Return pump plumbing

dmolavi · 10/02/2015, 03:20 PM

Well, what I thought was a secure barbed fitting on the outlet of my Sicce Silent 3.0 turned out to be...not so secure. I had a nice geyser under my tank last night. Thankfully, no damage, and the water was contained mainly to the sump.

I'm using the barb connector on the return pump, and flexible vinyl tubing for the line. What's the best (if there is such a thing) method to secure the tubing to the barbed fitting? No store locally has the plastic hose clamps, and the stainless steel ones freak me out being in salt water.

I am using the vinyl tubing because it avoids elbows, etc that I'd need with PVC (but holy cow is 1" ID vinyl stiff...thank goodness my wife has a massive hair dryer to heat and bend the stuff).

If tubing isn't the "best" way to go, I can do the PVC, but I'll need to get some adapters for the return jet in the DT.

(BTW, the tank is still cycling, so no loss of life, all my critters are safe in my other tank)

Thanks in advance.

-DM

Entropy · 10/02/2015, 09:33 PM

Stainless steel hose clamp will work fine. Even if it rusts a bit it wont be an issue. If you want the best setup (IMO) use flexible PVC and a union. Basically hard PVC from the bulkhead to a union and then flexible PVC the rest of the way. This way you can unhook the PVC if needed and it makes swapping pumps or designs really easy. You just replace the flexible PVC and one side of the union and leave the rest alone. My pump accepts a threaded coupler so this might not work for you though.

oseymour · 10/03/2015, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Entropy

Stainless steel hose clamp will work fine. Even if it rusts a bit it wont be an issue. If you want the best setup (IMO) use flexible PVC and a union. Basically hard PVC from the bulkhead to a union and then flexible PVC the rest of the way. This way you can unhook the PVC if needed and it makes swapping pumps or designs really easy. You just replace the flexible PVC and one side of the union and leave the rest alone. My pump accepts a threaded coupler so this might not work for you though.

Mine rusted even though they were not directly in the water. I do agree with your opinion about the best setup with PVC and Flex PVC. That's what I did on my return.

bws · 10/03/2015, 07:22 AM

I never worried much about a stainless hose clamp on the outside of a return line, I figured it doesn't come in contact with any water so its fine. if it is a concern for you though maybe you could use some dielectric grease used to prevent wires from corroding. its messy but it might slow or stop the corrosion of the clamps

naterealbig · 10/03/2015, 09:13 AM

The stainless hose clamps (you actually have to make sure they are stainless - not all are) are safe for use, in or out of the water.

That being said, I use hard plumbing for everything except the section that connects the main return line to the pump itself. For the connection, I use silicone tubing with nylon hose clamps. The silicone is flexible and will isolate sound. Neither of which are advantages of flex PVC.

yukimika · 10/03/2015, 10:32 AM

nylon clamps is better

10/02/2015, 03:20 PM	#1
dmolavi Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sewell, NJ Posts: 22	Return pump plumbing Well, what I thought was a secure barbed fitting on the outlet of my Sicce Silent 3.0 turned out to be...not so secure. I had a nice geyser under my tank last night. Thankfully, no damage, and the water was contained mainly to the sump. I'm using the barb connector on the return pump, and flexible vinyl tubing for the line. What's the best (if there is such a thing) method to secure the tubing to the barbed fitting? No store locally has the plastic hose clamps, and the stainless steel ones freak me out being in salt water. I am using the vinyl tubing because it avoids elbows, etc that I'd need with PVC (but holy cow is 1" ID vinyl stiff...thank goodness my wife has a massive hair dryer to heat and bend the stuff). If tubing isn't the "best" way to go, I can do the PVC, but I'll need to get some adapters for the return jet in the DT. (BTW, the tank is still cycling, so no loss of life, all my critters are safe in my other tank) Thanks in advance. -DM

10/02/2015, 09:33 PM	#2
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	Stainless steel hose clamp will work fine. Even if it rusts a bit it wont be an issue. If you want the best setup (IMO) use flexible PVC and a union. Basically hard PVC from the bulkhead to a union and then flexible PVC the rest of the way. This way you can unhook the PVC if needed and it makes swapping pumps or designs really easy. You just replace the flexible PVC and one side of the union and leave the rest alone. My pump accepts a threaded coupler so this might not work for you though. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

10/03/2015, 09:13 AM	#5
naterealbig Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,252	The stainless hose clamps (you actually have to make sure they are stainless - not all are) are safe for use, in or out of the water. That being said, I use hard plumbing for everything except the section that connects the main return line to the pump itself. For the connection, I use silicone tubing with nylon hose clamps. The silicone is flexible and will isolate sound. Neither of which are advantages of flex PVC. __________________ My skimmate has notes of saffron, and a hint of lilac.

10/03/2015, 07:22 AM	#4
bws Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 143	I never worried much about a stainless hose clamp on the outside of a return line, I figured it doesn't come in contact with any water so its fine. if it is a concern for you though maybe you could use some dielectric grease used to prevent wires from corroding. its messy but it might slow or stop the corrosion of the clamps

10/03/2015, 10:32 AM	#6
yukimika Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: DC Posts: 67	nylon clamps is better