anyone got a pex (plumbing) fish tank setup?
- Thread starter b-man
- Start date
.I've used alot of pex for plumbing jobs. It should hold up great! Simple to install and you can also use compression fittings instead of crimp fittings and a special crimp too too!
I plumbed my house with it, it is really nice stuff.
I used RTI PEX, it uses brass or plastic barbed fitting and stainless steel bands. It does require a $100.00 crimping tool, so like Knowdafish said, you may want to go with compression fittings. Compression fittings do cost a lot more, so if you plan on using a lot you should look into getting a crimp tool.
There is another PEX system called Wirsbo that uses an expansion tool to flare the tubing. You stick the fitting in and then the tube shrinks back to it's original size - pretty cool. The flaring tool is like $300.00 though, so it is probably less practical.
PEX comes in either 20' straight length or in rolls of the flex tube (which isn't really much more flexible than the straight stuff). If you ever kink a piece by folding it too sharply a heat gun will help it to regain its shape - the stuff has incredible "memory".
A couple drawbacks to aquarium use: First is that it gets pretty stiff in larger sizes (not nearly as flexible as braided vinyl tubing). Second is the cost, it is fairly expensive compared to hard PVC.
I used RTI PEX, it uses brass or plastic barbed fitting and stainless steel bands. It does require a $100.00 crimping tool, so like Knowdafish said, you may want to go with compression fittings. Compression fittings do cost a lot more, so if you plan on using a lot you should look into getting a crimp tool.
There is another PEX system called Wirsbo that uses an expansion tool to flare the tubing. You stick the fitting in and then the tube shrinks back to it's original size - pretty cool. The flaring tool is like $300.00 though, so it is probably less practical.
PEX comes in either 20' straight length or in rolls of the flex tube (which isn't really much more flexible than the straight stuff). If you ever kink a piece by folding it too sharply a heat gun will help it to regain its shape - the stuff has incredible "memory".
A couple drawbacks to aquarium use: First is that it gets pretty stiff in larger sizes (not nearly as flexible as braided vinyl tubing). Second is the cost, it is fairly expensive compared to hard PVC.
Hang on, those are metallic fittings. If you can't get 100% plastic fittings, then PEX may not be suitable for aquarium use, especially not with salt water.
What's the advantage to this over PVC again? 10yrs ago when worked at Home Depot we kinda viewed this stuff as the bastard child of plumbing options, only mildly above ABS pipe which has been banned in many locations.
I ask, because I don't know much about the PEX stuff other then it seems to be popular in the mobile home community.
I ask, because I don't know much about the PEX stuff other then it seems to be popular in the mobile home community.
Oreo;1904706; said:
well its better than pvc and abs as it is potable water rated according to the UPC. i dont see any benefits to using it personally. i install pex, cpvc, pvc, cast iron, corzan(sch. 80 cpvc), abs, and copper. pex does have a 25 yr guarantee, but personally i dont really like anything that isnt bonded at joints by glue or solder. cpvc is great because its a one step glueing process, and is easily repairable by a homeowner with a simple can of glue and some fittings. but cpvc does get brittle after about 10yrs.
to each his own, pick what you like. pex will work great for what your doing.
Oreo;1904706; said:
For most aquarium applications PVC is more appropriate than PEX (especially when cost is factored in).
For home water service PEX is the best choice hands-down. PEX is extremely strong, non-reactive, and can be frozen solid hundreds of times without failing. Copper is a close second, but can corrode if the water chemistry is at all aggressive. CPVC is a poor choice in my opinion. Like dmopar said, it gets brittle over time. It's easy to break and disintegrates (well, almost) if frozen.
This is just my opinion, but I was a plumber full-time for five years and I still plumb in the summertime. I did quite a bit of research before plumbing my own house 5 years ago before I chose PEX.
Are you sure you weren't thinking of polybutylene tubing? It was used for years in mobile homes but is now illegal (at least in Oregon).