PVC or Flexible Tubing?

Joek86 · 07/31/2013, 03:23 AM

Just got a used 120 gallon setup and am sorting through things. I am planning the plumbing...Pvc or flexible, whats your preference and why?

~Joe

jerrodm · 07/31/2013, 04:33 AM

Honestly it really depends on what you want. PVC looks nice and clean if done nicely, but flexible tubing is just that - flexible. I did PVC from my overflow to my sump, then flex from my pump back to the return to quiet things down a bit (it worked). I originally had hard pvc on my return side, but the pump's vibrations through the pvc were a little obnoxious sound-wise.

tanked37 · 07/31/2013, 04:38 AM

Hands down flexible. Marine depot sells nice flexible tubing. The reason: you can move stuff just enough and that's so helpful in a tight space. I have a 90g/30g sump. Another reason is that for short water runs in smaller systems like ours you can avoid the 90 degree elbows which reduce pump efficiency. For long water runs for like a basement sump, then yeah, definitely hard PVC, but for a self contained tank/sump application all within a stand, then flexible is my vote. It has reminded me that it has been the right decision everytime I need to do something.

Lostinthedark · 07/31/2013, 06:44 AM

I did a combo of both. PVC and tigerflex on the overflow and flex from the return. Keeps things quiet and adjustable.

Bobborocco · 07/31/2013, 08:45 AM

Both i ran PVC for both my overflows and flex for the return. Seems to be working just fine

07/31/2013, 03:23 AM	#1
Joek86 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Webster NY Posts: 88	PVC or Flexible Tubing? Just got a used 120 gallon setup and am sorting through things. I am planning the plumbing...Pvc or flexible, whats your preference and why? ~Joe

07/31/2013, 04:33 AM	#2
jerrodm Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 85	Honestly it really depends on what you want. PVC looks nice and clean if done nicely, but flexible tubing is just that - flexible. I did PVC from my overflow to my sump, then flex from my pump back to the return to quiet things down a bit (it worked). I originally had hard pvc on my return side, but the pump's vibrations through the pvc were a little obnoxious sound-wise.

07/31/2013, 04:38 AM	#3
tanked37 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 262	Hands down flexible. Marine depot sells nice flexible tubing. The reason: you can move stuff just enough and that's so helpful in a tight space. I have a 90g/30g sump. Another reason is that for short water runs in smaller systems like ours you can avoid the 90 degree elbows which reduce pump efficiency. For long water runs for like a basement sump, then yeah, definitely hard PVC, but for a self contained tank/sump application all within a stand, then flexible is my vote. It has reminded me that it has been the right decision everytime I need to do something.

07/31/2013, 06:44 AM	#4
Lostinthedark Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Freehold, NJ Posts: 342	I did a combo of both. PVC and tigerflex on the overflow and flex from the return. Keeps things quiet and adjustable.

07/31/2013, 08:45 AM	#5
Bobborocco Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 73	Both i ran PVC for both my overflows and flex for the return. Seems to be working just fine