Plumbing help

ibryson · 01/28/2019, 10:23 PM

Hey guys, Im trying to plan out the plumbing for my tank. I have the Aqueon 180 gallon reef ready tank. First, do you all recommend PVC or flexible tubing for the main plumbing? It seems like the bulkheads that the tank came with are made for tubing since they have a barbed end but I guess I can always buy new bulkheads made for PVC connections.

Second, I cant seem to find a specific piece I am needing. My return pump requires a 1-1/4 ID flexible tubing but my return pipe bulkhead requires a 3/4 ID tubing. Is there some sort of barbed fitting union to connect these two different sizes? Or should I buy a bulkhead that can connect the 1-1/4 tubing to the 3/4 PVC return pipe?

Thanks everyone!

mcgyvr · 01/29/2019, 05:35 AM

Some like flexible...some like hard PVC.. Very little reason to switch to PVC if its already setup for tubing..
And you simply need adapters to convert from one size to another.. sometimes multiple step downs are required..

Sounds like your best bet may be to take each piece into the hardware store and say.. "I need to attach this to this...please help.. "

nereefpat · 01/29/2019, 08:37 AM

You'll have to decide if you want PVC of vinyl tubing. I think most folks hard plumb their tanks because it looks cleaner, but it's up to you. You can switch our bulkheads for about 5$ per hole...if you want.

Your hardware store will have barbed fittings in the plumping department. They should have reducers.

01/28/2019, 10:23 PM	#1
ibryson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Missouri Posts: 73	Plumbing help Hey guys, Im trying to plan out the plumbing for my tank. I have the Aqueon 180 gallon reef ready tank. First, do you all recommend PVC or flexible tubing for the main plumbing? It seems like the bulkheads that the tank came with are made for tubing since they have a barbed end but I guess I can always buy new bulkheads made for PVC connections. Second, I cant seem to find a specific piece I am needing. My return pump requires a 1-1/4 ID flexible tubing but my return pipe bulkhead requires a 3/4 ID tubing. Is there some sort of barbed fitting union to connect these two different sizes? Or should I buy a bulkhead that can connect the 1-1/4 tubing to the 3/4 PVC return pipe? Thanks everyone!

01/29/2019, 05:35 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Some like flexible...some like hard PVC.. Very little reason to switch to PVC if its already setup for tubing.. And you simply need adapters to convert from one size to another.. sometimes multiple step downs are required.. Sounds like your best bet may be to take each piece into the hardware store and say.. "I need to attach this to this...please help.. " __________________ Who me?

01/29/2019, 08:37 AM	#3
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	You'll have to decide if you want PVC of vinyl tubing. I think most folks hard plumb their tanks because it looks cleaner, but it's up to you. You can switch our bulkheads for about 5$ per hole...if you want. Your hardware store will have barbed fittings in the plumping department. They should have reducers. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers