Using a garden hose?

Shawn Waldon · Feb 12, 2020

I am trying to figure out a cheap way to get a run of hose from my water mixing station to my tank. I was thinking of using a garden hose with the ends cut off but I have heard that garden hose is not good to be used for reef tanks any thoughts? the other thought was to use a potable water RV hose any thoughts on that?

Retro Reefer · Feb 12, 2020

The potable water RV hose would be the better choice but not sure if they would be resistant to salt water?

lapin · Feb 12, 2020

What sort of connectors are you using?
I was thinking like you, get a white hose and cut off the ends and use barbs.
As long as the metal ends are gone I dont think you will have any issues with a potable water hose and salt water

Old Fritz · Feb 12, 2020

I used to use a hose for all of my tanks. I'd run it through the window lol. Saved a lot of time. However at the time I did not have any coral so whether it's safe or not I'm not too sure.

Shawn Waldon · Feb 12, 2020

I was thinking of just using barbed fittings for the connection and then putting a valve on the end with a small PVC set up that can hang on the tank for the outlet. the way I have my water changing system setup I can run RO water and salt water through the same hose. So I was just figuring that I would run some RO water through the hose into my yard after doing water changes to clean out the salt.

Quietman · Feb 12, 2020

How long of run is it from tank to tank? I don't like idea of garden hose because every time I have a new one, I can smell the gas off from whatever it's made from. Might be a minor issue and be perfectly fine but I'd rather use silicon braided hose or perhaps potable.

Shawn Waldon · Feb 12, 2020

Quietman said:
How long of run is it from tank to tank? I don't like idea of garden hose because every time I have a new one, I can smell the gas off from whatever it's made from. Might be a minor issue and be perfectly fine but I'd rather use silicon braided hose or perhaps potable.

Both of my aquariums are within 25 ft of the water changing station. I would do the traditional vinyl hose from home Depot but they are so expensive now and only come in 10 ft sections.

Quietman · Feb 12, 2020

Braided Hose

A bit pricier than potable water hose. So I may go with the PW and cut off ends as well. Plus the PW hose would store better (roll up).

VB313 · Feb 12, 2020

https://www.pexuniverse.com/

super cheap

Pickwun · Feb 12, 2020

Ever drink from a water hose?
Do you want your aquarium to taste like that?

mike550 · Feb 12, 2020

VB313 said:
https://www.pexuniverse.com/

super cheap

Isn't pet tubing fairly stiff compared to garden hose, etc?

Knightwolf1.025 · Feb 12, 2020

this stuff is not much more than a garden hose and is made out of tank save materials. Most garden hoses leach toxin from when they’re manufactured, and are not considered safe to drink from.

Duda Energy HPpvc100-025ft 25' x 1" ID High Pressure Braided Clear Flexible PVC Tubing Heavy Duty UV Chemical Resistant Vinyl Hose Water Oil

mike550 · Feb 12, 2020

Retro Reefer said:
The potable water RV hose would be the better choice but not sure if they would be resistant to salt water?

@Shawn Waldon I'm struggling with the same issue and same idea. I've heard that some garden hoses have lead or phthalates in them to make the flexible, so I think a potable water hose is a better choice. Quick search at home depot shows two that are both lead free. Just a couple of thoughts, and following this thread.

As to salt water resistance, my plan was to simply flush the hose with freshwater after each use or drain the hose as much as possible. Would also dump the first couple of gallons of saltwater when I used the hose rather than putting directly into the tank.

Shawn Waldon · Feb 12, 2020

VB313 said:
https://www.pexuniverse.com/

super cheap

Pex isn't flexable enough. Do you use it?

mtfish · Feb 12, 2020

Do you have to remove the hose for any reasons? Why not just use PVC pipe? If it has to snake around stuff, there is flexible PVC pipe that can be used. Maybe I am under thinking this?

Shawn Waldon · Feb 12, 2020

mtfish said:
Do you have to remove the hose for any reasons? Why not just use PVC pipe? If it has to snake around stuff, there is flexible PVC pipe that can be used. Maybe I am under thinking this?

