Brennan's Odyssey: A Newbs Quest

[bcrane]

Thanks gaz

A lot of people at rc are saying the clear plastic tubing has to go. Some people told me they've had no problems with it. Unfortunately most of my fittings wont translate to rigid pvc, so I have to decide to keep my plumbing or start from scratch. Ive posted everything before doing it except the plumbing, I don't know why, but I guess I was bound to make some newb mistakes. The plumbing wasn't expensive, but I don't have much experience with pvc....I guess its decision time

[JPSKI25]

allright you already know I'm a d!ck but I'm on that "gotta go" band wagon! I have seen alot of people stay with them and the tubes fill with algae because they are clear! Fuge light bleed through and the algae grows thick! I say do it up with PVC, if you need I have a miter saw you can borrow to make all the cuts. Worst case cover the crap out of those tubes with duct tape to block the light, but pvc is better. You will be much happier in the long run IMO!

[bcrane]

I think I might go with spa flex pvc. I'm not sure yet, haven't quite finished kicking myself in the teeth yet

[JPSKI25]

I'll help if you need.......kicking you in the teeth that is!!! PVC is cheap and easy! If you can work around my f'd up life I can help with the pvc, plus I'm sure there are many others here that would say the same! I just am not a fan of the clear tubes, add in metal clamps that can rust, I would rather spend the time on pvc

[Gazog]

I agree on the clear tube, I used it on my 16 gallon because I had some in the garage. It took about 3 months and it filled with algae, it didn't seem to interfere with the flow but I was more concerned about some of it breaking off and ending up in my tank.

Spa Flex Pipe isn't that expensive and you know what its easier to work with than rigid so Iwould recommend you use that. Nice thing about it is where you might need to use a couple of 90's and 45's with the rigid with with the flex you just bend it around which makes for much better flow. Just make sure you get it seated and glued really well in the fittings.

Along with JP I more than willing to help. I have worked with PVC my whole life including plumbing my whole house. If you need a hand let me know and I come over and bring my bucket of fittings, glues and tools.

[bcrane]

Thanks for the support guys, I'll probably call for some help in a few months.


As suggested I'm going to ride it out and see how it goes. If I ever need to replace the plumbing it was very easy and clearly I have tons of help here!

Luckily the side of the refugium is mostly covered in barbed fittings with very little clear tubing exposed, on the exposed part ill just toss some tinfoil on it and check every week or so for build up

[Gazog]

Do not use tinfoil, I just got done reading an article about how when water splashes on aluminum and drips back in the tank it can leach something out of the aluminum which is toxic to corals and inverts.

Just go to Menard's and get some Black foam pipe tape or those foam pipe covers and cover it with those. That will also protect the clamps that your worried about. Then you should be fine.

[JPSKI25]

+1 on pipe foam

[hoju74]

I might have some black pipe foam laying around. I can check when I get home if you want.

[bcrane]

Alright, so heres a dry fitting test of the plumbing I'm working on.

The ball valve to the left will have a 90* fitting coming straight out of the valve. Should I let it suspend there or cut another piece of PVC to actually be submerged?

I placed the unions where I did because I'm testing the plumbing in the basement, so I'll need to disconnect them.

The drain to the refugium will drop out of a Tee, again, should i cut a piece of pvc to go downward, submerging into the water or let it drain from the tee?

To the right of the right most ball valve will be another ballvalve for water changes with a barbed fitting at the end

So will this work? should i start glueing? LMK!

** the clear plastic tubing will be replaced with black vinyl most likely, unless I can find spa flex, reason being the return is not a straight shot to the pump**