Plumbing return line with hard or soft plumbing

[Lex_510]

So I’m going back and forth on plumbing a 75 gallon tank for return lines, my 1inch drains x3 overflow will be PVC, so it ok to soft plumbing for the return. What’s the durability? any leaks to be worried about? I want to plumb 2 -3/4 returns on each side

 

[Garf]

So I’m going back and forth on plumbing a 75 gallon tank for return lines, my 1inch drains x3 overflow will be PVC, so it ok to soft plumbing for the return. What’s the durability? any leaks to be worried about? I want to plumb 2 -3/4 returns on each side

That braided pvc lasts donkeys years.

 

[Tono]

Soft plumbing should be fine- we have very low pressure in our tanks- the only thing to worry about is the flexibility of the tubing and to be careful with kinking.

 

[BlennyTime]

Either is fine. It can be good to have at least some soft plumbing on the return, to dampen vibration from the pump.

 

[Hallowhead]

Either works fine... But whatever you do make sure you have a soft transition from pump to hard or super stiff braided. The soft silicone transition reduces vibration ten fold

 

[Vette67]

I ran 2 -1” return lines on my 75 back in 1998. Those vinyl hoses are still on my overflows now. So I would not think twice about using soft lines long term. They will outlast your interest in the hobby, for sure.

 

[Hallowhead]

I ran 2 -1” return lines on my 75 back in 1998. Those vinyl hoses are still on my overflows now. So I would not think twice about using soft lines long term. They will outlast your interest in the hobby, for sure.

Ugh I'll never leave this hobby unless I become homeless.. than again I may become homeless because of the hobby

 

[A sea K]

I've been using the soft silicone tubing for over 4 years now. Never an issue and its does not harden like the vinyl tubing will and is super easy to work with. I'd imagine it is easier to kink but if you you flex it that much then any other flexible tubing would likely kink as well. After 4 years the only drawback I can find is expense but it's worth it in my opinion.