PVC or FLEX

[shaungarrett]

What a great site!

Ok so I have read many articles on wether PVC and/or Flex tubing is better, but can not decide wich route to go. I dont want my flex to come loose while I'm not at home, but seems much easier. While the PVC seems much more expensive to set up, and more work as I will need new bulk heads much more piping, and while I am at it a flow valve. Is it hard to clean out the flex once things are set up? The guy who sold me the tank sugested PVC the owner of the Fish store who sold me the Megaflow Overflow set up said that it was best to use flex with the set up he sold me??? who is right and who is wrong and if neither are right or wrong then wich is the best option overall? [/b]

 

[ChrisRD]

Hi and :welcome:

The short answer is that plumbing mostly comes down to preferences and any of it (provided you install it correctly) will work. I tend to use a combination of mostly rigid pipe and some spaflex (which gets solvent glued just like the rigid pipe).

 

[shaungarrett]

right now i have everything for a flex set up(flex Bulkheads), and would rather just stick with it if i can. My main concern is the Flex Tube comming loose is there a way to prevent this from happening besides just using clamps or rings? Can i glue them? and also is it easy to clean the flex when build up happens?

 

[ChrisRD]

It sounds like you're planning to use vinyl hose? Personally, I would not go this route - especially if you can't find opaque hose. Clear lines will eventually have algae build-up and periodically cleaning/replacing them will be a maintenance headache.

Hose clamps are the most secure way to fasten to the barb connections. You can use the regular steel hose clamps found at your local auto parts / hardware / home improvement stores for any connection that will not be submerged or regularly get saltwater on it (rusty clamps are hard to loosen). For other connections you'd need something saltwater safe. Pond supply places often have plastic varieties that can be submerged.

Personally, I prefer opaque colored plumbing (no light transmission) that can be solvent glued like rigid PVC or spaflex. Solvent glued connections are much less likely to leak or have salt creep issues.

 

[shaungarrett]

I am not set on sticking with the flex as of right now my main concerns were algae and the tubbing comming loose so if i can find opaque flex and not only use metal ring clamps but also use silacone as well to help seal and hold it on to the bulkhead i shouldnt have to worry about it sliding off and should cut the algae growth out also???

thank you for your helpfull insight on this it helps a ton!
sorry if i sound dumb :?:

 

[rbursek]

My home improvement store now has a black vinyl tubing.

 

[rbursek]

Flex is quieter also.

 

[ChrisRD]

Agreed - I like using spaflex to isolate pumps from the rigid lines to help reduce noise/vibration. Flex can also make for more simplified / less restrictive plumbing by reducing the number of fittings/joints required.

Personally, I prefer to stick to flex that can be solvent glued like spaflex because I find the barb/hose type fittings to be very restrictive (reduced inside diameter) and, as mentioned above, more prone to leaks/salt creep over time.

JME/JMO of course...