Overflow pipe: Clear Hose vs White PVC

Reeferon · 12/04/2006, 05:25 PM

I am considering drilling 3 holes for 1" bulkheads for my overflow.

I was thinking that maybe ill use 1" clear vinyl hose to feed it to the sump.

Why is it that people always choose white PVC to feed the sump from the overflows? Why wouldn't just use clear vinyl hose?

msuzuki126 · 12/04/2006, 05:26 PM

I think spa flex or flexible PVC pipe is the way to go.

rtbm · 12/04/2006, 06:30 PM

because it looks nice.

Jasen Hicks · 12/04/2006, 07:08 PM

The clear tubing will allow light in and allow nasty algea to grow better. I use the black tubing instead (when I need to feed things like skimmers/calc reactors etc) so that the light doesnt help that junk grow.

I just cut some year old PVC open and found a little brown growth in there, but not nearly as much as my clear tubing.

scaryperson27 · 12/04/2006, 09:04 PM

Spa flex is used like PVC. It is very hard to slide it on to make connections bebause it is made to slip into female connections.

Jasen Hicks · 12/04/2006, 09:06 PM

I just noticed you live in Gainesville! Go Gators! I graduated in 2003!

P.S. Going to AZ? I am!

RandyStacyE · 12/05/2006, 12:26 PM

I usually use this type of hose:

TropTrea · 12/05/2006, 12:41 PM

Observing the picture of the hose shown above, I'd like to mention some cautions.

Some simular hoses are smooth inside whime others have the ribbing on the inside. If you get the hose with the ribbing the water flow through that hose creates internal turbulance resulting in some resistance to flow.

Therefore if your using this internally ribbed hose to pump water from your sump you will not get the same flow as the calculators for head hieght indicate you will get.

Dennis

TitusvileSurfer · 12/05/2006, 01:07 PM

Congrats on the SEC title and National Championship hopeful! Go Gators

hllywd · 12/05/2006, 01:47 PM

I use both clear vinyl and the ribbed stuff with no problems.

Tim

coralnut99 · 12/05/2006, 02:12 PM

For most I think its the algae issue. In some cases you can even get coralline buildup, and that can restrict flow somewhat. For others it's just neater looking. I use both. The clear vynil can compesate for some weird angles that would require more fittings, etc. A wrap with electrical tape, or using Automotive wire looms will take acre of the algae issues. I would use the black vynil more, but I have had a hard time finding it in the ID's that I need, if I can find it at all.

12/04/2006, 05:25 PM	#1
Reeferon Moved On Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Gainesville Posts: 748	Overflow pipe: Clear Hose vs White PVC I am considering drilling 3 holes for 1" bulkheads for my overflow. I was thinking that maybe ill use 1" clear vinyl hose to feed it to the sump. Why is it that people always choose white PVC to feed the sump from the overflows? Why wouldn't just use clear vinyl hose?

12/04/2006, 05:26 PM	#2
msuzuki126 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dutchess County, New York Posts: 1,377	I think spa flex or flexible PVC pipe is the way to go. __________________ Red House=My 90 build. Matt. Current Tank Info: 90 rebuild

12/04/2006, 06:30 PM	#3
rtbm Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: wisconsin Posts: 958	because it looks nice. __________________ "Better to act while you're still foolish enough to think you know everything than to be slowly frozen by the creeping uncertainty of bitter wisdom..." L.Person Current Tank Info: 30x30 miracles starfire sps reef + 800 gal sps prop system

12/04/2006, 07:08 PM	#4
Jasen Hicks Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 240	The clear tubing will allow light in and allow nasty algea to grow better. I use the black tubing instead (when I need to feed things like skimmers/calc reactors etc) so that the light doesnt help that junk grow. I just cut some year old PVC open and found a little brown growth in there, but not nearly as much as my clear tubing. __________________ Jasen Hicks I work and live in Japan. Thanks Navy! "Girls only want boyfreinds with great skills!" http://www.JasensCustoms.com Current Tank Info: 10G Office Reef

12/04/2006, 09:06 PM	#6
Jasen Hicks Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 240	I just noticed you live in Gainesville! Go Gators! I graduated in 2003! P.S. Going to AZ? I am! __________________ Jasen Hicks I work and live in Japan. Thanks Navy! "Girls only want boyfreinds with great skills!" http://www.JasensCustoms.com Current Tank Info: 10G Office Reef

12/04/2006, 09:04 PM	#5
scaryperson27 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cape Coral, F.L. Posts: 2,106	Spa flex is used like PVC. It is very hard to slide it on to make connections bebause it is made to slip into female connections.

12/05/2006, 12:26 PM	#7
RandyStacyE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,659	I usually use this type of hose:

12/05/2006, 12:41 PM	#8
TropTrea Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: SE Suburbia Wisconsin Posts: 2,910	Observing the picture of the hose shown above, I'd like to mention some cautions. Some simular hoses are smooth inside whime others have the ribbing on the inside. If you get the hose with the ribbing the water flow through that hose creates internal turbulance resulting in some resistance to flow. Therefore if your using this internally ribbed hose to pump water from your sump you will not get the same flow as the calculators for head hieght indicate you will get. Dennis __________________ Dennis B. Current Tank Info: Main tank 120 Gallon, 432 Watts T-5's plus 30 Watts of LED's, Frag 40 Gallon tank 234 Watts T-5's, 3 Frag tanks all 40 Gallon with LED lighting between 60 and 84 Watts. All LEDs are DIY Oh and then there is fresh water tanks 270 gallons

12/05/2006, 01:07 PM	#9
TitusvileSurfer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Titusville, FL Posts: 3,227	Congrats on the SEC title and National Championship hopeful! Go Gators __________________ The ocean is the pinnacle of reef tanks. Someone up there is keeping up with his PH and Phosphates to.

12/05/2006, 01:47 PM	#10
hllywd Premier World Traveler Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,293	I use both clear vinyl and the ribbed stuff with no problems. Tim __________________ "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it..." J.M. Barrie Current Tank Info: 210 AGA RR, Apex, 3x Kessil A360W & 2x 80W T5s, GEO 618 Ca Rx, BM220 CS2 skimmer, Tunze 6100s, 42" ETSS/AE Tech refugium/sump

12/05/2006, 02:12 PM	#11
coralnut99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bushkill, PA Posts: 3,632	For most I think its the algae issue. In some cases you can even get coralline buildup, and that can restrict flow somewhat. For others it's just neater looking. I use both. The clear vynil can compesate for some weird angles that would require more fittings, etc. A wrap with electrical tape, or using Automotive wire looms will take acre of the algae issues. I would use the black vynil more, but I have had a hard time finding it in the ID's that I need, if I can find it at all. __________________ Why can't my wife see this stuff as an investment? Current Tank Info: way too much to list, and still adding more!