Braided Vinyl Tubing - Pros and Cons?

[NeuroDoc]

Title says it all. I want to avoid three 90 degree turns in the return line from my sump to my tank, and figured flexible tubing was the answer. I can only get "spa flex" in 1-1/4" or larger sizes locally (or that's all I have been able to find), and my return pump is a Blue Line HD40 with 3/4" in/out going to a 3/4" seaswirl. I found 3/4" braided vinyl tubing at Home Depot and I can curve it to avoid the sharp turns, and thus (I think) keep head loss to a minimum.

So I think that's the pro; what's the downside to using this versus straight PVC tubing?

 

[ronj]

i would like to know the same thing

 

[JPG@CFI]

NeuroDoc,

I hate the braided stuff, working with it just sucks. It will make your install look like it's an RV. I use .500, .750, 1.00, 1.250, 1.500, and 2.00 in k-flex. if you need some certain length, let me know.
No real reason to not use the braided, just there is a more user friendly alternative. Just my .02

Jason
CFI
worldclassaquariums.com

 

[NeuroDoc]

Thanks Jason,

What exactly is K-flex?

Another reason I was attracted to the braided vinyl is that I can just slip it over a barb and clamp it down. No gluing, and easy to remove if I ever had to.

 

[mfinn]

You can get spa flex at www.savko.com in sizes as small as 1/2", 3/4", 1" etc.

 

[Kensn]

Also the barbs and fittings will knock down the ID, this will in turn create more head loss then your 90s I think...

 

[NeuroDoc]

Also the barbs and fittings will knock down the ID, this will in turn create more head loss then your 90s I think...

I hadn't thought of that. Does anyone know where I can get flexible pvc on the kitsap penisula?

 

[NeuroDoc]

bump. Anyone else have pro's or con's? I am getting close to the last bit of plumbing on my tank which will likely be some sort of flexible tubing. Thanks.

 

[dnjan]

Light shining through the (clear) braided vinyl will eventually lead to algae growth inside the tubing, leading to more head loss.

 

[Scooterman]

one con. is it is clear & will grow algae, messy to clean, solids make for better plumbing, go with the spa-flex.

 

[mfinn]

Can you form spa flex in certain shapes and have it stay that way?

 

[mattseattle]

somewhat....you can heat it up and bend it and when it cools it will stay to that shape. well to a certain extent it will but it does have a tad of a memory.

 

[plack]

They have 30 feet very close to you at this store

South Kitsap Mall: Scott McLendon's Ace Hardware
1700 SE Mile Hill Dr # 100A, Port Orchard, WA
8.3 mi SE - (360) 876-8018