I don't need to disconnect anything but my water changing station is outside my house in my shop so I have to have something that I can roll up and put away.

mtfish · Feb 12, 2020

I would suggest flex PVC pipe with quick connect between your shop and tanks. I am sure you can buy it in multiple places but link below is example. Meets drinking water standards so you know it is reef safe.

Flexible PVC Pipes, Hose, Tubing & Fittings at Great Prices With FREE Technical Support- #1 FlexPVCÂ® Official Site

Don't buy from Amazon, they do not sell FlexPVC, they sell imitators. See our selection of flexible PVC pipes, fittings, clamps, corners, hoses, cement, primer, tools and much more today! At FlexPVC, 90% of our PVC pipe and plastic pipe fittings are made in the USA. We offer wholesale discounts...

flexpvc.com

mike550 · Feb 12, 2020

mtfish said:
I would suggest flex PVC pipe with quick connect between your shop and tanks. I am sure you can buy it in multiple places but link below is example. Meets drinking water standards so you know it is reef safe.

Flexible PVC Pipes, Hose, Tubing & Fittings at Great Prices With FREE Technical Support- #1 FlexPVCÂ® Official Site

Don't buy from Amazon, they do not sell FlexPVC, they sell imitators. See our selection of flexible PVC pipes, fittings, clamps, corners, hoses, cement, primer, tools and much more today! At FlexPVC, 90% of our PVC pipe and plastic pipe fittings are made in the USA. We offer wholesale discounts...

flexpvc.com

Actually it’s not drinking water safe. From the website it says safe for fish tanks but can’t be used for portable water. So that’s a dilemma. What follows is copied from their website.

Is flexible pvc pipe safe for fish tanks?

Yes, good for fresh, salt water or reef aquariums, fisheries, ponds, etc. Warning: It's always a very good idea to wash all pipe and fittings if you are going to use them for anything to do with wildlife. For example, we use a natural pesticide in our warehouse, but you don't know what others use, or what the trucking company uses, etc. So to be safe, always wash the fittings and/or flush the system thoroughly before putting in any fish or livestock. This goes for bird cages and toys made out of PVC also.

Can flexible pvc pipe be used in the home or for drinking water?

No. The flexible pvc pipe we sell is not rated for drinking (potable) water. Flexible PVC is non-toxic, however it will pick up a "plastic" taste if water sits in the pipe for several hours. Also home plumbing systems are under constant pressure and so we do not recommend flex pvc for such applications

mtfish · Feb 12, 2020

mike550 said:
Actually it’s not drinking water safe. From the website it says safe for fish tanks but can’t be used for portable water. So that’s a dilemma. What follows is copied from their website.

Is flexible pvc pipe safe for fish tanks?

Yes, good for fresh, salt water or reef aquariums, fisheries, ponds, etc. Warning: It's always a very good idea to wash all pipe and fittings if you are going to use them for anything to do with wildlife. For example, we use a natural pesticide in our warehouse, but you don't know what others use, or what the trucking company uses, etc. So to be safe, always wash the fittings and/or flush the system thoroughly before putting in any fish or livestock. This goes for bird cages and toys made out of PVC also.

Can flexible pvc pipe be used in the home or for drinking water?

No. The flexible pvc pipe we sell is not rated for drinking (potable) water. Flexible PVC is non-toxic, however it will pick up a "plastic" taste if water sits in the pipe for several hours. Also home plumbing systems are under constant pressure and so we do not recommend flex pvc for such applications

Well, I stand corrected.
While white FlexPVC does have an NSF-51 rating, it is not suitable for potable (NSF-61, drinking) water applications. There is nothing toxic in the pipe, but it will pick up a "plastic taste" if water sits in it for several hours. This is the only reason it doesn't have a potable water rating: it can't pass the taste test. Same for black or gray. Neither can be used for potable drinking water. For livestock and fish it is perfectly acceptable. (Subject to local codes.)

mtfish · Feb 12, 2020

FYI, I have been using this pipe for 7 years to transfer water in both my fish room and from my pick up truck to a holding tank without issues. I would still recommend it for your use.