Plumbing basement filtration room with flex pvc

[Ironwill723]

Thinking of using some ultraflex pvc pipe to run my three drains and one return line on a new build. Anyone have any pictures of their plumbing setup with flex pvc? Trying to envision some neat/clean wall mounting options vs rigid pvc pipe and a bunch of fittings.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The stuff is kind of tough to work with. It has a memory and will want to return to its curved state. This is an aesthetic problem but also a problem with shortening that puts strain on connections. If you take a look at where it is used in pools and spas, it is typically not straight but rather installed with some slack and its natural curve.

Sorry - I don't have any good photos of setups that you are looking for.

 

[Reign1]

I agree w/ last comment . It is pretty firm . I have incorporated it w/ hard pvc to eliminate bends and 90’s but as stand alone you will have to pipe clamp it ..
I don’t have pics as this was 15-20 years back

 

[JGT]

I used it for the exact config as you are planning. Didn’t think it was difficult to work with. I like the fact that it gives you softer turns vs hard PVC. Especially important when running from a basement to first floor. A hair dryer is helpful in getting it to bend the way you want it. Think I have a few pics. Let me dig them up.

 

[Ironwill723]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I am very familiar with the original spaflex. Not as flexible as you would think. I was hoping someone had tried the new Hydromaxx "ultra" spa flex. Supposedly it is way easier to work with. I believe @ca1ore has used it before.

 

[JGT]

Pic of sump with it. I got mine from Amazon. Black 1 1/4” Hydromaxx.

 

[Ironwill723]

Pic of sump with it. I got mine from Amazon. Black 1 1/4” Hydromaxx.

Awesome thanks. Same brand I was looking at but in white. How did you like it for gluing up. Did it fit the pvc fittings snug? Some of the offbrand (chinese) ones are loose in the fittings.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Use heavy body cement, Red Hot Blue or Rain-n-Shine cement. The plasticizers in it make it hard to create good joints.

 

[JGT]

Awesome thanks. Same brand I was looking at but in white. How did you like it for gluing up. Did it fit the pvc fittings snug? Some of the offbrand (chinese) ones are loose in the fittings.

Found it no different than hard pvc. Used the primer, glue on both pieces, insert/twist, hold for 30 secs, done.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Found it no different than hard pvc. Used the primer, glue on both pieces, insert/twist, hold for 30 secs, done.

But it is different. The OD is not as accurate and it is much softer. I would use cleaner but not use primer on the soft side of the joint and as mentioned use the heavy body cement types that have more pvc monomers in them and less solvent.

I used to do a demonstration for club talks showing the difference in strength. Flex can often be easily pulled apart from a fitting when primer and regular pvc cement are used.

 

[JGT]

Your advice makes sense. I’ve done multiple runs on multiple tanks with primer and regular glue and no issues but I am very methodical and test the joints to ensure a solid weld. Haven’t been able to pull one apart yet. And once in place, they remain fairly static.

 

[Ironwill723]

I've used the Oatey Medium or Heavy pvc glue without issue on the flex before but I will definitely check those other ones you mentioned.

 

[Harpo]

I like to use spaflex between my tank bulkheads and the ridgid PVC

 

[ca1ore]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I am very familiar with the original spaflex. Not as flexible as you would think. I was hoping someone had tried the new Hydromaxx "ultra" spa flex. Supposedly it is way easier to work with. I believe @ca1ore has used it before.

Yes, I used it almost exclusively on my last tank and again on my current tank. I don't find it hard to work with at all, and it does eliminate the need for flow robbing 90s and other fittings. It does tend to harden over time (like vinyl tubing), so any replumbing for me usually meant using new. I suppose one could do it in an aesthetically appealing way, but I never bothered. Lots of pictures in my 450 build thread.

Last few times I bought the TekTube 'brand' off Amazon, and it works just fine. Don't recall ever trying the HydroMax.

As to the glue strength, most of the sellers of flex say not to use the shallow shoulder DWV fittings because the glue surface is limited. Use standard fittings, particularly on pressure lines. They also say not to twist the pipe as you glue it. just push it firmly in and hold for a minute or so. I was never able to physically pull solvent welded joints apart using regular medium cement (never bothered with primer).

 

[Dburr1014]

My wife asked why I needed her hair dryer. I'm bald so I simply said "I need to loosen up my flex pvc".

 

[Ironwill723]

Still debating using rigid vs flex pvc to run my drain lines. I know I could run the flex pvc neatly to make it look nice and it is so much easier to use than rigid pvc. I also know I am a perfectionist and ocd about my work so still haven't decided what I will use. Maybe a combination of the two?

 

[Ironwill723]

My wife asked why I needed her hair dryer. I'm bald so I simply said "I need to loosen up my flex pvc".

Great idea!

 

[Dburr1014]

Great idea!

Worked pretty good. It does have some memory that's why I used some zip ties to keep it in place. It will stay after a couple months of running.

 

[Rappa]

I thought about using it with my setup too. I even bought a bunch of it. It's not cheap. Ultimately I used furniture grade PVC in red and blue. Red for drains and blue for return lines. Orange for manifolds and some misc things. It looks nice. I do have a big old external AC pump and it might eliminate some of the humming sound if I had used that from the sump to the pump. I still could I suppose... but I really don't even hear the noise anymore. I have some 1-1/2" and 1" white rolled up somewhere. Stuff was expensive...

 

[NancyFish]

Still debating using rigid vs flex pvc to run my drain lines. I know I could run the flex pvc neatly to make it look nice and it is so much easier to use than rigid pvc. I also know I am a perfectionist and ocd about my work so still haven't decided what I will use. Maybe a combination of the two?

Did you end up making a decision.. I bought rigid and the flex, going to do a combo as well.