Plumbing external pump question

chowberg · 03/16/2015, 08:15 PM

i plan on running a pan world external pump plumbed to my sump with flexible pvc pipe (and a ball valve). I read that it isn't good to "hard" plumb an external pump, does using flexible pvc fall in that category?

Thanks

wnehez · 03/17/2015, 06:46 AM

I think it all depends on the head height. If your pumping up 10-15 ft, I have been told by pump manufacturer's not to hard plumb it. Just replace a small section of the PVC with thick rubber hose and adapters near the return pump. But if your only pumping 4 feet up, I don't think its that much of an issue. I believe the problem comes from the natural vibration of the pump and it being hard plumbed meaning no give to absorb the vibration. I have a sub return pump and when I first set up my basement sump, I hard plumbed it and it ended up cracking the impeller casing and leaked electricity into my sump. Took a 6 inch section 3 inches above the output of the pump and replaced with rubber hose from Home depot. Been running for over a year with no issues.

Wazzel · 03/17/2015, 06:50 AM

There is nothing wrong with using rigid PVC for all the plumbing. It is actually better from a flow standpoint than using flexible and barb fittings. I have never had a vibration issue. I put my pumps on rubber pads.

myram · 03/17/2015, 07:42 AM

Flexible will flow better, but the barb fittings hurt.

I only have 7' runs to my tank, and I use flexible pipe. No ball valves on the drain, and only 1 on the return.

lighthouze08 · 03/17/2015, 07:53 AM

you can buy flexible pvc pipe that uses regular pvc fittings and not barb
http://www.aquacave.com/2-flexible-p...near-foot.html

SGT_York · 03/17/2015, 11:06 AM

I've had several pan world pumps, they are loud due to the fan's with the pipe only playing a very small role. The rubber pads helped but replacing the cooling fan with a computer fan solved most of the noise.

They are great pumps for their design price/flow/pressure they can't be beat but they are noisy by design.

ca1ore · 03/17/2015, 02:50 PM

Flex PVC does very little to dampen vibrations anyhow.

myram · 03/17/2015, 03:05 PM

Silicone hose from bulkhead to pump...........works great.

chowberg · 03/17/2015, 08:05 PM

thanks for everyone's help. i think i may have to look into using silicon tubing to the pump

03/16/2015, 08:15 PM	#1
chowberg Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 388	Plumbing external pump question i plan on running a pan world external pump plumbed to my sump with flexible pvc pipe (and a ball valve). I read that it isn't good to "hard" plumb an external pump, does using flexible pvc fall in that category? Thanks

03/17/2015, 06:50 AM	#3
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	There is nothing wrong with using rigid PVC for all the plumbing. It is actually better from a flow standpoint than using flexible and barb fittings. I have never had a vibration issue. I put my pumps on rubber pads. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

03/17/2015, 07:53 AM	#5
lighthouze08 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VA Posts: 843	you can buy flexible pvc pipe that uses regular pvc fittings and not barb http://www.aquacave.com/2-flexible-p...near-foot.html __________________ _____________

03/17/2015, 02:50 PM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Flex PVC does very little to dampen vibrations anyhow. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/17/2015, 06:46 AM	#2
wnehez Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ringtown, PA Posts: 351	I think it all depends on the head height. If your pumping up 10-15 ft, I have been told by pump manufacturer's not to hard plumb it. Just replace a small section of the PVC with thick rubber hose and adapters near the return pump. But if your only pumping 4 feet up, I don't think its that much of an issue. I believe the problem comes from the natural vibration of the pump and it being hard plumbed meaning no give to absorb the vibration. I have a sub return pump and when I first set up my basement sump, I hard plumbed it and it ended up cracking the impeller casing and leaked electricity into my sump. Took a 6 inch section 3 inches above the output of the pump and replaced with rubber hose from Home depot. Been running for over a year with no issues.

03/17/2015, 07:42 AM	#4
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Flexible will flow better, but the barb fittings hurt. I only have 7' runs to my tank, and I use flexible pipe. No ball valves on the drain, and only 1 on the return.

03/17/2015, 11:06 AM	#6
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	I've had several pan world pumps, they are loud due to the fan's with the pipe only playing a very small role. The rubber pads helped but replacing the cooling fan with a computer fan solved most of the noise. They are great pumps for their design price/flow/pressure they can't be beat but they are noisy by design.

03/17/2015, 03:05 PM	#8
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Silicone hose from bulkhead to pump...........works great.

03/17/2015, 08:05 PM	#9
chowberg Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 388	thanks for everyone's help. i think i may have to look into using silicon tubing to the pump