Clear vs. Black hoses

planereefer · Dec 1, 2012

Does anyone use black hoses in their system to cut down on possible algae? I've seen some who do, some who don't and some who hard plumb everything with PVC.

My thoughts would be to use light blocking hoses or other plumbing to cut down on algae growth, but part of me thinks the water is moving too fast through those lines for algae to grow.

bullysam · Dec 1, 2012

Black hoses FTW.....I've used clear ones before and algae is visible in them......Now I use a mixture of hard plumbing PVC and black hoses...win,win

LILBUDDHA · Dec 1, 2012

Black tubing.. for me. Keep in mind all tubing gets crud in it sooner or later. I use black colored pond tubing. It is much thicker than the HD variety that kinks..

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aquamn1999 · Dec 3, 2012

I use black tubing where needed but mostly sch 40 PVC

jedimasterben · Dec 3, 2012

This reminds me to order some black 3/4" tubing. The stuff I have on the tank now is so full of algae that it's blocking the return by a good margin. I'm maybe getting 1/2 to 1/3 the flow from my Mag 7. :tsk:

capysolo · Dec 3, 2012

I hard plumb most things. Everything else gets what i have left, usually clear because i have a bunch, but i would prefer black...

afamousjohnson · Dec 3, 2012

I just had to change my hoses yesterday(clear hose). I went to find black because the algae build up was insane in some of them. Before I noticed the algae I was on the mindset my pump was going bad due to such lack of flow. I hard plumb a skeleton and use flex tube for hookups. To fix the clear tubing issue I cut black vacuum hose and enclosed all my tubing in it.

afamousjohnson · Dec 3, 2012

Austin Reef Club · Dec 3, 2012

+1 for black unless it's a line that you want to regularly check for clogs or blockages. With my sump light on at night I definitely notice growth in the clear tubing after just a short while.