Vinyl Tubing for water changes..

[Tetra84]

Does anyone have any good suggestions for super flexible vinyl tubing that I can get a hold of for water changes (water into tank). I need around 25 feet of 3/4 ID tubing. It seems that most of the places that I found it it was not very pliable. Any good ideas? What do you all use?

[ClownsRCoo]

Tubing from lowes. If it's not very pliable at first then soak in hot water for 20min and it will be very pliable.

[Tetra84]

both of the Lowe's that were near me didn't have 25 feet of it, but what they did have seemed pretty rigid. So you're saying heating it up will make it soft even after it cools?

[Vinny Kreyling]

NO - it will go back to where it was.
Thin walled is what to look for.

[Tetra84]

NO - it will go back to where it was.
Thin walled is what to look for.

So that being the case.. know the best place to get some of that?

[ClownsRCoo]

Braided vinyl tubing is rigid but normal vinyl clear tubing is not. It just has a coil to it since its been on rolls. And you can absolutely put it in hot water and get the coil out of it. I have 30' of it and use it weekly. You aren't going to find something like silicone tubing in that OD.

[Tetra84]

Update: I did find this on Ebay, only 1/16" wall thickness and still 3/4" ID. That should work I imagine.. wonder if it's lead free or not? or if that matters?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clear-Vinyl-Tubing-3-4-ID-7-8-OD-1-16-thick-Tube-SOLD-BY-THE-FOOT-/191702606171

[todddye]

I recently started using the Deep Blue Hydramaxx Extension water changer, and it's the absolutely the most flexible tubing I've found aside from very expensive silicone. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DGI0H6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Under $30 for 50', so even if you don't use the gravel siphon or the valve, it's still worth that for just the tubing.

One thing to note, I believe the ID may be 5/8 but it's flexible and soft so it'd probably work with a 3/4" barb if that's what you're using.

[Brieninsac]

Do you want food grade tubing?

[atreis]

IMO - you'll have trouble keeping thin-wall non-braided tubing from kinking unless your run is straight and tightly held (in which case braided tubing would work fine).

x2 on the Deep Blue tubing btw. It's more flexible than most, and kinks less.

[Shaummy]

I use similar tubing to the Deep Blue (I use Python) but it's not 3/4" tubing. I'm not sure if that's a deal breaker or not. I was able to put together some fittings to reduce down my pump fittings to the "garden hose" style connection using stuff from HD etc..

I've had mine for close to 20 years now...very durable and flexible stuff.

[KingTriton1]

Why do you need 3/4''?

I have a pump that uses 1'' ID, but I use a 1" to 1/2" adapter and 1/2'' ID tubing on it as I don't want to pay the extra $ just to save 1 minute.

Python would be my recommendation. It doesn't kink and is very pliable.

[KingTriton1]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/white-soft-silicone-tubing-sold-by-the-foot.html

C'mon its only $175 :)

[Mayberry]

Foster and Smith has it for a good price.

[billdogg]

I use similar tubing to the Deep Blue (I use Python) but it's not 3/4" tubing. I'm not sure if that's a deal breaker or not. I was able to put together some fittings to reduce down my pump fittings to the "garden hose" style connection using stuff from HD etc..

I've had mine for close to 20 years now...very durable and flexible stuff.

Why do you need 3/4''?

I have a pump that uses 1'' ID, but I use a 1" to 1/2" adapter and 1/2'' ID tubing on it as I don't want to pay the extra $ just to save 1 minute.

Python would be my recommendation. It doesn't kink and is very pliable.

What they said. I still have and use python siphon tubing that I got in the mid 1980's. I tried the thin walled tubing from HD/Lowes and hated it because it kinked way too easily.

[BlackTip]

+1 on Python

[Kt8]

+1 python