PVC vs Flex

[Danh]

Which one do you use? Which do you prefer?

I've used a little bit of both.

I like the cleaner look of well done PVC. It feels a little more secure, less likely to leak or fail.

I dislike the idea of 90* corners putting unnecessary pressure on the pumps. Adjusting much once it's in is a chore. Move something a little bit and you can break seals. I've never broken seals before but it seems like a risk.


Flex is more... flexible... I guess not just in terms of the texture of the material. A little more forgiving? Less expertise necessary with putting it together maybe? No 90* pressure. Lastly, most overflow kits come with barbed bulkheads, as the ones that I have are, so I'd have to replace the bulkheads to go pvc.

I dislike the way it looks, granted, it's frequently not visible anyway. I've just never seen a flex hose setup that was really clean looking.


Other opions?

 

[duanes]

I have used both, and prefer PVC.
For about 1/3rd the cost of flex, and its availability at almost any hardware store it seems to be the way for me to go.
I also run multiple tanks off 1 sump, so a solid structure is important, as are ease of maintenance. I place threaded PVC unions in any area I expect to need access, as well as on the outflow of pumps for easy on and off. And if I discover an area I have missed, a simple cut, a couple joints and a little PVC glue for less than $1 make for an easy adjustment, and solid connection.


I also like the ability to easily adjust pipe size with reducers that hold, without needing hose barbs in high flow situations, and the availability of standard size reliable ball valves, check valves, and even clear PVC if I so desire.

I use large pieces of PVC pipe to make DIY bio-towers, fluidized beds, and fractionators to fit any space, at a fraction of the cost of commercial brands.

 

[Ihsnshaik]

I currently run a sump with some industrial pool hoses. It's just one tank and didn't want to use PVC for it. If I was running multiple tanks PVC is the way to go. In 6-7 years I recently had a pin hole leak in my hose. That's due to all the crap that has accumulated in years and caused a leak. I store a bucket right underneath it and it caught it all. It was very minor probably a drip every hour or so. 10$ later and a trip to the LFS I was good to go. I usually visit my pool store but it was winter and the guy said they didn't have my size in stock.

Its the gray hose in this picture. Many people use this in the hobby and also PVC.
. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct...9B91dr7RtznNuzVYqFvbkjgw&ust=1455909441263029

So the question is due you really need PVC? How big is the tank and where is the sump located. Is it multiple tanks?

For me If I were to do it all over again I would do PVC but since I got it like this many many years ago I didn't bother plumbing it all over again.

 

[shookONES]

I've always been a fan of barbed fittings and rubber tubing. Smooth bends are better for flow, and its a lost easier to unscrew hose clamps instead of PVC unions and cutting.

 

[Danh]

I used to have a fish room and all tanks that had sumps had their dedicated sumps. I used both flex and pvc. But it was a fish room. Small spills, humidity and looks weren't as much of a concern. New house has no fish room. I'm going to have 2 or 3 show tanks and that's it. All filtration will need to be in the stands. I would like them to look neat and tidy, not sloppy like fish room sumps

 

[Danh]

duanes - I like the DIY stuff. I will be doing some of that for a sand FB at least.

 

[Danh]

DN328 commented in another thread of mine where I mentioned the question and his PVC is nice and neat.

 

[Danh]

bozatron A little bit of flex. Looks clean.

 

[Danh]

J Jc1119 Another combo that looks pretty nice

 

[Danh]

After realizing that all of my fittings were barbed and then going to the lfs and seeing some nice black hoses, I decided to go flex. I'll post pics in my other thread.