Return line for herbie plumbing question

Mrbeachbum2 · 08/30/2010, 06:23 PM

What other ways should I go about securing the return line for the herbie method? I had an aqua remora skimmer that disconnected once so I'm semi paranoid about this. Maybe a metal clamp for the in take return. Anything else to make sure that this does not come off? The hose is 1" so it'll have some weight to it. I'll me pushed up as far as possible (the photo doesn't show that).

jdargonaut · 08/30/2010, 08:18 PM

I've used the metal clamps on lines like that and they broke. That was with the clamp outside of the water. The humidity alone was enough to corrode them. Ended up with an empty sump and flood in the garage. I don't recall if they were stainless, maybe those would work.

nicfo25 · 08/30/2010, 08:20 PM

Plastic hose clamps are best, but metal will do the job. If you think you need two clamps on each connection then might as well put two and ease your mind. I would use PVC pipe if it were me.

krak256 · 08/30/2010, 08:23 PM

I agree with using PVC, but if u need the flexibility of tubing, go with flex PVC and use PVC cement

Mrbeachbum2 · 08/30/2010, 10:05 PM

Stainless Steel clamps?

A lot of my club members have done it this route with the flex tubing. I honestly want to use a method that promise ZERO water on the floor.

shaggss · 08/31/2010, 07:44 AM

+1 for flex PVC and male fitting for the top of the Eheim. Cant go wrong...

Hawkdl2 · 08/31/2010, 08:01 AM

flex PVC with glued couplers and screw fittings is the best option for flexibility and security. If for some reason you don't want to go that route, stainless hose clamps will work, but they are made of a low quality stainless that will corrode over time, sometimes quickly. If you use them you should monitor them regularly and replace them regularly as part of your tank maintenance before they fail.

IAReefer · 08/31/2010, 09:16 AM

You still need to clamp it, but I would recomend boiling some water and putting the end of the tubing in and let it soffen up for a minute or so. Get a towel or a pot holder and press it onto the fittings like that. The flexible tube will expand when its soft and when it starts to cool it will contract and really tighten around whatever your attaching it too. Hope that helps.

Mrbeachbum2 · 08/31/2010, 11:13 AM

Does anyone have photos of their return?

Thank you dan for your comments.

If I used a 3/4" thread to slip adapter to attach to my Ehiem 1260 and ran flex pvc straight up the back of the tank... How would I get the water over the lip of the tank?

08/30/2010, 06:23 PM	#1
Mrbeachbum2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,093	Return line for herbie plumbing question What other ways should I go about securing the return line for the herbie method? I had an aqua remora skimmer that disconnected once so I'm semi paranoid about this. Maybe a metal clamp for the in take return. Anything else to make sure that this does not come off? The hose is 1" so it'll have some weight to it. I'll me pushed up as far as possible (the photo doesn't show that).

08/31/2010, 07:44 AM	#6
shaggss Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,709	+1 for flex PVC and male fitting for the top of the Eheim. Cant go wrong... __________________ NEVER get eye level with an infants anus! New build, planning stages. 30 x 20 x 20", Geisemann Spectra 250W with Radium, Profilux controller, Profilux doser 2, Fluval SP4 return pump, Life Reef 28

08/31/2010, 08:01 AM	#7
Hawkdl2 Mad Scientist Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Claremont, Ca Posts: 2,233	flex PVC with glued couplers and screw fittings is the best option for flexibility and security. If for some reason you don't want to go that route, stainless hose clamps will work, but they are made of a low quality stainless that will corrode over time, sometimes quickly. If you use them you should monitor them regularly and replace them regularly as part of your tank maintenance before they fail. __________________ Larry Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef.

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08/30/2010, 08:18 PM	#2
jdargonaut Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: san diego Posts: 91	I've used the metal clamps on lines like that and they broke. That was with the clamp outside of the water. The humidity alone was enough to corrode them. Ended up with an empty sump and flood in the garage. I don't recall if they were stainless, maybe those would work.

08/30/2010, 08:20 PM	#3
nicfo25 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montana Posts: 171	Plastic hose clamps are best, but metal will do the job. If you think you need two clamps on each connection then might as well put two and ease your mind. I would use PVC pipe if it were me.

08/30/2010, 08:23 PM	#4
krak256 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 400	I agree with using PVC, but if u need the flexibility of tubing, go with flex PVC and use PVC cement

08/30/2010, 10:05 PM	#5
Mrbeachbum2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,093	Stainless Steel clamps? A lot of my club members have done it this route with the flex tubing. I honestly want to use a method that promise ZERO water on the floor.

08/31/2010, 09:16 AM	#8
IAReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 160	You still need to clamp it, but I would recomend boiling some water and putting the end of the tubing in and let it soffen up for a minute or so. Get a towel or a pot holder and press it onto the fittings like that. The flexible tube will expand when its soft and when it starts to cool it will contract and really tighten around whatever your attaching it too. Hope that helps.

08/31/2010, 11:13 AM	#9
Mrbeachbum2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,093	Does anyone have photos of their return? Thank you dan for your comments. If I used a 3/4" thread to slip adapter to attach to my Ehiem 1260 and ran flex pvc straight up the back of the tank... How would I get the water over the lip of the tank?