Safety Factor of Flexible Tubing?

JamesReef · 08/21/2009, 05:22 PM

Rigid PVC seems to be the "tried and true" safest way to plumb aquariums, I can't find any cases of it contributing anything negative or harmful to the water or spur bacteria or nuisance algea growth and it seems to be in use far longer than any flexible tubing when looking at mature systems of several years.

I am wondering if the same can be said of Vinyl tubing or it's counterpart flexible PVC, is it also reef safe over long periods of time? I have read where flexible PVC can leach bad things into the water, something to do with the chemicals necessary to plasticize the tubing? That would be unfortunate as it is more rigid and less likely to kink that regular vinyl, but still maintains flexibility, best of both worlds so to speak.

I understand there is a difference between vinyl and flexible PVC, and I see many cases where people don't understand that distinction and treat them the same, but they are different. With that in mind, is regular vinyl tubing also prone to these same possible negative properties? Is it really the safest solution to just disregard any thought of flexible tubing option and stick with rigid PVC?

Has anyone been successfully running a reef tank for years with one of these flexible tubing options with no adverse side affects? Trying to figure out if I should just flip over to rigid PVC before I finish my project.

tsr770 · 08/21/2009, 06:07 PM

I have used 1.5" reinforced clear vinyl tubing for my return from the basement for 2 years now with no noticed ill effects. Someday I will replace it with spaflex, but for now its working fine

DaveMorris · 08/21/2009, 07:42 PM

I have used Flexible PVC on most of the plumbing on my 525g system. It is chemically identical to rigid PVC. I got mine from FlexPVC.com. I love it. Makes plumbing a large system a dream.

luther1200 · 08/21/2009, 08:04 PM

I have had tubing on my tank for 3 years. I know a guy with a FOWLR that has had it for much longer than that. I think he said he replaced it all once just for the heck of it, but he didn't have any leaks or anything like that.

JamesReef · 08/22/2009, 08:29 AM

This is very helpful, thank you all for responding!

noahm · 08/22/2009, 10:29 AM

About the only thing I know of that makes PVC unstable is UV light exposure and volatile solvents. If you leave it in the full sun for several years, it can become more brittle. I would use flex PVC in any system with no concerns whatsoever. It is more convenient and also deadens vibration noise. There are definitely applications where rigid is going to be a better choice (manifolds, standpipes etc). I have heard of a few people having glue joint problems when they used primer on flex as it seems to soften it a bit too much. I never use primer on either (I am a licensed irrigation installer). Vinyl is more a concern of long-term connection leaks, hose clamps, and kinking as well as algae growth in clear tubing. I use black Flex PVC from Savko.

luther1200 · 08/22/2009, 10:59 AM

I use the black vinyl tubing so I don't get algae in it.

JamesReef · 08/22/2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by noahm
About the only thing I know of that makes PVC unstable is UV light exposure and volatile solvents. If you leave it in the full sun for several years, it can become more brittle. I would use flex PVC in any system with no concerns whatsoever. It is more convenient and also deadens vibration noise. There are definitely applications where rigid is going to be a better choice (manifolds, standpipes etc). I have heard of a few people having glue joint problems when they used primer on flex as it seems to soften it a bit too much. I never use primer on either (I am a licensed irrigation installer). Vinyl is more a concern of long-term connection leaks, hose clamps, and kinking as well as algae growth in clear tubing. I use black Flex PVC from Savko.

I heard the same thing concerning the primer. I was just trying to attach some flex PVC to a barb fitting....it's extremely difficult. I'd probably have to heat it to slip it onto an existing bulking otherwise risk cracking the tank. Perhaps it would be best to use glue and slip fittings here.

I have some braided vinyl that might fit a bit better on the barbs I got from BRS. It's pretty much the same rigidity as the flex PVC, and doesn't kink as much as straight vinyl.

BradR · 08/31/2009, 09:14 AM

Anyone used that blue (outside, black inside) pool tubing from home depot which is really flexible? I'm worried it will wear out and crack over time. Thanks!

wetWolger · 08/31/2009, 10:07 AM

I used reinforced tubing..the extra threads inside really do help keep the tubes open and free flowing. I also cover my tubes in tape so that algae wont grow inside them and constrict the flow.

I used flexible because it was easier to setup, but also I thought I might have less head loss due to no sharp bends/etc.

I used flexible in my last tank also, no problems what so ever

08/21/2009, 05:22 PM	#1
JamesReef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 18	Safety Factor of Flexible Tubing? Rigid PVC seems to be the "tried and true" safest way to plumb aquariums, I can't find any cases of it contributing anything negative or harmful to the water or spur bacteria or nuisance algea growth and it seems to be in use far longer than any flexible tubing when looking at mature systems of several years. I am wondering if the same can be said of Vinyl tubing or it's counterpart flexible PVC, is it also reef safe over long periods of time? I have read where flexible PVC can leach bad things into the water, something to do with the chemicals necessary to plasticize the tubing? That would be unfortunate as it is more rigid and less likely to kink that regular vinyl, but still maintains flexibility, best of both worlds so to speak. I understand there is a difference between vinyl and flexible PVC, and I see many cases where people don't understand that distinction and treat them the same, but they are different. With that in mind, is regular vinyl tubing also prone to these same possible negative properties? Is it really the safest solution to just disregard any thought of flexible tubing option and stick with rigid PVC? Has anyone been successfully running a reef tank for years with one of these flexible tubing options with no adverse side affects? Trying to figure out if I should just flip over to rigid PVC before I finish my project.

08/21/2009, 06:07 PM	#2
tsr770 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 191	I have used 1.5" reinforced clear vinyl tubing for my return from the basement for 2 years now with no noticed ill effects. Someday I will replace it with spaflex, but for now its working fine __________________ "A million miles an hour with no hands on the wheel" Current Tank Info: 36x30x21 custom tank, 8x39W T5's, 3x6045 Tunze & 2xK4, 75g volume basement sump, MSX200, not enough corals

08/21/2009, 07:42 PM	#3
DaveMorris VP, SDMAS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny San Diego, CA Posts: 1,309	I have used Flexible PVC on most of the plumbing on my 525g system. It is chemically identical to rigid PVC. I got mine from FlexPVC.com. I love it. Makes plumbing a large system a dream. __________________ Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress

08/21/2009, 08:04 PM	#4
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I have had tubing on my tank for 3 years. I know a guy with a FOWLR that has had it for much longer than that. I think he said he replaced it all once just for the heck of it, but he didn't have any leaks or anything like that. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/22/2009, 10:59 AM	#7
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I use the black vinyl tubing so I don't get algae in it. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

08/22/2009, 08:29 AM	#5
JamesReef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 18	This is very helpful, thank you all for responding!

08/22/2009, 10:29 AM	#6
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	About the only thing I know of that makes PVC unstable is UV light exposure and volatile solvents. If you leave it in the full sun for several years, it can become more brittle. I would use flex PVC in any system with no concerns whatsoever. It is more convenient and also deadens vibration noise. There are definitely applications where rigid is going to be a better choice (manifolds, standpipes etc). I have heard of a few people having glue joint problems when they used primer on flex as it seems to soften it a bit too much. I never use primer on either (I am a licensed irrigation installer). Vinyl is more a concern of long-term connection leaks, hose clamps, and kinking as well as algae growth in clear tubing. I use black Flex PVC from Savko.

08/31/2009, 09:14 AM	#9
BradR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 764 Blog Entries: 1	Anyone used that blue (outside, black inside) pool tubing from home depot which is really flexible? I'm worried it will wear out and crack over time. Thanks!

08/31/2009, 10:07 AM	#10
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	I used reinforced tubing..the extra threads inside really do help keep the tubes open and free flowing. I also cover my tubes in tape so that algae wont grow inside them and constrict the flow. I used flexible because it was easier to setup, but also I thought I might have less head loss due to no sharp bends/etc. I used flexible in my last tank also, no problems what so ever __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20