First Time Plumber

[alrha]

Ok, I finally got my Red Dragon Pump from Ronen, so i am going to have to cut out all my old plumbing (external) and plumb in my Red Dragon (internal).
The original plumbing was done by the company that installed my tank, so i have NEVER done this before, so please bear with me.

some Q's:
1) Flexible PVC is better than Vinyl Tubing?
2) When using Flexible PVC, do i use Slip fittings and cement (like with PVC pipes) or do i use barb fittings and clamps (like with tubing)?
3) If i am using 1" ID Flexible PVC, do i get the 1" Valves and 1" Bushings or are those supposed to be the larger size (1.5") to fit over the Flexible PVC?

TIA

I am sure there will be more questions coming...

 

[alrha]

oh, btw, anyone is invited to answer. no plumbing experience required.

 

[inkblue]

i haVe fLex pVC if u wanna try some... i got ceMent too... looKs niCer that tuBing, boTh do sAme job as pHiL wouLd put it

caLL savk0 coZ tHey have tHis thing with ID and OD for fLex pVc, i wouLd let them expLain it to you...

 

[TimberTDI]

Al,

Flex PVC come in the same size as size as pvc piping. So a 1"flex fits into standard 1" pvc fittings, 1.25, with 1.25 and so and so on. The only thing different is the glue you use. I have some in the garage(forget the name) HD carries it, "rain something or other"
Steven

 

[alrha]

ink, who is savko? thanks for the info ink and timber. so flex PVC it is along with the apropriate cement and fittings labeled to the same size.

 

[masterswimmer]

Savko Plumbing supply

Plumbing Supply dot com

You should be able to find every fitting and all supplies you need somewhere between those two dot com's.

swimmer

 

[alrha]

Great Links! Thanks Russ!

 

[alrha]

what color Flex PVC is nicer, white or black?
and why would one use rigid PVC over flexible? isnt the flex less restrictive on flow due to more gradual bends and also easier to work with?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

what color Flex PVC is nicer, white or black?
and why would one use rigid PVC over flexible? isnt the flex less restrictive on flow due to more gradual bends and also easier to work with?

it dont matter what color u use it all comes down to preference.. :lol2:

it is less restrictive which is a good thing cause u dont have to use 90 degree elbows which restrict flow...

 

[PalmTree]

Alrha.. I posted on your other thread. I have a ton of Flexable PVC left over from my last setup so you are more than welcome to it. I have some pics of my plumbing in my tank thread. I would never use anything else ever again. It gives such a nice neat look to the guts of your tank.

 

[alrha]

Thanks for the offer Palm, I appreciate it, but i need to get a bunch of stuff anyway.

the output of the pump fits into a 1" vinyl tube (had one laying around), does that mean i plumb everything with 1" PVC? or does that mean i plumb using 3/4" PVC with some sort of fitting on the pump output?

any local places (bklyn) where i can go to size things up? i'd hate to order online to find i got the wrong sizes, or get stuck needing a part i dont have.

 

[inkblue]

liKe i said bR0, i can bRing in some fLex pVc and you can siZe it up, i have a bunch of siZes

 

[PalmTree]

Is the output a threaded or barbed fitting? Either way you are going to need 1" tubing of whichever you prefer.

 

[alrha]

Ok Don, if you are that bored, u can bring some in tomorrow (small pieces) so i can just size it up, because i remember hearing the the RD pumps are a weird size b/c they are european made.

the output of the pump is a slip, not threaded or anything - i guess i should cement a slip-to-threaded fitting over it, no?

 

[DEEPWATER]

ALbert ,

the plumbing supply store on ave N off of flatbush(towards ralph ave )(it has an orange sign) they have everything you need ,from elbows .tees to barb fittings

 

[alrha]

ALbert ,

the plumbing supply store on ave N off of flatbush(towards ralph ave )(it has an orange sign) they have everything you need ,from elbows .tees to barb fittings

Thanks Ronen, you wouldnt know their hours would you? open sundays?

 

[alrha]

When using threaded adapters, the flow should always be from male to female?
and is there a reason not to use threaded adapters wherever possibe? seems easier than cementing and easier to remove if needed.

 

[alrha]

Just spoke with Captive Oceans, they are sending me (they forgot to include it with the pump) a silicone part that should adapt the input and output to American sizes.

 

[eoffrey]

Hey there alrha...congrats on the plumbing task. Plumbing is one of my biggest fears in this hobby and I avoid it at all costs! So I commend you!

I have just plumbed my entire custom tank, hated every second of it for the most part....I've not tested it with the pump running yet, though I noticed earlier on, you were asking about the hoses and pipes and such.

I wound up using the barided vinyl alond with some spa-flex......though my returns are all rigid pvc. I've found myself, after weekd and weeks of going through all of that myself, that once you go over 3/4"-1" pliable pvc/vinyl or whatever else, it can be rough to work with due to its diameter and what sorts of distances you're running and the likes.

I've had great luck using the braided vinyl & for a larger diameter application, the spa-flex is great.

Good luck to you.....

 

[alrha]

well lets not celebrate just yet, i didnt even start yet. :lol: