Pex plumbing questions

ddc1993 · 08/05/2018, 05:02 PM

I searched the forums but couldn't find the answers I am looking for. PEX has come a long way to date. I am getting ready to build a refugium in the basement and display tank above. I would like to run my lines using PEX. Would love suggestions/recommendations from those who have done this.
Thanks

Vinny Kreyling · 08/05/2018, 05:07 PM

A quick search only showed it up to 3/4".
Not big enough --

ddc1993 · 08/05/2018, 05:09 PM

They make 1" PEX lines.

Gorgok · 08/05/2018, 05:24 PM

How much smaller is the ID of a plastic pex fitting than the ID of the tube? Brass ones looked pretty thin but the plastic ones looked very chunky. Barb fitting chunky...

But what sort of tank/flow are you looking for anyway?

ddc1993 · 08/05/2018, 05:29 PM

I will have a 40g display with a 55gal ref. I know when I calculated it I could achieve with reg 3/4 PVC. I like the option of running something flexible. I know you can't use the brass fittings but thought the sharkbite fittings would be sufficient.

Gorgok · 08/05/2018, 05:39 PM

Apparently they do make pex (propex?) up to 3" by the way... But maybe its only in expander fitting style. It looks like those would maintain the ID also. Fitting price is pretty bad, at $10 an elbow (at 1.5") hurts, and you still need 2 expander rings (~$1 ea). I didn't see a good way to go from propex to pvc bulkhead without going through brass.

Not sure on the sharkbite stuff, from little i saw they all had brass bodies. I think the sleeves only go so far, so there is brass contact. Could be wrong though.

Gorgok · 08/05/2018, 05:49 PM

Instead of sharkbite you can use John Guest fittings. Those come up to the 1" pex size, and have reasonable ways to connect to pvc/abs bulkheads.

Like this:
https://www.supplyhouse.com/John-Gue...-x-1-NPT-Black

If you only need to have fittings on the bulkheads at the tank and the rest is just pex to the sump it may not be bad priced either.

ddc1993 · 08/05/2018, 06:18 PM

I guess it might not be worth it. I have some tight areas in floor joists that I thought it would be nice to use flex.

saveafish · 08/05/2018, 07:47 PM

Use spa flex. It goes by ID pex goes by OD. Pex it really smaller ID than you get. Or Spiral PVC-flex.

mcgyvr · 08/06/2018, 10:02 AM

^^ Yep.. Spaflex is a better choice than PEX for this type of application..

laverda · 08/08/2018, 08:19 PM

You can get super-flex or ultra-flex PVC in 1/2, 3/4” and 1”. It is much more flexible than spaflex and bonds just like other PVC pipe.

BruceWayne · 08/15/2018, 03:08 PM

why are you considering PEX over PVC? how long of a distance are you trying to run?

08/05/2018, 05:02 PM	#1
ddc1993 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 8	Pex plumbing questions I searched the forums but couldn't find the answers I am looking for. PEX has come a long way to date. I am getting ready to build a refugium in the basement and display tank above. I would like to run my lines using PEX. Would love suggestions/recommendations from those who have done this. Thanks

08/05/2018, 05:07 PM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	A quick search only showed it up to 3/4". Not big enough -- __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

08/05/2018, 07:47 PM	#9
saveafish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 873	Use spa flex. It goes by ID pex goes by OD. Pex it really smaller ID than you get. Or Spiral PVC-flex. __________________ If it was'nt for the sea I could not see or sing ( Jimmy Buffet ) I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other Reefing is'nt how long you been in it. It is how deep you get in it. Current Tank Info: 400g display build, 300g sump, 75g ATO, 75g refug and a few more. Close to a 1000g. 200g mixing station.

08/06/2018, 10:02 AM	#10
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	^^ Yep.. Spaflex is a better choice than PEX for this type of application.. __________________ Who me?

08/08/2018, 08:19 PM	#11
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	You can get super-flex or ultra-flex PVC in 1/2, 3/4” and 1”. It is much more flexible than spaflex and bonds just like other PVC pipe. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

08/05/2018, 05:09 PM	#3
ddc1993 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 8	They make 1" PEX lines.

08/05/2018, 05:24 PM	#4
Gorgok Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 1,904	How much smaller is the ID of a plastic pex fitting than the ID of the tube? Brass ones looked pretty thin but the plastic ones looked very chunky. Barb fitting chunky... But what sort of tank/flow are you looking for anyway?

08/05/2018, 05:29 PM	#5
ddc1993 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 8	I will have a 40g display with a 55gal ref. I know when I calculated it I could achieve with reg 3/4 PVC. I like the option of running something flexible. I know you can't use the brass fittings but thought the sharkbite fittings would be sufficient.

08/05/2018, 05:39 PM	#6
Gorgok Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 1,904	Apparently they do make pex (propex?) up to 3" by the way... But maybe its only in expander fitting style. It looks like those would maintain the ID also. Fitting price is pretty bad, at $10 an elbow (at 1.5") hurts, and you still need 2 expander rings (~$1 ea). I didn't see a good way to go from propex to pvc bulkhead without going through brass. Not sure on the sharkbite stuff, from little i saw they all had brass bodies. I think the sleeves only go so far, so there is brass contact. Could be wrong though.

08/05/2018, 05:49 PM	#7
Gorgok Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 1,904	Instead of sharkbite you can use John Guest fittings. Those come up to the 1" pex size, and have reasonable ways to connect to pvc/abs bulkheads. Like this: https://www.supplyhouse.com/John-Gue...-x-1-NPT-Black If you only need to have fittings on the bulkheads at the tank and the rest is just pex to the sump it may not be bad priced either.

08/05/2018, 06:18 PM	#8
ddc1993 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 8	I guess it might not be worth it. I have some tight areas in floor joists that I thought it would be nice to use flex.

08/15/2018, 03:08 PM	#12
BruceWayne Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 8	why are you considering PEX over PVC? how long of a distance are you trying to run?