Hard Plumbing Vs Soft Plumbing

[cloud9aquariums]

We've all seen it. The pretty colored pvc neatly arranged to make the sump/stand look like a tidy work of art. And then there's those of us who chose budget and basic functionality. Spa flex and Ribbed Silicone hose.

The question is:
WHICH DIRECTION DO I GO ON MY NEW SETUP

Show me pictures of your sump/stand masterpiece! What's your favorite feature you added for the Plumbing? Do you have any regrets?

 

[Saltyreef]

Hard and color coordinated...if not on a tight buget.

 

[cloud9aquariums]

Hard and color coordinated...if not on a tight buget.

Clean setup! I do love the look of the hard plumbing. Spa flex can have a mind of its own

 

[The_Paradox]

Agreed. Should be hard line except the 10” after pumps.

 

[Saltyreef]

Clean setup! I do love the look of the hard plumbing. Spa flex can have a mind of its own

I agree. I plumbed the 1ft vertical return run inside the sump with it and its got quite the memory lol.

Disclaimer though I never filled this tank with water. After i built it, the place i decided I wanted my tank was a scooch too small.

So sad.....

 

[Cichlid Dad]

This is after I built the plumbing. Before adding rest of the coral and live stock

 

[cloud9aquariums]

Agreed. Should be hard line except the 10” after pumps.

Hard for asthetics and then soft to keep the vibrations down?

 

[cloud9aquariums]

I agree. I plumbed the 1ft vertical return run inside the sump with it and its got quite the memory lol.

Disclaimer though I never filled this tank with water. After i built it, the place i decided I wanted my tank was a scooch too small.

So sad.....

Ah no! So we're taking a wall out right because downsizing isn't a thing

 

[cloud9aquariums]

This is after I built the plumbing. Before adding rest of the coral and live stock

Looks like you had alot of planning involved in that setup! I like the use of both hard and soft plumbing

 

[The_Paradox]

Hard for asthetics and then soft to keep the vibrations down?

That and allow some deflection when servicing/replacing pumps. Also if you need a minor adjustment you only have to replace/trim the soft section.

 

[cloud9aquariums]

That and allow some deflection when servicing/replacing pumps. Also if you need a minor adjustment you only have to replace/trim the soft section.

Good points I hadn't thought of

 

[indawoods58]

We've all seen it. The pretty colored pvc neatly arranged to make the sump/stand look like a tidy work of art. And then there's those of us who chose budget and basic functionality. Spa flex and Ribbed Silicone hose.

The question is:
WHICH DIRECTION DO I GO ON MY NEW SETUP

Show me pictures of your sump/stand masterpiece! What's your favorite feature you added for the Plumbing? Do you have any regrets?

One vote for PVC

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Looks like you had alot of planning involved in that setup! I like the use of both hard and soft plumbing

The soft plumbing is needed between the two return pumps to keep out vibration. Silicone tubing is even better. I just set the tanks up where I wanted them, then went to plumbing. No plans. Use lots of true unions and you can't really make a mistake.

 

[NE reefer]

I’m using a combination of both. Sections of PVC with vinyl tubing connectors into my overflow box and return. My sump is in the basement, so I ran pvc through the floor then used more flexible tubing connections on the ends. I’m no expert and working on a budget. Here’s my DIY system

 

[cobray]

Hard and color coordinated...if not on a tight buget.

This looks very similar to the system I'm currently attempting. Could you please describe what you did in this photo and why?
Bean animal with the primary drain 2nd from right?
Durso dead center?
Returns from sump to display far left and right?

 

[Saltyreef]

This looks very similar to the system I'm currently attempting. Could you please describe what you did in this photo and why?
Bean animal with the primary drain 2nd from right?
Durso dead center?
Returns from sump to display far left and right?

Just a normal synergy shadow bean animal overflow.
Main siphon and trickle pipe into the main overflow chamber and emergency into the skimmer section.

Returns far left and right.