White Spa Piping

Jake007 · 03/17/2010, 07:53 PM

Who uses the white spa piping (at Lowes) for return or drain piping? It comes in 1" size and the 1" hose adapters fit it. I think I have also seen pictures on this forum with what looks like this pipe glued into a 1" tee.

Q. Does this flexible hose glue into a 1" tee or do you need to use the barb fitting? If you glue it has it stayed tight with no leaks?

dj9264 · 03/17/2010, 08:02 PM

Lots of people use flex PVC. It works with PVC fittings not the barbs. It works with a solvent which allows for some flex called Weld-On PVC 795: http://savko.com/partlist.asp?pgid=8

slief · 03/17/2010, 08:03 PM

I have 1", 1.5" and 2" flex PVC (SPA piping) on my system. I use it for returns, recirc, drains etc. I make it a point to have it somewhere in each loop and as close to the pump as possible as it helps eliminate some of the pumps resonance or vibrations. I glue it into PVC fittings just like I would PVC pipe. I make it a point to clean it well with scotch brite pads and use PVC cleaner before glueing to insure that I get a good glue joint. Since its flexible, if you dont get a good clean glue joint, I find its more likely to leak. As such I take a bit more effort to insure that the pipe is roughed up a bit and very clean.

Jake007 · 03/17/2010, 08:15 PM

I could not find Weld ON PVC 790 at HD or Lowes but did find PVC Solvent Cement. Since they make different types I guess I need to be sure to find the one for flexible PVC not just the regular cement.

Any issue with leaks?

Is there any reason not to use the barb fittings if they fit? I would think you give up a little flow but would have a confident connection that you could add a hose clamp to if needed.

dj9264 · 03/17/2010, 08:41 PM

The barbs do not fit. Barbs and hose clamps are designed for hose not Flex PVC. And using barbs into Flex PVC will leak. It just can't be clamped down tight onto a barb like hose. Don't even try it; you'll need to adapt into a PVC fitting with solvent to use spa piping.

I too take extra care with Flex PVC joints into PVC fitting just because you think they may be more likely to leak. It is most important to use the correct Weld-On.

Jake007 · 03/17/2010, 09:28 PM

Thanks. I will use a glue connection and hunt the solvent for flexible PVC.

drummereef · 03/17/2010, 09:44 PM

Savco has Flexible PVC cement.

http://www.savko.com/partlist.asp?pg...art=1218110281

slief · 03/17/2010, 10:06 PM

Flexible PVC cement?? I must be living in the dark ages as I have never even heard of the stuff. Might have to get some just to have.

I have always used just regular PVC cement. Lately the clear stuff. The only leaks I have ever had were the result of me yanking on a pipe. In the 17 years that I have been using that stuff on aquariums with hundreds of flex PVC pipe joints, that couldn't be more than twice. I always put a good coat of glue on both the end of the pipe as well as the inside of the fitting. I used to use primer and purple cement but now I use clean and give the pipe a good cleaning with a scotch brite pad and some water followed by pvc cleaner which seems to soften up the PVC and helps the cement adhere better.

Jake007 · 03/18/2010, 10:13 AM

OK, so I am feeling better about using the white spa flexible pipe with just glueing.

However, they also sell a reinforced clear tube. I have seen this on several setups as well. I believe this would connect with barb fittings and you can use a hose clamp for a warm and fuzzy comfort feeling.

Would the clear hose/barb fitting be better or worse relative to potential leaks /performance?

hillscp · 03/18/2010, 10:35 PM

hose/barb fittings are more restricting than regular PVC fittings.

03/17/2010, 07:53 PM	#1
Jake007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 273	White Spa Piping Who uses the white spa piping (at Lowes) for return or drain piping? It comes in 1" size and the 1" hose adapters fit it. I think I have also seen pictures on this forum with what looks like this pipe glued into a 1" tee. Q. Does this flexible hose glue into a 1" tee or do you need to use the barb fitting? If you glue it has it stayed tight with no leaks?

03/17/2010, 08:02 PM	#2
dj9264 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 284	Lots of people use flex PVC. It works with PVC fittings not the barbs. It works with a solvent which allows for some flex called Weld-On PVC 795: http://savko.com/partlist.asp?pgid=8 __________________ Dana Current Tank Info: 210g reef, 20g surge

03/17/2010, 08:03 PM	#3
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I have 1", 1.5" and 2" flex PVC (SPA piping) on my system. I use it for returns, recirc, drains etc. I make it a point to have it somewhere in each loop and as close to the pump as possible as it helps eliminate some of the pumps resonance or vibrations. I glue it into PVC fittings just like I would PVC pipe. I make it a point to clean it well with scotch brite pads and use PVC cleaner before glueing to insure that I get a good glue joint. Since its flexible, if you dont get a good clean glue joint, I find its more likely to leak. As such I take a bit more effort to insure that the pipe is roughed up a bit and very clean. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

03/17/2010, 08:41 PM	#5
dj9264 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 284	The barbs do not fit. Barbs and hose clamps are designed for hose not Flex PVC. And using barbs into Flex PVC will leak. It just can't be clamped down tight onto a barb like hose. Don't even try it; you'll need to adapt into a PVC fitting with solvent to use spa piping. I too take extra care with Flex PVC joints into PVC fitting just because you think they may be more likely to leak. It is most important to use the correct Weld-On. __________________ Dana Current Tank Info: 210g reef, 20g surge

03/17/2010, 09:44 PM	#7
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Savco has Flexible PVC cement. http://www.savko.com/partlist.asp?pg...art=1218110281 __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

03/17/2010, 08:15 PM	#4
Jake007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 273	I could not find Weld ON PVC 790 at HD or Lowes but did find PVC Solvent Cement. Since they make different types I guess I need to be sure to find the one for flexible PVC not just the regular cement. Any issue with leaks? Is there any reason not to use the barb fittings if they fit? I would think you give up a little flow but would have a confident connection that you could add a hose clamp to if needed.

03/17/2010, 09:28 PM	#6
Jake007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 273	Thanks. I will use a glue connection and hunt the solvent for flexible PVC.

03/17/2010, 10:06 PM	#8
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Flexible PVC cement?? I must be living in the dark ages as I have never even heard of the stuff. Might have to get some just to have. I have always used just regular PVC cement. Lately the clear stuff. The only leaks I have ever had were the result of me yanking on a pipe. In the 17 years that I have been using that stuff on aquariums with hundreds of flex PVC pipe joints, that couldn't be more than twice. I always put a good coat of glue on both the end of the pipe as well as the inside of the fitting. I used to use primer and purple cement but now I use clean and give the pipe a good cleaning with a scotch brite pad and some water followed by pvc cleaner which seems to soften up the PVC and helps the cement adhere better. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

03/18/2010, 10:13 AM	#9
Jake007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 273	OK, so I am feeling better about using the white spa flexible pipe with just glueing. However, they also sell a reinforced clear tube. I have seen this on several setups as well. I believe this would connect with barb fittings and you can use a hose clamp for a warm and fuzzy comfort feeling. Would the clear hose/barb fitting be better or worse relative to potential leaks /performance?

03/18/2010, 10:35 PM	#10
hillscp Soylent Green is People!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 759	hose/barb fittings are more restricting than regular PVC fittings. __________________ 125 AGA, 240W DIY MultiChip LED's, Mated pair Clowns, Fox Face, Kole Tang, Purple Tang, 6 Line, CBB, Acanthophyllia, 7 RBTA's, T. Maxima, Orange Monti, Green Monti, seriatopora guttatus, fungia sp Current Tank Info: Salt water since 1995