Hard plumbing V soft

[Retro Reefer]

I’m curious as to why people use hard plumbing v soft plumbing, sure hard plumbing looks cool but other than that what what do you think are the benefits? Personally I can think of many negatives of hard plumbing but other than maybe incorporating a manifold into your sump l see no real positives.. let’s debate, what do you use to plumb your tank and why?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I used colored PVC on mine. I really like the look of hard plumbed. To me it just has this cleaner look to it. I did use the rubber hose in the past, and my biggest issue was with the nylon braided stuff. It sort of had a mind of it's own, you had to heat it up to get the band out of it from being coiled up. Plus with PVC there is literally 0 chance it will bend or kink if you're working around the tank. And unless you buy the colored soft plumbing, most of the time it's clear or see through, and has the potential to grow algae. So I choose hard plumbing

 

[Palyzoa]

I prefer hard plumbing because it looks neater/cleaner if done right. Sometimes I use a mixture of soft and hard depending on what spare parts I have around.

 

[Retro Reefer]

My thoughts on the negatives of the two choices..

SOFT PLUMBING NEGATIVES:

Potential algae if using clear tubing

Kinking

Looks


HARD PLUMBING NEGATIVES:

Extensive planning

Time consuming and complicated installation

Expensive

Flow restriction from unions, elbows, tee’s and valves

Dozens of potential leak points

Difficult and time consuming maintenance

 

[FLSharkvictim]

@Retro Reefer - I know this is s a pretty old thread but in the 25 years, I have been in this hobby, I also started out using those Home depot valves which are absolute junk, after just about a yr of wear and tear on them they become very difficult to turn. See below which was my AETECH sump set up way back in 2001 with those Home depot ball valves b/c back then I am not sure if I have heard of Cepx valves or Spears Gate valves back in the day!
120 Mixed Reef Sump area:

After about 10 years of running this sump, I bought a new one from a company down South Ilussions who built me my custom sump, but this time I wanted everything hard plumbed and use all Cepex, Spears Vales and Wye check valves.

For my new build, I will be running 3 1.5inch drains with a Spears 1.5inch gate valve since I am running one of Synergy 20'' external overflow box and there Synergy CL-44 sump that I just got for the new build. In the end, always try to go with hard plumbing if you're not handy to have someone plumb your tank for you.

35 gallon Custom Sump

35 gallon Custom Sump hard plumbed

Rimless SCA150 Tank Incl. Brand new Synergy CL-44 Sump incl. Matching ATO Container and a Synergy 20'' External Overflow box

Doing a dry fit run

 

[Retro Reefer]

@Retro Reefer - I know this is s a pretty old thread but in the 25 years, I have been in this hobby, I also started out using those Home depot valves which are absolute junk, after just about a yr of wear and tear on them they become very difficult to turn. See below which was my AETECH sump set up way back in 2001 with those Home depot ball valves b/c back then I am not sure if I have heard of Cepx valves or Spears Gate valves back in the day!
120 Mixed Reef Sump area:

After about 10 years of running this sump, I bought a new one from a company down South Ilussions who built me my custom sump, but this time I wanted everything hard plumbed and use all Cepex, Spears Vales and Wye check valves.

For my new build, I will be running 3 1.5inch drains with a Spears 1.5inch gate valve since I am running one of Synergy 20'' external overflow box and there Synergy CL-44 sump that I just got for the new build. In the end, always try to go with hard plumbing if you're not handy to have someone plumb your tank for you.

35 gallon Custom Sump

35 gallon Custom Sump hard plumbed

Rimless SCA150 Tank Incl. Brand new Synergy CL-44 Sump incl. Matching ATO Container and a Synergy 20'' External Overflow box

Doing a dry fit run

This thread is not about Home Depot valves, the above picture is just something I found online to use as a visual reference for the topic..

IMO hard plumbing for the most part is just expensive time consuming “bling” that is completely unnecessary. I will agree nothing looks better than a brand new shiny sump all plumbed with color coordinated PVC but after a couple years when the sump is filthy and everything is covered in salt creep it kinda loses its appeal not to mention the majority of sumps are hidden in cabinets anyway.. been plumbing my tanks with soft line for over 30 years don’t see me changing anytime soon

 

[WVNed]

I have always plumbed my drains in pvc and my returns in soft. The next tank will be all hard plumbed except for flexible pieces to the pumps. With a hacksaw and a little glue I can put together a system in no time with stuff from Home Depot that is 5 minutes away on a Sunday. Bling has nothing to do with it.

 

[Waters]

I always use all hard plumbing whenever possible just because I know there is no chance of a fitting coming loose and dumping a bunch of water onto my floor. The looks are just a another benefit.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I have always plumbed my drains in pvc and my returns in soft. The next tank will be all hard plumbed except for flexible pieces to the pumps. With a hacksaw and a little glue I can put together a system in no time with stuff from Home Depot that is 5 minutes away on a Sunday. Bling has nothing to do with it.

