Flexible hose for sump?

[SamMule]

Why don't I see more sumps plumbed with flexible hose? Seems to me that fewer connecting a little flexibility would be less prone to leaks. As well as easier to service of necessary.

To be clear, I'm talking about the nylon reinforced hose that is almost impossible to kink. Thoughts?

 

[Gelinas101]

I think it's because of the aesthetics, looks cleaner with PVC.

Personally, I run PVC on my overflow and flex hose on my return

 

[PotatoPig]

I use a flexible vinyl tubing for mine.

The downsides are that it’s cheap, fast, easy, adjustable, has low head loss, and fewer joints that could fail vs hard plumbing.

 

[C_AWOL]

Nothing wrong with using flexible tubing. I commonly do a hybrid of pvc and flexible for tight areas/noise dampening myself.

Only downside is that barbed fittings ID wise are smaller than the equivalent pvc so there is some flow loss there (not factoring some pipe compression and bends as well)

 

[shakacuz]

regular tubing can kink/bend causing flow restriction, as well as able to be poked/ripped if enough force is done. vinyl tends to be better, as it is more rigid, but only to connect the return to the PVC return lines to reduce vibration.

 

[FUNGI]

Nothing wrong with using flexible tubing. I commonly do a hybrid of pvc and flexible for tight areas/noise dampening myself.

Only downside is that barbed fittings ID wise are smaller than the equivalent pvc so there is some flow loss there (not factoring some pipe compression and bends as well)

Not all flex use barbs.....i.e.

 

[shakacuz]

Not all flex use barbs.....i.e.

i've had the worst luck with these. they crack so easy :(

 

[Pntbll687]

When I need to plumb something around a corner or a small utility pump, I've started to use corrugated pond tubing. Does not kink, and a fraction the price of vinyl tubing.

I use it for my water change station, and siphon hose for changes as well.

 

[FUNGI]

i've had the worst luck with these. they crack so easy :(

Did you use the Home centre one's? Those are for laundry machines and cheap....
40+ years, I've never had a failure with the aquarium ones

 

[C_AWOL]

I'm personally not a fan of those

Not all flex use barbs.....i.e.

Didn't realize people still use these. You're right in regards to the ID but the eshopps ones I used back in the wet dry era have always cracked and leaked. Don't think you can use them under presdure based on that and it would be more work than its worth to put any valves for a full siphon in the case of a drain.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Why don't I see more sumps plumbed with flexible hose? Seems to me that fewer connecting a little flexibility would be less prone to leaks. As well as easier to service of necessary.

To be clear, I'm talking about the nylon reinforced hose that is almost impossible to kink. Thoughts?

That was in the old days and caused a lot of gurgling sounds and got expensive

 

[shakacuz]

Did you use the Home centre one's? Those are for laundry machines and cheap....
40+ years, I've never had a failure with the aquarium ones

even pool rated versions. plastic just doesn't last long for reef applications unless you're not moving anything, forever (IMHO).

 

[FUNGI]

even pool rated versions. plastic just doesn't last long for reef applications unless you're not moving anything, forever (IMHO).

I have to humbly disagree.
I've used these for 40+ years.....no issues ever.

 

[shakacuz]

I have to humbly disagree.
I've used these for 40+ years.....no issues ever.

glad it worked in your application.

 

[Waters]

When done correctly PVC has 0 chance of leaking. With hoses, there is always that chance.....even as minute as it may be (when the proper hoses and clamps are used of course). I always try to use PVC whenever possible.

 

[exnisstech]

All my returns are connected with a section of flexible tubing. I prefer to use silicone as it helps resuce the noise from vibrations. Its alway a fairly strait run with no sharp bends. PVC requires everything to be cut and aligned pretty close to perfect or it doesn't work. I'm not good at that so flexible tubing works for me.