How to get flex PVC to go straight

digital-audiophile · #1 12-19-2007, 11:15 PM

Odd question perhaps.. but in the smaller sizes <1" it can bend and flex pretty easy.. now I have to run two 1-1/2" lines on my herbie under the tank under the stand, through the wall and into the sump.. a total journey of about 5 ft.. now the problem is that the bloody pipe is curled up like it was on the reel.. any suggestions to make it a little more pliable?

Jason McK · #2 12-19-2007, 11:23 PM

I would use hard PVC for the span and just couple the flex where you need it.

Mind you I did run a span of about 6 feet with the flex. I used PVC clamps and screwed it to a support. So you could just unroll it and clamp it.

Also if you put it in the oven at 150 for 20 minutes it will be easier to work with.

mark · #3 12-20-2007, 01:28 AM

I've used a heat gun to warm a bit and when it cooled seemed to hold shape I wanted

digital-audiophile · #4 12-20-2007, 01:54 AM

I was wondering if it would be heat reactive. I'll have to give it a shot. I really don't want to use rigid pipe becuase of how it is coming out the overflow, through a wall and back into a sump, I would have to use more 90's and 45's that actual rigid pipe to get it there

Tom R · #5 12-20-2007, 02:14 AM

If you are afraid of the heat gun try putting it into hot water for 5 or 10 minutes.

Tom R

albert_dao · #6 12-20-2007, 02:37 AM

Here's what you do:

Take a knife, punch a hole through one end of the flex.

Take a strong length of yarn or twine. Tie that into the hole you just punched.

Tie the other end of the yarn to a rigid guide pole of some sort.

Run the pole through the position with the yarn to get the string to the other side.

Take the string off the guide pole.

Pull the string.

Win.

digital-audiophile · #7 12-20-2007, 03:21 AM

Albert, your plans interests me but I'm not sure I unerstand wha the string is going to do. after your release tension on the string, would the pipe just not go back to it's coiled state?

Zylumn · #8 12-20-2007, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

If you are afraid of the heat gun try putting it into hot water for 5 or 10 minutes.

Tom R

ditto

kari · #9 12-20-2007, 12:13 PM

Can you put a smaller piece of rigid pipe inside the flex temporarily?

digital-audiophile · #10 12-20-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kari

Can you put a smaller piece of rigid pipe inside the flex temporarily?

I tried using a piece of 3/4" inside to get it to go straight and even after a couple days it just sprung back.

I don't have a heat gun so I will fill a bathtub with hot hot water and submerge and give it a try