PVC Flex Tubing

Delphinus · #1 04-11-2007, 02:55 AM

Little tip, get "spa flex" pipe, it's flexible PVC and joins to regular PVC fittings (better to use the clear cement though as it has a little more give than the grey). Get it at Western Pump, just ask for it at the counter, if you call it "flex PVC" they'll know what you mean.

The clear braided tubing you get at Home Depot/Rona/etc. is fine to use, but you need hose barb fittings (hose barb to MPT {"male pipe thread"} adapters). I think it's technically PVC as well but I just call that stuff vinyl tubing (again most people will know what you mean if you call it that).

When you're plumbing the sump return pipe (from the pump), make sure to use a small piece of flex PVC or the vinyl tubing between the pump and the sump wall (if you're using an inline pump, that is), to absorb vibration from the pump. This will make it less noisy, plus it protects the glass from any shocks (pump gets bumped) and vibration (worst case scenario it can break glass).

Kryten · #2 04-11-2007, 03:49 AM

The other thing about that home depot stuff is that it really isn't all that flexible. It really likes to stay in the coil shape that it comes off the roll and it takes quite a bit of pressure to force it to do otherwise. Like enough to lift a hang-on overflow box up off the edge of your tank...

Delphinus · #3 04-11-2007, 05:15 AM

Ah .. there's a trick to that stuff. It needs to be heated and then its malleable, and will restiffen as it cools.

So for example to slip it on easily onto a hose barb, dip the end in hot water for about 10-20 seconds and then its workable.

The larger stuff (1.5" diameter) will even collapse on itself at the store, so you have to work on getting the length you need heated up and then you can open it up, hold it in place at the shape you want it and when it cools it will be good again.