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Post by Derekmillett on Mar 16, 2014 11:37:10 GMT -5
Going to be setting up my 210 in the next week or so and wanted to know what anyone thought I should do for my return pump line. I was thinking of using vinyl tubing bc it is about as easy as you can get. Are there any advantages to using sch 40 pipe? Also do you think I should put a tee on the line so the water can come into take in two spots. I have a rio 32 hf to use for now. The top of tank is at about 6' so I'm going to lose some of the flow. So Idk if i should split the line or not.
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Post by gotareef on Mar 16, 2014 11:41:14 GMT -5
split the line at the last possible point before the return into the display
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NateG
Full Member
Posts: 222
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Post by NateG on Mar 16, 2014 12:06:12 GMT -5
Vinyl is certainly advantageous due to its ease. But vinyl hose is essentially clear pvc hose that contains a significant amount of plasticizers. These plasticizers leach out into the system over the course of 12-18 months. They are harmful to sensitive inverts however they can quite effectively be removed with carbon. They don't leach out into freshwater, only salt water. This is why the hose becomes rigid over time.
That being said, you could T the line like Rob said. Hard plumb the line from the T on up, and barb the bottom of the T to go vinyl (preferably silicone hose) down to your pump to reduce vibration/noise/wear. Silicone hose is ideal but is about $9 a foot.
You could run hard pvc from the bottom of your T, then right above the top of the sump use a union, then barb, then silicone hose. This would be the quietest, "safest" for your system but would cost about $30 extra. A drop in the bucket for a 210 haha
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Post by Derekmillett on Mar 16, 2014 12:28:55 GMT -5
I told myself "what did I get myself into" when I got this tank. Now 100s of $ later I'm still thinking the same! It's almost ready for water though. So coming out of my return pump I will need to put a 90 to get the pipe out from under the stand, then another 90 to send the water up. I'm sure that this will slow down the flow also? I'm going to look into the silicone tubing though, that does seem like the best bet.
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Post by BriMc on Mar 16, 2014 13:01:36 GMT -5
Two things I dislike about using vinyl tubing is first you use metal hose clamps to prevent the hose from slipping off the barb. Even stainless steel hose clamps can corrode and sometimes the screw is not made out of SS and rusts. Second is when the Vinyl does become ridged it is prone to split, even the reinforced tubing splits and depending where it splits it could cause serious damage. Plus all the above about leaching. P.S. yeap I use and have vinyl tubing on my system right now but that is only because this tank is temporary. (As the wife reads over my shoulder and says " yeah four years temporary". :  |
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Post by BriMc on Mar 16, 2014 13:16:31 GMT -5
I told myself "what did I get myself into" when I got this tank. Now 100s of $ later I'm still thinking the same! It's almost ready for water though. So coming out of my return pump I will need to put a 90 to get the pipe out from under the stand, then another 90 to send the water up. I'm sure that this will slow down the flow also? I'm going to look into the silicone tubing though, that does seem like the best bet. Yes it will slow the flow down but not much, depending on your pumps ratings |
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Post by maineultraclassic on Mar 16, 2014 14:10:32 GMT -5
It sucks that vinyl tubing does that, because it's so easy to work with and is super cheap. Instead of hard piping with 45's and 90's, the vinyl just makes a nice smooth bend.
Hopefully silicone tubing will come down in price, $8-$10 per foot is crazy for 3/4" and 1" sizes.
What about that pool/spa pipe stuff they sell?
I see people using that on tank drains, but not for returns.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Mar 16, 2014 15:09:57 GMT -5
That stuff can be expensive to.I paid 13$ for 3'. You mean this stuff? Attachments:
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Post by BriMc on Mar 16, 2014 15:17:24 GMT -5
It is called spa flex and as Jason and Sarah said it can be expensive.
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Post by Derekmillett on Mar 16, 2014 15:32:09 GMT -5
Was wondering if there was such a thing as too much live rock in a tank also. I found someone who had 75 lbs and picked it up today. Now I have 150 lbs in a 55 gal.....it is temporary for 2 weeks until water is in my new tank.
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Post by moulton712 on Mar 16, 2014 15:35:26 GMT -5
I know how you feel about the money. I spent way too much on my setup. Got some ridiculous pumps, skimmers, stuff. Before I even had livestock. If I only knew now what I know.
On my 90 I used both PVC and vinyl tubing.
I'm my frag tank I have all vinyl for the return.
You can get plastic clamps. I use them.
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Post by BriMc on Mar 16, 2014 15:42:10 GMT -5
Recommendations are 1 to 3 pounds per gallon of water.
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Post by BriMc on Mar 16, 2014 16:12:35 GMT -5
I know how you feel about the money. I spent way too much on my setup. Got some ridiculous pumps, skimmers, stuff. Before I even had livestock. If I only knew now what I know. On my 90 I used both PVC and vinyl tubing. I'm my frag tank I have all vinyl for the return. You can get plastic clamps. I use them. I spent more money replacing a Rug, hardwood floor, and ceiling at my old house because of a cheap piece of reinforced vinyl tubing splitting9. causing 20+ gallons of water to run over the floor and sit for 4 hours until I got home from work. I hard plumb everything from the pump to the sump. At 3.25 for a 1 inch 8 foot section of pvc and fittings at 70 cents each that is cheap insurance. My tank has vinyl on the return but if it leaks the majority of the water will land back in the sump. If the water does leak the leak detectors will shut the pumps off. I agree we all spend tons of money on our tanks and I cheap out when I can but some things just don't pay to cheap out on. Pumps, plumbing, and anything that holds water I don't cheap out on. Chemicals such as 1 and 2 part, you bet it is home depot, pickling lime and group buys. |
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Post by gotareef on Mar 16, 2014 16:39:21 GMT -5
spaflex costs about $8 for 3', $12 for 6' at the pool place
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Post by jasonandsarah on Mar 16, 2014 16:44:59 GMT -5
I got mine from a fish store so it was marked as "flex hose for reef tanks" so it automatically got a price jack just because it has anything to do with fish tanks! Sad but true!  |
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