PVC plumbing

[Raysup88]

Ok so I’m getting back into the aquarium world again. I have a 60g tank and was thinking of using pvc piecing together for my return from sump back up to the tank instead of plastic tubing. Is there benefits to having the tubing and is it a good/bad idea to do this?

 

[Peace River]

Using PVC to hard plumb the return is a common method. You may want to add a small length of silicon hose between the pump and the PVC (using barbs) to eliminate the vibration transfer. Good luck!

 

[Billdogg]

Using PVC to hard plumb the return is a common method. You may want to add a small length of silicon hose between the pump and the PVC (using barbs) to eliminate the vibration transfer. Good luck!

^^^Exactly this!^^^

The big advantages to PVC are that it is quite inexpensive, won't grow algae on the inside like clear vinyl will, and it won't kink like vinyl eventually will. I agree 1000% that a short piece of vinyl or better yet silicone tubing between the return pump and the pvc is almost mandatory. It will all but eliminate any transfer of vibration and will allow for some movement of the return pump for cleaning, etc.

 

[Raysup88]

Sweet thanks guys

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

Can I get silicone tubing form HomeDepot? I am about to setup my "submersible pump" and have been debating on connecting straight to PVC or a tube. Also do not want to buy tubing from H D that may leach something into the tank.
Also what size tubing? 90 gallon tank with 3/4 pvc to return, do I try and match the 3/4?
Thanks alot!!

 

[Peace River]

I haven’t seen it at HD. I have always purchased from BRS.

 

[Saltyreef]

Im a big fan of the eshopps flexible hoses. They plumb right into a 1" slip instead if bottlenecking and using an adapter.
I hard plumbed my overflow into the sump but used the flexible eshopps hose and a 1" union on the pump return to negate any vibration and ease of removal for maintenance.

 

[Unstoppable algae!]

Im a big fan of the eshopps flexible hoses. They plumb right into a 1" slip instead if bottlenecking and using an adapter.
I hard plumbed my overflow into the sump but used the flexible eshopps hose and a 1" union on the pump return to negate any vibration and ease of removal for maintenance.

Never thought of using that, would make install very easy. Thank you.

 

[mfinn]

My last 4 dc pumps were plumbed directly to the pvc.
The whole idea of using a short section of soft tubing between the pump and pvc pipe came from older ac style pumps that did make a little noise and did have a tendency to vibrate a little. With that, a pump could make quite a bit of racket.
We also used silicone hot pads under the pumps to keep the pump from vibrating on the sump bottom.