Why use PVC Pipe?

Bumgrundle · Apr 30, 2016

I'm only a bit over a month into reefing so don't kill me...but....why does everyone use PVC pipe, 90's, 45's etc...
When planning out my long dreamed of reef tank, I fully intended to use PVC just like all the great systems i'd seen on forums, sites etc.. One day when putting together my check list to outfit the tank and stand I had just purchased, I saw "Ultra-Flex PVC Tubing" on a site that has most anything and everything I would need for the nuts and bolts of my system.
I wracked my brain to understand why I had never seen, or maybe just never noticed a system using this instead of PVC Pipe. So not one to run with the herd, I shifted gears and altered my checklist to use all Ultra-Flex PVC, Man I'm glad I did!
So easy to install, Looks SO much cleaner and really is more "Invisible" than Reg PVC. The flow is totally unchanged or obstructed.

Having said all that, Is there a good reason NOT to use it? Let me know what you think!

P.S. I did go against their recommendation to not use it w/slip connections. I wanted it to be non permanent in certain places, all I did was use a hair dryer to connect to the slip fittings, and used plastic hose clamps as a back up (Once on, no way are they coming off, I'm a big feller, and I have a heck of a a time even getting them free) at those connect points.

Isaac Alves · Apr 30, 2016

Looks really cool.

Bumgrundle · Apr 30, 2016

isaacalves said:
Looks really cool.

Why thank you sir! =)

hybridazn · Apr 30, 2016

Looks good! I thought about using something like that on my builds but I love the look of a well planned out pvc run tank. Looks even better when color piping/ fittings are used.

Clayalaleona · Apr 30, 2016

I thought the same thing until I used Flex PVC.
Its not nearly at "flexy" as you would hope it is. Pvc glue has a hard time bonding to it sometimes. You cannot make a neat looking sump area without it since it kind of just dangles there. Its ALWAYS in the way when you need to do heavy maintenance and cutting it is a PITA if you don't buy the tool.

All my builds after the "hell tank" have been hard plumbed, I'd never use that stuff again

Lionfish Lair · Apr 30, 2016

We use the Ultra flex.

Tried the Flex PVC and I hate that stuff.

Macdaddynick1 · Apr 30, 2016

Looks like black vinyl tubing.

Bumgrundle · Apr 30, 2016

hybridazn said:
Looks good! I thought about using something like that on my builds but I love the look of a well planned out pvc run tank. Looks even better when color piping/ fittings are used.

That thought had crossed my mind, and I can see that side for sure. The Yin/Yang Feng Shui thing =)

Bumgrundle · Apr 30, 2016

Clayalaleona said:
I thought the same thing until I used Flex PVC.
Its not nearly at "flexy" as you would hope it is. Pvc glue has a hard time bonding to it sometimes. You cannot make a neat looking sump area without it since it kind of just dangles there. Its ALWAYS in the way when you need to do heavy maintenance and cutting it is a PITA if you don't buy the tool.

All my builds after the "hell tank" have been hard plumbed, I'd never use that stuff again

As far as the Flex vs Ultra-Flex, they are 2 totaly different beasts. The Ultra-Flex, IMO, bends perfectly enough. Meaning it bends more than enough to suit your needs without changing the inside diameter. Should you need something in a short 90, use a hair dryer to slowly go past it's reg bend point, but you'll have it start to flatten oput some at the apex.
Gluing? just like PVC no different.

Bumgrundle · Apr 30, 2016

Also, much more efficient than 90's and 45's being in the mix. Personally I like the more natural flow for the betterment of my reef and the more organic aesthetics. But I really can appreciate, as Hybridazn mentioned, the Planned out PVC look as well.

d2mini · Apr 30, 2016

I've used it before. It's a great alternative if you want nice smooth curves without the restriction of traditional PVC fittings.
It glues just like hard PVC, I just make sure I use a lot of glue and you HAVE to use the primer. It's not completely smooth like hard PVC is.

As far as the stiffness is concerned, set your oven to a low temp like 150 degrees and put a cut section of pipe in there for 10-15 mins. It will soften the pipe considerably so you can glue it up and then it will stiffen up as it cools.
I've use this technique many times and it works great. It's not hot enough (or left in the oven long enough) to compromise the material.
Another option is to leave it out in the sun on a hot summer day, or very carefully use a heat gun.

AlexG · Apr 30, 2016

I have used flex in the past and it seemed to want to popout of fittings when gluing them together. I stick with normal PVC mostly because its relatively cheap and it has been reliable for my builds.

glb · Apr 30, 2016

I like regular PVC with a lot of unions so you can adjust things if they're a little off.

Lowstorm · Apr 30, 2016

I use flex too. I don't remember what sort, but it was recommended with my eshopps overflow, and is the eshopps brand. I like it.

jerseypete · Apr 30, 2016

Bumgrundle said:
I'm only a bit over a month into reefing so don't kill me...but....why does everyone use PVC pipe, 90's, 45's etc...
When planning out my long dreamed of reef tank, I fully intended to use PVC just like all the great systems i'd seen on forums, sites etc.. One day when putting together my check list to outfit the tank and stand I had just purchased, I saw "Ultra-Flex PVC Tubing" on a site that has most anything and everything I would need for the nuts and bolts of my system.
I wracked my brain to understand why I had never seen, or maybe just never noticed a system using this instead of PVC Pipe. So not one to run with the herd, I shifted gears and altered my checklist to use all Ultra-Flex PVC, Man I'm glad I did!
So easy to install, Looks SO much cleaner and really is more "Invisible" than Reg PVC. The flow is totally unchanged or obstructed.

Having said all that, Is there a good reason NOT to use it? Let me know what you think!

P.S. I did go against their recommendation to not use it w/slip connections. I wanted it to be non permanent in certain places, all I did was use a hair dryer to connect to the slip fittings, and used plastic hose clamps as a back up (Once on, no way are they coming off, I'm a big feller, and I have a heck of a a time even getting them free) at those connect points.

I bought it also. But didn't use it. Didn't realize it was meant to be used the same way as pipe. Was going to use a barb fitting. But they recommend not to. I was going yo use it on supply. Not drains. I thing you'll be alright. But I would use it that way for a return line.