Do I Need to Fuss With Spa Flex?

SkyReef · 07/13/2011, 07:20 PM

I had to use Spa Flex on the return lines from my external pump, to quiet things down. Previously, my Iwaki 40 MD RT pump caused the hard PVC on the return lines to vibrate and make noise. I ditched the Iwaki and will now replace it with a quieter pump: the Dart 3600.

Question: can I go back to the easy-to-predict life with hard PVC attached to the Dart Pump on the return lines, or am I asking for vibration-noise trouble? Should I try again with the Spa Flex? What do you think?

Thanks.

tkeracer619 · 07/13/2011, 07:22 PM

You can plumb a dart with normal pvc but I usually plumb the last few feet with spa flex anyways.

fkeeper · 07/13/2011, 07:27 PM

just make sure if you do use spa flex to give it a vinegar bath or it will have ur skimmer going crazy for a while. Happened to mine.

SkyReef · 07/13/2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

You can plumb a dart with normal pvc but I usually plumb the last few feet with spa flex anyways.

Thanks, TK, that's helpful. So, for example, the Dart's outlet can be plumbed to a hard PVC manifold that sends return lines to three separate points. And the outlet of the manifold should go to those three separate points by spa flex? If that's correct, then that is what I will do. Thanks.

Oh, and one more question: can I plumb my sump to my Dart pump with hard PVC, or do I need to soften the vibration with SpaFlex along the way? Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkeeper

just make sure if you do use spa flex to give it a vinegar bath or it will have ur skimmer going crazy for a while. Happened to mine.

Thanks, FKeeper. I'm not sure what you mean by either a vinegar bath (or what function that serves) or my skimmer going crazy. Could you please explain? Thanks.

tkeracer619 · 07/13/2011, 08:00 PM

Sure that would work fine. You don't have to use spaflex on the intake but it never hurts.

One thing about spaflex. DO NOT twist it as you glue it. It will worm out the glue and cause a weak bond.

SkyReef · 07/13/2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Sure that would work fine. You don't have to use spaflex on the intake but it never hurts.

One thing about spaflex. DO NOT twist it as you glue it. It will worm out the glue and cause a weak bond.

Great, thanks, TK.

tkeracer619 · 07/13/2011, 08:38 PM

your welcome.

fkeeper · 07/20/2011, 09:58 AM

there is a coating on the spa flex when you get it, if you dont rinse the hose in a mixture of warm water and vinegar than the coating gets into your water and makes the skimmer go crazy. it wont produce the proper bubbles and will overflow alot. Its not a big issue and doesnt harm anything, but does take about a week before everything goes back to normal.

speer · 07/20/2011, 10:04 AM

As others have mentioned you can use regular PVC. I think it's more of a preference thing. I like to use spaflex but I've seen lots of others use PVC.

fkeeper · 07/20/2011, 10:05 AM

i learned this the hard way when i replaced the portion of spa flex just bellow my shutoff valve that lead into my skimmer (I changed the sump and the old hose was too short, made alot of splashing noise). When i put on a new piece the skimmer was not working properly the next couple days. I got so paranoid i took the entire skimmer apart and cleaned it, when it still didnt help i thought i might need a new skimmer. I remembered the only thing i had changed was the spa flex and asked around and was told about the coating on the hose. Hope that helps, and sorry for the long post.

jeff@zina.com · 07/20/2011, 01:52 PM

I always use a flexible tubing to attach pumps, expressly to cut the vibration noise. Just makes sense.

Jeff

07/13/2011, 07:20 PM	#1
SkyReef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 496	Do I Need to Fuss With Spa Flex? I had to use Spa Flex on the return lines from my external pump, to quiet things down. Previously, my Iwaki 40 MD RT pump caused the hard PVC on the return lines to vibrate and make noise. I ditched the Iwaki and will now replace it with a quieter pump: the Dart 3600. Question: can I go back to the easy-to-predict life with hard PVC attached to the Dart Pump on the return lines, or am I asking for vibration-noise trouble? Should I try again with the Spa Flex? What do you think? Thanks. __________________ The aquarium is expanding, to meet the needs of the expanding aquarium. Current Tank Info: Aquarium: 75-Gal. Reef Aquarium

07/13/2011, 07:22 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	You can plumb a dart with normal pvc but I usually plumb the last few feet with spa flex anyways. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

07/13/2011, 08:00 PM	#5
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Sure that would work fine. You don't have to use spaflex on the intake but it never hurts. One thing about spaflex. DO NOT twist it as you glue it. It will worm out the glue and cause a weak bond. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

07/13/2011, 08:38 PM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	your welcome. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

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07/13/2011, 07:27 PM	#3
fkeeper Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 24	just make sure if you do use spa flex to give it a vinegar bath or it will have ur skimmer going crazy for a while. Happened to mine.

07/20/2011, 09:58 AM	#8
fkeeper Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 24	there is a coating on the spa flex when you get it, if you dont rinse the hose in a mixture of warm water and vinegar than the coating gets into your water and makes the skimmer go crazy. it wont produce the proper bubbles and will overflow alot. Its not a big issue and doesnt harm anything, but does take about a week before everything goes back to normal.

07/20/2011, 10:04 AM	#9
speer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 82	As others have mentioned you can use regular PVC. I think it's more of a preference thing. I like to use spaflex but I've seen lots of others use PVC.

07/20/2011, 10:05 AM	#10
fkeeper Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 24	i learned this the hard way when i replaced the portion of spa flex just bellow my shutoff valve that lead into my skimmer (I changed the sump and the old hose was too short, made alot of splashing noise). When i put on a new piece the skimmer was not working properly the next couple days. I got so paranoid i took the entire skimmer apart and cleaned it, when it still didnt help i thought i might need a new skimmer. I remembered the only thing i had changed was the spa flex and asked around and was told about the coating on the hose. Hope that helps, and sorry for the long post.

07/20/2011, 01:52 PM	#11
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	I always use a flexible tubing to attach pumps, expressly to cut the vibration noise. Just makes sense. Jeff