Plumbing help

saullman · Apr 14, 2021

I am in need of some plumbing help. I am soft plumbing my Vectra S1 pump to my Reefer 350 tank. I know this scenario won't apply to most of you because you have different equipment and/or newer equipment. However, someone must have come across this same problem before. Here's the problem.

The barb on the Red Sea return connector will take 5/8" inner diameter tubing.
The barb on the Vectra S1 pump is larger at 3/4" inner diameter tubing.

How can I make these 2 work together so I can finally fill my tank up with water?

tricky_tran · Apr 14, 2021

Need a barb reducer like this

BlennyTime · Apr 14, 2021

Yep, use a barb reducer. Then run the appropriate size line on each side.

theMeat · Apr 14, 2021

Either use 5/8 Id, heat gun/hair drier on tubing will soften it enough to get on 3/4 barb.
Or use 3/4 Id, and use a short (one inch) piece of 5/8 tubing on 5/8 barb, then push 3/4 tubing over that

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 14, 2021

Mclendons. Lowes. Home depot. Should sell the correct size barb fitting with the correct size fit up to match the other one. Hths
D

Gtinnel · Apr 14, 2021

I'm not sure if its a bad idea, and I'm sure someone will chime in if it is, but could you possibly heat up some 5/8 tubing and force it over the 3/4 barb?

saullman · Apr 14, 2021

tricky_tran said:
Need a barb reducer like this

I like your idea the best. Do you know if I would be able to buy this part at Lowe's or HD?

saullman · Apr 14, 2021

Gtinnel said:
I'm not sure if its a bad idea, and I'm sure someone will chime in if it is, but could you possibly heat up some 5/8 tubing and force it over the 3/4 barb?

I have received quite a few suggestions like yours so it can't be that bad.

Gtinnel · Apr 14, 2021

saullman said:
I have received quite a few suggestions like yours so it can't be that bad.

Yea I saw it was posted while I was typing. I don't see what it would hurt to at least try. I've forced the wrong size tubing onto barbed fittings before, although none I did were that large.

saullman · Apr 14, 2021

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
Mclendons. Lowes. Home depot. Should sell the correct size barb fitting with the correct size fit up to match the other one. Hths
D

I found one at HD, but it's brass. Can I use brass or stick to plastic?

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Apr 14, 2021

Plastic only...
D

saullman · Apr 14, 2021

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
Plastic only...
D

I had a good feeling

tricky_tran · Apr 15, 2021

saullman said:
I like your idea the best. Do you know if I would be able to buy this part at Lowe's or HD?

I tried looking for these on their website, but no dice. I do remember seeing some reducers last time I was at my local HD. but I don’t remember the size.