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Unread 10/13/2011, 04:51 PM   #1
MarinePaethor
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Rigid PCV vs. Flexible Tubing

I am working on plumbing my new sump. I was originally going to use pvc for both the drain from the overflow box to the sump and for the return from the sump. I have talked to a couple people and read a few things saying that flexible plumbing is the better way to go, especially on the return.

What works best for the drain line? PVC down to a 45 elbow into the sump? Spa flex? The vacuum cleaner like spa hose from Home Depot?

What works best for the return? Hard PVC? Black vinyl tubing or spa flex up to the the PVC elbows going over the top of the tank?

I just want to do it right the first time, get the best flow, and keep it as quiet as possible.


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Unread 10/13/2011, 04:54 PM   #2
Misled
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I like flex on the drain also. You can make s bends in it to keep things quiet.


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Unread 10/13/2011, 05:04 PM   #3
Palting
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IMO, there are several advantages to flexible hose over the PVC. Much easier to route, gentler bends for less restriction, and, the biggest one of all, easy to change design. I started my build with flexible hose, with the full intention of converting to rigid PVC once I was happy with the design. Well, a year and a half later, I've decided to keep the flexible hose, for the previously mentioned advantages.


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Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam
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Unread 10/13/2011, 05:07 PM   #4
MarinePaethor
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What kind of flex hose did guys you use? Spa Flex, or vacuum cleaner type hose, or vinyl tubing?


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Unread 10/13/2011, 05:14 PM   #5
Misled
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spa flex here


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Unread 10/13/2011, 05:16 PM   #6
Palting
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I have a vacuum cleaner type hose on the drains, and vinyl tubing for the returns. I use the readily available zip ties to secure the hoses t the connectors rather than the less available plastic clamps. Make sure to secure all plumbing, whether rigid or flexible, to something rigid in the stand. I use plastic straps drilled into the woodwork.


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Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :)

Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam
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Unread 10/13/2011, 05:29 PM   #7
Misled
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Agree with Palting. I used plastic conduit holders.


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Unread 10/13/2011, 06:30 PM   #8
BrklynArch
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I went with hard pvc into a 45 then spa flex then a 90 and finally back to hard pvc.
Used a bunch of unions in-case i need to dismantle or reconfigure down the road.
I found the spa flex a little lacking on the flex side. I just ended up using the curve it was locked into from the spool in the layout.




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Unread 10/13/2011, 07:24 PM   #9
Tradewinds
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Subscribed - It will be interesting to follow this discussion, as I was wondering which would be best as well.


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Unread 10/13/2011, 07:27 PM   #10
daplatapus
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My lines were quite long (basement sump) so I went with spa flex for as far as I could. Besides the above mentioned benefits, I also heard another advantage of spa flex (at least the one I used) is that it is black, thus eliminating any light going into that area and therefore no algae growth within.


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Unread 10/13/2011, 07:54 PM   #11
T Smith
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I hard plumbed my returns into the tank but connected them to the Mag 7's with vinyl tubing to help isolate the noise/vibration. I like to dip the ends of the vinyl tubing in near boiling hot water for a few seconds to make it pliable and then quickly slip it over the barbed fittings and secure with a couple of zip ties. The heating allows the tubing to better conform to the barb fittings and allows the zip ties to get a better bite. I may wake up to a flood in the morning but this method hasn't let me down yet.


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Unread 03/30/2012, 03:19 PM   #12
bishop77
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Sounds like a good tip, gonna give it a try


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Unread 03/30/2012, 03:56 PM   #13
LennyD4
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When you use Spa Flex do you glue into fittings and connections just like you would with Rigid PVC?


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Unread 03/30/2012, 04:01 PM   #14
OregonReefer2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LennyD4 View Post
When you use Spa Flex do you glue into fittings and connections just like you would with Rigid PVC?
Yes but be sure to use something like Christy's Blue Glue not standard PVC cement


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Unread 03/30/2012, 04:10 PM   #15
LennyD4
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Still think I may use rigid PVC for my return , it seems more durable and I am more comfortable working with it.


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Unread 03/30/2012, 08:33 PM   #16
Im14abeer
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I use rigid pvc and spa flex interchangeably, whichever works best for the situation. Spa flex can be glued into pvc fittings with the aforementioned blue cement, sometimes called rain or shine.


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Unread 03/30/2012, 08:56 PM   #17
Tetra84
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i've got rigid pvc for the return, and spa flex for the drain.. very quiet.


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Unread 03/30/2012, 08:59 PM   #18
bnumair
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i used pvc this time and flex in may past tanks and honestly i like pvc better but then again it could be just the setup by itself. every tank and space under it have different requirements.


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Unread 03/30/2012, 11:02 PM   #19
cdc84
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I just used spa flex on my drains, other than it not being very flexible I find it easier to work and better flow than rigid pvc.


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