This thread is about positives or negatives of each.. can you share some of the benefits you achieve with hard plumbing?

 

[FLSharkvictim]

I have always plumbed my drains in pvc and my returns in soft. The next tank will be all hard plumbed except for flexible pieces to the pumps. With a hacksaw and a little glue I can put together a system in no time with stuff from Home Depot that is 5 minutes away on a Sunday. Bling has nothing to do with it.

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@Nurse Ned - I am sure you can but when you go to turn those cheap quality gates and ball valves in less than a year and they barely turn, you get what you pay for mate that all i WAS saying!

This might not make sense to you but it does to me!
This is totally my motto when it comes to this hobby! ALWAYS use quality products, I believe that 50% increase in coast is definitely worthwhile, even if you only gain another 5% of the product reliability especially if you have a mature tank with years of time and effort invested. Keep in mind that your tank is a place where water and electricity come together.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I always use all hard plumbing whenever possible just because I know there is no chance of a fitting coming loose and dumping a bunch of water onto my floor. The looks are just a another benefit.

I can point you to dozens of threads about leaking hard plumbing, I would say there is no more chance of the pipe clamps coming lose on my soft line than your fittings coming lose on hard line.

 

[Waters]

I can point you to dozens of threads about leaking hard plumbing, I would say there is no more chance of the pipe clamps coming lose on my soft line than fittings coming lose on hard line.

A small leak from PVC is MUCH different than having a hose come loose or cracking.....I have had both happen lol. Sometimes it is just user error where a child accidentally pulls on the hose That can't happen with hard plumbing.

 

[Captain Quint]

I've gone both ways on full hard plumb and full soft plumb. My present is a combo. So much crud builds quickly in both and I admit I change my soft plumb line frequently from my return pump to my PVC connection into the tank with ease.

 

[WVNed]

PVC plumbing is easy to source locally. It stays where you put it. It is somewhat self supporting. It doesn't change over time, It blocks light. It is easier to install (for me). It is cheap. It was engineered to carry water installed in the walls of a house and forgotten about.
Pretty much what I want it to do on my tank
I have some flex pvc on my system right now but I don't think I will be using it again.

 

[WVNed]

---------------------------------------
@Nurse Ned - I am sure you can but when you go to turn those cheap quality gates and ball valves in less than a year and they barely turn, you get what you pay for mate that all i WAS saying!

This might not make sense to you but it does to me!
This is totally my motto when it comes to this hobby! ALWAYS use quality products, I believe that 50% increase in coast is definitely worthwhile, even if you only gain another 5% of the product reliability especially if you have a mature tank with years of time and effort invested. Keep in mind that your tank is a place where water and electricity come together.

All of my tanks have used these valves from Lowes or Home Depot. I have never had a problem.

 

[Retro Reefer]

A small leak from PVC is MUCH different than having a hose come loose or cracking.....I have had both happen lol. Sometimes it is just user error where a child accidentally pulls on the hose That can't happen with hard plumbing.

I have had dozens of salt water tanks over the last 30+ years all plumbed with soft line and never seen or heard of cracked soft hose, not saying it couldn’t happen but can you post any links to such issues? I would also think if you have a young child messing with stuff in your sump pulling on your soft line would be the least of your worries .. this is not meant to be negative or degrading just wondering about any absolute positives with hard line.

 

[Retro Reefer]

PVC plumbing is easy to source locally. It stays where you put it. It is somewhat self supporting. It doesn't change over time, It blocks light. It is easier to install (for me). It is cheap. It was engineered to carry water installed in the walls of a house and forgotten about.
Pretty much what I want it to do on my tank
I have some flex pvc on my system right now but I don't think I will be using it again.

Again not being negative just debating.. lots of things such as hot tubs use soft line that’s also installed hidden and meant to be forgotten about, I use black line (see above picture) so light penetration is not a issue and the soft plumbing on my current tank cost me $20 and less than 20 minutes to install, I don’t see anyone hard plumbing a tank in under 20 minutes.

 

[WVNed]

I admit I don't think about using soft plumbing. It isn't commonly available here and what is here is very expensive compared to standard plumbing stuff.
So my tank is hard plumed, my water change system is hard plumbed and my skimmer air intake is hard plumbed.

I have the drains for my 30 gallon cube stored. It ran for 6 years and has been dry for a year now.
The cheap ball valve works fine on it.

 

[Retro Reefer]

All of my tanks have used these valves from Lowes or Home Depot. I have never had a problem.

I agree I have used these many times without issues, they may be tougher to turn than a gate valve but doable.

 

[WVNed]

We debate a lot about what is the BEST thing to ...............
I run my life on cheap and good enough. It has been

good enough.

My stuff works. that is all I need it to do.