An Issue with Plumbing

jadwv2210 · Sep 10, 2015

Hello everyone,

So I've gotten my new 40 gallon breeder setup on the stand and drilled for a herbie overflow with all the fittings installed. I am using flexible PVC tubing for the return lines and the drain lines. In the sump area the bend from the tank was too sharp and caused the hose to kink right before it entered the sump. Since I had already glued the valves and fittings into the sump intake pipes I decided to loop the hose around so that it could attach to the barbs without kinking. Do you guys think this will cause an issue with the siphon line purging or the water not being able to drain correctly?

Please ignore the stainless steel hose clamps in this photo. I am ordering some plastic clamps tomorrow and the tank is currently empty so no worries for rusting right now.

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1441942821.806540.jpg

Thanks in advanced for any help and input.

saltyphish · Sep 11, 2015

143MPCo · Sep 11, 2015

you will get some back pressure with those loops like that...

You might want to consider these: LINK

hawkinsrgk · Sep 11, 2015

I think it will cause an issue. I had my plumbing setup this way when I was doing freshwater. What ended up happening was that I would get pauses and then a surge of water. Not sure how much of an issue that will be, but thats what happened in my case.

redfishbluefish · Sep 11, 2015

You'll also want to get rid of those metal hose clamps and replace with plastic.

jadwv2210 · Sep 11, 2015

I already ordered the plastic hose clamps I, was just using those to test some water flow.

My current problem is that I've already glued the fittings into the drain pipes included with my ruby 30 sump so changing them without buying new bulkheads, valves, and fittings is difficult. I think there is enough room for my to cut off the barb where the hose is attached and add an elbow which will then connect to the hose with a barb. This will remove the loops and not cause the hose to kink.

jgraz · Sep 11, 2015

My suggestion
Cut the barbs off. That will leave you with enough to connect 45's. 2 of them for each drain. When situated right they will allow that line from above to come straight down thus getting rid of the kink issue. This will also allow you to lose the braided vinyl tube. That stuff is super hard to bend. with the 45 in place that will allow you to use either hard PVC or Flex PVC(spaflex).

redfishbluefish · Sep 11, 2015

I'm liking it @jgraz .......simple solution!

jadwv2210 · Sep 11, 2015

jgraz said:
My suggestion
Cut the barbs off. That will leave you with enough to connect 45's. 2 of them for each drain. When situated right they will allow that line from above to come straight down thus getting rid of the kink issue. This will also allow you to lose the braided vinyl tube. That stuff is super hard to bend. with the 45 in place that will allow you to use either hard PVC or Flex PVC(spaflex).

I agree that this is a great idea. I will see if the Lowe's store in my town carries the Spa Flex hose or flexible pvc in 1 inch. I bought all that they had left in the braided vinyl hose and it turned out to still not be enough. I looked in the fittings section for probably half an hour yesterday and I don't think I saw any 1 inch 45 elbows so I might be stuck ordering them. Thanks for your help!

jgraz · Sep 11, 2015

Skip lowes hit HD. Better yet see if there is a pool supply in the area. I can't imagine you would need much of the flex. As for the 45's that's about as common a fitting there is. It's gotta be there somewhere.

theblackpearl · Sep 11, 2015

look into this stuff........it wont kink no matter what
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0024WAZZC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

jgraz · Sep 11, 2015

Something that I just though of. What type of fitting is coming out of your bulkhead. I'm assuming barbed since you used vinyl.

If that's the case then when you cut the barbs off near the sump cut right in the middle of the PVC pipe. That will leave just enough PVC on either end to add the double 45 and then add the barb back to the top of that. Then just use a small piece of the vinyl tube to connect again. That way you don't need to worry about the spa flex. All you would need is 4x45 elbows.

jadwv2210 · Sep 11, 2015

jgraz said:
Something that I just though of. What type of fitting is coming out of your bulkhead. I'm assuming barbed since you used vinyl.

If that's the case then when you cut the barbs off near the sump cut right in the middle of the PVC pipe. That will leave just enough PVC on either end to add the double 45 and then add the barb back to the top of that. Then just use a small piece of the vinyl tube to connect again. That way you don't need to worry about the spa flex. All you would need is 4x45 elbows.

I never thought about re using the barbs after I cut them off so this is a great solution.

Sadly, the nearest Home Depot to me is about 45 minutes away maybe slightly less. It is the weekend however so I'm not against making a trip up there. Hopefully Lowe's pulls through for me though. It's about the most disorganized place I've ever shopped.

Hopefully I have enough vinyl tubing left over to finish everything.

jgraz · Sep 11, 2015

Reuse the piece you have there. If I'm not mistaken if you drop that into some boiling water it will return back to its originally straight round self instead of the curved oval opening. Then it will be easier to manipulate with a bit of hot water when connecting the barbs.