

I like the hard plumbing, mainly because it looks much more organized.

[CMcNeil]

if you glue pvc pipe properly it wont leak.shc-40 pvc is pressure rated much higher than we as reefers ever will see in our systems(proper glue joint=no leaks).i use rigid pvc,spaflex pvc and vinyl tubing in my system.

[summer6]

Everything is soft plumbed, and have had no leaks, salt creep.
Am interested in replies since I'll also be changing plumbing with a new basement set-up.
Good topic.

[barbra]

I use a combination. But when you get into larger sizes, like 1-1/2" and up, you will find that spa-flex is pretty close to PVC in it's rigidity and the only way to truly dampen any vibrations is with padding under the vibrating parts and soft hose.

[jnarowe]

I have both hard and soft. I like the soft for a few reasons:

1. Much less work!
2. Much fewer corners to reduce flow;
3. Quieter;
4. Can be purchased online and easily shipped;
5. Much easier to remove and clean.

I do use hard on certain things that require rigidity like the piping from my fuge to the display, in-tank pipes, and my return manifold.

One VERY important note: When buying flex make damn sure you are getting flexible PVC and NOT vinyl. The vinyl does not glue up to PVC very well and that can create salt creep.

I have purchased flex PVC from Savko with no problem but when I got some from Custom Aquatic, it was actually vinyl. They didn't know about it because they look very similar, but it is easy to tell by feel.

I highly recommend true flexible PVC for the above stated reasons and have used it extensively in my system.

[BlueNWhite]

Jonathan (jnarowe)

Thank you for that very informative post.

That is quite the skimmer you got going there. You are quite the DIY'er.

Thanks,
Raymond

[jnarowe]

YVW...I am a DIY'er that's had some serious catastrophes! But I do take pride in what I have built and it enables me to more thoroughly understand how my system operates.

You have a sweep in your original post that looks a lot like electrical conduit. Is that actually PVC?

[krzyphsygy]

Never a problem with soft plumbing or leaks or salt creep.

I did have a pvc pc break on me, but I do want to hard plumb my system. It does look better

[summer6]

jnarowe - thanks for all the info. I plan on ordering flexible pvc from savko to plum into the basement.

[reefkoi]

Originally posted by jnarowe
YVW...I am a DIY'er that's had some serious catastrophes! But I do take pride in what I have built and it enables me to more thoroughly understand how my system operates.

You have a sweep in your original post that looks a lot like electrical conduit. Is that actually PVC?

It should be the elec. conduit is usually a heavy wall PVC. Sometimes you can get CPVC which is still the same type, takes the same glue, but its rated for hotter water and its gray also. Either way its all PVC you can even get colors like red, orange, depends where you order from.
Most of the Europeans use the nice dark grey Sch 80 stuff.
hard to find around here at Home Depot though.

[jnarowe]

summer6: Well you already know having used it yourself, but it's always nice to get some positive reassurance.

reefkoi: Yeah, I would use the sched. 80 for rigid runs if it were more available, but I really am not too sure that it's really worth the effort. I have a hard time believing that sched. 40 is somehow going to break down sooner. The local Lowe's sells schedule 80 unions for the same price as schedule 40 unions! But sometimes mixing 40 with 80 can cause problems, particularly with BHs.

Patience is 99% of this hobby, the other half is money

OK...now that's funny as hell.

[BlueNWhite]

Originally posted by jnarowe
...You have a sweep in your original post that looks a lot like electrical conduit. Is that actually PVC?

Yes, that is definitely electrical conduit because I picked it up from the electrical section of Home Depot. It is SCH 40. I did some asking around before I picked it up and I was informed that it was OK to use. I hope so.

Again, thanks for your informative post.

I am in the market to replace the Gen-X with either the Poseiden PS4 or the Panworld 200. I would like something that is really quiet.

Raymond