reef safe alternative to gear clamps

[lastlight]

I'm currently using gear clamps on a rubber coupler to connect my pond pump to my 1.5" return plumbing. The clamps are not normally submerged but have become submerged a few times during pump shut-downs when the sump level rises. They are both now rusty and I'd like to replace them.

Anyone have any ideas? It's a 4200 gph pump so it needs to be strong still.

[Aquattro]

I just use a SS clamp and replace it when it gets too rusty.

[lastlight]

Yeah I'm liking that idea more than trusting one of these:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...et-hose-clamps

I was thinking of buying one of those thin rubber gripper sheets for opening jars etc. wrap it around the rubber coupler and clamp at the top. then fold the rubber sheet up and over the clamp and toss a tie wrap around that to keep it covered and tight.

[sphelps]

No way to use solid fittings with a PVC union?

[lastlight]

people have sawed the laguna connectors and rigged direct-to-pvc solutions i was looking to avoid that. not ruling it out but I like the zero-downtime of a clamp.

[lastlight]

like this (need to chop the union... maybe the laguna quick connect piece that attaches to the pump). This might be worth the work.

[doch]

[quote=lastlight;709369]Yeah I'm liking that idea more than trusting one of these:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...et-hose-clamps
QUOTE]

These are pretty good in my opinion.

[tim the toolman]

I had a standard stainless clamp on a coupler and just coated it with reef safe silicone. It's easy to cut off if you need to.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by tim the toolman

I had a standard stainless clamp on a coupler and just coated it with reef safe silicone. It's easy to cut off if you need to.

There's the winner! I'll slap two new clamps on and it can even cure without shutting anything off.

[gregzz4]

When shopping for hose clamps, buy the ones that have an A in the part #
These are typically automotive clamps, made by Tridon;
HS10 is a stainless screw in a steel band
HAS10 is full stainless

You can also get nicer clamps, AWAB, from marine outlets. Below is a picture of a 316 stainless clamp, part #316028 and is the equivalent to a #10 Tridon. The band is not perforated and the edging is curled up, so it will not cut into hoses.