Drain line and Return line - Hard PVC vs. Braided Hose

T

texreefer

I'm working on the plumbing for my 40b. I'm using the BeanAnimal overflow system with 3 - 1'' drains and I'm using 2 - 3/4'' returns. My general question is, what are the pros/cons to building all of my plumbing with the standard sch40 pvc vs. using pvc for the major parts and elbows but switching over to the bendable braided hose/flexline for the longer runs? To me, it seems like the full pvc is simple enough, but are there advantages to using a flexible plumbing? less weight and stress on the bulkheads? Long sweeping curves as opposed to short 90s? If it's a negligible difference I'll probably just use pvc the whole way because I'm more familiar with it.
 
I'd recommend hard plumbing it over braided connections that require nipples and hose clamps. The nipple is a bottleneck reduction of flow. If you wanted to use SpaFlex tubing, you can glue that into PVC fittings. I use SpaFlex and PVC on my tanks.
 
I'm guessing I would need to use some clamps somewhere on my pvc piping and stand to help hold the weight though right? so that all the weight isn't on the 5 bulkheads all on the same pane of glass?
 
Nope you're fine. Just run some sch 40 out of the bulkheads to a 90 and a short run pf pipe to hook the spa flex to and then glue on some spa flex to the end of that. You shouldn't need to worry about weight from the plumbing.

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agreeed I got nipples on my current tank and I wouldn't do it again. The flex pvc pipe combined with the pvc pipe is the way go. Brainded hose is really bad. I had the hard stuff from home depot and it still kinked up under pressure.
 
I saw the flex pvc last night at HD. Does it connect to the hard pvc the same as hard pvc? Just some primer and glue and slip it inside a coupling?
 
@texreefer wrote:
I saw the flex pvc last night at HD. Does it connect to the hard pvc the same as hard pvc? Just some primer and glue and slip it inside a coupling? said:
Depends on the end connector. Some types of spa flex are designed to be attached with a clamp and others are safe for gluing.

The ones with a rubber end should not be glued, the ones with a harder "plastic" end on them are safe for being glued right on to the pipe.

Personally, our tanks do not have a lot of pressure in the lines so I would just use clamps (plastic or stainless and not submerged!) so that I could remove the hose to clean it out if the need ever arises.
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I prefer the braided stuff. Much easier to work with, IMO. I got the stuff from BRS, got quality and doesn't kink easy. Install is a breeze! I had the whole tank plumbed in 25 minutes. The flow restriction is negligible to be honest.

Again these are my opinions.
 
Spaflex is softer PVC, and glues into PVC fittings with the RED Oatey's cement. Same principle, using primer and then glue. Here's my plumbing 101 write up: http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.php/283-Plumbing-Primer-how-to-do-it-correctly
 
@Airstreamin wrote:
Depends on the end connector. Some types of spa flex are designed to be attached with a clamp and others are safe for gluing. The ones with a rubber end should not be glued said:
SpaFlex isn't the blue pool hose with white rubber ends. It's thickwalled and semi-rigid. Here's a picture

plumbing_to_pump-22.jpg
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@texreefer wrote:
Marc you just glue spaflex like regular pvc right? said:
You must have miss this earlier post of mine:
@Marc wrote:
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