Where to get metric PVC unions in US?

McPuff · 03/16/2016, 12:11 PM

Looking for a schedule 40/80 metric union. Prefer slip fitting. It has to be metric because it's got to match one that I already have in my skimmer body (and cannot remove). The other half is bonded to the pump venturi, which needs to be replaced... hence the need for replacement of the union itself (well, half of it).

Any idea where I can find these? Are there any local stores that would carry these? If not, I haven't been able to find a good place online either.

Thanks in advance.

AZRippster · 03/16/2016, 12:20 PM

Would an adapter work?

http://www.coralvue.com/metric-to-st...l-pvc-adapters

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/metric...-adapters.html

https://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?p...etric-Adapters

McPuff · 03/17/2016, 08:08 AM

I don't think so. The thing I really need is the "male" end of the union. The female end (with the screw cap) is attached to the skimmer body. The male end is attached to the pump venturi (sedra 9000). Because I need to put on a new venturi I'll need a new male end of the union. I'll see if I can somehow remove the female end from the skimmer body but it looks like it won't be possible. There may be some other workaround but a new union seems the most logical and efficient... if I can find one.

Vinny Kreyling · 03/17/2016, 08:44 AM

McPuff,
Years back there was a video by David Saxby on removing glued PVC to save valves & unions.
They used heat to flex, bend & remove the glued piece with pliers.
might be worth a U Tube search.

McPuff · 03/18/2016, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

McPuff,
Years back there was a video by David Saxby on removing glued PVC to save valves & unions.
They used heat to flex, bend & remove the glued piece with pliers.
might be worth a U Tube search.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

lighthouze08 · 03/18/2016, 07:16 AM

coralvue would have it, sometimes it's not on their website. you have to give them a call

McPuff · 03/21/2016, 08:28 AM

Thanks all. Found a 20mm metric union and ordered it. This should give me a nicely functioning skimmer once again. In fact, it may function a little too well for my 120. :0)

slief · 03/21/2016, 09:13 AM

Keep in mind that there are 2 variations of metric fittings. JIS which is Japanese metric and DIN which is European. As such, you need to make sure you get the correct metric variation as they aren't interchangeable. That said, FlexPVC will likely be your best bet.

McPuff · 03/22/2016, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

Keep in mind that there are 2 variations of metric fittings. JIS which is Japanese metric and DIN which is European. As such, you need to make sure you get the correct metric variation as they aren't interchangeable. That said, FlexPVC will likely be your best bet.

Well sh*t... :0) The one I ordered is meant for Reef Octopus so I'm hoping that it's correct. It gives no distinction between Japan and European. I guess I'll find out in a few days. Regardless, thanks for the extra info... it's always good to learn more.

McPuff · 03/24/2016, 01:06 PM

I got the union yesterday...

Here's another thing I did not know... the metric unions are not measured by the ID pipe that fits into them; instead, they are measured by the actual opening of the union itself. So it turns out that 20mm is way too small. I believe the correct size will be 25mm. Argh!

billdogg · 03/24/2016, 03:08 PM

www.usplastics.com

www.savko.com

my go-to's for hard to find plumbing stuff

hth

slief · 03/24/2016, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPuff

Well sh*t... :0) The one I ordered is meant for Reef Octopus so I'm hoping that it's correct. It gives no distinction between Japan and European. I guess I'll find out in a few days. Regardless, thanks for the extra info... it's always good to learn more.

FWIW, metric fittings are measured just like the imperial ones. They go based on the pipe diameter/OD that you are trying to adapt. At least that's the case with the metriic DIN fittings. Reef Octopus uses Metric JIS if I am not mistaken. Coral Vue and Flex PVC has these funky gray tapered looking adapters (see image below) and those are essentially female imperial slip to female metric slip adapters. I assume that's what you got?

03/16/2016, 12:11 PM	#1
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	Where to get metric PVC unions in US? Looking for a schedule 40/80 metric union. Prefer slip fitting. It has to be metric because it's got to match one that I already have in my skimmer body (and cannot remove). The other half is bonded to the pump venturi, which needs to be replaced... hence the need for replacement of the union itself (well, half of it). Any idea where I can find these? Are there any local stores that would carry these? If not, I haven't been able to find a good place online either. Thanks in advance.

03/17/2016, 08:44 AM	#4
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	McPuff, Years back there was a video by David Saxby on removing glued PVC to save valves & unions. They used heat to flex, bend & remove the glued piece with pliers. might be worth a U Tube search. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

03/18/2016, 07:16 AM	#6
lighthouze08 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VA Posts: 843	coralvue would have it, sometimes it's not on their website. you have to give them a call __________________ _____________

03/21/2016, 09:13 AM	#8
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Keep in mind that there are 2 variations of metric fittings. JIS which is Japanese metric and DIN which is European. As such, you need to make sure you get the correct metric variation as they aren't interchangeable. That said, FlexPVC will likely be your best bet. __________________ 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

03/24/2016, 03:08 PM	#11
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	www.usplastics.com www.savko.com my go-to's for hard to find plumbing stuff hth __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/16/2016, 12:20 PM	#2
AZRippster Diver & Reef Aquarium Nut Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 1,127	Would an adapter work? http://www.coralvue.com/metric-to-st...l-pvc-adapters http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/metric...-adapters.html https://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?p...etric-Adapters

03/17/2016, 08:08 AM	#3
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	I don't think so. The thing I really need is the "male" end of the union. The female end (with the screw cap) is attached to the skimmer body. The male end is attached to the pump venturi (sedra 9000). Because I need to put on a new venturi I'll need a new male end of the union. I'll see if I can somehow remove the female end from the skimmer body but it looks like it won't be possible. There may be some other workaround but a new union seems the most logical and efficient... if I can find one.

03/21/2016, 08:28 AM	#7
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	Thanks all. Found a 20mm metric union and ordered it. This should give me a nicely functioning skimmer once again. In fact, it may function a little too well for my 120. :0)

03/24/2016, 01:06 PM	#10
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	I got the union yesterday... Here's another thing I did not know... the metric unions are not measured by the ID pipe that fits into them; instead, they are measured by the actual opening of the union itself. So it turns out that 20mm is way too small. I believe the correct size will be 25mm. Argh!