Redsea reefer v3 and Varios 6 return pump

[WGivens]

Hello fellow reefers,

I have a question that I can’t seem to have find a consistent solution on and / or an answer for at all. So I thought it would be the perfect time for my first post in a while.

I’m still fairly new to plumbing and the different types of sump and set ups, so sorry if some of the explanation isn’t completely clear Or with the right lingo.

I recently purchased a Red Sea Reefer 250 v3 and an Octo Varios 6 return pump. (I bought the bigger pump because I wanted to learn more about manifolds for reactors and wanted that flexibility for a later date.) In the meantime I am having a tough time connecting my return pump to the flex tubing that the Red Sea comes with. There seems to be a converter needed, or something I just can’t seem to find.

The Redsea reefer has a 5/8 flex tubing return pipe:

and the Varios 6 pump comes with a1 1/4 barb as well as a 7/8 barb.

And I’m not sure how to connect these two piece and would love some help. Anyone do this before? Anyone good with plumbing and can help explain to me what I am looking for etc. Seems like a lot of conversations out there on this problem, but not many clear solutions.

Thanks in advance.

 

[splitting_lanes]

I was able to find a replacement barb for where the return hose connects to the return pipe, and piece of 3/4” hose.

so, my solution was to change the hose to 3/4” and get a new barb for the tank. It’s not easy to find plumbing that converts between imperial and metric, but you can find it on line or at a well stocked aquarium shop.

 

[WGivens]

I was able to find a replacement barb for where the return hose connects to the return pipe, and piece of 3/4” hose.

so, my solution was to change the hose to 3/4” and get a new barb for the tank. It’s not easy to find plumbing that converts between imperial and metric, but you can find it on line or at a well stocked aquarium shop.

Thanks for the response, makes sense what you did. Do you know what size the piece was? Might go look tomorrow.

 

[splitting_lanes]

Thanks for the response, makes sense what you did. Do you know what size the piece was? Might go look tomorrow.

My suggestion is to take the barb off the return on the aquarium and take it with you so you can match threads and size. You’ll need plumbers tape to put it back on, but that’s easy to find and work with.

 

[NCK]

And I’m not sure how to connect these two piece and would love some help. Anyone do this before? Anyone good with plumbing and can help explain to me what I am looking for etc. Seems like a lot of conversations out there on this problem, but not many clear solutions.

Thanks in advance.

I had the same problem on my 350. Very frustrating because the necessary metric to english fittings are hard to come by.

My solution was to boil a pot of water and then hold the last few inches of the green tubing in the boiling water for 30 seconds or so. After that, I was able to slip that green tube right onto the barb that came with my Vectra M1. After it cools for a few seconds, that bad boy is on there TIGHT! No way to get it off without re-heating, but it has worked for the last couple years!

Best of luck!

 

[WGivens]

My suggestion is to take the barb off the return on the aquarium and take it with you so you can match threads and size. You’ll need plumbers tape to put it back on, but that’s easy to find and work with.

Thank you for your help - much appreciated. I was able to go to Home Depot yesterday and pick up the right pieces. Now the fun begins. Thanks again.

 

[WGivens]

I had the same problem on my 350. Very frustrating because the necessary metric to english fittings are hard to come by.

My solution was to boil a pot of water and then hold the last few inches of the green tubing in the boiling water for 30 seconds or so. After that, I was able to slip that green tube right onto the barb that came with my Vectra M1. After it cools for a few seconds, that bad boy is on there TIGHT! No way to get it off without re-heating, but it has worked for the last couple years!

Best of luck!

Makes sense. I thought about boiling the tube too, but I still couldn't find anything that even came close to fitting. I was able to replace the part that came with the plumbing to 3/4 and found a new tube and that worked great. Thank you for your reply - much appreciated.

 

[richwonton]

Thank you for your help - much appreciated. I was able to go to Home Depot yesterday and pick up the right pieces. Now the fun begins. Thanks again.

Can you help me? I’m in the same situation. And I don’t know what I need to get at Home Depot. How did you sliced the problem?

 

[Jeffcb]

I boiled water and heated the hose. It went on the Red Sea barb while it was hot and pliable, trust me, it isn't ever coming off....