hard pvc or vinyl tubing

[rtague]

Are there any advantages to using hard pvc over tubing to plumb a sump?.I'm thinking of putting ball valves next to bulk heads then vinyl tubing to drain and return pump,or should I use pvc all the way.

 

[cmantis]

You can use flex pvc and a gate valve would be better than a ball for the drains.

 

[Exotic Reef]

Hard pvc makes it looks clean but when you start moving equipment around and change things up its hard

 

[thirty6]

Hard pvc makes it looks clean but when you start moving equipment around and change things up its hard

good point, that could become a royal pia

 

[myblock175]

pve and ball valves

 

[Exotic Reef]

You the grey plumbing drain kit lfs sell them at different sizes i know aquarium village does .and another important thing if you use hard pvc for your return pump when you use pvc you have to make different 90 degree turns and that slows the pump down .so keep that in mind also . so i would use the soft plumbing for the return pump

 

[rtague]

Thanks all for replies,seems like tubing might be the easier option.

 

[skene]

You can do hard pvc... then use tubing... easier for things like pumps where you need some flexibility... or drains when you need to make easy turns.

 

[rtague]

You can do hard pvc... then use tubing... easier for things like pumps where you need some flexibility... or drains when you need to make easy turns.

Yeah ,gonna go this way.

 

[jbjints]

You are doing the right thing going with what Skene recommends. I used hard pvc only and if I could do it over again I would. Good luck.

 

[rtague]

You are doing the right thing going with what Skene recommends. I used hard pvc only and if I could do it over again I would. Good luck.

Thanks JB,how exactly would you do it?.

 

[jon99]

I used a combo, hard pvc for drain to sump and flex pvc for return from sump to dt. My thinking was the flex pvc reduces the drag and loss in flow that you get with 90 degree turns with hard pvc.

 

[bigdog1428]

Clear vinyl tubing .

 

[yah-the submariner]

yep,go with skene and jon and you definitely want to use a gate valve. flex and clear both have uses but with clear tubing you will eventually have algae growth. also definitely hard plumb your drain though,you do NOT want a leak or tubing failure from that area.you're more likely to do more work or changes from the return i.e upgrading return pumps.