Reef plumbing -- Schedule 40,80,200?

ianjirka · 07/19/2010, 06:05 PM

As I understand it (from doing irrigation work), the tradeoff is between the pressure the system can withstand vs inside diameter (with thinner walls having a larger internal cross-section, thus having lower resistance for the same outer dimension.

My guess is that the pressures generated by a reef system aren't large enough to cause problems for SCH 200 pipes (fittings are a separate matter). The thinner walls for a SCH 200 pipe are easier to break -- but not sure if that means anything in practice if you take care not to put significant stress on the pipes during maintainence.

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but couldn't find a good thread on it. What do you guys use?

Thanks,

-Ian

floydie83 · 07/19/2010, 06:19 PM

schedule 40 is fine.

BloodyWelsh · 07/19/2010, 06:20 PM

schedule 40 is more than strong enough for an aquarium.

ianjirka · 07/20/2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloodyWelsh

schedule 40 is more than strong enough for an aquarium.

I'm not concerned with the strength of SCH 40 -- what I am wondering is if SCH 200 is okay. SCH 200 will have a lower flow resistance (Due to larger internal diameter). But the tradeoff is the walls of the pipe are thinner.

Anyone running SCH 200 in their tanks?

Thanks,

-Ian

Rich1427 · 07/20/2010, 12:12 PM

SCH 200 is fine you will never have any pressure that will come close to hurting that

MCary · 07/20/2010, 12:22 PM

Larger the diameter, the large the flow.

Palting · 07/20/2010, 12:49 PM

I use clear plastic tubing on a 1550 gph pump. Think SC200 is weaker than that?

ianjirka · 07/20/2010, 12:52 PM

Cool, thanks everyone :-)

Flame_Angel · 07/20/2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

I use clear plastic tubing on a 1550 gph pump. Think SC200 is weaker than that?

Potentially, yes. Thin walls on flexible tubing are more resilient to movement and expansion than the thin rigid walls of PVC tubing.

That being said, if you bust SC200 PVC pipe with pressure, you should probably be using a smaller pump, lol.

07/19/2010, 06:05 PM	#1
ianjirka Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Issaquah, WA Posts: 151	Reef plumbing -- Schedule 40,80,200? As I understand it (from doing irrigation work), the tradeoff is between the pressure the system can withstand vs inside diameter (with thinner walls having a larger internal cross-section, thus having lower resistance for the same outer dimension. My guess is that the pressures generated by a reef system aren't large enough to cause problems for SCH 200 pipes (fittings are a separate matter). The thinner walls for a SCH 200 pipe are easier to break -- but not sure if that means anything in practice if you take care not to put significant stress on the pipes during maintainence. I'm sure this has been discussed before, but couldn't find a good thread on it. What do you guys use? Thanks, -Ian

07/19/2010, 06:20 PM	#3
BloodyWelsh Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 55	schedule 40 is more than strong enough for an aquarium. __________________ If you're not living life on the edge, then you are taking up too much space! Current Tank Info: 55 gallon frag tank

07/20/2010, 12:49 PM	#7
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I use clear plastic tubing on a 1550 gph pump. Think SC200 is weaker than that? __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

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07/19/2010, 06:19 PM	#2
floydie83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 287	schedule 40 is fine.

07/20/2010, 12:12 PM	#5
Rich1427 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Annville,Pa Posts: 155	SCH 200 is fine you will never have any pressure that will come close to hurting that

07/20/2010, 12:22 PM	#6
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	Larger the diameter, the large the flow.

07/20/2010, 12:52 PM	#8
ianjirka Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Issaquah, WA Posts: 151	Cool, thanks everyone :-)