spa hose vs hard pvc

s ruppa · 08/09/2008, 07:52 AM

what are the pros and cons of both. i am building a new tank and am leaning towards hard pvc.

thoughts?
steve

liquidlunch · 08/09/2008, 08:11 AM

The only cons that I can think of is that it's more expensive and harder to find if you don't have a Lowes,HD or ACE near by. It's great if you have sweeping bends b/c you don't have to use elbos that decrease flow.

DNickell · 08/09/2008, 08:44 AM

I had often wished I had my whole system hard plummed with PVC, for aesthetics if for nothing else. I recently was experimenting with the water current patterns in my display tank and discovered that moving the return outlet from the corner to the center was a major benefit. Making that simple change would have been an ordeal with PVC. With my flexible hose I didn't even shut down the pumps.

aquaman67 · 08/09/2008, 09:51 AM

Hard PVC can accentuate pump vibrations. It can make your whole tank vibrate. I would at least use flex for the return pump or part of it.

s ruppa · 08/09/2008, 09:54 AM

good points everyone. thanks for the input. does the flexible PVC prep the same way as the hard pipe. same fittings, couplers and same primer and glue?

steve

Semper Fi 1959 · 08/09/2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by s ruppa
good points everyone. thanks for the input. does the flexible PVC prep the same way as the hard pipe. same fittings, couplers and same primer and glue?

steve

I will comment here from experience, now that I'm an expert. Thanks Melev!

I would use BOTH hard pvc and flex pvc. As previously stated to you, use the spaflex (flex) for the plumbing from the sump to the pump and from the pump to the MIDDLE OF THE TANK. Then T it off to more flex and connect to rigid pvc hanging down from the new bulkheads you'll purchase from Savko.com (this is also a good site to buy the flex pvc) Utilizing a T right in the middle of the tank and THEN going to the returns is great. It evens out the flow to both returns. And with the rigid pvc hanging down glued into the bulkheads, use at least 6 inches worth. That way you can cut it in the future and still use the bulkheads.

If that is confusing, I have pics of my setup. I JUST finished plumbing this way this past week.

Oh and no, the glue is different. You'll need the RED can for the flex pvc and the BLACK can for the rigid, but the primer is the same as is the method for priming and glueing. But you WILL use the same fittings that you'd normally use. The flex AND the rigid use the same 1" fittings! HTH!!

www.savko.com

virginiadiver69 · 08/09/2008, 11:47 AM

Would you post the pics?

s ruppa · 08/09/2008, 12:05 PM

i have always used oatey brand glue and primer. i dont think they match your color coding of red and black cans. what is the brand of glue you use?

i can visualize what you are describing but i think some pictures would benefit everyone.

thanks for the info everyone. keep it coming!
steve

liquidlunch · 08/09/2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by s ruppa
i have always used oatey brand glue and primer. i dont think they match your color coding of red and black cans. what is the brand of glue you use?

i can visualize what you are describing but i think some pictures would benefit everyone.

thanks for the info everyone. keep it coming!
steve

Here's a chart. I have used aqua and red w/ flex. If you don't have any yet, I would go w/ aqua.

http://flexpvc.com/pvc-glue-compatibility-chart.shtml

Purple Haze · 08/09/2008, 06:14 PM

Hard pvc on the drain lines, flexible pvc on the pump returns to minimize vibrations.

s ruppa · 08/09/2008, 08:17 PM

nice chart liquid lunch. i bookmarked it. thanks

08/09/2008, 07:52 AM	#1
s ruppa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: kenosha, wi Posts: 235	spa hose vs hard pvc what are the pros and cons of both. i am building a new tank and am leaning towards hard pvc. thoughts? steve __________________ come hell or high water this sick world will know i was here Current Tank Info: 220g reef

08/09/2008, 09:54 AM	#5
s ruppa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: kenosha, wi Posts: 235	good points everyone. thanks for the input. does the flexible PVC prep the same way as the hard pipe. same fittings, couplers and same primer and glue? steve __________________ come hell or high water this sick world will know i was here Current Tank Info: 220g reef

08/09/2008, 11:47 AM	#7
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Would you post the pics? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

08/09/2008, 12:05 PM	#8
s ruppa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: kenosha, wi Posts: 235	i have always used oatey brand glue and primer. i dont think they match your color coding of red and black cans. what is the brand of glue you use? i can visualize what you are describing but i think some pictures would benefit everyone. thanks for the info everyone. keep it coming! steve __________________ come hell or high water this sick world will know i was here Current Tank Info: 220g reef

08/09/2008, 08:17 PM	#11
s ruppa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: kenosha, wi Posts: 235	nice chart liquid lunch. i bookmarked it. thanks __________________ come hell or high water this sick world will know i was here Current Tank Info: 220g reef

08/09/2008, 08:11 AM	#2
liquidlunch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Neptune, NJ Posts: 503	The only cons that I can think of is that it's more expensive and harder to find if you don't have a Lowes,HD or ACE near by. It's great if you have sweeping bends b/c you don't have to use elbos that decrease flow.

08/09/2008, 08:44 AM	#3
DNickell Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 277	I had often wished I had my whole system hard plummed with PVC, for aesthetics if for nothing else. I recently was experimenting with the water current patterns in my display tank and discovered that moving the return outlet from the corner to the center was a major benefit. Making that simple change would have been an ordeal with PVC. With my flexible hose I didn't even shut down the pumps.

08/09/2008, 09:51 AM	#4
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	Hard PVC can accentuate pump vibrations. It can make your whole tank vibrate. I would at least use flex for the return pump or part of it.

08/09/2008, 06:14 PM	#10
Purple Haze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TX Posts: 1,156	Hard pvc on the drain lines, flexible pvc on the pump returns to minimize vibrations.