Plumbing help!

ibryson · 02/12/2019, 09:57 PM

I have decided to go with flexible tubing for my tank plumbing. Im keeping it simple, two drain tubes and two return tubes, so I dont think PVC would really be necessary. My problem is finding a reducer to connect 1 1/4 inner diameter tubing to 3/4 inner diameter. Do these things even exist?? The closest I've gotten is 1 1/4 to 1 reducer.

My drain pipes are 1 1/4 and the return pipes are 3/4. Is there a better solution to this?

wrott · 02/12/2019, 11:13 PM

Do you need slip or threaded?
Soak ends of vinly tubing 5min in boiling hot water, then slip onto adapter.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Genova-3-4-...dapter/3364726
https://www.usabluebook.com/p-266289...barb-size.aspx
https://www.menards.com/main/plumbin...0339842&ipos=1

mcgyvr · 02/13/2019, 05:37 AM

Why do you need to adapt your drain to your return?
Keep the drain as all 1-1/4 tubing and let the returns stay 3/4 tubing all the way..

ibryson · 02/13/2019, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Why do you need to adapt your drain to your return?
Keep the drain as all 1-1/4 tubing and let the returns stay 3/4 tubing all the way..

The piece that came with my return pump is a threaded and barbed piece for 1 1/4 diameter, but my overflow kit return pipes came with a bulk head barbed piece that’s 3/4 diameter. I was thinking I needed a double sided barbed piece that would connect the return pump tubing to the return pipe tubing. But maybe I’ll just buy a new piece for the return pump (threaded side 1 1/4, barbed side 3/4)

ibryson · 02/13/2019, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrott

Do you need slip or threaded?
Soak ends of vinly tubing 5min in boiling hot water, then slip onto adapter.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Genova-3-4-...dapter/3364726
https://www.usabluebook.com/p-266289...barb-size.aspx
https://www.menards.com/main/plumbin...0339842&ipos=1

Do they make these pieces that are barbed on both sides rather than threaded on one side?

wrott · 02/13/2019, 08:07 AM

Yes, search with the term, Barb x barb

nereefpat · 02/13/2019, 08:16 AM

Return pump -> 1 1/4" tubing -> reducer to 1" -> 1" tubing -> reducer to 3/4"

mcgyvr · 02/13/2019, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nereefpat

Return pump -> 1 1/4" tubing -> reducer to 1" -> 1" tubing -> reducer to 3/4"

Yep.. Often with tubing you need to step down one size at a time..
barb to barb reducers will get you there...

ibryson · 02/14/2019, 07:46 PM

Are hose clamps necessary for these connections? They seem pretty tight already but I wonder if these connections loosen up over time? I can also see negative affects of clamping them too tight also....

Vinny Kreyling · 02/15/2019, 08:49 AM

Better safe than sorry, but most times , in fact always, after some time you will have to cut the hose to remove it.

mcgyvr · 02/15/2019, 09:09 AM

I would never use tubing without a clamp of some sort..
The tubing can expand/degrade,etc... over time and a clamp is simple/cheap insurance..

02/12/2019, 09:57 PM	#1
ibryson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Missouri Posts: 73	Plumbing help! I have decided to go with flexible tubing for my tank plumbing. Im keeping it simple, two drain tubes and two return tubes, so I dont think PVC would really be necessary. My problem is finding a reducer to connect 1 1/4 inner diameter tubing to 3/4 inner diameter. Do these things even exist?? The closest I've gotten is 1 1/4 to 1 reducer. My drain pipes are 1 1/4 and the return pipes are 3/4. Is there a better solution to this?

02/12/2019, 11:13 PM	#2
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Do you need slip or threaded? Soak ends of vinly tubing 5min in boiling hot water, then slip onto adapter. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Genova-3-4-...dapter/3364726 https://www.usabluebook.com/p-266289...barb-size.aspx https://www.menards.com/main/plumbin...0339842&ipos=1 __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

02/13/2019, 05:37 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Why do you need to adapt your drain to your return? Keep the drain as all 1-1/4 tubing and let the returns stay 3/4 tubing all the way.. __________________ Who me?

02/13/2019, 08:07 AM	#6
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Yes, search with the term, Barb x barb __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

02/13/2019, 08:16 AM	#7
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	Return pump -> 1 1/4" tubing -> reducer to 1" -> 1" tubing -> reducer to 3/4" __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

02/14/2019, 07:46 PM	#9
ibryson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Missouri Posts: 73	Are hose clamps necessary for these connections? They seem pretty tight already but I wonder if these connections loosen up over time? I can also see negative affects of clamping them too tight also....

02/15/2019, 08:49 AM	#10
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Better safe than sorry, but most times , in fact always, after some time you will have to cut the hose to remove it. __________________ 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.

02/15/2019, 09:09 AM	#11
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I would never use tubing without a clamp of some sort.. The tubing can expand/degrade,etc... over time and a clamp is simple/cheap insurance.. __________________ Who me?