How much do you spend on PVC?

[SHOmuchFUN]

I'm about to place an order for PVC fittings and I can't believe what it added up to!


Here is a crude diagram of what I'm setting up... It's a 180gal tank with a basement 100gal rubbermaid stock tank: http://www.erikengstrom.net/Aquariums/180G_Build/plumbing_diagram.jpg

I don't expect everyone to decipher my chicken scratch, but it should give you an idea...

Here is my current shopping cart for what I believe, will be the fittings for the diagram I made:
http://www.erikengstrom.net/Aquariums/180G_Build/plumbing_table.html

Over $300 in PVC fittings :eek1: Is this crazy???
This still does not include the pipe itself, but my order contains flex PVC which will be run in areas that will need multiple bends. The flex PVC is indicated in areas that do not have an entirely straight line in my diagram.

[Ion Innovations]

Flex is spendy, more 90s & 45s may be cheaper.

[RussM]

Yes... it does add up! Price those same parts at your LFS and prepare to have a coronary :)

It's hard to do better than Savko, unless you have an "in" with someone who can buy wholesale. I did like you and made a large order through them when preparing to plumb my current 120g system.

BTW... skip those lightweight black bulkheads and spend the extra few bucks for the heavy-duty SCH80 ones. The lightweights are prone to cracking, IME.

[Smitty750]

Its not the fittings that are pricey those prices are actually pretty good Im a plumber and get very very good prices. The problem is the union BV they are an arm and a leg, usually schedule 80 not 40 its denser and heavier than 40 used mostly for chemical and fluid transfer. You could probably save a little money if u buy unions and BV seperately but thats a PITA.

[Solitaryensis]

Those union ball valves are nice but cost a pretty penny. You could save a bit by going with regular ball valves and unions but the difference in cost probably doesnt justify going through the trouble. If anything, I would skip out on the flex. I have always found it difficult to use and really only applicable in a small number of scenariors. Plus, I actually like the look of hard PVC more. But yes, plumbing does get very expensive :)

[FishNFun]

Savko is great. So lucky that they're local. I went there last weekend with a crappy drawing and they hooked me up in 15 minutes and even made some good suggestions. The union BVs are pricey though but they're pricey everywhere.

[rcmike]

If you think that is bad you should see how much the 4" gate valves were on my pond. They were about $60 a piece. I've seen the 4" ball valves up to $400 a piece.

[oldsaltman]

I am almost finished with the plumbing on my new inwall 90g. I spent more on the PVC than on the tank itself! :rolleyes:

ACE, Lowes & HD know me by my first name now.:mad:

[billdogg]

???$300???? oh........





thats just the first order....................







Welcome to REEFING!!!

my HD & Lowes guys know me by name now too!

[rcmike]

And what really gets irritating is when you decide to change something and have to cut out half of it. :D

[oldsaltman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14226624#post14226624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rcmike
And what really gets irritating is when you decide to change something and have to cut out half of it. :D

I don't want to hear that. I been doing that this week too.:eek2:

[wardworld]

I go back to the PVC aisle at Lowe's so often my wife has put me on PVC restrictions...I'm not allowed to go there alone anymore :)

[SHOmuchFUN]

:lol: Good to see I'm not alone.

[customcolor]

if you add in the om squirt, loc line, and the ocean currants rotators i have around $500 right here.......

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s193/customcolor/imbroke.jpg

and thats just upstairs right behind the tank :eek1:

[tedu]

$500+++ (Gray Sch40 with a little Sch80 mixed in)

http://www.uiterwyk.com/270/pvc_010_640.jpg

[wardworld]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14226835#post14226835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oldsaltman
I don't want to hear that. I been doing that this week too.:eek2:
...and THAT'S why I'm on PVC restrictions ;) - just went there last night because the Sched 80 stuff I ordered for a 3/4" overflow REALLY needed to be for a 1" overflow :(

[J.russell]

My last tank had about $250 worth of PVC. The one I have now $18 :) I had alot left over from the first build haha

[SHOmuchFUN]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14228549#post14228549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tedu
$500+++ (Gray Sch40 with a little Sch80 mixed in)

http://www.uiterwyk.com/270/pvc_010_640.jpg
oh my

[iamwrasseman]

wow i just let her drain into a 30 gal refuge and pump it back up .cheap and simple at any rate . that enough to plumb my house two times with three extra bathrooms !lol takes a whole bunch and that why you should make numerous drawings and sketches ,then purchase .

[jh2pizza]

Try Savko.com. There customer service is unparalleled.


or flexpvc.com

[cutnup]

Here is after my first trip to home depot. I thought I had a lot then...
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s14/CUTNUP9006/fishtank031.jpg

I have been back 3 times and still need to go back tomorrow for 2 1" elbows and I will be done. For my little 120 I have just as much $ in plumbing if not more than my tank stand. Those 53 cents add up!!
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s14/CUTNUP9006/color2.jpg

[Duff Man]

I can see the Home Depot from my house. Saves lots of time and gas.

[jdieck]

My return valve.

http://reef.diesyst.com/pics/Valve.jpg

[stugray]

jdieck,

Cmon...youre just teasing. Source & Model # please..;-)


SHOmuchFUN,

I have more than $300 in spare parts in my garage "Just in case".

They are all spare parts from previous projects.
Everyone knows that men just "Never Return Anything".
( at least according to my wife ). she's right..

Stu

[jdieck]

Used to switch return flow from one side of the tank to the other of the tank.

Valve 1-1/2"
http://www.metexcorporation.com/metex_pdf/hayward/Act_TW_New.pdf

Electric actuator EAU28:
http://www.metexcorporation.com/metex_pdf/hayward/EAU.pdf

Source: Ryan Herco 1-800-848-1141 Around $300.00 to $400.00

[SHOmuchFUN]

Okay, well you guys made me feel better... Going to put in the order this morning.

I may even add some elbows, couplings, and 45's "Just In Case" :eek:
:lol:

[tedu]

Yeah, I added 1 or 2 extras of most fittings 'just in case'.
Also helps build up the inventory! :D

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14243830#post14243830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tedu
Yeah, I added 1 or 2 extras of most fittings 'just in case'.
Also helps build up the inventory! :D
Yes, that is how they start to pile up :lol: